Qingyuan 3-Day Guide: Guangzhou's Backyard, Rafting Capital

Yingxi Peak Forest is called "Guangdong's Little Guilin." Huangteng Gorge rafting drops 168 meters, the most thrilling in Guangdong. Lianzhou Underground River is a 5A-rated cave stretching 1,860 meters. Qingyuan Free-Range Chicken is the gold standard of Cantonese chicken — Qingyuan is Guangdong people's favorite weekend escape: rafting in summer, hiking in autumn, hot springs in winter, suitable all year round. Just 30 minutes from Guangzhou by high-speed rail, truly "Guangzhou's Backyard."

🚶 Day 1: Yingxi Peak Forest (Guangdong's Little Guilin)

Full Day: Yingxi Peak Forest Corridor

• Yingxi Peak Forest Corridor (¥60): Praised as "Guangdong's Little Guilin," karst pastoral scenery. A 20+ km peak forest corridor, limestone peaks rising from rice paddies, hike through field paths between the peaks. Best explored by bicycle or on foot
• Cave Wonderland (¥85): South China's largest tiankeng — a massive sinkhole inside a cave, sunlight streaming through the top forming a "Sky Eye." Cave + waterfall + underground river + glass bridge, full tour about 1.5 hours. Glass bridge hangs 100 meters above the cave floor, not for the faint-hearted

Dinner

• Qingyuan Free-Range Chicken (¥68/bird): The gold standard of free-range chicken, white-cut preparation best showcases the original flavor. Crispy skin, silky meat, flavorful bones, dip in ginger-scallion soy sauce. Qingyuan chickens are free-range in bamboo forests with lots of exercise, giving firm meat — the most recognized chicken breed in Guangdong
• Beijiang River Seafood (¥35/portion): Qingyuan is on the Beijiang River, fresh river catch — river prawns, river fish, river snails

🚶 Day 2: Rafting + Hot Springs

Morning: Huangteng Gorge Rafting

• Huangteng Gorge Rafting (¥200): Guangdong's most thrilling rafting, the "King of Rafting" lives up to its name. Full course 4.8km, 168m total drop, 73 rapids, about 1.5 hours. Huangteng Gorge is a national 4A scenic area, only 3.8km from Qingyuan city center
• Tianmen Suspended Corridor (included in scenic ticket): 500-meter high glass corridor overlooking the entire gorge. Light show at night
• Mountain Road Coaster (¥50): Slide from mountaintop to foot, thrilling speed
• Reminder: Wear quick-dry clothes + bring change of clothes + waterproof phone pouch

Afternoon: Hot Springs

• Senbola Hot Springs (¥168): Volcanic geothermal hot springs, 60+ pools of different functions — Chinese herb pool, flower petal pool, milk pool, wine pool. Soak 2-3 hours is just right. Outdoor pools in tropical gardens have the best environment

Dinner

• Qingyuan Chicken Porridge (¥20): Congee simmered with Qingyuan chicken bones, incredibly flavorful
• Qingyuan Crispy Pork (¥35): Crispy skin roast pork, crispy skin and tender meat

🚶 Day 3: Lianzhou Underground River + Departure

Full Day: Lianzhou Underground River

• Lianzhou Underground River (¥120): National 5A scenic area, 1,860-meter underground river. Take a boat through the cave, bizarre stalactite formations — "Flying Elephant Crossing River," "Golden Rooster Announcing Dawn," "Guan Yu Drinking Horse" and other shapes. Three levels of caves, each with different scenery. Full tour about 2 hours. Lianzhou Underground River is Qingyuan's only 5A scenic area, and South China's most spectacular underground river
• Huangchuan Three Gorges (¥60): Another Lianzhou attraction, three gorges + waterfalls, can take a boat tour

Departure

• High-speed rail: Qingyuan → Guangzhou North (30min, ¥40) → Shenzhen North (1h, ¥90)
• Self-driving: Guangzhou → Qingyuan about 80km (1.5 hours)

🍜 Must-Eat Food List

Food	Price	Description
Qingyuan Free-Range Chicken	¥68/bird	Gold standard, white-cut is best
Beijiang River Seafood	¥35/portion	River prawns/fish/snails
Qingyuan Chicken Porridge	¥20	Incredibly flavorful
Yingde Black Tea	¥50/box	Yingde No. 9 tea
Lianzhou Choy Sum	¥15	Sweet and crisp
Luokeng Bamboo Shoots	¥20	Qingyuan specialty
Yangshan Tofu	¥12	Mountain spring water made
Qingyuan Crispy Pork	¥35	Crispy skin roast pork
Knife-Cut Rice Cake	¥8	Qingyuan specialty snack

🚄 Transportation Guide

• High-speed rail: Qingyuan/Qingyuan North Station, Guangzhou North 30min (¥40), Shenzhen North 1h (¥90)
• Self-driving: Guangzhou → Qingyuan about 80km (1.5h), Shenzhen → Qingyuan about 200km (2.5h)

💡 Practical Tips

1. Best season: Suitable all year. June-September best for rafting, October-November best for hiking, December-February best for hot springs
2. Huangteng Gorge rafting advance booking: Peak weekend queues 1-2 hours, recommend weekdays or buy tickets online in advance
3. Lianzhou Underground River is far from Qingyuan city: About 200km, about 3 hours by car, recommend departing early
4. Yingxi Peak Forest cycling most recommended: Scenery along the way far exceeds walking, bike rental ¥30/day
5. Budget: ¥800-1500/person/day (rafting + hot springs are pricier)
6. Qingyuan Chicken recommended "white-cut" preparation: Best showcases chicken's original flavor, don't braise or make soup
7. Huangteng Gorge has three rafting levels: Warrior Drift (thrilling) ¥200, Brave Drift (more thrilling) ¥280, Full Drift (most thrilling) ¥350
8. Huangchuan Three Gorges can be toured same day as Underground River: The two attractions are not far apart