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Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is located in southwest China between Guangdong, Guizhou, Hunan, and Yunnan provinces. It shares a border with Vietnam and has a southern coastline along the Beibu Bay. Guangxi has a diverse mix of ethnic minorities, with the Zhuang people making up a significant proportion of the population. In recognition of this, Guangxi province became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 1958.
For the visitor, the great appeal of Guangxi is its karst limestone topography which creates the stunning scenery of jagged green mountains beside clear blue waters. It is said that the mountains and rivers of Guilin, Guangxi's most famous city, are the most picturesque in the world. Cruising down the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo is a highlight of many visits to Guangxi. The Tang dynasty poet Han Yu described the Li as "a blue silk ribbon surrounded by jade hairpins" and the river is just as beautiful today.
Guangxi's diverse minority groups add extra depth to a visit to the area and the different cultures have festivals and customs unique to the region, such as the reed flute festival of the Miao people and the firecracker festival of the Dong people.