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.
The new year saw the opening of several new metro lines in Guangzhou, bringing entire swaths of the city’s sprawling countryside into easy reach. Last month, we set off to explore some of the notable and newly accessible sites along the freshly minted Line 13.
Nestled amid the steady currents of the Pearl River, Dajisha Island’s rural charms are like a weekend balm to the frazzled nerves of the harried city slicker. With laidback vibes and breathtaking sunset views, it’s no wonder local villagers call their riverside home ‘the most peaceful corner’ of Huangpu District.
A five-minute amble from Yufengwei Station will take you to Wuchong Wharf. Don’t be alarmed by the hulking shipping containers and giant freight vessels – the passenger dock will be on your right hand side. RMB15 is enough to charter an exclusive voyage with enterprising local boatmen, though seats on the public ferry can be secured for RMB2.
Allow three hours to wander the peaceful island by foot or make use of readily available shared bikes to explore this unique corner of the city. Residents here still maintain a partly self-sufficient farming life, raising livestock and planting vegetables. Fishing, too, remains important and fresh, delicious meals can be enjoyed by visitors.
A coastline stroll provides ample opportunity for photography. Watching happy picnickers enjoy riverside beers and skip stones while the sun goes down behind passing cargo ships makes for a perfect end to a peaceful day.
Set out a little earlier and make time for a stop at the Nanhai God Temple (Nanhai God Temple Station, Exit C2). Here, the ‘God of the South Sea’ stands watch over a scene of bustling Pearl River maritime trade on a scale that was surely unfathomable to those who built this ancient house of worship. Visit in March, when the annual celebration of the Sea God’s birth brings the place to life, to witness grand performances, cultural demonstrations and historic rituals.
Alternatively, make it a whole day of eastward exploration by adding a stop at the even more far flung Gualing village in Zengcheng (Xinsha Station, Exit A), which proudly preserves a diaolou (the unique, early-century Guangdong fortification that put Kaiping on the map) along with a dense concentration of ancestral temples. A nearly-finished paved bike path makes two-wheeled rambling and a DIY picnic lunch a tempting option.
However, if you desire to explore Guangzhou’s eastern frontier, aim to do it soon – before the very subway line that has put it in arm’s reach inevitably chips away at its unspoiled allure.
How to get there:
Dajisha Island – Yufengwei Station (Exit A or B, public ferry from Wuchong Wharf ends at 6pm)
Nanhai God Temple – Nanhai God Temple Station (Exit C2)
Gualing village – Xinsha Station (Exit A)
For more Daytripper click here.
0 User Comments