What to do in Zengcheng, Guangzhou? 2-Day Nature Breathing Tour
Preface
I've been stuck at home for so long, wearing a mask every day, I've almost forgotten what it's like to breathe freely. I'm looking for a walk, and there's a great place within an hour's drive from Foshan. Can you guess where it is? Hehe, it's Zengcheng District in Guangzhou!
Why choose Zengcheng? Zengcheng is located in the hinterland of the Pearl River Delta Corridor. It is far away from the hustle and bustle of big cities and does not require long journeys. It is the preferred tourist destination.
Zengcheng Beautiful Scenery
Zengcheng has many forest parks, including Dafengmen Forest Park, Taizi Forest Park, Jiaoshiling Forest Park, Nanxiangshan Forest Park, Xiancun Wudieling Forest Park, Zhengguo Jiufengshan Forest Park, Zengjiang Hezhizhou, Paitan Shimalong, Lihu Wetland Park, etc. The tall and dense forests, clear and long streams, blue sky and white clouds, and quiet and cool climate make it a veritable "forest oxygen bar".
Zengcheng Baishuizhai Scenic Area
šAddress: No. 74, Beishan Road, Baishuizhai Scenic Area, Paitan Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou
[Transportation] Guangzhou Metro Line 14 transfer to Bus No. 13
Baishuizhai, nestled among high mountains and dense forests, enjoys abundant rainfall, with an annual rainfall of 2,200 milliliters, creating a natural wonder of thousands of springs and waterfalls within the scenic area. The large waterfalls of Dadongkeng, with their lifelike, majestic and lifelike beauty, and the Lidi River, cascading down sheer cliffs like a raging dragon from the sky, pierce the waterfalls, and swim towards the deep pools, a majestic and magnificent sight.
On the Baishuizhai Mountain at an altitude of 828 meters, there is a majestic waterfall cascading down from the top of the mountain. It is famous for its drop and appearance. The drop is 428.5 meters. It is the waterfall with the largest drop in mainland my country. It looks like a beautiful ancient lady from Ruizhuang, pure and innocent, holding a white lotus in her hand, standing against the wind, with a fluttering colorful dress, a serene expression, and a generous and magnanimous demeanor. According to legend, it is the incarnation of He Xiangu, one of the Eight Immortals. When she attained enlightenment and became an immortal, she transformed her own form into a waterfall, so it is called Baishuixian Waterfall.
[Comprehensive] There are 9999 steps to the summit, but the climbing stairs only go up to 4999. When you reach the "Heavenly Lake" on the top of the mountain, cross the road and continue up to reach the 9999th step. There shouldn't be many people walking this way. It takes about 2 hours to walk from the foot of the mountain to the 4999th step, and the scenery along the way is beautiful.
The reservoir on the top of the mountain is called "Tianhu". Sitting on the dam next to it, looking at the mountains and water, you will feel refreshed.
1978 Cultural and Creative Industry Park
šAddress: No. 15, Yanjiang East 3rd Road, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou
[Transportation] Zengcheng Bus No. 74 "1978 Film Town Station".
[Environment] Guangdong Province's first tourism and cultural creative industry park, a distinctive town centered around cultural and creative industries such as film, music, advertising, and design, is the 1978 Cultural and Creative Town on the east bank of Zengjiang River in Zengcheng. The Zengcheng Sugar Paper Factory and surrounding old factory buildings, warehouses, scattered residential buildings, and villages have been redeveloped into a cultural and creative district imbued with memorable elements.
[Comprehensive] 1978 is now mainly focused on catering. The decoration inside is very representative and you can take beautiful photos there.
The Creative Park's iconic White Hall, winner of the 2016 APIDA Asia Pacific Interior Design Award, Public Space Excellence Award, and Judges' Choice Award, is a must-see destination. Currently, the Creative Park boasts a boutique creative hotel, a fresh beer factory, a Tibetan-style low-rise "Zang Bar," a waterfront giant-screen cinema, a Western-style wedding ceremony hall, handicraft workshops, and an art photography studio.
