Getting There
The nearest train station is Baise, conveniently located on the recently opened Guangzhou-Kunming rail line, with Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong being a comfortable 18 hours overnight sleeper to the southeast. From Baise, it is only two hours on good new roads up to Leye. Express buses leave every two hours for ¥28. If you arrive in Baise late, then the Jindu Hotel (Jindu Dajiudian; tel. 0776/288-1188) is conveniently located next to the bus station on Chenbei Yi Lu, although the rooms are a bit drab even for ¥140. The Leye Bus Station (Leye Qichezhan; tel. 0776/255-2062) is hidden away from the main street and is the focal point of local services. Be especially careful on long distance buses where the overhead TVs are carefully located so as to smack tall foreigners on the skull.
Getting Around
Leye has an admirable local bus system that is being undermined by an army of motorized trikes that charge a meager ¥2 for any location in town, and yet create terrible noise and air pollution. Taxis are all well worn hand-me-downs from larger provincial centers but are useful for out of town locations such as Huomai Village. The public bus to Dashiwei is especially good value being only ¥2 for the 20 minute run up to the Tiankeng Park. The drive up to the park is sometimes even more stunning than the park itself, with huge sinister caves every few 100m (328 ft.).
Fast Facts
Banks, Foreign Exchange & ATMs -- There is no Bank of China in Leye, only an Agricultural Bank with no international ATMs, only those designed for the domestic Unionpay system. Stock up with RMB at larger towns such as Nanning, Baise and Hechi.
Internet Access -- Sanle Lu is quickly becoming littered with local style Internet cafes charging ¥2 per hour.
Post Office -- The main post office (8am-8pm) is on the Tongle Lu.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
