While wandering down to Mingehu one evening, I was surprised to see floating stage set up with live music. I had heard that there was a nice lakeside park in Nanning but didn’t expect this! Lit up in blues and purples, the whole place seemed set up for staying out after dark.
There were lantern-covered bridge and walkways. Lots of people was hanging out, sitting near the water, or simply strolling along. After that, we took our time walking around entire place, crossing bridges, and pausing every time we caught a tune traveling across lake.
Admission is free, and it’s totally open air; come for ten minutes if you want or hang out all day, whatever you please.
My Night Walk at Mingehu Park
Mingehu
When we arrived (just in time for sunset), what struck me immediately was that a lot of thought went into making the lakeside inviting after dark. Cafes and shop line either side of the pathway, all brightly lit by neon sign. The walkways has a gentle glow that allows for good visibility without being too bright or harsh.
We came upon our first band, a live one; at an outdoor stage near the water where they was covering popular songs for a small group sitting on the lawn. After listening for a while, we continued along to check out bridges. If I’m honest, the bridges may be the most picturesque aspect of Mingehu.
Modeled after traditional covered bridges, their upturned eaves and wooden beams stretches across the lake so you get a different view from whichever bridge you cross.
Given how many people was there, I was surprised at how peaceful the covered areas were. Inside, lanterns dangled from the ceiling, and through gaps you could see light reflecting on the lake from the Convention Center. It all felt calm and unhurried, making it hard not to just stroll around with no real place to go in mind.
Some sections of the walkway is lined with bamboo railings, giving path a bit of natural feel even though you’re right in the middle of city. Along the way, we came across glass pyramid pavilion that seemed a little odd different than the more traditional-looking bridges, yet somehow still fit. It’s all purple and lit up at night as well.
My favorite part, however, was the floating stage. On the other end of the lake (after circling all the way around), we encounter another show taking place on what I guess you’d call a floating stage? It wasn’t attached to anything; it just floated on top of water.
There were people standing on the bridges overhead and on shoreline listening in as a singer performed an acoustic show. The performance was totally exposed to anyone who cared to pull over and listen. Still, it managed to be intimate-sounding show with good acoustics that travel well across the lake.
But on we went, discovering even more light installations hidden along the waterfront, LED tunnels you walked beneath, purple-lighted path curving across the shore. Then later, yet another performance in one of those glass pavilions, a smaller acoustic act this time, a guitar and a couple singer. The point is: None of it ever felt too staged, or as though it were some sort of formal event.
It was just people (locals and visitors) hanging out by the water, and if someone happened to be playing music, you stopped for a while. There are several place with food around the lake, but we didn’t get anything! There’s lots of great stuff everywhere.
There’s lots of great stuff everywhere.
The walkways wrap completely around lake so you can go for as long as you want. In fact, we wound up doing nearly the whole thing and still felt like we could of gone longer if we’d gotten something to eat at one of the restaurants on the lake. It ended up being one of those place where you go because you want to know what’s going on that night.
There wasn’t an entry fee. There were plenty of things within walking distance, like food and drink. It was also large enough that it never felt cramped, despite the number of people milling about.
Have you seen a show at Mingehu? Been there? What was playing when you went in?
