White-headed Langur National Nature Reserve

I really wanted to love this place, and the langurs are amazing when you finally spot them. But the experience felt a little frustrating. We arrived without an advance booking and had to wait almost two hours while they figured out whether we could join a permitted group. The viewing area is also quite far from the cliffs, so without a serious telephoto lens you mostly see small dots on the rocks. The guide was knowledgeable but not well organised. Maybe I was unlucky, but it felt overhyped for what we paid.

Beautiful and very special to see the white-headed langurs in their natural habitat. We took a private car from Chongzuo and arrived at the visitor center around 9am. The trail is not long but it is steep and slippery after rain, so wear proper shoes. The only drawback was that there was very little interpretation in English and the staff couldn’t explain much beyond basic facts. Still, seeing the monkeys made it worthwhile.

As someone who has visited many reserves in China, the limestone karst forest here is one of the most dramatic landscapes I have ever birded. Orange-breasted leafbirds, crested serpent eagles, and even a silver pheasant crossing the trail. And of course the langurs—we saw three troops in one morning. The reserve staff are passionate and seem to know each monkey by name. A truly special place that deserves far more attention.

I didn’t expect to be moved to tears, but seeing those little white-headed monkeys with their golden babies hanging onto limestone cliffs almost did me in. Our guide used to be a hunter and now protects them—that story alone was worth the trip. The forest is stunning, and the ranger station has a small exhibit about the species. No cafes or gift shops, which is fine. This is conservation in action. Cannot recommend it enough.

Incredible hidden gem. We arranged a permit through a local guide in Chongzuo, and it was worth the early start. The karst peaks rising out of the mist, the sound of langurs calling across the valley, and then seeing a group of about eight white-headed langurs leaping between cliffs. Binoculars are absolutely essential, but for wildlife people this is as good as it gets. Very respectful, small group. Bring plenty of water and be ready for a rough road.

I came for photography and left with more than I expected. The light in the afternoon is beautiful on the limestone cliffs, and the langurs are so charismatic - you can watch them grooming and playing for hours. The staff clearly care about conservation, and they made sure we kept a safe distance while still getting good views. It's not the easiest place to reach, but that just keeps it uncrowded. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to see one of China's rarest monkeys in the wild.

A hidden gem in Guangxi. The drive in is enough to get you excited, then you see these beautiful white-headed langurs moving through the trees. We even spotted one carrying a bright orange baby, which was incredible. The ranger said there are only around 1,400 left in the wild, so being here felt very special. The landscape is dramatic - steep karst peaks, winding river, lush green. We stayed quiet and the langurs came surprisingly close. If you love wildlife, don't skip this place.

Absolutely unforgettable! We came in the early morning and watched a whole troop of white-headed langurs climbing and leaping across the limestone cliffs. The mist over the karst forest made it feel magical. Our ranger could spot them from what felt like a mile away and explained how they've protected the species here. If you respect silence and patience, you'll be rewarded. This is how ecotourism should be done.

Really unique reserve with a strong conservation story. We managed to spot a small group of white-headed langurs on the karst hillside, and the ranger's enthusiasm made the visit worthwhile. The only reason I'm not giving five stars is that the visitor facilities are pretty basic - limited restrooms, no café, and the signage is quite sparse. Still, if you're interested in primates and don't mind roughing it, this is a memorable stop.

The reserve has gorgeous scenery and the karst formations are stunning, but I have to be honest: we only saw the langurs from very far away, mostly tiny white dots on the cliff. Our guide did her best with the spotting scope, but it wasn't the close-up experience I'd hoped for. The trails are also quite steep and partly overgrown, so if you're not steady on your feet it's tough. Nice place for hardcore birders, but casual visitors may feel a bit underwhelmed.