Hezhou

Hezhou is humid and hot in summer. In the mountains, mornings and evenings are cooler, and roads can be slippery after rain.

Hezhou is a small Lingnan city with a relaxed pace of life. Even a short weekend stay can include mountains and rivers, an ancient town, and local flavors. The following 3-day, 2-night itinerary is for travelers who want to slow down and recharge.

3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive and head into the mountains for a relaxed visit, then tour the ancient town at night

After arriving in Hezhou in the morning, first head to Guposhan. Enjoy the forest surroundings along the way, and visit Xiangu Waterfall and Fangjia Tea Garden. In the evening, return to the city from the mountain and try snacks such as sour beef intestine and liangfen jelly on Far East Food Street. At night, go to Huangyao Ancient Town. After the security staff get off work, you may be able to enter for free, avoid the daytime crowds, and enjoy the quieter night scenery of the ancient town.

• Day 2: Explore the ancient town early in the morning, then see rural mountain-and-water scenery in the afternoon

In the morning, have fermented black bean rice noodles in the ancient town, then visit the area around Dailong Bridge and Shitiao Bridge. At noon, head to Zhongshan County. You can drive yourself or rent a car to explore Zhongshan Ink-Wash Countryside, traveling between karst peak forests and rice fields. The scenery has the layered look of a Lingnan landscape painting. In the evening, return to the city for Jiayuan barbecue.

• Day 3: Visit ancient city ruins, then end with an easy city stop

In the morning, go to Linhe Ancient City to learn about the remains of rammed-earth city walls from the Western Han dynasty. In the afternoon, climb Dazhongshan Park for city views and sunset. In the evening, you can buy affordable fruit in the city, pack up some food, and start your return trip.

Attractions for Reference

Attractions in Hezhou are fairly spread out, so it is best to choose your main destinations based on transport conditions and personal interests.

Local Food Guide

Food in Hezhou is generally affordable, with flavors often leaning sour, spicy, fresh, and fragrant. Choices are more concentrated around Lingfeng Square and the Far East commercial area in the city.

Accommodation and Transport Tips

• Where to stay: It is recommended to stay near Lingfeng Square or the Far East commercial area in the city, where dining and daily transport are more convenient and chain hotels are relatively affordable. If you plan to experience hot springs, you can choose a mountainside or hot spring hotel near Guposhan, but this is better suited to self-driving.
• Transport: High-speed trains go directly to Hezhou Station. Shared electric scooters are convenient within the city. For nearby attractions, driving yourself or taking a taxi is recommended. After coming down from Guposhan, it may be hard to get a ride, so arrange your return transport in advance.

Notes

• Spending reminder: If staff at temples near Guposhan try to persuade visitors to buy wish plaques, decide based on your own needs. If you do not want to buy one, you can politely decline.
• Weather and road conditions: There are many mosquitoes and insects in the mountains in summer, so bring insect repellent. Zhongshan Ink-Wash Countryside is a rural loop route with many bends in the road. If driving, slow down, and be especially careful of slippery roads after rain.
• Taste differences: Hezhou luosifen is often made by cooking dried rice noodles directly in the pot, so the noodles may be on the firm side. If you are not used to this, you can ask the shop to cook them a little longer. Sour beef intestine has a pronounced sour taste, so first-time diners may want to try a small amount first.