Back from Hezhou, Let Me Share Some Honest Thoughts

Hello everyone 👋! Just returned from Hezhou, and I'm still lost in the gentleness of this "dreamlike small city" 😭! The magnificent karst landscape, the atmosphere of thousand-year-old towns, the incredible Hakka cuisine... every second was healing for me! Quickly save this guide to help you unlock this hidden gem city~

📍 Hezhou, located in northeastern Guangxi, is known as the "backyard garden of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao" 🌳! This is a place where natural landscapes and cultural heritage intertwine. It has the "dreamlike homeland" of Huangyao Ancient Town, karst scenery comparable to Guilin, the forest oxygen bar of Gupo Mountain, and the strange rock formations of Yushi Lin... In April, Hezhou is full of spring vitality with increasing rainfall. The mountains and waters in the misty rain add more poetic charm - every casual photo looks like a Chinese ink painting!

✈️ Transportation Guide
✈️ By Air: Fly to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, then take the airport bus to Hezhou (about 2-3 hours). The scenery along the way is beautiful~
🚄 By High-speed Rail: Hezhou Station has many trains, only 1.5-2 hours from Guangzhou and Shenzhen! After exiting the station, take a taxi or bus directly to downtown and various scenic spots 🚍.
🚗 Self-driving: Perfect for travelers from nearby cities! But some mountain roads have many curves, so it's recommended for experienced drivers. Check parking lot availability in advance~

🗺 Recommended Itinerary
Day 1: Ancient Town and Landscapes
Huangyao Ancient Town → Huangyao Flower Sea
Tour Huangyao Ancient Town in the early morning to avoid crowds. See the bluestone paths, ancient opera stages, and doubanjiang workshops 🏮! Enjoy a doubanjiang feast for lunch, then visit Huangyao Flower Sea for photos in the afternoon. The Gesang flowers and rapeseed flowers in April are breathtakingly beautiful~

Day 2: Natural Wonders
Yushi Lin → Shibashui Ecological Scenic Area
Visit Yushi Lin in the morning to see the white marble pillars formed over millions of years - like walking on an alien planet! Have sour beef intestines for lunch, then go to Shibashui in the afternoon. Stroll along the forest boardwalk and see the nine-level waterfall cascading down 🌊!

Day 3: Oxygen Therapy and Return
Gupo Mountain National Forest Park → Return Journey
Hike Gupo Mountain, breathe in the highly concentrated negative ions, and visit the filming location of "Tea Is My Hometown Strong"! Have a bowl of Hakka stuffed vegetables for lunch, then buy some Hezhou sweet potato chips as souvenirs for a perfect ending~

📌 Practical Tips
🎫 Tickets: Huangyao Ancient Town 88 yuan, Gupo Mountain 60 yuan. Buy in advance on platforms for discounts!
⏰ Timing: For the ancient town, it's recommended to enter before 7 AM or after 7 PM (free admission); Gupo Mountain requires about 4-5 hours to explore~
📸 Photography: Wearing Hanfu or qipao in the ancient town creates a great atmosphere; bright-colored clothes look better in photos at Yushi Lin!

🍜 Food Recommendations
1️⃣ Huangyao Doubanjiang Noodles: Rich and flavorful doubanjiang soup base with tender rice noodles - one bite and you're hooked! Any small shop in the ancient town serves authentic versions~
2️⃣ Sour Beef Intestines: Sour bamboo shoots, beef intestines, and tofu puffs soaked in vinegar - sour and spicy to stimulate your appetite. Street vendors sell large bowls for just 5 yuan!
3️⃣ Hakka Stuffed Vegetables: Stuffed tofu, stuffed bitter gourd, stuffed peppers... tender meat filling with soft wrapping - the soul of Hakka cuisine!
4️⃣ Xindu Chicken: Tender white-cut chicken with smooth skin, dipped in sand ginger soy sauce - so delicious it makes you stamp your feet! Must-try at old shops in Xindu Town~
5️⃣ Douci: Glutinous rice balls covered with yellow bean powder and brown sugar - soft, sweet, and addictive!
6️⃣ Vegetable-stuffed Egg: Eggs fried into pancakes wrapped around vegetable and meat filling - fresh, tender, nutritious, and delicious~

⚠️ Tips
1️⃣ Hezhou has frequent rain in April 🌧️, bring raincoats/umbrellas and wear non-slip shoes!
2️⃣ Huangyao Ancient Town has many stone paths, so travel light and choose suitcases with omnidirectional wheels~
3️⃣ Eating spicy and sour food can cause internal heat, so bring some herbal tea or fruit~
4️⃣ Some scenic areas have weak signals, download offline maps in advance to avoid getting lost!

Everyone, Hezhou's beauty is truly worth experiencing in person! Save this guide and just go for it~💨