AS the Spring Festival approaches, many families are planning to celebrate by traveling across the country. But if you don’t plan to travel far, here are some more destinations that are perfect for a relaxing getaway. Qingyuan City Qingyuan, located in the northwest of Guangdong, is famous for its rivers, hot springs, craggy caves and forests. There are also people from the Yao and Zhuang minority groups living there. Popular attractions in Qingyuan include mountain forests, the 400-year-old Ancestral Temple of the Peng Family, Sky-kissing Rock, Golden Dragon Cave, Swallow Rock and Peach Blossom Lake. Among them, the Yingxi Mountain Forest, located in Yingde District, is called little Guilin because of its spectacular landscape of mountains, rivers, lakes, rocks and caves formed by karst geomorphology. Qingyuan also has a lot of popular eateries offering traditional Cantonese cuisine, especially chicken dishes. Other local delicacies include dishes that incorporate fish, tofu and rice cakes. Route: Drive to Qingyuan via Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway, Bei’erhuan Expressway and Guangzhou-Qingyuan Expressway. Baguang Village, Shenzhen Located in Kuichong, Longgang District, Baguang Village is at the end of the Yanba Expressway. The village has 18 historical areas with a beautiful 16-km coastline. Known as one of the most beautiful villages in Shenzhen, Baguang Village still follows a traditional fishing lifestyle. Ocean fishing is another popular activity in the village. You can rent a boat at Aozai Port in the village for around 300 yuan (US$48) per trip. The boats can also take you to seafood restaurants built on floating complexes in the water. One of the most well-known ancient structures in Shenzhen, Hehu New Residence, also lies in the neighboring area. Known as Crane Lake Fortified Hakka Village, it is the largest grouping of Hakka residential buildings in the country. Route: Drive to the village via Yantian-Baguang Expressway. Shawan, Panyu Built over 800 years ago during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Shawan Ancient Town, located in Panyu District, has long enjoyed a reputation for being one of the most culturally rich towns in the region. The town boasts over 100 ancient shrines and is lined by beautiful, well-preserved ancient buildings. Among them is Liugeng Hall, which is one of the most famous ancestral halls in the town. Built in 1275 during the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), the original building was destroyed and was rebuilt in the year 1700 during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Another spot is Wenfeng Pagoda. Built in 1721, the site was once the highlight attracting superstitious academics and children from near and far, who flocked there in droves to worship the statues inside. The Shawan cuisine, which includes specialties such as ginger milk, is also famous in the region. Route: Drive to Shawan via Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway, Dongguan-Foshan Expressway, Guangzhou-Macao Expressway and Dongchong Expressway. Gaobaizhang Scenic Spot, Huadu Gaobaizhang Scenic Spot is an ideal place for sightseeing. As the new Guangzhou airport is in the area, there are planes coming and leaving all the time. Besides the planes, the area is also filled with fields, rivers, strange rocks and historical sites. Other recommended places in the neighboring area include Langtou Village and Wangzi Mountain. Well-known local delicacies include tofu. Route: Drive to the spot via Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway, Airport Expressway and G106. (Wang Yuanyuan) |