The Courtyard by Marriott in Sanjiang, Liuzhou, is definitely worth a special visit, with a design that hits the right notes

The exterior is very distinctive, with a Dong village style architecture, full of holiday vibes. The lobby bar was not open when I visited, making the whole lobby seem a bit deserted and dim. Room I redeemed points for a basic room, but was generously upgraded to a suite. The size isn't big but it has everything you need. The room offers a view of the river, but it's not that impressive... What's particularly worth mentioning is the square bathtub in the suite, which is very comfortable, big enough to sit or lie in, and larger than 90% of the bathtubs in hotels I've stayed in. There are two swimming pools, indoor and outdoor, but only the indoor one is open in winter. There's also a children's playground. Dining The concierge service is online, and the doormen and CI staff are very enthusiastic. The welcome fruit was thoughtful, with a delicate arrangement and some pastries, cookies, and a serving of Yang Zhi Gan Lu. Early in the morning, the lobby and restaurant are filled with the smell of snail noodles. Besides that, breakfast offers many local specialties, such as rice wine-cooked glutinous rice balls, and a series of local snacks whose names I've forgotten. Overall, the Courtyard by Marriott is up to its usual standard. Particularly impressive was the fresh pumpkin juice served during the meal, which was delicious and warm, and the staff proactively asked about my sleep the previous night and for any suggestions for the hotel. The downside is the absence of an executive lounge, and the welcome amenities follow the strict standards of a resort hotel. Entertainment Zhaoxing Dong Village is a bit of a drive from Sanjiang. Although it's very commercialized, it's still great for photos. I recommend going in the afternoon and staying until the evening when the lights come on. Navigate to Zhaoxing Yanlai Furniture for a self-drive; this is the back entrance where you can avoid the shuttle bus (there's a chance they won't check tickets). Don't miss the viewing platform at the main entrance, where you can overlook the entire village from a high vantage point, especially beautiful when the night falls and the lights come on. This route also passes by the Xia Mountain Terraces. Surroundings A short walk to Sanjiang Drum Tower & Yue Ye Dong Village, these two are next to each other, separated only by a road. Yue Ye Dong Village is a bird's nest-shaped, highly commercialized theater for sitting sister performances. Sanjiang Drum Tower doesn't require a ticket and is very impressive with its pure wooden structure. You can also visit the Sanjiang Wind and Rain Bridge, which is beautiful. I suggest walking on the bridge. Standing in the middle of the bridge, you can overlook the entire county town, and from the shore, you can see the bridge spanning the Xunjiang River, which is very spectacular. Liuzhou Longtan Park also has a Wind and Rain Bridge, with a red style that is quite different. Other well-known attractions in the area include Chengyang Eight Villages and Xianren Mountain.