01City Guide
Longtan Park
龙潭公园
All Ages
Admission
Free entry; sightseeing carts, photo services, and some small in-park experiences cost extra.
Typical Visit
1.5-3.5 hours
Quick Facts
Ticket
Free entry; costume rental, photography, food, and boat tickets cost extra.
Hours
Open commercial district; evening is the main visiting time and individual shops keep their own hours.
Transport
No direct metro; use taxi, buses to Yaobu Ancient Town (窑埠古镇), or water bus to Yaobu Pier (窑埠码头)
Duration
1-2 hours
Best Time
Evenings year-round; cooler months are more comfortable for riverside walking
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Visit in the late afternoon or evening
Yaobu Ancient Town is free to enter. By day it feels more like a commercial district; late afternoon and evening are the main times to visit.
Tip:A daytime-only visit can feel empty because many shops are not fully active.
2
Start with the riverside and main buildings
Arrive after about 5:00 pm if you can. Start with the riverside and Longcheng Pavilion area, then wait for the night lights to come on.
Tip:This timing gives you both softer daylight photos and the stronger evening atmosphere.
3
Choose taxi, bus, or water bus access
You can take a taxi to "Yaobu Ancient Town," use buses to "Yaobu Ancient Town" or "Industrial Museum," or arrive by water bus at Yaobu Pier. The common one-way water bus fare is CNY 3.
Tip:The water bus is useful if you want a low-cost river experience rather than a full cruise.
4
Allow extra time for boats and crowds
If you also want to take a Liujiang River night cruise or water bus, allow extra time for queues and boat departures. Holiday evenings get noticeably busy.
Tip:This is especially important if you plan to combine Yaobu with dinner or night photos.
Highlights
- More of an evening commercial leisure area than a historic old town, good for food, a walk, and night photos.
- Longcheng Pavilion, red-lantern lanes, riverside platforms, and the Wind and Rain Bridge area are the main photo spots.
- There are many ethnic costume rental and travel-photo shops, which suit visitors who mainly want portraits.
- Its riverside location makes it easy to see Liujiang River night views and the lights around Panlong Mountain.
- It fits well on the same day as Liuzhou Industrial Museum, Liuzhou Confucian Temple, or a Liujiang River night cruise.
Insider Tips
✦Many shops are not fully active in the daytime, so a daytime-only visit can feel empty. The evening experience is more complete.
✦It is clearly commercialized. Come for photos and an evening add-on, not for a deep historic-town experience.
✦Costume rental, photography, food, and boat tickets may all cost extra. Ask clearly about prices and what is included before paying.
✦Holiday evenings are crowded. If you want photos, arrive earlier and claim a spot near the riverside or main buildings.
More Liuzhou Attractions
02City Guide
Ma'anshan Park
马鞍山公园
All Ages
Admission
Park entry is free; common elevator prices are CNY 20 up, CNY 10 down, or CNY 30 round trip.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours
03Historic Walk
Liuhou Park
柳侯公园
All Ages
Admission
Park entry is free; Liuhou Shrine may require a separate low-price ticket.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours
04City Guide
Liujiang River Night Cruise
柳江夜游
All Ages
Admission
Standard adult night-cruise tickets commonly fall around CNY 68-118; luxury or dinner-included boats cost more.
Typical Visit
40-60 minutes on the boat; allow extra time for boarding
05Historic Walk
Liuzhou Industrial Museum
柳州工业博物馆
All Ages
Admission
Free entry.
Typical Visit
1-3 hours
06Historic Walk
Liuzhou Museum
柳州博物馆
All Ages
Admission
Free entry.
Typical Visit
2-3 hours