The current 1978 Film Town has many check-in spots such as Windsor Castle, Whitechapel, Reform and Opening-up Street, art galleries, museums, yacht marinas, film cities, B4 Theater, etc. It is a cultural and creative town that integrates special food, cultural arts, cultural festivals, theaters, leisure homestays, creative incubation, etc. and carries the "Zengcheng Memory". It is also the best landmark for Zengcheng people to enjoy diverse cultural experiences.
White Hall, winner of the 2016 APIDA Asia Pacific Interior Design Award
There is also an Avenue of Stars by the river, with shining stars on the round blue ball and a star's handprint on it.
Zengjiang Gallery
Zengjiang Gallerycheck the details
The Zengjiang Gallery is a long, uninterrupted natural landscape painting on the Zengjiang River. Starting from the Chuxi Water Conservancy Project and ending at the Lake Heart Island Scenic Area, the gallery stretches approximately 40 kilometers. Comprising the east and west banks, the gallery integrates the natural landscape along both sides of the river, from the Chuxi Water Conservancy Project to the century-old banyan trees in Baihu Lake and the Lake Heart Island shoreline. The gallery has been renovated and beautified, and the water environment along the route has been improved. Numerous flowering trees, blooming year-round, are planted along both banks, creating a magnificent landscape painting against the backdrop of the Zengjiang River.
3918 recommendations, 2095 visits
šAddress: Zengjiang Gallery Scenic Area, Landscape Avenue, Shitan Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou
[Traffic] There are many cameras along the road, so be careful when driving, as there are not many parking spaces.
The Zengjiang River is a sprawling natural landscape painting. The Zengjiang Gallery, encompassing its east and west banks, is lined with numerous flowering trees that bloom year-round. Starting at the Chuxi Water Conservancy Project in Licheng Street, Zengcheng City, and ending at the Huxin Island Scenic Area in Zhengguo Town, the route stretches approximately 40 kilometers. You can also take a boat cruise up the Zengjiang River to admire the scenery on both sides. The mountains, waters, and air are breathtakingly beautiful. Take off your mask and breathe deeply, thinking of taking some of that air home with you.
ćComprehensivećWith Zengjiang as the main line, there are bicycle leisure greenways along the coast. Both sides are dotted with natural forest belts, fruit farms, ecological farms, old buildings, post stations and shopping spots. The strong Lingnan characteristics are fully experienced. It is a water landscape belt and a public leisure and fitness area. You can also see many people fishing.
Zengcheng Food
Zengcheng has a variety of delicious food, each with its own characteristics, rural farm flavor, fresh ingredients, and a wide variety of snacks.
Fruit Wontons
šRecommended shop: Lan Ji Wonton, No. 1, Lane 2, Zhengxin Street, Zhengguo Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou
[Transportation] Bus routes 66 and 67 in Zengcheng stop at Zhengguo Bus Station. The road is very wide and parking is available at both ends.
[Environment] "Wonton", a Cantonese breakfast, is a business card of Zhengguo Town. The whole town is full of wonton shops. Among them, there is a time-honored wonton noodle shop on Zhengguo Old Street. Four generations have insisted on making wontons for 60 years. Many customers come here because of its reputation. The shop is not large, but there is a huge oil painting on the wall, which adds a touch of art to the shop.
[Service] When you enter the store, place your order and pay at the counter. Find a seat and the aunt will serve you delicious wontons. There are toilet paper rolls on the walls of the store and tissues are provided free of charge.
[Taste] The main ingredient is fresh pork. The meat filling is made by mashing 20% āāfat and 80% lean meat. It is made through a series of processes such as seasoning and stuffing.
The broth is also meticulously crafted, using fresh pork bones simmered for three hours over a wood-fired stove. Adding wontons creates a refreshing and delicious broth. The restaurant has also been developing new items, including "Heritage Wontons," "Shrimp Wontons," "Scallop Wontons," "Crab Roe Wontons," "Variety Wontons," and "Sesame Wontons." Zhuzhu's favorites are the "Fried Wontons" and "Shrimp Wontons."
