IF whitewater rafting is too wild for you, don’t worry. Summer getaways to cool mountains and rivers in Guangdong Province are not just about rafting and swimming. You can also enjoy yourself with friends and family in a more cultural, elegant and quiet way with fresh air, beautiful views and a cup of Chinese tea under the trees, leaving the noisy bustle and pollution of city life far behind.

West Lake in Huizhou

If the West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, can be seen as a glamorous superstar, the West Lake in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, can be seen as a simple but elegant lady.

Located in the center of Huizhou, the area is famous for scenic landscape with the well-known so-called five lakes, six bridges and eight scenes and ancient architecture around the lake.

Covering about 3.2 square kilometers, more than 400 well-known artists and scholars have visited the lake throughout history, including one of the most important poets, Su Dongpo from the Song Dynasty (960~1279).

With the improvement of the environment in Huizhou, an increasing number of gray herons and white cranes are being attracted to the He, Pipa and Xuezi islands in the lake. Every evening, thousands of birds fly over the lake at sunset, in sharp contrast to the modern downtown right next to the park. Yanlong Bridge and Yuantong Bridge are the perfect spots to appreciate the birds.

If you are tired of touring, take a rest with a cup of tea for about 30 yuan per pot at the Dongmen Tea House, which was rebuilt from two traditional Chinese boats.

West Lake at night has its own enchanting beauty. Enjoying local Hakka dishes by the lake at night is also an experience not found anywhere else.

Transport: A coach to Huizhou takes about one hour, then take a taxi from the bus station to the city center.

Nankun Mountain

Nankun Mountain, to the southwest of Longmen County in Zengcheng District, Guangzhou, is located about 600 meters above sea level and is a well-known summer resort in the province.

In the summer, the daytime temperature is no higher than 30 degrees Celsius, while at night the temperature remains around 20 degrees Celsius.

There are more than 30 scenic spots in Nankun Mountain with ancient pine trees, strange stones and spectacular waterfalls.

Chinese gooseberries, winter bamboo shoot and Baifeng tea are local specialities.

Tips: When you get to Nankun Mountain Town, there are four travel routes to choose. The west route leads to the Snake Pine Trees (snake-like pine trees), Kwan-yin Lake and General Worship Buddha (a natural rock formation).

The south route brings tourists views of Chuanlong waterfall and bamboo grove.

Go along the east route, visitors can see ancient pine trees and Sankengshai Waterfall while the north route takes them to the Seven Stars Lake and Zhuba Waterfall.

Luofu Mountain

Luofu Mountain, also named Dongjiao Mountain, is a well-known mountain for Taoist worshippers.

About 45 km from Huizhou and covering more than 200 square kilometers, there are 432 summits with more than 980 waterfalls and 72 caves on Luofu Mountain.

Formed in the Mesozoic era, Luofu Mountain is combined with Luo Mountain and Fu Mountain. According to an old legend, Fu Mountain came across the sea to marry Luo Mountain and the other peaks are their children and grandchildren.

Strange peaks and rocks are the biggest attractions of Luofu Mountain. Among the more than 400 peaks, there are some that resemble the figures of monks, goddesses, lions and even camels. The tallest summit, known as Feiyun or Flying Cloud Summit, is 1,296 meters above sea level and is well-known for the colorful sea of clouds that can be viewed there.

Transport: Take a coach from Shenzhen to Huizhou Bus Station and transfer to a special travel coach to Luofu Mountain.

Evergreen Lake

Evergreen Lake, in the area of the Xinfengjiang Reservoir in Heyuan City, is the biggest man-made lake in Southern China.

Covering a vast area, water in the lake is so clear that it was said that people could drink water directly from the lake. The dark green body of water looks like jade. Boating on the lake by Gui Mountain, the tallest mountain in Heyuan, is the ultimate in summer relaxation.

An area inhabited by Hakka people where visitors can experience traditional Hakka customs, appreciate the beauty of traditional Hakka houses, enjoy Hakka songs and food at Evergreen Lake.

Transport: Take a coach to Heyuan and then a tourist coach to Evergreen Lake, which is six km from the town center. There is also a coach to Qing-long Lake, another lake in Heyuan and also the source of the Dong River.

(Wang Yuanyuan)