Hey, Heyuan is tough but I have to say some harsh truths because honestly～

💰 【Budget Control: Around 800 RMB per person, totally worth it!】

- Transportation: 1.5h drive from Guangzhou/Shenzhen (fuel cost ≈ ¥150/car) or high-speed train ¥69/person
- Accommodation: Homestay ¥150/night, city hotels ¥200+/night (recommend staying near Wanlv Lake or Bavaria Manor)
- Tickets: Dinosaur Museum ¥30, Wanlv Lake boat tour ¥180, Yequgou rafting ¥80, 20% off with student ID or early booking
- Food: Pig’s trotters noodles ¥10/bowl, whole fish feast ¥50/person, snacks from ¥5, eat till full without guilt! ✅ Total cost: Around 800 RMB off-peak, slightly higher in summer but way better value than trendy cities!

🌿 【Must-Visit Spots: Hidden gems but legendary!】

1️⃣ Wanlv Lake · Jinghuayuan

✨ What to do: Take a boat tour on the emerald lake! See the morning mist over the lake like a fairyland 🌫️, climb Hongyan Peak in the afternoon for “Guangdong’s Little Jiuzhaigou,” don’t miss the Daughter Kingdom Hakka song and dance show～

💡 Tip: Arrive before 14:00! Avoid crowds + best lighting, book boat and tickets 1 day in advance

2️⃣ Heyuan Dinosaur Museum

🦖 Highlights: Guinness record of 20,000 dinosaur eggs! Touch the “King Dinosaur Egg” (28cm diameter), 3D light show through the Cretaceous period, a hit with families

⏰ Hours: 9:00-17:30, 2 hours is enough～

3️⃣ Yequgou Rafting

💦 Thrill level: 1 km with a 150m drop! Pass through dark caves, waterfalls + bamboo forest creek tracing, get soaked and feel amazing～ Remember to bring a waterproof phone pouch!

⚠️ Note: Wear creek shoes to avoid scratches, lockers cost ¥10/use

4️⃣ Bavaria Manor

🎢 What to do: Colorful fairy tale town + Black Forest amusement park roller coaster, Guoyao Hot Springs ♨️ soak in 42℃ herbal pools (perfect for summer detox!)

📸 Popular photo spots: Fuyuan Temple golden Buddha + cherry blossom bridge night view

🚗 【3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary: Lazy travelers just copy!】

Day 1: Culture Walk

▪️ Morning: Dinosaur Museum → Guifeng Tower (climb for photos of the river confluence)

▪️ Afternoon: Taiping Ancient Street arcade (try Ai rice cake + radish cake) → Asia’s tallest fountain (starts at 20:00! 169m water column is stunning)

▪️ Late night snack: Datong Road “Uncle’s Stir-fried Snails” with ice beer 🍻

Day 2: Lake and Mountain Scenery

▪️ Morning: Wanlv Lake boat tour (Love Lock on Longfeng Island 🔒 → Jinghuayuan Hongyan Cave)

▪️ Afternoon: Yequgou rafting → forest creek tracing to catch mountain snails

▪️ Dinner: Xinkang Town “Yugangwan” whole fish feast! Fish ball soup so fresh it’ll blow your mind

Day 3: Hakka Culture

▪️ Morning: Nanyuan Ancient Village (400-year-old walled house, oil-paper umbrella alley) → experience making Lei Cha tea

▪️ Afternoon: Before heading back, slurp a bowl of “Wenhui Pig’s Trotters Noodles,” trotters so tender they melt in your mouth!

🍜 【Food Radar: Don’t eat = wasted trip!】

- Breakfast champions: ✅ Pig’s trotters noodles: Wenhui old shop (West Gate snacks), trotters stewed till gelatinous and sticky✅ Zijin Eight-Cut Soup: pork from 8 parts simmered + Heyuan rice noodles, so fresh you’ll drink 3 bowls!
- Must-order main dishes: 🔥 Traditional salt-baked chicken: Deyi Restaurant, crispy skin and juicy meat, paired with sand ginger oil is amazing🔥 Steamed Wanlv Lake bighead fish: Fisherman’s River Fresh Restaurant, fish meat shaped like garlic cloves with no muddy taste🔥 Stuffed Three Treasures: bitter melon + eggplant + green pepper stuffed with meat, perfect with rice!
- Snack street: 🌃 Dongpu Night Market: Bawang flower rice noodles stir-fried with snails, iron stove herbal soup (herbs simmered 4 hours!)

🛏️ 【Accommodation Picks: Tested and no regrets!】

🏆 Best value TOP

- Wanlv Hakka Inn: lake view homestay! ¥150/night, mountain spring pool + bookish tea room
- Xi’an Hotel (Fountain Branch): ¥200+/night, high-floor rooms with fountain night view, butler serves flower tea, super thoughtful

💎 Light luxury options

- Maihao International Hotel: 360° rotating restaurant! Overlooks the city, walking distance to fountain
- Bavaria Four Points Sheraton: hot spring in-room + family rooms, very convenient for manor fun

💡 【Local-level Tips】

1️⃣ Mosquito defense trio: spray + herbal balm + long pants (Yequgou midges are fierce!)

2️⃣ Rafting gear: quick-dry clothes + waterproof phone pouch + change of clothes (lockers ¥10)

3️⃣ Off-peak trick: enter Wanlv Lake before 9 am, visit Dinosaur Museum after lunch for fewer crowds!

4️⃣ Souvenirs: Bawang flower rice noodles, Kanghe tribute tea (intangible cultural heritage tea fragrance!)