Nanning is the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, seated in the Nanning Basin in the Lingnan Mountain Range. It sits on the edge of the Yong River, and is often called ''The Green City'' or ''the Garden City'' for its parks and gardens, which are made lush thanks to regular subtropical monsoon rains and warm climate. It has considerable regional economic importance, owing to its position on the western edge of the pan-delta economic circle of the Pearl River, its ready access to nearby ASEAN markets and its status as a major access point to the sea for other southwest China industrial cities.

Nanning's location and easy transport links makes it a popular stopover on many journeys around the region: to the east of the city lie the islands of Hong Kong and Macao, and many travelers spend time in Nanning on the way to Vietnam. Travel into and out of Nanning is easy by rail and road and air: the city's airport has limited international flights as well as frequent flights to cities across China.

As one of the largest industrial centers in China and the economic center of the region, Nanning is known as a ''Model City'' and an ''Advanced City in Building Spiritual Civilization''. Its industry is diverse, encompassing everything from pharmaceuticals to paper and the city is known as the largest producer of motorcycles in China.

The nightlife in Nanning is filled with both flashy KTV boxes and bars, many of which are located in the city's Hotels, but many visitors may wish to time their visit to the city with one of the festivals, which take place across the year in the city. Of course the Chinese New Year and other country-wide festivals are celebrated with gusto. During the Dragon Boat Festival, teams of men compete huge boats, intricately carved to resemble dragons in the hope of winning one of several prizes.

Every autumn, the Nanning International Folk Song Arts Festival takes place alongside the Nanning, Southeast Asian International Tourism and Food Festival. During this time, visitors can experience a wide spectrum of folk performances and cultural activity. The city's predominantly Zhuang population account for most of the displays and performances, gathering round fires to sing love songs and display their traditional costumes. At any time of year, visitors can enjoy Shigong Opera and Yong Opera. The form known as Shigong Opera is made up of two styles: Pinghua and Zhuanghua. Pinghua incorporates martial arts into the performances, using props such as masks, knives and swords and a number of fixed forms.

There are many sights and attractions in Nanning to entertain visitors. The ancient town of Yangmei is thought to be the oldest town in the region, having been founded in the Song Dynasty. After extensive restoration, the town is now a living museum of ancient architecture and should be on the itinerary of any travelers interested in Chinese History. The Huashan Frescos are another reminder of the long history of the region, displaying a collection of frescoes from the Spring and Autumn Period, created by the ancient Zhuang people, who have populated the area for hundreds of years. Of course the city also has several museums, where the history of the region can be explored, such as the Guangxi Ethnic Relic Center, the Guangxi Provincial Museum and Guangxi Museum of Nationalities.

Green Forest in Liang Fengjiang Park is home to the largest botanical garden on the southeast of China. A sacred Buddhist Banyan-Tree is one of the most interesting plants here, though there are other attractions, such as a large green where war re-enactments are staged and several planted gardens. Qingxiu Mountain a beautiful, lush area, often called the 'Green Lung' of Nanning, home to a pagoda known as the Longxiang Tower, which has been destroyed and rebuilt since its erection in the Ming Dynasty and is famous for having one of the best views of ''Green City of China''. Visitors interested in the natural attractions of Nanning should visit Detian Trans-National Waterfall and Yiling Cave.

The restaurants in Nanning provide a wide variety of western and Chinese food, but visitors should be sure to try the local Cantonese cuisine before leaving. The flavors of Cantonese Cuisine are fresh, delicate and cool, including such dishes as Fried Lemon Duck and Heye Mifan (rice wrapped in lotus leaves) though most visitors may want to steer clear of Guourou Huoguo (dog hotpot)! One of the city's largest industries is rice processing, and much of the food in the city is based around rice, rather than the noodles favored in many other Chinese cities.

The largest ethnic group in Nanning is the Zhuang group, who account for around 50% of the population. The Zhuang's traditional handcrafts make excellent mementos of a visit to Nanning: delicately embroidered brocade, bamboo weavings, pottery and paper cutting are available in shops all over the city.

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