[2025 Dongxing Attraction] Travel Guide for Chen Mansion (Updated Jul)

Revisiting Bagui No. 32—Fangchenggang · Dongxing National Border Gate Scenic Area Step further abroad, step back home—A one-day tour and food guide for Dongxing National Border Gate Scenic Area 🌄 At the border gate, one city, two countries Dongxing National Border Gate Scenic Area, a dazzling gem embedded in the China-Vietnam border, is not only a geographical junction but also a living museum of cultural integration. The Beilun River, like a green silk ribbon, separates the two countries, yet the Friendship Bridge connects them, linking trade exchanges and historical memories. Strolling here, the wonderful experience of "step further abroad, step back home" lets you instantly feel the pulse and warmth of the border. 🚗 Transportation Guide ✈ Fly to Nanning Wuxu Airport, then take a bus for about 3 hours directly to Dongxing 🚄 Take the high-speed train to Fangchenggang North Station, then transfer to an intercity bus (1 hour) or taxi (about 10 yuan per person) to reach the border. 🛵 Walk or use shared electric scooters within the scenic area for flexible touring 🚖 Self-driving can reach near the core scenic area, with many parking spots in the old streets (20 yuan per vehicle, no time limit) 📸 Key Highlights and Photo Spots 🌉 China-Vietnam Friendship Bridge: The red and yellow dividing line on the bridge captures the moment of "one foot in two countries." At dusk, the colorful flags and sunset blend beautifully; aim your camera along the bridge for stunning shots. 🪦 Qing Dynasty No. 5 Boundary Stone: A century-old blue stone boundary marker (erected in 1890) protected by a glass cover, its weathered texture tells the story of modern border history. Side lighting is recommended for photographing the inscriptions. 🗺 Boundary Stone No. 1368 Square: The "one glance sees two countries" viewing platform faces Mong Cai, Vietnam, across the river. The night scene with dazzling lights is especially magical. 🌳 Ho Chi Minh Pavilion and Friendship Park: A hexagonal pavilion surrounded by green bamboo commemorates the Vietnamese leader’s visit. The park’s martyrs’ monument is solemn, and the shaded corridors are perfect for cultural and documentary photography. 🌃 Panoramic View from Above: 🏨 Ramada Hotel rooftop observation deck (online ticket discounts available), on the 35th floor overlooking the lights of both countries, with the Friendship Bridge like a golden chain falling into the starry river. 🍜 Border Flavors on the Tongue Vietnamese specialties: ☕ Saigon Coffee: condensed milk + drip black coffee, rich and bittersweet (street stalls 10 yuan/cup); 🍜 Yingxue·Fangwei: Vietnamese chicken pho + grilled meat pho, highlighted with mint and lemon, about 30 yuan per person for a full exotic taste. Snack Market: 🥖 Vietnamese spring rolls (crispy shrimp wrapped), wind-blown cake (coconut crisp), quetou eggs (spicy and sour duck embryo eggs), stalls gather on Xinhua Road—walking and eating is the best way to enjoy. Dessert Night Snacks: 🍧 Guizhou Road self-service dessert shop, 3 yuan a bowl of locust flower jelly with taro balls; 🍢 Yuzhouping Night Market grilled oysters + stir-fried perilla snails, about 50 yuan per person for seafood freedom. 💡 Practical Tips 🌅 Best times: Avoid crowds at 8 AM, soft light at 4 PM, observation deck closes at 9:30 PM. 🛂 Documents: Cross-border travel requires a passport; do not carry items for strangers to avoid smuggling traps. 🚶 Recommended nearby visits: Chen Mansion (French-style building, 25 yuan ticket), Overseas Chinese Remittance Museum (wartime remittance history). 🌌 Finale: Border ballad, mountains and rivers share this moon The national flag flutters in the dusk at the border gate, the boundary stone stands like a footnote of time. This land carries not only geographical division but also a handshake of civilizations and echoes of history. Every bite of exotic flavor, every glance across the river, tells the story: mountains and seas may have borders, but the human world’s everyday life and friendship will ultimately cross rivers and borders, endlessly thriving. History as the backbone, everyday life as the soul. Dongxing wraps the heaviest border stories in the most bustling street life.

Dongxing, a small border town separated from Mong Cai in Vietnam by a river, hides a mansion that witnessed the vicissitudes of the Republic of China - Chen Mansion. It used to be the private residence of "Southern King" Chen Jitang, but now it stands quietly on the bank of Beilun River, telling the story of that magnificent history. The French-style building and the Chinese-style courtyard are cleverly integrated, combining the romance and elegance of the West with the subtlety and restraint of the East. The carved doors and windows and exquisite columns all demonstrate the luxury and refinement of the time. Wandering through it, you can seem to hear the lively conversations of the politicians and celebrities of the time, and feel the changing circumstances of that era. [Awesome]In the long river of history, individuals and buildings are just a drop in the ocean. The past glory will fade with the passage of time, but the spirit and memories contained therein will be passed on forever.

On the last day of Dongxing, I chose a very famous seafood porridge shop. The taste is not only very delicious, but also a lot of insecticides inside, very healthy, and it feels warm after eating. Although it is rarely needed to keep warm in Fangchenggang, the stomach feels very comfortable. Chen Mansion is the focus of the last day of the tour. It is the former residence of Nantianwang Chen Jizhen, the national three-level A scenic spot, and the location of the office of Dongxing Tourism Bureau. This is a very westernized small country building with a sense of history. Chen Jizhen was a first-class general of the National Revolutionary Army. He was born in Fangchenggang in 1890, a Han nationality Hakka, a representative of the Cantonese warlord, a Chinese Nationalist Party general, and a former executive member of the Chinese Kuomintang Central Committee and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of China. At that time, Fangchenggang also belonged to Guangdong Province. From the historical changes, we will also learn about the changes of many cities. He has built a lot in economic, cultural and municipal construction, and is known as the Southern King. The exhibition hall on the first floor gave a detailed introduction to his life. He has made many contributions in history, including governing Guangdong and making way for the Red Army.