Nanhu Lake Park in Nanning's Qingxiu District occupies over 600 hectares and centres on a sizeable lake used for paddleboating, fishing, and morning tai chi. It is a functional city park first and a tourist attraction second, which makes it more pleasant than somewhere designed purely for visitors. The orchid garden within the park has over 1,000 orchid varieties — Guangxi is one of China's main orchid-growing regions, and Nanning's subtropical climate makes outdoor cultivation of tropical species possible year-round.
The bonsai garden at the park's western end holds mature specimens that have been trained for decades, some of them moved here from private collections when the park expanded. The lake path makes for a good early-morning or evening walk, especially in the period from October to December when the overcast lifts and the light turns crisp. Weekend afternoons are lively with local families; arrive early or on a weekday if you want the paths to yourself.