Longzhou Zuojiang Scenic Area

Longzhou Zuojiang Scenic Area

The Zuojiang — located in Chongzuo City, Guangxi, is a natural scenic area known for its water landscapes. Originating in northern Vietnam, it flows through Longzhou, Chongzuo, and Fusui in Guangxi, and joins the Youjiang River at the Songcun Three Rivers Confluence in Yongning County. It passes through “three counties, one city, and one district,” namely Pingxiang City, Jiangzhou District, Longzhou County, Ningming County, and Fusui County, spanning a total length of 345 kilometers.

The Zuojiang has gentle currents and winding curves, but its most beautiful section is its upper reaches within Longzhou County — the Longzhou stretch of the Zuojiang. People often refer to it as the “Lijiang” (Beautiful River) due to its stunning scenery. It originates from the confluence of the Shuikou River and Ping’er River from Vietnam at Xima Beach in Longzhou Town, then flows through Longzhou, Xiaxiu Township, Shangjin Township, and Xiangshui Town, until it reaches Tuomian Village in Xiangshui Town where it enters the territory of Chongzuo County. This section is 72 kilometers long. The Mingjiang River, home to the most famous Zuojiang cliff paintings, is its tributary, joining at Shangjin Street.

The banks of the Zuojiang feature karst topography, with continuous ranges of mountains, lush trees, towering peaks, and uniquely shaped rocks. Their reflections in the water complement the rugged stones along the riverbanks. The river itself boasts emerald-green waters that wind gracefully, while the enchanting scenery and beautiful legends add an air of mystery that captivates visitors from all over. It can truly be considered a model of harmony between humans and nature.

It is often said, “In the south there is the Zuojiang, in the north there is the Li River.” The Zuojiang is characterized by its steep mountains, crystal-clear waters, and extraordinary caves. Xu Xiake, the renowned geographer and traveler of the Ming Dynasty, was so impressed by the Zuojiang’s beauty that he wrote in his travelogue, “The mountains of Yangshuo are steep and hug the river, but they cannot rival the stones on this riverbank; the streams of Jianxi are rapid and full of rocks, but none are as uniquely shaped as these.” He also noted, “The painted mountains of Yangshuo are outshone by this place.” Such praise from a master geographer who had seen the wonders of the world speaks volumes about the allure and uniqueness of the Zuojiang’s scenery.

The most iconic attraction is the Zuojiang Cliff Paintings, which China has nominated as part of its World Cultural Heritage tentative list under the rare “dual heritage” category. On a cliff face approximately 260 meters high along the river, there is a pyramid-shaped mural. Stark, majestic, and precipitous, the entire mural stands about 43 meters tall and nearly 200 meters wide, featuring over 3,100 circular images of humans, animals, the sun, the moon, bows and arrows, bronze drums, and more. The content is rich and peculiar, the images vivid and distinct, and the poses dynamic and lively. To this day, no one has been able to determine why, with what materials, how, or for what purpose these ancient people created the paintings — making them one of history’s great unsolved mysteries.

The Zuojiang Cliff Paintings are a rich cultural legacy left by the Luoyue ancestors for future generations, and are treasures of the Zhuang people’s historical and folk culture. They are hailed as the greatest symbol of China’s rice cultivation culture and the finest example of world rock art. In 2008, patterns from the Zuojiang Cliff Paintings were showcased as one of the representatives of ancient culture during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.