Located in the South of Guangxi, Nanning is surrounded by a hilly basin, with a warm, monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate.

Beginning in 1949, as it underwent sustained industrial growth, Nanning's economy began developing beyond its former role, and the city became essentially a commercial and administrative centre.

[8] As of 2024, Nanning is ranked one of the top 200 science cities in the world by scientific research outputs, as tracked by the Nature Index.

In the first year of Taiding period of Yuan dynasty (AD1318), Yongzhou was renamed Nanning, meaning the Pacified South.

Historically, Nanning was famous for trade, and had permanent business offices from other areas in China since the Song dynasty.

Recently, the government has begun a citywide beautification plan which aimed to further clean up the city and improve its image.

This involved curtailing the number of street-side food vendors operating without proper licenses and restricting parking in busy streets.

The program has achieved initial success, long-term efforts are still needed to deliver lasting results.

[16] The goal is to better integrate Pan-Pearl River Delta and southeast China with members of the ASEAN.

Nanning is located in the southern part of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 160 km (99 mi) from the border with Vietnam.

From February to August, rain is most frequent and relative humidity consistently averages above 80 percent; the annual rainfall is 1,269 millimetres (50.0 in).

Thirty-five ethnic groups live in compact communities in Nanning, including people of Zhuang, Han, Yao, Hui, Miao, Dong, and Man minorities.

Nanning is the center of science and technology, education, culture and health in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Now there are 62 mass cultural organizations, 13 performing groups, 8 cinemas, 285 projecting units, over 70 karaoke halls and over 1000 newsstands.

The sour-spicy tasting noodles are a very popular and cheap favorite street food for all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) in Nanning.

Nanning is close to scenic Guilin, with its world-famous hillscape, northern and western Guangxi and its minority villages, and the border with Vietnam in the south.

As of 2024, Nanning is ranked one of the top 200 science cities in the world by scientific research outputs, as tracked by the Nature Index.