As winter breezes arrive in Guangdong, nature quietly warms the landscape with softer hues. Bald cypress, a deciduous conifer known for its dramatic seasonal color change, is undergoing its annual transformation, shifting from green to amber, rust red, and deep bronze. This color window is fleeting and best enjoyed over the coming weeks. Here are some of Guangdong's most rewarding spots to catch this winter scenery.
Luhu Park, Guangzhou (麓湖公园)
In Luhu Park, bald cypress trees are beginning their winter transformation. Leaves fade from green to golden yellow before deepening into reddish-brown, gradually turning entire groves into warm-toned landscapes. Until mid-January, the park will reach its visual peak, when rows of bald cypress glow in rich bronze and rust-red shades. Seen from a distance, the forest resembles brushstrokes of oil paint scattered across the hillsides—quiet, immersive, and distinctly wintery.
(Photo: Baiyun Mountain Scenic Spot)
Address: No. 11 Luhu Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou (广州市越秀区麓湖路11号)
More Guangzhou spots: South China National Botanical Garden (华南国家植物园); Yunxi Botanical Garden (云溪植物园); Yunluo Botanical Garden (云萝植物园); Liuhua Lake Park (流花湖公园); Haizhu Lake Park (海珠湖公园); Dafu Mountain Forest Park (大夫山森林公园); Daguan Wetland Park (大观湿地公园); Tianhe Park (天河公园)
Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen (仙湖植物园)
Fairy Lake Botanical Garden is one of Shenzhen's most popular bald cypress viewing sites. Wooden boardwalks trace the lake shore, offering open views where caramel, rust red, and evergreen tones reflect across the water. On sunny days, the layered colors unfold like a natural painting. Lakeside pavilions provide ideal rest and photo spots, and with a bit of luck, sunlight filtering through the branches will dance across the water's surface, enhancing the winter atmosphere.
(Photo: ShenzhenLOOK)
Address: No. 160 Xianhu Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen (深圳市罗湖区仙湖路160号)
More Shenzhen spots: Honghu Park (洪湖公园); Lianhua Hill Park (莲花山公园); Honghualing Park (红花岭公园); Sihai Park (四海公园); Lizhi Park (荔枝公园); Bijia Mountain Park (笔架山公园); Xili Lake Greenway (环西丽湖碧道); Jiuwei Wetland Park (九围湿地公园)
Qiandeng Lake Park (North Area), Foshan (千灯湖公园北区)
In the northern section of Qiandeng Lake Park, bald cypress leaves gradually shift from green to orange and red, forming a serene winter tableau. Feather-like branches sway gently beside the water, their reflections mirrored clearly on calm lake surfaces alongside pavilions and boardwalks.
(Photo: Foshan Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau)
Mist installations operate at fixed times each afternoon, occasionally producing striking light-beam effects through the trees. As sunlight filters through layered canopies, orange-red foliage and lakeside architecture come together in a warm-toned scene reminiscent of classic "Maillard-style" color palettes.
(Photo: Foshan Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau)
Address: Nanqi Road, Guicheng Sub-district, Nanhai District, Foshan (佛山市南海区桂城街道南七路)
More Foshan spots: Asian Arts Park (亚洲艺术公园); Lvdiao Wetland Lake Park (绿岛湖湿地公园); Foshan Botanical Garden (佛山植物园); Tianhu Park at Xiqiao Mountain (西樵山天湖公园); Xianlu Island (贤鲁岛); Sanshui Forest Park (三水森林公园)
Seven Star Crags, Xinghu Scenic Area, Zhaoqing (肇庆星湖旅游景区七星岩)
The bald cypress grove near the north gate of Seven Star Crags is the largest of its kind in Zhaoqing, with trees planted over 60 years ago. For a distinctive viewing experience, glass boats offer close-up perspectives from the water. Looking up, multicolored canopies form a natural dome; looking down, crisp reflections ripple across the lake. The best viewing time is between 3:00 and 4:30 p.m., when late-afternoon light enhances the warmth of the foliage. Water mist installations operate daily in multiple short sessions, adding a dreamlike touch.
(Photo: Xinghu Scenic Area)
Address (North gate of Seven Star Crags): Approximately 286 meters south of the intersection of Shipai Road and Zhaoqing Avenue, Duanzhou District, Zhaoqing (广东省肇庆市端州区石牌路与肇庆大道交叉口南约286米, 七星岩景区北门)
More Zhaoqing spots: Guoqiao Park (国荞公园); Changli Wetland Park (长利湿地公园); village roads in Guanxu Town (官圩镇村道)
Central Islands Park, Dongguan (中央群岛公园)
Located within the Songshan Lake eco-zone, Central Islands Park presents a tranquil winter composition where tall bald cypress trees line broad lakes and winding wooden walkways. Needle-like foliage turns shades of orange and red, while spherical seed pods dot the branches under gentle winter sunlight.
(Photo: Songshan Lake)
The open water and layered vegetation make the park especially photogenic, offering a calm retreat well-suited for leisurely walks and photography.
(Photo: Songshan Lake)
Address: Dongguan National Urban Wetland Park, No. 1 Ruihe Road, Dongguan (东莞市瑞和路1号东莞国家城市湿地公园内)
More Dongguan spots: Keyuan Museum (可园博物馆); Xiangyu Corridor (香遇走廊); Dapingzhang Forest Park (大屏嶂森林公园); Tongsha Ecological Park (同沙生态公园); Songshan Lake Science Park (松山湖科学公园); Dalingshan Forest Park (大岭山森林公园); Dongguan Botanical Garden (东莞植物园)
Author | Huang Xinying
Poster | Lai Meiya
Editor | Wei Shen, James Campion, Shen He
