Huizhou peninsula tour

    Recommended route: Shenzhen-Huizhou Expressway, Shenzhen-Shantou Expressway, Renshan Exit, National Highway 324 (towards Shantou), Binhai Boulevard, Coast Hot Spring Resort, Shuangyue Bay, Xunliao Bay

    Huizhou is located in northeast of the Pearl River Delta region and southeast of Guangdong Province. A self-drive trip to Renping Peninsula in Huizhou will be a treat to those fed up with the hustle and bustle of city life because visitors can enjoy the world-class hot springs there and Xunliao Bay, which has been nicknamed the “Hawaii of the East.”

    The hot spring’s water that comes from the deepest parts of the sea distinguishes the resort from others in Huizhou. Its bathing areas are built in the shape of sea creatures such as sea turtles and shells.

    The coastal Hot Spring Resort is a place of maritime and ancient culture and is ideal for people to relax, enhance their health and nourish their spirit. Hot springs, seafood and BBQ should not be missed.

    The picturesque Shuangyue Bay and Xunliao Bay feature natural elements and marine life. Join the locals in fishing, or listen to the anecdotes told by old fishermen.

    Cuisine: There is a wide variety of seafood on the Renping Peninsula and visitors will be treated to a lot of fresh seafood and Hakka dishes on an over 8,000-square-meter seafood street.

    Accommodation: There is a wide selection of hotels in Huizhou and one night in a sea view room costs 168, 218 or 238 yuan.

    Meizhou cultural tour

    Recommended self-drive route: Shenzhen-Huizhou Expressway, Huizhou-Heyuan Expressway, Meizhou-Heyuan Expressway, Meizhou, Hakka Park, China Hakka Museum

    Located in eastern Guangdong, Meizhou is honored as the Hometown of Culture, the Hometown of the Overseas Hakka Chinese and the Hometown of Football.

    Hakkas are a unique ethnic group of the Han Chinese originally from around the Yellow River area, who later migrated south to avoid the chaos of war centuries ago. Due to hostility towards the new immigrants, many were forced into the mountainous regions of Guangdong, thus forming the unique Hakka culture.

    As a mountainous area, Meizhou has many beautiful natural scenes and good air quality. Yannanfei Tea Garden, Hakka Park and the China Hakka Museum are popular with the locals and visitors thanks to their profound Hakka characteristics.

    Hakka folk music is also a feature of the area. The folk songs sing of the Hakka people, their passion for their hometown, and of love.

    Meizhou is considered the center for standard Hakka dialect, along with the neighboring Meixian County and Dabu County.

    Cuisine: Three must-haves of Hakka dishes are salt baked chicken, Hakka stuffed bean curd and pork with preserved vegetable. Meizhou is also famous for its delicious breakfast and snacks, including noodles and cakes.

    Accommodation: There is a wide selection of hotels and hostels in Meizhou.

    Shaoguan world cultural heritage tour

    Recommended self-drive route: Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway, Huanan Highway, North Er’huan Road, Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway, Shaoguan, Danxia Mountain, Mabaren heritage site, Nanhua Temple

    Also called Chinese Redstone Park, Danxia Mountain in Shaoguan City in north-central Guangdong is a world-famous geological park. China has the world’s largest area of Danxia, or redstone geomorphology, in the world, the majority of which is found on this mountain.

    The mountain is formed from a reddish sandstone that has eroded over time into a series of mountains surrounded by cliffs and many unusual rock formations (Danxia Landform).

    The scenic area contains more than 680 stone peaks, stone fortresses, walls, pillars and stone bridges. Many stones take the shape of the human body, birds and animals.

    More than 600,000 tourists visit the mountain each year. Tourists can also take a boat trip on the river that winds through the mountains.

    Cuisine: Restaurants and eateries inside Danxia Mountain Scenic Spot offer a wide selection of farm-produced dishes and freshwater fishes.

    Accommodation: Hostels at the foot of the mountain cost 80 to 100 yuan per night. Or you can camp on the mountain if you are keen on sunrises. (Jane Lai)