With China's National Day holiday approaching, the city of Qingyuan in Guangdong is highlighting its natural and cultural attractions through several themed travel routes. Located within a two-hour drive from Guangzhou, the area offers mountain scenery, river views, and ethnic cultural experiences.
Family-Friendly Adventures
For those traveling with children, Qingyuan provides several engaging options. The Qingyuan Chimelong Forest Resort(清远长隆森林度假区) features wildlife zones where families can observe animals in natural habitats. Gentler activities, such as child-friendly rafting on the Bijia Mountain(笔架山) route, offer scenic views of waterfalls and glass bridges. Visitors can also explore ancient villages like Shangyue(上岳村) in Fogang County, where well-preserved architecture tells stories of the region's history. A boat tour through the karst caves of the Lianzhou Underground River(连州地下河) reveals impressive stalactite formations.
Outdoor Excursions
Adventure seekers will find plenty to enjoy in Qingyuan's natural landscape. The Huangteng(黄腾峡) and Gulong gorges(古龙峡) offer white-water rafting with varying levels of intensity, set against a backdrop of forested cliffs. For hikers, the Yingxi Peak Forest Corridor(英西峰林走廊) provides trails that wind through striking limestone formations. Those willing to make the journey can camp overnight at Yangshan's "Guangdong First Peak(广东第一峰)" for sunrise views above the clouds.
Cultural Encounters
Deeper cultural experiences await in Qingyuan's tea plantations and ethnic villages. The tea fields of Yingde allow visitors to try their hand at picking and processing tea amid rolling hills. In Liannan, the ancient Yao village preserves traditional stilt-house architecture and cultural practices. Autumn visitors will find the Oujia terraced rice fields(欧家梯田) particularly photogenic as they turn golden. Local restaurants serve dishes that reflect Hakka, Cantonese, and Yao influences, with an emphasis on freshwater fish and seasonal ingredients.
Relaxation
After days of exploration, visitors can unwind at one of Qingyuan's many hot spring resorts. Facilities like the Yinzhan Narada Resort Hotel(银盏君澜温泉酒店) and Chimelong Forest Hot Spring Park(清远长隆森林温泉乐园) offer both indoor and outdoor pools, often set in tranquil natural surroundings.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Nanfang Plus
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
