The headwaters of the Xiangjiang River flow into Hunan Province. This mighty river rises in Yunnan Province and cuts across the entire width of Guangxi before emptying into the South China Sea near Guangzhou in Guangdong Province. The hilly areas are composed of red soil, while the lowlands are characterized by alluvial soil brought down by the many rivers. Throughout the region, temperatures are warm enough to assure agricultural production throughout the year. The summer, covering a seven-month period from April to October, is marked by enervating heating and high humidity.
Winter is mild and snow rare.
July temperatures vary between 27 C and 32 C, while January temperatures range between 4 C and 16 C. The north experiences slightly cooler temperature than the south. The average annual rainfall varies from 35 inches in the drier areas to 68 in the wetter zones. Most of the precipitation occurs in the period between May and August. In the extreme south, rain bursts caused by typhoons occur between November and February. In central and south Guangxi , many denuded hillsides have been taken over by tall coarse grass, which is used for fuel or as pasturage for young water buffaloes.