Nanning is the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the permanent host city of the China–ASEAN Expo. Every year during Sanyuesan, a traditional Zhuang festival celebrated on the third day of the third lunar month, Nanning becomes a sea of folk songs.

Nanning is also known as "China's city of night owls," a reputation closely linked to its climate. Under its humid subtropical monsoon climate, the days are often hot and muggy. Only when night falls and the air begins to cool does the city's nightlife truly come alive. Enjoying late-night snacks and slurping bowls of rice noodles well after dark are among the favorite ways to spend a summer night.

Night market in Nanning

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Must-Try Rice Noodle Specialties in Nanning

1.Laoyou ("Old Friend") Rice Noodles

A quintessential Nanning rice noodle dish, laoyou noodles combine sourness, saltiness, fragrance and heat to create the flavor locals know best.

Laoyou rice noodles

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2. Luosifen (River-Snail Rice Noodles)

Originating in Liuzhou, luosifen is also immensely popular in Nanning. Umami-rich, tangy, piping hot and spicy, the dish delivers a bold and satisfying combination of flavors. Its rice noodles are soft yet pleasantly chewy, and its broth is rich and full-bodied. The distinctive aroma may take some getting used to, but once accustomed to it, many people quickly fall in love with this quintessential Guangxi specialty.

Luosifen

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3. Shengzha Rice Noodles (Freshly Pressed Rice Noodles)

These rice noodles are soft and silky, with a subtly tangy flavor. The key is to have them pressed fresh to order and eat them immediately. Once cooked, they are topped with chopped scallions, lettuce, minced meat and perilla leaves, then finished with the diner's preferred broth, creating a distinctive combination of flavors.

Shengzha Rice Noodles

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4. Juantongfen (Stuffed Rice Rolls)

Rice batter is steamed into thin sheets, which are then rolled around fillings such as minced meat, chopped yardlong beans and wood ear mushrooms. Finished with wampee sauce or tomato sauce, the rolls have a light, silky-smooth texture and are a traditional snack commonly found on the streets of Nanning.

Juantongfen

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Other Snacks to Try

1. Suan Ye ("Sour Things")

In the Nanning dialect, ye means "things," so suan ye literally means "sour things." It consists of fruits and vegetables pickled with vinegar, chili and sugar. Popular varieties include Chinese sand pears, star fruit, pineapple, papaya, Sanhua plums, green mangoes and daikon radish. Typically dusted with chili powder, these pickles are tart, sweet, spicy and crunchy—perfect for stimulating the appetite and cutting through rich foods.

Suan ye

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2. Cassava Sweet Soup

Made with locally grown cassava from Guangxi, this dessert is slowly simmered until soft and tender. The sweet broth is light and mellow, while the cassava has a smooth, velvety texture.

Cassava sweet soup

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Other snacks popular among Nanning locals include stir-fried fenchong (worm-shaped rice noodles), taro cake, huaihuafen (chilled rice jelly flavored with sophora flower buds), steamed glutinous rice with chicken, and blood sausage.

Huaihuafen

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What to Do After Dark

Take a night cruise on the Yongjiang River: Cruise along the river by boat, admire Nanning's illuminated skyline, and discover the city's history and culture.

Visit Nanning Night: This cultural and tourism district showcases the distinctive culture of Guangxi. Visitors can join folk activities such as bonfire gatherings and antiphonal folk-song singing.

Explore the night markets: Visit Pingxi Night Market, Jianzheng Road Night Market or Xiguan Night Market for an authentic taste of Nanning's nightlife.

Night view of the Yongjiang River

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An intangible cultural heritage performance of molten-iron fireworks at Nanning Night

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