For 60 years, four generations have been making wontons, which have thin skin and delicious fillings and you will never get tired of eating them.
Hong Kong Hee Kee Typhoon Shelter Fried Spicy Crab
šRecommended shops: Hong Kong Xiji Typhoon Shelter Fried Spicy Crab, 1978 Cultural and Creative Park Food Street
[Transportation] Zengcheng Bus No. 74 "1978 Film Town Station".
[Environment] In the "Zengcheng Authentic Food Street" in the movie town, there are many stalls selling various delicacies, surrounded by wooden tables and chairs. Among them, "Xiji" occupies a relatively large area and has private rooms.
ćServicećPrivate room, self-service, waiters usually come in when serving the dishes.
ćtasteć
"Typhoon Shelter Fried Crab" is a large crab with good taste, but the meat inside the crab shell is very small;
The "Typhoon Shelter Prawns" were quite good, the shrimps could be eaten with the shells, and the portion was quite large. The "Typhoon Shelter Crispy Chicken" was icy chicken, the meat was average, and the garlic flavor overwhelmed the chicken flavor.
The fish in the Steamed Haiwan Fish is OK, fresh, but a little overcooked.
The "Fish-flavored Eggplant Pot" was not very good, just average;
The "fragrant boiled beef" is edible enough;
The "Eight Flavor Tofu" is more popular, and the exterior is deep-fried;
The meat in "Stir-fried pork belly with peanut sprouts" is local pork.
[Comprehensive] Hong Kong style typhoon shelter cooking method, each dish is a large plate of minced garlic with almost no meat, and the portion is small.
Jiangao Inn Lingnan Family
šAddress: No. 188 Shangxin Street, Jiang'ao Village, Xiaolou Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou, Hexiangu Road Section of Zengpai Highway
[Transportation] 1.5 km from the Xiaolou Exit of Guanghe Expressway, take Zengcheng Bus No. 15 or 19 and get off at the "Jiang'ao Greenway Comprehensive Service Area" stop.
[Environment] Jiang'ao Inn Lingnan Home is a farm stay that combines the poetic charm of Lingnan with the concept of garden environmental protection, leisure, health preservation, and closeness to natural ecology. It has comfortable and exquisite guest rooms, sports and leisure entertainment facilities, and most importantly, the original, healthy and green Zengcheng cuisine.
[Service] The dining room is a private room with a large table that can seat more than 20 people. Next to it is the kitchen, and the dishes are freshly made and served.
ćtasteć
The Black Garlic Chicken Soup is rich in flavor and has plenty of ingredients.
"Roast chicken" is not the traditional way of cooking in earthen kilns or iron furnaces, but should be made of ice chicken;
The "Baiqie Free Range Chicken" is freshly slaughtered and cooked, and is tender, chewy and delicious.
The "mountain pit snails" and "boiled river shrimps" are only the size of a little finger and taste extremely sweet.
The advantage of "Steamed Heshun Fish" is its freshness;
[General] Similar to private dishes, there are many dishes to order, authentic farm flavor, fresh ingredients, and attractive presentation.
Zengcheng is half local and half Hakka, so the Hakka cuisine here is very authentic. Hakka baked goose is first cooked whole in a pot until it is about 60% done. Then, a variety of ingredients, including mushrooms, are added and cooked through. This method allows the spices to penetrate the meat, making it more flavorful and fatty without being greasy.
Zengjiang's delicious river seafood includes dozens of varieties, including stir-fried yellow sand clams in black bean sauce, blanched river shrimp, steamed croaker, and steamed ruegui in black bean sauce. More famous fish include grass carp, crucian carp, mountain fish, and other fish from the Zengjiang River.
The tofu in Paitan is particularly tender and smooth. Due to the beautiful scenery, it is used to make Hakka-style fried stuffed tofu.
