Major city · China
Nanning南宁
Give Nanning 2 nights as a Guangxi rail hub and Vietnam border gateway, or skip it if you are only here for Guilin karst.
Nanning is the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the practical hinge of southern China: high-speed trains fan out to Guilin, Kunming, Guangzhou and the Vietnam border at Pingxiang, and the airport has a rail link into town. The city itself is green, flat and modern, with a strong regional museum, a mountain park and a food scene built on rice noodles, sour pickles and tropical fruit. Most travellers use it as a one- or two-night stop, not a destination in itself.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Oct–Dec, Mar–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (heavy rain and heat), Lunar New Year travel rush
- Airport
- NNG
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Nanning110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Nanning, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyNanning is a low-crime city by Chinese standards; the real risks are summer heat and rain, traffic when crossing roads…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNNG Nanning Wuxu International Airport (About 30 km (19 mi) southwest of the centre; airport buses run to the city for ¥20 (≈ US$3)…NNG Nanning Wuxu International Airport (About 19 mi (30 km) southwest of the centre; airport buses run to the city for ¥20 (≈ US$3)…
- Getting aroundThe metro is the default: five lines, bilingual signs, fares from ¥2 (≈ under US$1), and a 10% discount if you scan the Nanning Citizen Card QR in Alipay or WeChat.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or milk tea¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealLao You Fen rice noodles (bowl)¥8–15 (≈ US$2–3)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a convenience store¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi ride3.1 mi (5 km) taxi ride¥20–30 (≈ US$3–5)
- Metro or bus rideMetro ride¥2–6 (≈ under US$1)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥100–200 (≈ US$14–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryThe Guangxi regional museum is free; some sites charge.Free–¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥320 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥600 (≈ US$85)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · Mid CN¥500 (≈ US$70) · High CN¥1,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NNG Nanning Wuxu International Airport (About 30 km (19 mi) southwest of the centre; airport buses run to the city for ¥20, and a high-speed rail station sits at Terminal 2 (about 16 min to Nanning Station, roughly ¥16).)NNG Nanning Wuxu International Airport (About 19 mi (30 km) southwest of the centre; airport buses run to the city for ¥20, and a high-speed rail station sits at Terminal 2 (about 16 min to Nanning Station, roughly ¥16).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Feb
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Mar–Apr, Oct–Dec. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Jul (17 rain days), driest Dec (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Nanning: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The metro is the default: five lines, bilingual signs, fares from ¥2, and a 10% discount if you scan the Nanning Citizen Card QR in Alipay or WeChat. Buy single tokens from machines (¥5, ¥10, ¥20 notes and ¥1 coins) or use your phone. City buses cost ¥1–2. Taxis start at ¥9 for 2 km and most cross-town rides stay under ¥20; shared bikes and e-bikes fill the last kilometre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chongzuo and Detian Waterfall
overnightDoor to door: 3–4 h to Detian
High-speed train to Chongzuo (about 1 h), then bus or tour to Detian
The waterfall sits on the Vietnam border; a return day trip is rushed. Sleep in Chongzuo or Daxin.
Hezhou
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h
High-speed train from Nanning East
Old town and hot springs; too far for a comfortable same-day return.
Wuzhou
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
High-speed train from Nanning East
Doable as a long day, better with one night for the riverside old town.
Laibin
goDoor to door: About 1 h
High-speed train from Nanning East
Easy half-day for the Yao museum and river views.
Guiping
cautionDoor to door: 2–3 h
High-speed train toward Guilin, then local transport
Xishan tea hills; check connections before committing.
Binyang
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Bus or train from Nanning
County town with hot springs and a cave; an easy escape from the city.
Mengshan
overnightDoor to door: 3–4 h
Bus from Nanning
Mountain county; only worth it if you have a spare day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Chaoyang Square / Xingning
Old downtown, walkable to the river and markets, metro lines 1 and 2. Best for a first visit and for late food.
Nanning East Railway Station (Qingxiu)
For early high-speed departures east; metro line 1, few sights within walking distance.
Jinhu Square / Qingxiu
New CBD with malls and hotels, metro line 3; quieter at night than Chaoyang.
Nanning Railway Station (Xixiangtang)
Convenient for sleeper and western trains, metro lines 1 and 2; the station itself is old and short on food inside.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥250–450 (≈ US$35–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥450–900 (≈ US$65–130) excl. bed
- High
- ¥900 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × CN¥320 | CN¥640 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥500 | CN¥2,000 |
| Airport bus, both ways2 × CN¥40 · check | CN¥80 |
| Metro day of travel2 × CN¥15 · check | CN¥30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥120 | CN¥240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥299 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥822 per person per day, bed included | CN¥3,289≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and long-distance rail excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Lao You Fen rice noodles (bowl) | ¥8–15 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Coffee or milk tea | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a convenience store | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) / ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| 5 km taxi ride | ¥20–30 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Metro ride | ¥2–6 (≈ under US$1) |
| Museum entryThe Guangxi regional museum is free; some sites charge. | Free–¥60 (≈ US$9) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥100–200 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Nanning has several stations: Nanning, Nanning East, Nanning North and Nanning West are far apart. Check your ticket before you leave the hotel.
- Summer is wet: June to August brings 190–245 mm of rain a month and typhoon-season downpours.
- Metro stations have bag X-rays and sometimes metal detectors; allow a few extra minutes at rush hour.
- Airport taxi drivers may refuse the meter. The flat fare is usually ¥100–130 (≈ US$14–19), and ride-hailing is often cheaper.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Nanning南宁
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
Most embassies and consulates are in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chengdu; check your country's nearest mission before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport bus NNG → city: ¥20 (≈ US$3), 50–70 min (check)
- Airport rail NNG → Nanning Station: about ¥16 (≈ US$3), about 16 min (check)
- Taxi airport → downtown: ¥100–130 (≈ US$14–19)
- Metro minimum fare: ¥2 (≈ under US$1)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duō shao qián)
- 我听不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ tīng bu dǒng)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ)
- 可以用手机支付吗？ — Can I pay by phone? (kě yǐ yòng shǒu jī zhī fù ma)
Keep your passport with you; hotels register foreign guests and some attractions ask for ID.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Nanning. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Dec, Mar–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (heavy rain and heat), Lunar New Year travel rush · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for NNG: last airport bus, airport rail station times, taxi fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Chaoyang Square, Nanhu Lake, Qingxiu Mountain, Guangxi Museum of Nationalities.
- Place pages with verified hours (Guangxi Museum, Museum of Nationalities, Qingxiu Mountain) and eat pages with last orders for rice-noodle shops.
- Border-run fixture: Nanning to Pingxiang to Hanoi, with visa and ticket checks.
Sources
- officialNanning municipal government
- officialNanning Wuxu International Airport
- officialGuangxi Museum
- officialAnthropology Museum of Guangxi
- secondaryWikivoyage: Nanning, revision 5334339 (CC BY-SA 4.0)