Nowadays, when the highway network extends in all directions, there are still many riders who like to experience the scenery on the national highway. There is such a self-driving road, which has crossed the first peak in Guangdong, spanned the beautiful mountainous areas of four provinces in the mainland, and has a profound cultural background, but few people know it.
It is known as the "Road of the Republic" G323 National Highway, and it is also the only national highway in the mainland that starts from a county-level city, with a total length of 2,915 kilometers, not only the scenery is changeable, but also has a humanistic color.
The starting point of G323 National Highway is located in Ruijin, Jiangxi, and the end point is Lincang County, Yunnan Province, from west to east across Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan provinces, through the Nanling Mountains, the source of the Pearl River Mountain, all the way to the south of the Hengduan Mountains, connecting the beautiful scenery of the mountains and rivers along the way.
On this national highway, you can admire many different mountain landscapes, from the colorful Danxia to the pristine peaks of the steeply rising elevation, through the marvelous karst peak forests, to the tropical rainforests on the Tropic of Capricorn.
You can also feel a variety of cultural scenery, remember the revolutionary martyrs in Ruijin, the "red old capital", go deep into the hinterland of the Yao people in the Sanlian area to experience the Yao culture, go to the hometown of longevity to feel the customs of the Yi people, and finally arrive at the border town to find the lost Wa village.
However, the most talked about part of this national highway is the historical significance behind it, so let's experience this beautiful road with a passionate heart!
Why is G323 called the "Road to the Republic"?
The starting point of G323, Jiangxi Ruijin, is one of the birthplaces of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army and the founding place of the Provisional Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic, known as the "cradle of the Republic". In 1934, the Red Army, the main force of the central government, set out from Ruijin and began the famous 25,000-mile Long March, which had a profound impact on modern Chinese history.
The special historical status of the starting point, as well as the old revolutionary areas passed along the way, made the G323 National Highway given the title of "Road of the Republic", symbolizing China's struggle from revolution to the establishment of the Republic. This road not only connects the east and west ends of southern China geographically, but also spiritually connects China's past and present, becoming a symbolic national highway.
01: Nanling Mountain Area (Jiangxi-Guangdong)
/ Ganzhou /
Starting from Ruijin, along the national highway to Ganzhou, Jiangxi, there is the earliest ancient city wall of the Song Dynasty in the existing age, walk on the city wall, you can feel the true meaning of "a Ganzhou city, the whole history of the Song Dynasty". Don't miss the food in Ganzhou, the unique geographical location makes the food of Ganzhou have the flavor of Jiangxi, Guangdong, Fujian and Hunan provinces, with all kinds of sweet, sour, salty and spicy.
/ Meiguan Ancient Road /
Leave Ganzhou and continue southward through the first pass of Nanling - Meiguan, which is not only an important post road from the ancient Central Plains to Lingnan and Southeast Asia, but also a place where soldiers must fight. After more than 2,000 years of vicissitudes, there are still relatively complete relics of the ancient road. Plum trees are planted on both sides of the ancient road, and in the cold winter season, the plum blossoms are in full bloom, and the fragrance strikes people.
/ Shaoguan /
Continue west through Nanxiong, the hometown of China's ginkgo, to the historic city of Shaoguan. Famous for its unique Danxia landform, the red gravel rocks that make up the magnificent Chibi Dan Cliff, it is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. Don't forget to take a boat trip to experience a different landscape.
/ Ruyuan-Yangshan Panshan Section /
Next is known as the "Guangdong version of 318", "Northern Guangdong Sichuan-Tibet Line" Shaoguan Ruyuan-Qingyuan Yangshan Panshan section, a total length of nearly 130km, over the Tianjing Mountain at an altitude of 1698 meters, passing through the water pass at an altitude of 1210 meters, is the highest altitude of all national highways in Guangdong.
Along the way, the mountains and valleys, mountain streams and waterfalls form a beautiful scenery that is intoxicating, and the countless continuous "S" curves make driving a very challenging experience. After going out of Yang Mountain, through the "Sanlian region", Lianzhou, Liannan, Lianshan, here is also the hinterland of the Yao people, along the way is full of Yao customs, and then from the end of the Xiaohe ancient road Hezhou into Guangxi.
