Furongzhang reservoir, on the south side of Furong Mountain, covers about 2.2 square kilometers and is 24 meters deep. It’s famous for the unique scenery of mountain, forest, lake and flowing springs. The quiet and leisurely life here makes it one of the best resorts in Guangzhou.
Furong Valley rafting is joy to the brave. Its turbulent waters drop about 100 meters on the descent down the mountain. However scary it may appear, though, there’s much joyful relaxation upon the rafts as the beautiful scenes on the river banks go by.
When you go to Furongzhang, the local Sanshui tofu pudding is a must-try. Its smooth, sweet taste at very low prices make it one of the most famous snacks in the province. You can also try Shankeng fish, a finger-like fish, and long and fresh Shankeng snail.
Transport: Drive to Huadu in Guangzhou and go to Furongzhang. The reservoir is in the north of Furong Town, about 47 kilometers away from Guangzhou. It takes no more than two hours to get there from the city center of Guangzhou.
Located to the southwest of Nanhai City, Xiqiao Mountain has attracted many travelers and scholars since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) for its natural scenery, cultural deposits and customs.
The mountain, an extinct volcano with 72 peaks and 42 caves, has been named a national scenic spot and national forest park by the State Council and the Ministry of Forestry.
As the birthplace of civilization around the Pearl River area, people indigenous to this area created the now famous Shuangjian culture dating back 6,000 years. Many scholars have been buried here since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), including Kang Youwei, a famous figure in the late Qing Dynasty who called for literature reform in Chinese history.
Xiqiao Mountain is also a place to explore and study the three religions best known in China: Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. The world’s biggest Kwan-yin statue, a diety who East Asian Buddhists regard as the Goddess of Mercy, makes Xiqiao one of the most important places to research Chinese Kwan-yin culture.
Xiqiao Mountain is where kung fu first arose in South China. It is the birthplace of Huang Feihong, a well-known martial master who was born about 100 years ago.
Transport: Take a bus to Nanhai City from Yinhu or Futian bus stations and go to Xiqiao Mountain by bus No. 26 or No. 46.
Covering about 75 square kilometers with a population of only 2,000, Bijia Mountain in Qingyuan is a green, cool, undeveloped natural holiday resort with a variety of wild animals and a hidden valley just made for rafting.
With the valley discovered by rafters in 1999, the waters were selected as the location for the final contest of the national rafting competition from May 20 to 22 this year.
What makes the valley so different is that it can be rafted in all seasons because of a water supply dam built on the river. The dam controls the water supply to protect rafters from flash floods and maintains a proper water level in dry seasons. Safety guards are stationed throughout to help visitors.
There are two parts to the rafting river, Yongshi (Brave Rafting) and Xiaoyao (Happy Rafting), and two-seat rubber boats are used on both. It takes about two hours to raft the six-kilometer-long Xiaoyao. The slow current and one-meter-deep waters make it suitable for visitors of all ages. You can enjoy the beautiful greens and mountain views along the banks while you’re wrapped securely in your life jacket.
But if you’re looking for heart-beating excitement, then the 40-minute ride down the turbulent waters of Yongshi is for you. Although only 2.5 kilometers long, it has more than 10 thrilling turns with a maximum water depth of 2.5 meters and a current five times faster than Xiaoyao. Numerous underwater rocks add to the adventure.
Transport: Take a bus to Qingyuan from Futian Bus Station or Luohu Bus Station and then a taxi to Bijia Mountain Holiday Resort. (Wang Yuanyuan)
Liuxihe Reservoir is located in Liuxihe National Forest Park in the northeast of Conghua City. It covers more than 1,146 kilometers and is about 70 meters deep. There are 22 islands of different sizes in the lake and six mountains, including Wuzhi Mountain, Niujiao Mountain and Jizhen Mountain.
During the hottest of times, the average temperature here is 3 to 4 degrees lower than in Guangzhou. This is a cool forest resort with fresh air.
Honey, dried plums, Liuxi tea and Canton love-pea vine, a kind of herb that is a treatment for hepatitis, are local specialties. Facilities around the reservoir are ample. You can also venture to the nearby Shanyatang Valley, Peacock Park and Monkey Island.
Transport: Take a bus to Liangkou Town in Conghua City and then a taxi to Liuxihe Reservoir.
COOL and fresh mountains and rivers are always the first choice for a hot summer getaway. If you’re weary of the hot, humid weather in Shenzhen, set off to the cool carefree resorts in nearby cities in Guangdong Province to enjoy a different kind of summer fun.
