Southwest Guangxi 鈥 Baise and Chongzuo 
Looking down at this spectacular Tiankeng formulated about three million years ago, it occurred to me that lifetime is really just a fleeting moment compared to natural wonders like this!
Bidding farewell to Dashiwei Tiankeng, I headed down south to Napo County, the hometown of the mysterious Black Zhuang.
I have been to many greeting ceremonies held by ethnic minority groups. But this one is definitely impressive, for its grand gate, and their unique costumes.
Looks like I have to finish all three cups of wine.
OK, now I鈥檓 allowed to go inside!
Zhuang nationality is the dominant ethnic group in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. And among the 12 Zhuang clans, Black Zhuang is the largest with a population over 50,000.
Black is the color of choice for Zhuang minority people, it鈥檚 not out of fashion, but out of survival according to legend.
Legend has it that once upon a time, the ancestors of Black Zhuang were surrounded by invaders and had no way out. One night, the chief of the tribe dreamed of an old guy showing him some indigo grass. The following day, he ordered everybody in the village to dye their clothes into black using the grass and successfully ambushed the enemies at night. Wearing black thus became a tradition of black Zhuang.
Other than revering black, they also hold on to many other traditional customs, such as the way of making the black cloth and clothes.
And For a long time, black Zhuang remained mysterious to outsiders because they were only allowed to marry within black Zhuang.
Most of the Black Zhuang find homes in the rugged mountain regions.
Just like other minority groups living in the mountainous areas, they love singing and dancing.
From this traditional number, you can tell that the ancestors of black Zhuang used to engage in hunting and warring activities.
In China, Zhuang people are known for their ability to sing and their melodious folk songs. Black Zhuang is not an exception.
In the past, singing was a crucial way for young men and women to express their affection toward each other and find their love.
I only wish I could stay a little longer at this remote village because it鈥檚 really hard to say goodbye to these beautiful smiles.
Getting out and about in Baise is a pure pleasure thanks to many unbeaten tracks that rival national parks. Tongling and Gulongshan gorges in Jingxi County are such hidden treasures.
Southern Guangxi is a paradise for outdoor lovers. There are tons of mountains, rivers, caves waiting to be explored. The only limit is gonna be your strength and stamina.
In Tongling valley, in addition to a tall waterfall, you can find many rare and precious plants, some even date back to the period of dinosaurs.
