Best of geology, topography, botany & anthropology

Atop the mountain lie the ruins of the Yuntai Temple built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and those of the Tiankong Temple built in the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

The peaks are of various forms and slight changes in light during different weather conditions, such as fog, bring the peaks alive, a visual treat for sightseers, photographers and painters alike.

Some geologists and world natural heritage evaluation experts, who have seen so many picturesque landscapes elsewhere, had a different experience altogether while doing field work in Bajiaozhai.

Traditional activities are organized regularly during festivals here, as both Guangxi and Hunan are home to multi-ethnic minority groups.

In Bajiaozhai, surface water has eroded red conglomerates formed 67 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period, along vertical joints, forming a rare Danxia landform landscape in the country.

With an annual temperature of 19 C, the scenic area has good vegetation and forest landscape, in which live a large number of precious plants and rare birds and animals.

In 2005, the Chinese National Geography selected Bajiaozhai as one of the most beautiful Danxia landforms in China－the others are in Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi, Guizhou and Gansu.

The local government attracted investors who spent 700 million yuan ($104.59 million) from 2016 to 2018, upgrading the region's infrastructure to a 4A-level national sightseeing zone (5A being the top level).

In brief, Bajiaozhai has a good combination of geology, topography, botany and anthropology, and its fresh air and pleasant temperature and humidity make it a tourist attraction throughout a year.

Li Ziyu in Guilin contributed to this story.