WHEN the temperature drops in Guangdong, water vapor in the air condenses into cloud and mist, forming a mysterious veil around the high mountains and turning them into a fairyland on Earth.

The magic of the nature lies in its unpredictable changes. This scene with the floating of the mist presents a fairy cloud sea with the high peak standing out, attracting tons of shutterbugs to capture the magnificent moment. In the following, we will introduce some of Guangdong’s peaks where you can best enjoy these views.

Shikengkong,

Guangdong’s No.1 peak

Located in the north part of Yangshan County in Qingyuan, the main peak of Shikengkong is the highest peak in Guangdong. Enjoying an altitude of 1,902 meters above the sea level, it is even higher than Mount Tai, Mount Song and Mount Heng, hence its nickname “Ridge of Guangdong.”

Along this mountain road there are four scenic areas, namely Tianlong Water Scenic Area, Tianmen Gallery Scenic Area, Tianxing Bridge Scenic Area and Minority Village Sightseeing Area. The surrounding hills here have some fantastic waterfalls, slot canyons and lush hillsides. Some of the attractions are easy to add to a day hike to the summit. Others would require minor detours. With private transport the place can be easily explored in a day.

The closeness of the sky at night and the amazing sunrise in the early morning are sure to take you away from your negative thoughts and instill in you a new love for life.

Ticket: 80 yuan

Add: Country Road 956, Yangshan County, Qingyuan 清远市阳山县956乡道

Jinzi Mountain, the steepest

peak in Lingnan

With an altitude of 1,417 meters, Jinzi Mountain is called “the steepest peak in Lingnan” and “the Huashan Mountain in South Guangdong” due to its height, peril and cragginess. Influenced by the climate and the dense forest, it’s easy for visitors to see the spectacular view of a cloud sea and the mountain veiled by mist, turning it into one of the best places for observing sunrises and clouds in Lingnan.

The most beautiful moment here is at sunrise. Before the sun rises, the clouds in the eastern part of the sky turn rosy. Later as the sun goes up bit by bit, the glorious sunshine floods the sky and turns it into a gold expanse. The colorful clouds in the sky blend with the sea of clouds surrounding the mountain, which together forms a huge oil painting by nature.

One renowned attraction of Jinzi Mountain is an 80-degree sky ladder, which is basically stuck to the cliff’s vertical edge. Climbing along this sky ladder may give you the feeling that you can reach out and touch the clouds. One thrilling thing is that starting from over 1,300 meters above sea level, the road under your feet becomes transparent glass, and stretches on till the glass observation platform at 1,417 meters of altitude, which is sure to speed up your heartbeat.

Ticket: 60 yuan

Time for climbing the mountain: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Reservation is required.

Add: Jinzi Mountain, Linchang Jinzi Village, Lianshan Zhuang and Yao Autonomous County, Qingyuan 清远市连山壮族瑶族自治县林场巾子村金子山

Queya Mountain,

a combination of windmills,

cloud seas and sunrises

Standing on the 1,075-meter-high Queya Mountain, you can see the city in the distance and the East River. At dawn, the rising sun seems to play hide-and-seek with the sea of clouds in the faraway sky, showing up and then hiding away again. Dozens of 70-meter-tall windmills adds a special touch to the rolling ridge.

With a high altitude and strong winds, it’s very common to observe mist and cloud seas on the mountain. During sunrise, tens of thousands of golden rays shine through the clouds and cover the mountain and forest with a golden veil. Together with the spinning windmills, you can shoot some real nice pictures.

When the temperature drops, views of misty pine forests can be seen from here, when everything seems to be covered by a white blanket.

Ticket: Free

Add: Southwest corner of Zengtian Town, Dongyuan County, Heyuan 河源市东源县曾田镇西南隅

Xiang Mountain in Zhaoqing

Located in Chenkong Village of Gaoyao District in Zhaoqing, this mountain got its name, Elephant Mountain, because its shape is similar to that of an elephant trunk. Endowed with picturesque natural landscapes, the mountain is home to the highest peak in Gaoyao District. The radio and television tower of the district also stands on the mountain.

Setting foot on top of the mountain, you can take in the views along both banks of the West River and the downtown area of Duanzhou.

Xiang Mountain is one of the ideal places for appreciating sunrises in Zhaoqing. The glorious rays of the sunshine seem to pull over the soft clouds like a huge hand and turn the sky into a glorious painting of different colors.

Ticket: Free

Add: Nan’an Town, Gaoyao District, Zhaoqing

肇庆市高要南岸镇

(Chen Xiaochun)