Qingyuan

Qingyuan is hot and rainy in summer, so pay attention to the weather and protect yourself from the sun during outdoor activities.

Located in northern Guangdong, Qingyuan is rich in mountain and water scenery, making it suitable for a weekend or short holiday trip. It offers canyon rafting and glass bridges, as well as natural attractions such as karst peaks and caves.

• Gulong Gorge: Its main attractions are rafting and the Yuntian Boba Glass Bridge. The rafting course has significant drops and concentrated rapids, making it suitable for visitors who enjoy activity and challenges; the suspended glass bridge offers views over the canyon.

• Yingxi Karst Peak Forest Corridor: Karst peaks are interspersed with rural landscapes, earning it the nickname “Guangdong’s Little Guilin.” The Small Zhaozhou Bridge and Dongtian Wonderland are the main sights, suitable for cycling, hiking and enjoying the scenery.

• Lianzhou Underground River: This 5A-rated natural cave stays at 18°C year-round. Visitors can first walk through the cave to see its stalactites, then take a boat along 1.5 kilometers of underground river and experience the cave scenery.

• Millennium Yao Village: Built along the mountainside, the village preserves stilted houses and flagstone paths from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is known as one of the largest and oldest Yao villages in the world. At night, visitors can watch the intangible cultural heritage long-drum dance and a bonfire party.

• Qingyuan Chimelong Forest Kingdom: This large wildlife park lets visitors drive through to see and feed giraffes, or take a steam train across the grasslands. It is suitable for families with children.

• Bijia Mountain: A hiking spot close to the city, with facilities including a cliffside walkway, Jiuchong Waterfall and a suspension bridge. The route is not difficult and is suitable for families.

Classic 3-day, 2-night itinerary

• Day 1: Canyon sightseeing and city night views
  • Morning: Head to Gulong Gorge, arriving before 10 a.m. if possible to reduce waiting time. You can choose the International Course rafting route or visit the Yuntian Boba Glass Bridge.

• Noon: Enjoy charcoal-grilled Qingyuan chicken hot pot near Gulong Gorge.
  • Afternoon: Return to the city to rest, or hike at Bijia Mountain and see the waterfalls.
  • Evening: Take a night cruise on the Beijiang River, or visit Nanmen Street or Zhouxin Market to sample local snacks.
• Day 2: Karst peaks, countryside and underground scenery
  • Morning: Drive to the Yingxi Karst Peak Forest Corridor. Visit the Small Zhaozhou Bridge and the surrounding rice fields, or rent an electric scooter to travel among the peaks.

• Noon: Try Jiulong tofu, made by an intangible cultural heritage craft, in Jiulong Town.
  • Afternoon: Visit Dongtian Wonderland and take a boat through the underground river to see the “light through the sinkhole”景观.

• Evening: Stay at a mountain-view guesthouse near the peak forest, enjoy the mountain scenery from your room and stargaze at night.
• Day 3: Underground river or Yao village experience
  • Option A (cave route): Visit Lianzhou Underground River and explore the temperature-controlled cave; have Lianzhou candied-date braised duck for lunch, then return in the afternoon.
  • Option B (cultural route): Visit the Millennium Yao Village, walk along the flagstone paths, try on Yao clothing, watch a folk performance and experience the pace of life in the ancient village.

Must-try foods

Besides Qingyuan chicken, the area has many other local specialties.

• Poached Qingyuan chicken: The skin is yellow, and the meat is tender and smooth. It is served with minced ginger and scallions and soy sauce to highlight the chicken’s natural flavor.

• Zhoxin rice porridge: A common local breakfast in which rice is cooked until very soft and open, then mixed with pork liver, rice sausage, pork kidney and other pork offal. It is topped with pepper and served with youtiao.

• Beijiang River seafood: The Beijiang River produces river shrimp, hairy crab and yellow catfish. They are often steamed and seasoned with oil, salt, ginger and scallions for a clean, fresh flavor.

• Jiulong tofu: Made using an intangible cultural heritage handicraft, it is crisp on the outside and tender inside. Frying, deep-frying or braising all preserve its distinct soybean aroma.

• Zhoxin roast pork: Roasted using lychee wood, it has a crisp, glossy red skin. The fatty part is not greasy, and eating it with white sugar gives it a distinctive flavor.

• Dongpo shuijiao: The rice wrapper is thin and translucent. After being filled and steamed, it first offers a rice aroma, followed by the flavor of the filling, and is best enjoyed hot.

Transportation and accommodation guide

• Getting there:
  • High-speed rail/intercity rail: Guangzhou South to Qingyuan Station takes about 25 minutes, while the Guangqing Intercity Railway takes about 30 minutes to Qingcheng Station, making it convenient for short trips from the Pearl River Delta.
  • Driving: The drive takes about 1.5 hours from Guangzhou and 2.5 hours from Shenzhen, with direct access via the Guangqing Expressway. Driving between attractions is fairly convenient.
• Getting around: Attractions are spread out, and taxis in the city start at 8 yuan. For trips to Yingxi Karst Peak Forest, Lianzhou and other areas, driving or hiring a car is recommended; a private car costs about 200–300 yuan per day.
• Where to stay:
  • Qingcheng District commercial areas: There are many chain hotels, costing about 200–350 yuan per night. Dining and shopping are convenient, making this a suitable base between itinerary stops.

• Around Gulong Gorge: Mountain-view guesthouses are the main option, costing about 250–500 yuan per night. They allow you to rest nearby after rafting.

• Inside the Millennium Yao Village: You can stay at an inn in a stilted house for about 280 yuan per night, making it easy to experience the village surroundings. The area has many stone paths and steps, so plan ahead if you are bringing large luggage.

Travel tips

• Rafting preparation: Bring a change of clothes, quick-drying clothes and water shoes; slippers can easily be swept away by the current. Consider bringing a waterproof phone pouch and goggles, and tie back long hair securely.
• Timing: Arrive at popular attractions such as Gulong Gorge before 10 a.m. to avoid long queues. Rafting usually opens at 1 p.m., so it is best to arrive early and wait.
• Temperature differences: Lianzhou Underground River stays at 18°C, so bring a light jacket. During outdoor rafting in summer, protect yourself from the sun and mosquitoes.
• Combined tickets: You can buy attraction combination tickets in advance, such as a package covering Gulong Gorge rafting and the glass bridge. Confirm that attractions are open on the day of your visit, as weather and water conditions may affect the schedule.