Northern Guangdong travel guide

Maozi Peak Scenic Area

Known as the “Hometown of the Ginkgo,” much of this area retains its primeval forest character. Wild fruit grows across the hillsides, birds and animals move through the woods, and flowers and trees are abundant, filling the air with fragrance in every season. In late autumn, the ginkgo groves turn golden and the forest glows in shades of yellow, drawing many enthusiastic photographers. It has earned the nickname “the Jiuzhaigou of Northern Guangdong.”

1 day · ¥50

Ruyuan Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon combines the marvels of Huangshan, with clouds and mist that feel like a fairyland; the peril of Huashan, with its 1,386 steps of cloud ladders at slopes exceeding 50°; and the grace of Zhangjiajie, with its green peaks and criss-crossing ravines. Beyond the breathtaking handiwork of nature, the canyon is also a rigorous test of your physical stamina, making it a perfect destination for adventure and exploration.

0.5 days · ¥65; aerial performance ¥5

Nanling National Forest Park

Located at Wuzhishan in Ruyuan County, in the middle section of the Nanling mountain range, this is the source of the Beijiang, a tributary of the Pearl River. It contains the best-preserved primeval forest in Guangdong and more than 30 peaks over 1,000 metres high. Shikengkong, the highest peak in Guangdong, is known as the “First Peak of Guangdong” and has long attracted mountaineers. Heavy rainfall in the mountains produces abundant streams, rapids and waterfalls, giving the area rich hydropower resources.

1 day · ¥80

Baojing Palace

Baojing Palace is distinguished by its majestic, wondrous and grand character, and is known as “the first cave paradise of Lingnan.” It is composed mainly of Biluo Cave, Bilü Lake and Lion Hill. Inside the cave, the scale is impressive: bamboo shoot-like stalagmites and pillar-like columns stand in forests, and delicate stalactites take shapes resembling birds, flowers, insects and fish, or flying and running animals. The whole cavern resembles a palace, which is why it is called “Baojing Palace” (Jewelled Crystal Palace). It offers not only extraordinary natural scenery but also considerable geological and archaeological value. On the cave walls of Biluo Cave, more than 120 cliff inscriptions have been preserved.

2–3 hours · ¥76

Guangdong First Peak

The scenic area is mainly divided into Shikengkong Viewing Area, Taiping Cave Yao Village, Chengjia Great Valley, Tianquan Waterfall, Tianquan Mountain Hot Springs and the First Peak Rafting Route. In addition to the natural scenery, visitors can soak in hot springs and go rafting. In the evening, guests can gather around a bonfire to watch Yao folk dances or join in singing and dancing with the local people.

1 day · ¥78

Yunmen Temple

Yunmen Temple was the founding monastery of the Yunmen school, one of the “Five Houses” of the “One Flower, Five Petals” lineage of Chan Buddhism. This 1,100-year-old temple in Lingnan houses the tallest Guanyin statue in Jiangnan, standing 11.4 metres tall and covered entirely in gold leaf.

2–3 hours · ¥5

Yingxi Peak Forest Corridor

Strange peaks, hidden caves, odd rocks, sea-of-clouds views, mountain streams, bamboo groves and farmhouses… the scenic area stretches more than 10 li (about 5 km) and is known as “the finest peak forest scenery in the southern heavens.”

5 hours · Nine-Fold Heaven Peak Forest ¥68; Peak Forest ¥68; Pengjia Ancestral Hall ¥40; Laohu Valley underground river rafting ¥138; Huanghua Creek bamboo raft ride ¥40

Huangchuan Three Gorges

Longquan Gorge is celebrated for its waterfalls; Lengjia Gorge features sheer cliffs, hanging rocks and cliff inscriptions; and Yangtiao Gorge has a narrow, perilous riverbed where the sky appears as a thin line. In fact, from here all the way to the stretch of river near Shiluo Town in northern Yangshan County, there are other gorges such as Dongguan Gorge and Dali Gorge, forming a continuous river-and-mountain landscape of towering peaks, winding waters and unbroken scenery.

¥50

Lianzhou Underground River

Located in Dongpo Town, 25 km north of Lianzhou city centre, the underground river is hidden within a large karst cave mouth. The scenic area covers 53,000 square metres. Visitors can admire a variety of stalactite formations, with rocks resembling “Maitreya,” “Guan Yu” and “Meng Jiangnü.”

1.5–2 hours · ¥108

Sanpai Yao Village

The Yao ethnic culture of Lianan is the most distinctive attraction of northern Guangdong. The Babai Yao, who live in Lianan, are unique in China, preserving unique, simple and richly colourful ethnic customs. The houses of Sanpai Yao Village climb the hillside in tiers, with corridors and passageways linking each household together to form the characteristic Yao “pai” layout. It is a must-visit site for experiencing Yao folk culture. At Sanpai Yao Village, you can learn about Yao wedding and funeral customs, join a Yao bonfire party, learn from Yao women how to brew rice wine and make tofu, taste the distinctive Yao water wine, admire the embroidery of Yao girls, and experience the simple, unhurried everyday life of the Yao people.

0.5–1 day · ¥50

Gulong Gorge

Winner of the Popularity Award at the 2017 China Travel Review Scenic Spot Rankings, and known as the hometown of China's rafting.