A One-Day Essential Tour Guide to Luofu Mountain, Leaving You Wanting More

Experience the essence of Luofu Mountain in one day for just around 1,000 RMB per person! I searched for immortals and gathered herbs at the "First Mountain of Lingnan," climbed Feiyun Peak to watch the sea of clouds surge, and listened to the Taoist bell tones at the thousand-year-old Chongxu Ancient Temple.

As the morning light pierced through the branches of ancient trees, I stood atop Feiyun Peak at an altitude of 1,296 meters, with the rolling Nanling Mountains beneath my feet and flowing clouds rushing overhead like thousands of galloping horses. The distant peaks appeared faintly, as if floating above the clouds—at this moment, I truly understood why Ge Hong called this place the "Seventh Cave Heaven, Thirty-Fourth Blessed Land," and why countless Taoists, doctors, and scholars have built huts here to cultivate for thousands of years.
This time, as a travel blogger, with a budget of less than 1,000 RMB per person for a round trip in one day, I delved deep into the Lingnan Taoist holy land—Guangdong Luofu Mountain—and embarked on a light luxury journey blending natural wonders, health culture, and historical mysteries: hiking along the shore of Bailian Lake, visiting the thousand-year-old Chongxu Ancient Temple, and watching the glazed flying eaves reflect golden clouds at Huanglong, allowing my body and mind to completely relax between mountains, waters, and Taoist charm.

🏞️ One-Day Itinerary Highlights: Depart at dawn × Return at dusk, condensed essence without rushing

Depart from Guangzhou East Station at 7:00 AM (38 minutes by high-speed train directly to Boluo Station, ticket price 40 RMB). After exiting, carpool or take a taxi to the South Gate of Zhu Ming Cave Scenic Area in Luofu Mountain (about 40 minutes, approximately 60 RMB per person). Purchase tickets to enter the scenic area (entrance fee 58 RMB, half price for students), then take the scenic area shuttle bus (one-way 20 RMB, round-trip ticket recommended at 40 RMB) directly to the core area.

The first stop is straight to Chongxu Ancient Temple—a thousand-year-old Taoist temple founded in the Eastern Jin Dynasty by the alchemist master Ge Hong, with a history of over 1,680 years. Inside the temple, incense smoke curls between the blue bricks and black tiles; the main hall enshrines the Three Pure Ones statues, and the side corridors feature inscriptions by famous figures throughout history, including Su Dongpo’s handwritten "Yuan You An Ming." The guide softly narrated: Ge Hong once gathered herbs, refined elixirs, and wrote books here; "Baopuzi" was born in this very place. I paused before the "Herb Washing Pool," said to be where Ge Hong and his wife Bao Gu washed medicinal herbs. The pool water is crystal clear and never dries up throughout the seasons.

Next, stroll along the Bailian Lake lakeside boardwalk, where the lake surface mirrors the green mountains and white clouds. On a small island in the lake stands a hexagonal pavilion, like the finishing touch in an ink painting. Along the way, you can see relics such as the "Longevity Well" and "Alchemy Stove," each hiding a story of Taoist cultivation.

For lunch, dine at the vegetarian restaurant inside the scenic area (about 50 RMB per person): Luofu Mountain tofu pudding, mugwort glutinous rice cakes, bamboo tube rice, and seasonal vegetables in broth—light and healthy yet flavorful, leaving you feeling refreshed after the meal.

In the afternoon, challenge yourself to climb Feiyun Peak, the highest peak of Luofu Mountain. You can choose to hike or take the cable car (one-way 80 RMB). I chose to hike, ascending step by step along the "Ancient Mountain Trail," passing Yuxian Bridge and Wulong Pool, with babbling streams and dense forest shading the path, the air rich in negative ions. Upon reaching the summit, the view suddenly opens up: to the north, Huizhou city; to the south, the Dongguan plain. When the sea of clouds surges, it truly feels like being in a fairyland. A stone stele at the summit is engraved with the three large characters "Feiyun Peak." I leaned against the mountain breeze and took the best silhouette photo of my life.

On the way down, visit Huanglong Ancient Temple (included in the pass). This Taoist temple, built during the Tang Dynasty, is nestled against the mountain, with red walls and green tiles hidden among ancient pines. The most stunning sight is the glazed screen wall and Bagua pond behind the temple. At sunset, the golden glow shines on the glazed tiles, making the entire palace look like burning flames—breathtakingly beautiful.

At 4:00 PM, return to the South Gate, take a carpool back to Boluo Station, and catch the evening high-speed train back to Guangzhou, ending this compact yet fulfilling Lingnan Taoist journey.

✅ Cost Breakdown (approx. 980 RMB per person)
Round-trip high-speed train ticket: about 80 RMB
Scenic area entrance + shuttle bus + cable car (optional): about 178 RMB (118 RMB without cable car)
Lunch + drinking water + insurance: about 70 RMB
Local transportation (carpool round trip): about 120 RMB
Souvenirs + incense coupons: about 50 RMB

💡 Tips: To save money, skip the cable car and hike both ways; total cost can be kept under 800 RMB.

📌 Travel Tips:
✔️ Best seasons: March–May (azaleas in bloom), September–November (clear autumn skies), avoid rainy season to prevent slipping
✔️ Essentials: comfortable hiking shoes, sun hat, mosquito repellent, thermos (mountain spring water available)
✔️ Respect beliefs: keep quiet inside temples, ask permission before taking photos, do not touch ritual objects
✔️ For great shots: recommended spots include Feiyun Peak sunrise over the sea of clouds, close-ups of incense at Chongxu Ancient Temple, backlit glazed flying eaves at Huanglong Temple, and symmetrical reflections at Bailian Lake

On the day I left, I slipped a bookmark inscribed with "Tao follows nature" into my camera bag.
It’s not just a souvenir but my redefinition of slow living.

If you want to hear the echo of your heart in one place,
go to Luofu Mountain—
let the mountain breeze blow away your anxiety,
let the ancient sites illuminate your wisdom,
and let this journey of health, philosophy, and beauty
be the gentlest escape from your urban life.