Daytripper is a regular column that aims to help people get the most out of their PRD experience by proposing fun excursions that can be made in a single day to explore the local culture and nature of the region.
Qingyuan may only be an hour-and-15-minute drive from Guangzhou, but in many regards, it’s a world away.
Canton’s skyscrapers are replaced by rolling hills and mountains – including Guangdong’s highest peak – and congested roadways are contrasted by, well, less crowded streets dominated by electric scooters and motorbikes.
The air is a little cleaner, and at night, you can see those glowing celestial bodies you used to gawk at back home: stars.
Guangdong’s largest prefecture by land area, the region boasts scenic mountains, forests, rivers and lakes, offering no shortage of outdoor activities, from hiking, rafting and fishing to rock climbing and cave exploration.
Those interested in spelunking are encouraged to pay a visit to the historical settlement of Yingde, which boasts a number of beautiful, albeit touristy, caves suited for amateur subterranean explorers.
Two caves worthy of a stop are the Xianqiao and Lianzhou underground rivers. At Xianqiao, guides take you through a number of partially submerged, colorfully lit caves in long, motorized boats.
The Lianzhou karst cave, located 26 kilometers to the northeast of Lianzhou city, has received similar treatment, with spellbinding geological formations illuminated in a rainbow of light that looks much like what we’d imagine Batcave to look if Raoul Duke and Bruce Wayne swapped stories (we’ll refrain from envisioning a Wayne-focused Fear and Loathing).
Also in Yingde is the ‘Corridor of Peaks,’ which vaunts jagged, sharply-rising mountains that are reminiscent of the illustrious karst peaks in the Guangxi tourist Meccas of Yangshuo and Guilin.
Qingyuan is conceivably most famous for its relaxing natural hot springs, which, we can attest from experience, are spectacular. Unfortunately, like most things in China, the hot pools in Qingyuan we’re aware of are all monetized, which means either checking into a hot spring hotel or paying to visit a countryside geothermal pool.
Not interested in psychedelic caves and cold beer in hot mineral water? Then maybe a walk along Qingyuan’s 60-meter-long glass bridge is what you’re looking for – because nothing says “I’ve traveled China” quite like a photo on a see-through walkway 100 meters above the ground.
For PRD-based foodies, a trip here is essential to sample the region’s distinguished ‘Qingyuan chicken,’ locally farmed, free-range birds that are said to offer a superior taste to those raised in the city.
Tea drinkers will want to try the ‘Yingde hongcha,’ a black tea popularized by the British royal family in 1963 after being served at the Queen’s banquet. According to China Daily, Yingde is considered one of “the top three places in the world” to cultivate black tea – something that has been done in the region for the past 1,200 years.
Accessible via fast train from both Shenzhen and Guangzhou, Qingyuan is both an easy day trip and rewarding weekend getaway for anyone interested in exploring the prefecture.
Recommended accommodation:
Sheraton Qingyuan Lion Lake Resort is in itself a destination, boasting beautiful Arabian-style decor, lake views, three restaurants, both indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center and tennis court and access to the Lion Lake Golf Club.
How to get there:
High-speed trains go from Guangzhou South and take approximately 20 minutes, while trains to Qingyuan from Guangzhou Railway Station, in Yuexiu, take roughly 45 minutes.
READ MORE: 5 Incredible Weekend Getaways From Guangzhou
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[Images via YouTube, Matthew Bossons]
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