At Danxia Mountain, weathering and erosion have shaped red sandstone into peak forests, gorges, cliffs and stone pillars. These striking landforms offer a special glimpse of Guangdong’s natural environment—and are just part of what makes the region worth exploring.
Rock Landscapes, Forests and Waterways
Danxia Mountain is divided into five scenic areas: Yangyuan Stone, Elder Peak, Xianglong Lake, Wolonggang and Baoding. Sights include Yangyuan Stone, Turtle Exploring the Sea, Xiantao Stone and Teapot Peak. Their names show how varied the rock formations in this area are; together with the gorges and cliffs, they tell the story of erosion’s effects on the red rock.
Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve near Zhaoqing offers a different kind of natural landscape. Centuries-old forests are part of this area, which was designated China’s first nature reserve. Lakes and Buddhist sanctuaries, including Baiyun and Qingyun temples, bring together natural and cultural landscapes. Its biodiversity includes 1,778 species of higher wild plants, 267 bird species, 77 reptile and amphibian species, 41 mammal species and 836 species of large fungi. Future surveys may change these figures.
Xiqiao Mountain Scenic Area lies in Foshan’s Nanhai District. It is a nationally significant scenic reserve, a national 5A-rated tourist attraction, a national forest park and a national geopark. At Shiyan Rock, visitors can take a boat through part of an ancient underwater production site. As operating arrangements may change, it is advisable to check the latest information about boat trips before visiting.
The Pingmiangang site at Xiqiao Mountain also reaches back to distant periods. It includes remains from the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras. The Paleolithic deposits are more than 40,000 years old; the Neolithic deposits are generally dated to between 5,900 and 5,000 years ago. Further research may refine these dates. At the same mountain, an archaeological site and an underwater production site offer different ways to explore the past.
Another way to experience the landscape is the seven-kilometer loop trail at Dadong Reservoir, at the foot of Luofu Mountain. It passes through wetlands, forest and agricultural land, and is suitable for hiking and cycling. Travelers looking to include different kinds of activity in their trip will find a clearly defined route with a specified length and distinct landscape sections.
Archaeology, Architecture and Garden Art
In Guangzhou, the Tomb of the Nanyue King and the Nanyue Palace Site together illustrate Lingnan’s political, economic and cultural development during the Qin and Han periods. Chen Clan Ancestral Hall draws attention to its craftsmanship: wood, stone, brick, plaster and ceramic work, as well as copper and iron casting, can be seen on doors, windows, screens, walls, railings, roof beams and roof ridges.
In Kaiping, Liyuan combines traditional garden art with elements of Lingnan’s water towns and Western architectural styles. As part of a national 5A-rated scenic area, it offers an architectural contrast to Guangzhou’s archaeological sites. Together, these places show the many ways to explore natural history, historic remains and designed spaces in Guangdong.
Discover more destinations: Zhuhai, Shenzhen, Shantou, Qingyuan, Guangzhou, Foshan, Dongguan, Yangjiang, Zhongshan, Huizhou, Zhaoqing, Zhanjiang, Meizhou, Heyuan, Shanwei, Shaoguan, Jiangmen, Yunfu, Jieyang, Maoming.
For the main travel overview: China.
