Mount Gusao and Other Hidden Gems in Hezhou - Perfect for Weekend Trips from Guangzhou

🌈Hezhou is located in the northeastern part of Guangxi, adjacent to Guangdong and Hunan provinces. It's an ancient Lingnan city with a long history, famous for its karst landscapes, ancient towns, and Yao ethnic culture. Here's a detailed travel guide to help you explore this hidden gem! --- 1⃣️Must-Visit Attractions 📍Huangyao Ancient Town - Features: A thousand-year-old Ming and Qing dynasty town with cobblestone streets, ancient residences, ancestral halls, and small bridges over flowing streams. The atmosphere is especially beautiful at night when lanterns are lit. - ✨Highlights: Dragon Bridge, Guo Family Mansion, Immortal Ancient Well, Stone Jumping Bridge. - Tips: Consider staying overnight; take photos in the early morning when there are fewer people. Try the douci noodles and Huangyao stuffed tofu. 2. 📍Mount Gusao National Forest Park - Features: Natural oxygen bar with waterfalls, tea gardens, and Xianggu Stockade (filming location for the TV drama "Tea from Hometown"). - Activities: Hiking to the summit (about 4 hours) or taking a sightseeing car; river rafting in summer. - Tips: Temperature varies greatly at the summit, so bring a jacket; many monkeys in the park, don't feed them. 3.📍 Jade Stone Forest - Features: Rare white marble stone forest landscape, with strange rocks forming a natural maze. -*Activities*: Walk through the narrow paths between rocks, climb "One Line Sky" for panoramic views. 4. 📍Purple Cloud Wonderland - Features: Cave landscape with stalactites that look dreamlike under the lights; a great summer retreat. 5. Xiushui Zhuangyuan Village - Features: An ancient village that produced multiple top imperial scholars, preserving Ming and Qing architecture, ideal for cultural photography. --- 2⃣️Unique Experiences - Chashan Village (first village on the ancient Xiao-He route): Experience Yao ethnic oil tea and shuttle cake, walk the ancient path to feel the history. - Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County: Visit wind-rain bridges and Yao villages; participate in the Panwang Festival on the 16th day of the 10th lunar month. - Zhongshan Hundred-Mile Ink Painting Gallery: Drive or cycle through karst landscapes that look like traditional Chinese paintings. --- 3⃣️Food Recommendations - Must-Try Snacks🍝: - Hezhou Sour Beef Intestines (tangy and spicy beef offal) - Fenjiao (triangular rice flour wraps with fillings) - Oil Tea (Yao specialty, slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste) - Huangyao Douci Feast (pork ribs steamed with douci, douci fish) - ✅Recommended Restaurants: - "Ancient Well Farm" in Huangyao Ancient Town - "Old Brand Fat Aunt Beef Restaurant" in downtown Hezhou --- 4⃣️Transportation Guide - High-Speed Rail🚅: Direct trains to Hezhou Station from Guangzhou/Nanning/Guilin, then bus to Huangyao (about 1 hour). - ❤️Self-driving: About 2 hours from Guilin to Hezhou with beautiful scenery along the way. - ❤️Within the city: Attractions are scattered, recommended to hire a car or rent one (about 200-300 yuan/day). --- 5⃣️Itinerary Suggestions -🌑🌈2 Days 1 Night: - Day 1: Huangyao Ancient Town (stay overnight in the ancient town) - Day 2: Mount Gusao or Jade Stone Forest - 🌈3 Days 2 Nights: - Add Purple Cloud Wonderland, Xiushui Zhuangyuan Village, or Fuchuan Yao Village. --- 6⃣️Notes -✅ Best seasons: Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November); in summer, be prepared for mosquitoes and sun protection. - ✅Huangyao Ancient Town entrance fee is about 70 yuan; buying tickets online in advance may offer discounts. - ✅Respect Yao customs; don't photograph villagers without permission. 🌈Hezhou has a slow pace of life and low cost, perfect for travelers who appreciate nature and culture. Avoid holidays to better enjoy the peaceful mountain and water scenery‼️