FOR itinerants who love roving around, the most beautiful scenery is always on the road. Recently, the Guangdong Provincial Tourism Administration and the Guangdong Provincial Department of Transportation jointly issued the first “Top 10 Beautiful Highways in Guangdong.” Major roadways in 10 cities including Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Shantou, and Shaoguan stood out, which connect many famous scenic spots in the province.

Let’s hit the road and enjoy the horizon where the sea and the sky merge into one, breathe in the fresh air with high concentrations of anions, and feast our eyes upon primitive forests in full color and other natural wonders.

Guangzhou:

A relaxing tour around

Zengcheng

This 45-kilometer route starts from Licheng Street and ends at Baishuizhai Waterfall Scenic Spot. It features the green plants belt in Lingnan.

Recommended tourist spots include Liantang Spring Scenic Area in Zengcheng, Liantang Impression Garden, He Xiangu Tourist Site, Xiaolou Renjia Tourist Site, Erlong Mountain Garden, Deng Village Stone Houses, Pattra Resort Guangzhou and Baishuizhai Waterfall Scenic Spot.

Liantan Spring Scenic Area is located in Liantang Village, north of Licheng Subdistrict in Zengcheng. Facing Zengjiang River to the east and linking Travel Avenue to the west, it covers an area of 455,000 square meters. It features mountain climbing, local delicacies, and agritainment.

Located in Deng Village, Paitan Township in Zengcheng, Deng Village Stone Houses were first built in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Most of the houses here still keep the architectural style of the Qing Dynasty. The houses are quadrangle dwellings, representing the typical Hakka enclosed houses.

Located in Paitan Township, Zengcheng District in Guangzhou, Baishuizhai is about 200 kilometers from Shenzhen and takes three hours to reach by bus. It is a provincial tourism resort known as the emerald of the Tropic of Cancer. Covering an area of nearly 200 square kilometers, it boasts unique waterfalls, weathered landforms and topography, and an enchanting ecological system that consist of thick forests, hot springs, mountains and lakes.

Zhuhai:

A romantic coastal city

This 28-kilometer route starts from Gongbei to Tangjia, featuring a coastline, time-honored fishing ports, and some relaxing areas where you can see the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in the distance.

Recommended places include the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Zhuhai Seaside Beach, City House, Zhuhai Fisher Girl Statue, Zhuhai Seaside Park, Jingshan Park, Xianglu Bay, Yeli Island, Zhuhai Museum, Meili Bay, Fenghuang Bay Beach, and Qi’ao Island.

Located on the middle section of the Lovers’ Road and close to the Zhuhai Fisher Girl Statue and the Seaside Park, Zhuhai Seaside Beach is the only free beach open to swimmers in Zhuhai. With tender sunlight, fine sand and clear water, it serves as a nice getaway in summer. Every year during the National Day holiday, an international beach music festival is held here.

The Zhuhai Fisher Girl Statue stands on the stone stairs in the Xianglu Bay. It is the landmark of Zhuhai City. The fisher girl, a beautiful statue by the sea, gracefully raises a bright pearl with both hands high in the air. It is said that she spreads bright light to the world and donates treasure to Zhuhai people. Standing nearly nine meters high and weighing 10 tons, it was designed by Chinese sculptor Pan He based on a touching local legend.

Covering 23.8 square kilometers, Qi’ao Island is located at the inner west side of the Pearl River Estuary. It is connected to Tangjia Bay by the Qi’ao Bridge. In the north of the island is Mangrove Wetland Ecological Park. In 2000, it was identified as an ecological tourist zone of Zhuhai. The island is noted for its seafood.

Shantou:

A Chaoshan city with island view

This 95-kilometer route starts from East Coastline Avenue, travels through Nan’ao Bridge and ends at Nan’ao Huandao Highway, featuring unique and tranquil travel highway that offers magnificent coastal scenery.

Recommended tourist attractions include Qing’ao Bay, Jinyin Island, Nan’ao Song Well, the Commander-in-Chief House, and Huanghua Mountain National Forest Park.

Nan’ao Island has much to offer: blue skies, white waves, sandy beaches, beautiful mountain scenery, historic temples and parks rich in wildlife. The climate is warm in the winter and cool in the summer, thanks to a strong breeze that blows in from the sea.

The Song Well is located on the beach southeast to the Aoqian Village in Yun’ao Township in Nan’ao County. It’s said that Ceremonial Master Lu Xiufu and Senior General Zhang Shizhong escorted Emperor Shao of the Song Dynasty (406-424) to withdraw to Nan’ao. They then dug three wells for the use of the emperor, the generals and the soldiers. Although the Song Well is close to the sea, the water from the well is fresh water.

(Chen Xiaochun)