Street Market and Street Food

From the South bus station turn right (south) and cross the river, just a coupel of blocks on the left (east side) and before the main road forks, there is a big community street market which becomes a large outdoor eating area at night. I was told that people come from all over the city to it. There was a big range of food available here. There are several net bars in this area too.

Budget Hotels
Near the South bus station there are numerous cheap hotels to the south, turn right form the bus station on Xingguang Lu and cross the river. There are not many hotels near the railway station, though there are some slightly higher standard ones there. From Beida bus station in the north west, turn right for hotels under Y100.

A visit to Yangmai village less than 40km to the west of Nanning is a must for people interested in history and modern village life roled into one. It has many historic buildings and encourages small scale tourism while continuing normal rural activity; it has a sandy beach where you can barbecue, except in the rainy season (summer).

There are local foods and crafts for sale, restaurants both cheap and classy, small shops and a net café. It is on the Yongjian River on a peninsula and is only accessible by the village bus (refered to in some literature as a tourist bus). It takes 90 minutes on the bus as it crosses the river on a ferry and passengers get out, and travels on some narrow dirt roads. The cost (2006) is only Y8!

There is guest house and motel type accommodation in the village. The first is as you enter the village on the left (the bus passes it), price and staandard not known, another is by the river by the restaurants, (last building on the left)and costs Y40 per night. There are no soft mattresses, only bamboo sleeping mats but it has aircon.

It is worth having a guide to explain what you see but there is no offical English speaking guide. I found a university student who was my excellent guide. Try asking the bus driver if there is anyone.

If you don’t want to stay overnight make sure you take the early bus there and check out the time of the last one back again. The way in is the only way out!

Ignore tourist information and maps which suggest a train stops there, that is history!

Yangmai has a local delicacy, sha gao, which looks like a jam sandwich. It has a soft slightly crumbly white outer layer with a soft fruit paste inside. The nearest western equivalent I can think of is a fig roll (UK and Aus). By the river you can buy excellent barbecued seafood on sticks.

Maps.
Maps of Nanning and Guanngxi province in Chinese are available everywhere, but the only place I could find a bilingual map was in the kiosk at the far right end of the railway station correct price Y5, but he will ask Y10. There is a big city map on an external wall of station – turn right from the station.

Bus stations.
1. In the south on Xingguang Lu, (buses 11, 21, 31 and others go to the railway station),
2. In the north west on Beida Lu not far west of the railway station,
3. In the far north east (buses 22 and 202 and others go to the railway station),
4. Just west of railway station just off south side of Zhonghua Lu which ONLY has a bus to Yangmai (not DaTien bu pu (waterfall) as sign there indicates).
5. Various bus stations and ticket offices in area south of the railway station offer tickets and buses to VietNam.

Railway Station
This is located north central of the city.

Buses are often more flexible than trains and you can often get seats when booking trains is more difficult.
1. Most cities have multiple bus stations (identified on maps by the Mercedes logo) which often overlap the destinations they serve.
2. At peak times there are extra buses but once you have bought your ticket get to the barrier as they may leave early these days.
3. If you are inclined to feel the cold, carry extra clothing as the aircon can be strong.
4. If you have bags that will go on the bus with you, make sure they are loaded onto the bus.
5. All the major buses provide you with a bottle of water and if the journey spans lunch they may provide a small meal.
6. Smaller non-aircon buses are cheaper but can get very crowded when they bring out standby seating. Also they often detour from the amin road to pick up pasengers.
7. Many long distance buses have two decks and reclining seat/beds, but they are not comfortable if you want to sit upright.