Ningming Huashan Rock Art Scenic Area

The Ningming Huashan Rock Art Scenic Area is located by the Ming River in Ningming County, Chongzuo, Guangxi. In 2016, the "Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape" was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and this site is the core component of that cultural landscape. On the steep limestone cliffs facing the river, dense clusters of ochre-red images painted by the ancient Luoyue people during the Warring States to Eastern Han periods can be seen. The main panel stretches over 100 m in width and dozens of meters in height, with over a thousand identifiable images, making its scale and preservation remarkably outstanding among similar rock art discoveries in China. In the local Zhuang language, this mountain is called "Bālái," meaning "the mountain with paintings."

To see the rock paintings at Huashan, taking a cruise is the classic way. The boat sails on the Ming River flanked by karst peaks, offering picturesque views along the way. When approaching the cliff, look up to see images suspended dozens of meters above the river—frontal human figures with raised arms and spread legs in a frog-like squatting posture, densely covering the cliff face, interspersed with motifs like bronze drums, ring-pommel knives, ferries, and dogs. Scholars generally believe these cliff images depict sacrificial rituals of the ancient Luoyue people. Yet, why the hematite-painted patterns remain unfaded after over 2,000 years and how the ancestors climbed the high cliffs to create them remain debated. The cruise usually comes with a guide, making it far more engaging to listen to Luoyue legends while identifying the cliff images than a cursory glance.

Don't rush to return after viewing the rock paintings. The traditional Zhuang villages of Laijiangtun and Bayaotun in the core area, built along mountains and rivers, are called the "living museum of rock art." Among bamboo fences, rice fields, and old houses, you can witness traditional crafts like bamboo basket weaving, Zhuang cloth making, and Zhuang embroidery, as well as taste local delicacies such as winnowing basket feasts, pounded glutinous rice cakes, and sugarcane wine. Every year on the third day of the third lunar month, the attraction hosts the Luoyue ancestor worship ceremony, with bronze drums, tianqin music, and folk songs creating a vibrant atmosphere—a perfect opportunity to experience Zhuang culture. A small tip: The rock paintings are high above the river, appearing as reddish-brown patches to the naked eye from a distance. To see the details of the figures clearly, secure a good viewing spot on the boat in advance, and bring a telephoto lens or binoculars for a more enjoyable experience.