Hezhou is located in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. It borders Huaiji, Lianzhou and other cities and counties in Guangdong Province to the east, Jiangyong and Jianghua counties in Hunan Province to the north, Guilin to the west and Wuzhou to the south. The city covers a total area of 11,800 square kilometers.

Huangyao Ancient Town in Hezhou [Photo/VCG]

Hezhou is in the subtropical monsoon climate zone. The 30-year annual average temperature is between 19.2 C and 19.9 C, the annual average sunshine hours are 1,439 hours to 1,589 hours, and the annual average precipitation is 1,558 mm to 2,012 mm.

Hezhou is a multi-ethnic city, with Zhuang and Yao being the aboriginal inhabitants. As of 2016, the city has seven ethnic groups including Han, Yao, Zhuang, Miao, Dong, Hui and Manchu and the total population of ethnic minorities is about 350,000. Yao have the largest population percentage and they mainly live in Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County. Zhuang are the second largest ethnic minority and they mainly live in Babu District and Zhongshan County. The other ethnic minorities have small populations and are scattered across Hezhou.

Hezhou is a multi-lingual city. The main languages are Chinese, Zhuang and Yao dialects. There are a variety of Chinese dialects due to regional differences and different ethnic groups. Most of the Zhuang and Yao compatriots speak Mandarin Chinese. Chinese characters are the general script in the city.

Hezhou has rich natural resources. The city has more than 60 types of useful minerals, and 28 kinds of proven reserves (including associated minerals). Hezhou has 13 large deposits, 20 medium-sized deposits and 115 small ones. There are many kinds of animal and plant resources. The city has over 1400 species of wild plants, including Chinese red pine, Chinese fir, tea oil camellia, Chinese star anise, theaceae and natural secondary shrubs. There are five nature reserves in Daguishan, Qichong, Huashuichong, Xilingshan Mountain and Guposhan Mountain, and the Huanglianding Migratory Bird Sanctuary, with a total area of 52,155.2 hectares, is located in Zhaoping County. These areas have rich wild animal resources. According to surveys, there are 128 species of birds and 48 species of mammals in the protected areas. The species under national Level 1 protection include yellow-bellied tragopan, monitor lizards, pythons, forest owls, and iguanas. There are also 24 kinds of animals under national Level 2 protection such as pangolin and white pheasants. 

There are 34 state-level and autonomous region-level key cultural relics protection units in Hezhou. The main scenic spots and historical sites include Linhe Ancient City Site, Fushan Chenwang Temple, Wenbi Tower, Pumen Stone City, Millennium Guihuajing, Yuedong Hall, Yingjia Yuedong Hall (the former site of the Yingjia Uprising) and Huangyao Civilization Pavilion. The main ecological natural tourist scenic spots include Gupo Mountain, Shibashuiyuan Ecological Scenic Area), Daguishan Mountain National Forest Park,and Zhaoping Danao Mountain Tea Farm. The main cultural and cultural tourism attractions are Hejie Ancient Town, Huangyao Ancient Town, Xiushui Village, Fuxi Village and 30 traditional villages. Hezhou is a "World Longevity City ", a "China's Outstanding Tourist City", a "National Double-Support Model City", a "National Forest City", a "Best Eco-Tourism Demonstration City in China", the "Heavy Calcium Capital in China", "China's Longevity Food Capital" and a "National Forest Tourism Demonstration City".