The Zhuanggulao Scenic Zone

Zhuanggulao Scenic Zone

“Zhuanggulao” comes from the spoken language of the Zhuang people, meaning “I am a big brother of the Zhuang Ethnicity.”

It is conveniently located at the Mashantang village, Liusanjie township, which lies at the northern part of Yizhou city.

The whole place covers an area of 16 hectares. The pristine ecological environment here has been well preserved. Everything here is natural and simple. In this scenic area, the Xiajian River looks like translucent jade and the Mashan Hill is densely covered with lots of large old trees. If you climb up along the footpath, you will find a wonderful view of the peak. Villages, farmhouses, fields, green hills, clear streams, and the mist between the hills all come into view and the Xiajian River brings you an Eden-like experience.

Zhuanggulao is an ideal place to enjoy your leisure time. There are well-preserved three-section compounds in the style of typical Zhuang construction with walls and tiles made out of mud and earth. They are cool in summer and warm in winter. In the small courtyards, there are many seasonal fruit trees and vegetables.

If you want, you could just come here with a couple of close friends and stay behind the closed fence for a few days! You can play cards, go angling, go swimming, go barbecuing and catch local chickens. You can also taste the special homemade wine of the Zhuang people that’s made of small wild berries while enjoying authentically cooked Zhuang dishes. Finally, you could sing a few mountain songs. You will live like gods here!

The Zhuanggulao Scenic Zone is where Third Sister Liu grew up, and also the origin of the mountain songs of the Zhuang people. The Cultural Ecological Reserve of Third Sister Liu Folk Songs in Guangxi is centered here. The Zhuang people here sing folk songs when they go to local fairs and work in the fields. Moreover, when friends meet each other, singing folk songs is how they greet each other.

So far, the Guangxi Folk Song Contest has produced 84 champion singers, and 18 of them are from Yizhou. It can be said that Yizhou is the “Zhuanggulao” of folk songs in Guangxi. The folk song culture featured by the combination of an old tradition and modern culture finds its full expression in the “Zhuanggulao” scenic zone. Tourists will find here the impromptu folk songs presented in a daring and vigorous manner.