02: Nanling Mountain Area (Guangxi)
/ Hezhou /
Located in the lower reaches of the Li River, Hezhou is a famous "city of longevity" in China, surrounded by waterfalls that are not inferior to Jiuzhaigou, and the ancient town of Lingnan for thousands of years, which is very suitable for a 1-2 day stay and a leisurely vacation. Huangyao Ancient Town is a must-see attraction, there are eight major and twenty-four small scenes in the town, because it is located in the deep mountains and few people know, the thousand-year-old banyan tree and the stone road complement each other, hidden and quiet.
/ Lipo /
Continue to Lipu as the west, which belongs to the range of Guilin, with picturesque idyllic scenery and karst landforms... It has long been listed as one of the classic travel destinations of a lifetime by many travelers. The most representative of Lipu is the Silver Rock, famous for its spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, which shine like silver when illuminated by the lights.
/ Liuzhou /
Crossing the Luoqing River, you will arrive at Liuzhou, which is located at the junction of Hunan, Guizhou and Guizhou provinces, where there are both beautiful landscapes and ethnic minority customs, and there are rich folk activities every month. Liuzhou in this season is completely a sea of flowers, Longtan Park, Jiangbin Park Park and other places, redbuds, peach blossoms, cherry blossoms and mountain scenery are contrasted, it is a good place to take photos and walk.
03.. Pearl River Source Mountain Area (Guangxi-Yunnan)
/ Yizhou /
The more west we go along the national highway across the pond, the more we can feel the wonderful culture of the ethnic minorities, and then we arrive at Yizhou, the hometown of Liu Sanjie, where many ethnic groups live here, and the natural landscape and cultural landscape resources are abundant. The natural landscapes here include the spectacular Hongshui River, beautiful landscapes and idyllic scenery, etc., while the cultural landscapes include Liu Sanjie's hometown, Zhuang Fengyu Bridge, Zhuang Drum Tower, etc.
/Parmesan/
Then enter one of the most barren areas in Guangxi - Donglan, Bama, Fengshan, which still retains the original environment and culture. One of its specialties is the wellness culture of Bama, where the water is excellent and rich in minerals, and is known as the "water of longevity". Many visitors come to Bama just to taste the water and feel its miraculous health benefits.
/ 百色 /
G323 is in Baise, the last city in Guangxi, and it is a good place to rest and stay. There are many scenic spots here, peaks and jungles, many canyons, and the scenery is primitive and mysterious. You can hike in the Tongling Grand Canyon to enjoy the magical cave waterfalls and fantastic lava rocks, experience the mysterious karst wonders up close, or go boating in the Goose Spring, the source of the Tongling Waterfall, to see the picturesque green bamboo and clear water.
/ Funing /
Entering Funing, it will officially enter the Yunnan region. In Funing, you can go and see the "paradise" dam beauty. Access to Ba Mei Village mainly relies on two natural limestone karst water caves in front of and behind the village, Chushui Cave and Tangna Cave. You'll need to take a boat through these caves to enter the village and experience a unique adventure.
/ Jianshui /
From Funing all the way to the west, into the colorful Honghe Prefecture, the scenery of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau gradually emerges, and then you arrive at the ancient city of Jianshui, which has a history of more than 1,200 years. Jianshui tofu here has been featured in two food documentaries, "Tip of the Tongue" and "A String of Life", which are well-known throughout the country. In addition to tofu, rice noodles, cold cakes, bean flour dumplings, and barbecue are also delicious, especially barbecue, don't miss it!
04.. Hengduan South Extension Area (Yunnan)
/ Sumie /
Leaving Jianshui, passing through Shiping and Yuanjiang, from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau into the southern extension of the Hengduan Mountains - Ailao Mountains. The first stop is to reach Mojiang, the Tropic of Cancer passes through Mojiang County, where the climate is suitable and the scenery is pleasant, it is worth staying for one night to feel the charm of "the city of return, the hometown of Hani, and the home of twins".
/ Ning Er /
Crossing westward through the Ailao Mountains, arriving at the territory of the Yi nationality - Ning'er, where there are tea mountains, Pu'er Mountain where "the sun breaks through the sea of clouds", Jinpao Mountain where orchids are in full bloom, and the ancient tea horse road of Nakori, are all amazing existences.
/ Lincang /
After leaving Ning'er, they basically circled in the Wuliang Mountains, went north into the Lancang River Basin, and finally saw the China-Myanmar border city of Lincang, the end point of G323.
This small border town in the southwest of Yunnan Province is the largest Wa Township in China, and the villages of ethnic minorities are like pearls abandoned by the world, lying quietly on the border, where you can go to the ancient village and feel the breath of the primitive tribes.
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