THE weather in Guangdong is finally cooling down and the typical short autumn of the province seems to be here. So what is the best getaway option for this rare brief season?

    An autumn outing when you can breathe in refreshing fresh air and particularly, cycle along the picturesque greenways, might sound like a good option. But do you know the greenways in Guangdong?

    Greenway No. 1

    Route: Zhaoqing — Foshan —Guangzhou — Zhongshan — Zhuhai

    Greenway No.1 in Guangdong Province is some 310 kilometers long and boasts rich natural sceneries and tourist attractions including the Seven Star Cave, Sanshui Lotus World, Nanguo Peach Blossom Garden and Yundonghai Tourist Economic Zone, just to name a few.

    Recommendations

    Seven Star Cave in Zhaoqing city features karst landscapes and is an idyllic place that looks like a Chinese landscape painting. You’ll encounter mountains in the middle of a lake, caves in the middle of a mountain and rivers in the middle of a cave. The seven karst limestone peaks roughly resembling the stars of the Big Dipper constellation and they rise out of the middle of a lake in an amazing way. Cycling here is not only a feast for the eyes but is sure to put you in the best of spirits.

    Yundonghai Tourist Economic Zone, situated along the coast of the scenic Beijiang River in Foshan, is the only place in the Pearl River Delta that enjoys the fame of “the largest of its type with intact vegetation, mountains and lakes.” If you cycle along the west bank of Beihu Lake, you can enjoy the view where the water and the sky appear to merge into one.

    Yeli Island in Zhuhai is a romantic place where you can feel the sea breeze embracing you while cycling along the coast. If you want to enjoy a relaxing time with your sweetheart, don’t miss it.

    Greenway No. 2

    Route: Liuxihe River in Conghua District of Guangzhou — Zengcheng District of Guangzhou — Dongguan — Shenzhen — Huizhou

    The 480 km Greenway No. 2 features mountains, rivers, farmland and oceans. It starts north from the Liuxihe National Forest Park, goes though Zengcheng District in Guangzhou, Dongguan and Shenzhen all the way to the Xunliaowan Bay in Huizhou in the south. Along this greenway you will encounter luxurious forest parks, lovely beaches and idyllic scenery.

    Recommendations

    The section of Greenway No. 2 in Conghua is also called Liuxi Greenway for it is path along Liuxihe River. When you travel through this section, you will have the chance to enjoy waterfalls and a sea of flowers lining the greenway.

    Baishuizhai Waterfall Scenic Spot, terminal of the Zengcheng section, is regarded as a magnificent emerald in the Tropic of Cancer for it covers an area of some 200 square kilometers. This scenic spot is blessed with a fortuitous location. Once inside, you will be welcomed by lush bamboo thickets, old towering trees, dancing butterflies and bees, and most importantly, the Baishuixian (White Daffodil) Waterfall which is the number one waterfall in terms of water flow on the mainland.

    Xunliao Bay in Huizhou is a pristine beach where you can enjoy superb sea views while cycling, along with soft white sand and crystal clear water.

    (Chen Xiaochun)