A Serendipitous Encounter of Scenic Landscapes and Ancient Towns

✨️Hezhou, a hidden gem in northeastern Guangxi, is hailed as the "Back Garden of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area." Here, you’ll find the stunning karst mountains and rivers alongside the centuries-old charm of Huangyao Ancient Town, all at budget-friendly prices perfect for cost-conscious travelers. This guide covers must-visit attractions, local delicacies, and affordable accommodations to help you plan a high-value trip to Hezhou! ✨️ --- 🎈 🌠📌 Must-Visit Attractions in Hezhou 🌠 🎈 🔹1. Huangyao Ancient Town (🎫Ticket: ¥88; free before 8 AM or after 6 PM) 🔸 ✅ 🔸Why Visit🔹: One of China’s top 10 most beautiful ancient towns, well-preserved Ming-Qing architecture with low commercialization. ✨ Tips ✨️: - 🔸Dailong Bridge🔹: The iconic stone bridge is most picturesque in the morning mist. - 🔹Ancient Stage🔸: 400-year-old stage with occasional folk opera performances. - 🔸Flagstone Street Stroll🔹: Wander past century-old houses and workshops along the bluestone paths. - 🔹Night Exploration🔸: Red lanterns create a magical atmosphere, perfect for photos. 🍜 🔸Food🔹: Fermented black bean noodles, Huangyao stuffed tofu, and plum wine. 🎈 ✨️2. Gupo Mountain National Forest Park (🎫Ticket: ¥82, includes shuttle bus) ✨️ ✅ 💓Why Visit💓: A natural oxygen bar with waterfalls, tea plantations, and filming locations for dramas like *Wine Is Hometown’s Sweetest*. ✨ 🎇Tips🎇: - 🔹Xiangu Waterfall🔸: A 30-meter cascade, ideal for summer escapes. - 🔸Fangjia Tea Plantation🔹: Pick tea leaves and savor local high-mountain green tea. - 🔹Lovers’ Forest🔸: Primeval woodland with streams, great for hiking. 🚌 🔸Transport🔹: Take Bus 16 from downtown Hezhou (1-hour ride). 🎈 🎇3. Yulin Stone Forest (🎫Ticket: ¥57) 🎇 ✅ 🔸Why Visit🔸: Rare white marble karst formations resembling an alien planet. ✨ 🎆Tips🎆: - Wear comfortable shoes to climb "One-Line Sky" for panoramic views. - Compact site (2-hour tour); pair with Gupo Mountain for a day trip. 🎈 🌠4. Ziyun Fairyland (🎫Ticket: ¥60) 🌠 ✅ 💫Why Visit💫: Spectacular lit-up stalactites in cool caves, perfect for summer. ✨ 💫Note💫: Slippery paths—wear anti-slip shoes; visit off-peak for photos. 🎈 🔹5. Zhongshan Hundred-Mile Ink Painting Gallery (Free) 🔸 ✅ 💓Why Visit💓: Drive or cycle through poetic karst landscapes. ✨ 💓Best Photo Spot💓: Fengli Village at dawn, with misty rural vistas. --- 🎈 ✨️🍜 Must-Try Foods in Hezhou ✨️ 🎈 🌠【Signature Mains】🌠 1. 🔸Huangyao Fermented Black Bean Noodles🔸 (¥10): Savory broth with silky rice noodles; try at *Ancient Well Farmhouse*. 2. 🔸Hezhou Sour Spicy Beef Offal🔸 (¥15): Locals’ favorite late-night snack. 3. 🔸Rice Dumplings (Fenjiao)🔸 (¥5): Triangular rice wrappers stuffed with fillings, drizzled with sauce. 🎈 🎇【Snacks & Desserts】🎇 - 💕Oil Tea💕 (¥8): Yao ethnic specialty, bittersweet with crispy rice and peanuts. - 💕Mugwort Cakes💕 (¥3): Seasonal glutinous treats around Qingming Festival. - 💕Stuffed Pumpkin Blossoms💕: Steamed flowers with minced meat, sweet and fresh. 🎈 🎇【Restaurant Picks】🎇 - 🔸Downtown🔸: *Haomei Sour Spicy Beef Offal*, *Old Brand Auntie Fatty’s Rice Dumplings*. - 🔹Huangyao🔹: *Ancient Well Farmhouse*, *Yangjinji Fermented Black Bean Noodles*. --- 🎈 💟🏠 Budget Stays (¥80–200/Night) 💟 🎈 🎆【Huangyao Ancient Town】🎆 - 🔸Serendipity Homestay🔸 💰¥150/night: Renovated old house with a cozy courtyard. - 🔸Economy Hotels Outside Town🔸 (e.g., 7 Days Inn) 💰¥100/night, 10-minute walk to town. 🎈 ✨️【Downtown Hezhou】✨️ - 💓City Comfort Inn (Babu Branch)💓 💰¥160/night: Near Lingfeng Square, convenient transport. - 💓Hezhou Youth Hostel💓 💰¥50/bed: Backpacker-friendly. 🎈 🌠【Near Gupo Mountain】🌠 - 🔹Forest Hotel🔸 💰¥200/night: Inside the park for early access. --- 🎈 ✨️🚗 Transport Guide ✨️ - 🔹High-Speed Rail🔸: Guangzhou→Hezhou (1.5 hrs, ¥97), Guilin→Hezhou (1 hr, ¥45). - 🔹Local Transport🔸: Attractions are scattered; rent a car (~¥200/day) or join day tours. --- 🎈 🌠📅 Itinerary Suggestions (2–3 Days) 🌠 ✨️🔹 2D1N Highlights ✨️ - ☀️Day1☀️: Huangyao Ancient Town (overnight). - ☀️Day2☀️: Gupo Mountain→Departure. 🎇🔹 3D2N In-Depth 🎇 - ☀️Day1☀️: Huangyao Ancient Town. - ☀️Day2☀️: Gupo Mountain + Yulin Stone Forest. - ☀️Day3☀️: Zhongshan Ink Gallery→Departure. --- 🎈 ✨️💡 Travel Tips ✨️ ✔ Huangyao is free at dawn/dusk, but some ancestral halls require tickets. ✔ Gupo Mountain shuttle tickets are a must—hiking distances are long. ✔ Hezhou cuisine leans spicy-sour; request mild if needed. --- 🎇✨ Final Note 🎇 Hezhou’s beauty lingers in ancient flagstones, kaleidoscopic caves, and a bowl of sour-spicy beef offal. Let this guide pave your way to an affordable, soul-stirring journey through Guangxi’s poetic east! 🌿🏮