Hotel selection
I yearn for a life of working from sunrise to sunset, living freely and integrating into local life. I stay overnight and experience it.
Guangzhou Yunshuijian Hotel
šAddress: No. 21, Jiufengshan Road, Zhengguo Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou
[Transportation] The hotel is located on Jiufeng Road, Zhengguo Town, Zengcheng District, close to Jiufeng Mountain, Zengjiang River, and adjacent to the 3A scenic spot - Huxin Island.
[Facilities] The hotel environment is comfortable, the renovation of the old house has an artistic feel, there are facilities such as leisure walking platforms and viewing platforms, the greening rate is about 65%, and it feels like living in a park.
We have over 30 guest rooms, including twin rooms over 40 square meters. They are simply decorated, spacious, and feature a practical desk and free Wi-Fi. The room also comes with a bottle of red wine, two bags of Yunnan Pu'er tea leaves, a fruit plate, and a 5-liter bucket of Zhengguo Mountain spring water. The value of the room is incredible! You can relax in a recliner, enjoy a cup of tea, or shake a glass of wine without leaving the house. The bathroom is also quite large, with double sinks for effortless washing. It's clean and simple, fully equipped with toiletries, and a separate shower.
ćServicećThe service attitude is good, the waiters are all smiling and have a good attitude. There is no elevator, which is a bit troublesome if you have a lot of luggage and it is hard to carry.
ćFood and BeveragećThe restaurant provides breakfast service and serves a variety of Chaoshan specialties and snacks.
Guangzhou Muji Yunxi Mountain Residence
šAddress: Shuikou Village, Zhangdongkeng Village, Paitan Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou
[Transportation] Located in the small basin of Zhangdongkeng, it is backed by the "Niuguzhang", the first peak of Zengcheng, and adjacent to the "Baishuizhai" known as the "Magnificent Emerald", with convenient transportation.
[Facilities] The hotel boasts a planned area of āā2,000 square meters, featuring a variety of experiential villas, including stream villas, enclosures, and mountain houses. The hotel boasts 10 guest rooms, complete with tree branch-like table lamps and elegant greenery, creating a park-like atmosphere. Enjoying tea and chatting with friends is a truly relaxing experience.
Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort Hotel
šAddress: No. 101, Baishuizhai Avenue, Paitan Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou
[Access] Located in Paitan Town, it's adjacent to Baishui Village and closely connected to Nankun Mountain. With captivating views of verdant mountains, lush waters, and lush green hills, and fresh air rich in negative oxygen ions, it creates a tranquil escape from the city, akin to Guangzhou's back garden.
The hotel boasts a unique Southeast Asian design, boasting a grand exterior and understated luxury interiors. A water-inspired Venetian swimming path winds through the first-floor guestrooms, offering instant access to the pool. Natural hot springs provide private in-room experiences, making the hotel a truly unique destination. The hotel offers villas, family-themed duplexes, and boutique guestrooms, each with a stylish, minimalist design. Each room features a private terrace with a hot spring bath and expansive views.
Travel tips during the epidemic
1. Three groups of people are not recommended to travel. Some elderly people, patients with chronic diseases, pregnant women and high-risk groups are not recommended to travel;
2. It is recommended to travel nearby during off-peak hours, try to avoid popular attractions or during peak hours, and avoid engaging in entertainment activities in confined spaces;
3. Take good protection during the journey. Wear a mask throughout the journey, maintain good hand hygiene, and keep the receipts properly for future reference;
4. Take good protective measures during travel. Queue in an orderly manner at scenic spots, maintain social distance, choose hotels with good sanitation, and seek medical attention immediately if you experience symptoms such as fever, dry cough, and fatigue.
Conclusion
I recommend everyone to travel to Zengcheng and experience a health-care and lung-cleansing trip, feel the delicious food, fun and good breathing in Zengcheng, climb mountains to keep fit, enjoy the beautiful waterfalls, and breathe oxygen to "clean your lungs", which is an extremely comfortable enjoyment.
