People & Society

The Han dominate Guangxi’s population of 45 million, which includes 12 ethnic minorities. Of these, the Zhuang account for the largest group with over 14 million people, while the diverse mix also includes Yao, Miao, Dong, Maonan, Yi and Shui.

The Zhuang are of Tai origin, migrating south from central China around 5,000 years ago. The Zhuang settled in Guangxi, while the other Tai peoples continued south to northern Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar. Over 90% of China’s Zhuang live in Guangxi, mostly in the central and western regions.

Language
The official language in Guangxi, as elsewhere in China, is Mandarin, which is spoken by more people than any other language in the world. The Han speak a Mandarin dialect, and almost all minorities have their own languages, including the Zhuang, which has its own written language as well. English is rarely spoken outside large urban centres.

Speaking Chinese Mandarin
Hello                  Ni hao
How are you?    Ni ne?
I am fine.           Hao
Goodbye            Zéi jién
Please               Qin
Thank you         Xie xie
Excuse me         Dué bé qé
Welcome           Bukeqi
Yes                    Shé de
No                     Bushi

Religion
Most Han and Zhuang follow a traditional animist/ancestor-oriented belief system, but there are a number of Christians, Buddhists, and Muslims in Guangxi as well. Most ethnic minorities have developed their distinct local beliefs.

Ancestor worship can be seen in the several temples named Fu Bo to honour Han Dynasty general, Ma Yuan, who defended the region’s borders and initiated economic reforms.

Buddhism is also quite widespread, especially in the east around Wuzhou, home of the Grand Dragon Temple of Motherhood, and Guiping near West Hill. Christians and Catholics can attend churches in Guilin, Beihai, Wuzhou and Nanning.