  ALTHOUGH North China offers much spectacular scene in winter, you have to take a long trip to enjoy it. South China also has its charm in winter and the distance to some of its best tourism destinations is much shorter. Liuxi plum blossom, Conghua Now is the time of year to visit a plum blossom park such as Liuxixiangxue in Conghua, Guangdong. Plum picking is an enriching experience and a good escape from city life. The park has various white plum blossoms including several precious types which have been recently introduced. Activities such as horse riding are also launched attract visitors. Tickets for the park are 30 yuan per person. Transport: Take a coach to Guangzhou Jiaoxian Coach Station and transfer to No. 601 special bus to Conghua coach station. Take a coach from Jiekou to Liuxi River Forest Park. Delicacies: Orange, fish, tofu and onion chicken. Yunji Mountain, Xinfeng Yunji Mountain in Xinfeng County, Guangdong Province is currently hosting a maple festival. Yunji Mountain is the highest mountain in the Pearl River Delta area and one of the famous attractions for maple trees in the province. There are various types of maple trees in the area, making it a sea of red during the bleak winter months. The spa is another must-try in Xinfeng during winter. The Yuntianhai spa and forest holiday resort is the province’s first spa built in a mountain forest. Other recommended spa venues include Jiangyuan spa resort and Yunji Mountain spa resort. Transport: Drive to Likengjiao, Xinfeng on Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway, Jiebei Highway and G105. The Yuntianhai spa and forest holiday resort is only about 15-minute drive from Yunji Mountain. Delicacies: Hakka tofu, duck, pork, local chicken, fish, orange 阿and rice wine. Sanqing Mountain, Jiangxi Province Sanqing Mountain in Jiangxi Province is very famous. Its fame mostly derives from the fact it was regarded as a sacred place for Taoists during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) when the religion was at its most popular. With rolling clouds, mist and strange-shaped pine trees, Sanqing Mountain is a fairyland far from the hustle and bustle of city life. Snow on Sanqing Mountain will bring you a whole new sensation. Stay on the mountain for a day and you will understand why ancient Taoist master Ge Hong (284-364) made pills of immortality here. Sanqing Mountain sees little rainfall in winter but it is cold and thick clothes are needed at night. Transport: Take a train to Guangzhou from Shenzhen Railway Station and transfer to Shangrao or Yingtan station in Jiangxi Province. Transfer to the mountain by bus from the train station. Delicacies: Tea, chicken, fish and pear. Longfeng Island, Heyuan Longfeng Island is in the center of Wanlu Lake in Heyuan City, Guangdong Province. From the east it appears like a dragon and from the west it appears like a phoenix. It is the only island with maples among the 360 islands in Wanlu Lake and the 50,000 square meters of maple trees make the island a red sea that contrasts with the mirror-like lake. Wanhu Pavilion at the peak of the island is the best spot for enjoying the scenery. The island is also called “love island” by the locals as it is said to be the most romantic place in Heyuan. There is a gong on the island and locals believe that any romantic wishes made in front of the gong will come true. Transport: Get to Heyuan from Guangzhou-Shenzhen Highway, Beierhuan Highway, Guangzhou-Huizhou Highway and Huizhou-Heyuan Highway. Delicacies: Hakka pork soup and fish. (Wang Yuanyuan) | 