Nanning -- which stands as an example of China's recent attempt to develop the west with its up market hotels, spanking-new department stores, and newly landscaped parks -- has few attractions to keep visitors in town, but makes a convenient base for exploring the surrounding countryside dotted with limestone peaks and quaint traditional towns.

Nanning's location in the center south of the province and its proximity to the Vietnamese border (200km/120 miles to the south) makes it an ideal transit point for travelers, whether you're moving on to minority regions in the northeast, the coastal town of Beihai in the southeast, or Vietnam via the town of Pingxiang.

Location: E 107°45′- 108°51′ N 22°13′-23°32′

Population: 6.5954 m

Area: 22626.95 Sqk

Average altitude: 74-79 m (243-259 ft)

IDD: 86 – 0771

Average temperature: 21.7℃ (71℉)

Average annual rainfall: 1300 mm