A great place to hike on New Year's Day in Huizhou, Guangdong! Enjoy the scenery, sea views, and sunsets with few crowds and no entrance fee.
Preface
“Everyone seems to be running all the time, and not many people would choose to stop to look at the sea, the sunset, and enjoy the evening breeze.” Are you one of those people?
Huizhou Windmill Mountain
Huizhou Windmill Mountain, also known as Huidong Yangwu Guanyin Mountain, rises majestically amidst the verdant mountains and forests. Its silvery-white windmills add a breathtaking touch to the island's beauty. Raising their immense arms, they bravely guard Yanzhou Island. Guanyin Mountain's windmills are a striking feature of Yanzhou Island, earning it the title of Huizhou's most beautiful windmill mountain. They also provide a steady stream of clean energy, benefiting the people of China. This is truly remarkable!
Recommended hiking routes
The whole round trip is about 9 kilometers, which takes about 4 hours to hike. There are a few forks in the road, so you just need to follow the direction of the summit. The roads going up and down the mountain are mainly mechanized farming roads and cement roads. The slope is not steep, and the difficulty is 1.5 stars (refer to Mo Liugong's 2 stars)!
You can find the fork in the mountain 300 meters ahead of the Sunrise B&B. Park on the large platform, warm up, and begin your hike to the summit. There are few trees along the route, so be careful to avoid getting sunburned. Continue uphill for about 2.5 kilometers to reach the windmills, where you can have lunch and enjoy the view pictured below.
There's a small Guanyin Temple on the summit. The main peak, about 640 meters above sea level, isn't particularly high, but it's the highest point in the area. From the summit, you can overlook the wind turbines, the surrounding towns, and the coastline, including Shuangyue Bay and Heipaijiao. Of course, the summit is often covered in clouds and mist. Guanyin Mountain borders Wanzai Crocodile Rock and Yangwu Heipaijiao to the east, the port and Pinghai to the south, Tieyong and Xunliao Bay to the west, and Kaozhouyang to the north.
Rising tall among the green mountains and forests, the silver-white windmills, together with the blue sea, blue sky, beach, wetland and pristine countryside, form a beautiful scene on earth.
Climbing up Guanyin Mountain, you can pray for your relatives and friends in front of the Guanyin Temple. To the east, you can overlook Donghu Island and Xihu Island, to the south you can overlook Heipai Cape and Shuangyue Bay, to the west you can see the towering windmills and the beautiful sunset, and to the north you can see Yanzhou Island and the magnificent mudflats!
Windmill Mountain is surrounded by mist and sea of clouds. The weather is changeable at high altitude, so please be careful.
Tips:
1. There is a large open space at the foot of the mountain. Remember to warm up before climbing. The difficulty is not too high, about 1.5 stars. 2. Prepare your own lunch for the trip, or eat at Yanzhou Island after going down the mountain. Bring 1L of water. 3. Friends who like to take time-lapse photos of the sea of clouds can bring a tripod. There are surprises when taking photos at the top of the mountain.
4. The weather in spring and summer is changeable, so remember to travel with companions and prepare your equipment.
Yanzhou Island
Yanzhou Island, located in southeastern Huidong County, is named for its abundant raw salt. Over 50,000 egrets inhabit its mangroves, making autumn and winter the best time to view them during their winter migration. The miles of gently sloping sandy beaches offer equally captivating coastal views, attracting numerous photography enthusiasts to watch the sunset and sunrise.
Yanzhou, originally an island town located in Kaozhouyang, southern Huidong County, Huizhou City, covers a total area of nearly 45 square kilometers. It was incorporated into Huangbu Town in 2008. Before the Yanzhou Bridge across Kaozhouyang opened to traffic in 2013, the residents of Yanzhou Island lived a largely isolated existence, relying on ferries to reach Huangbu Town.
The afternoon tide had just receded, and below and beside the birdwatching platform, a newly planted mangrove forest lay bare on the mudflats. A closer look revealed countless tiny crabs scurrying about. As the setting sun filled the sky, the calm sea, viewed from the birdwatching platform, reflected the mottled light and shadows of the mangroves.
Attraction address
Yangwu Guanyin Mountain and Yanzhou Island, Yanzhou Management District, Huangbu Town, Huidong County, Huizhou City, Guangdong Province
Ticket prices
There is no entrance fee for Guanyin Mountain and Yanzhou Island. You can park on the roadside without blocking traffic and there is no parking fee.
Equipment List
Basic equipment: non-slip hiking shoes (essential), backpack (essential), trekking poles, knee pads
Optional equipment: sunscreen, rain gear, walkie-talkie, power bank, camera, personal medicine, change, etc.
Drinking water: 1.5L drinking water + 0.5L functional drink
Food: Bread, beef jerky, pork jerky and other high-calorie foods, snacks, fruits (you can bring more fruits to replenish water and improve taste), etc.
Tips:
1. There are two directions to reach Yanzhou Island. You can take photos of the Windmill Mountains from the Yanzhou Bridge. 2. At sunset, you can take a fishing boat out to sea (circling Laoshu Island) or take photos on the mudflats. 3. Yanzhou Island is easily accessible for supplies, with many farmhouses and shops. You can ask for information about viewing egrets from the rooftops of guesthouses.
4. Prepare small change for praying at the Guanyin Temple. You can get a bottle of water after making a donation (the specific amount depends on the day. The Guanyin Temple will depend on the local villagers praying for blessings)
Travel Insurance
There are risks outdoors, so be careful when traveling and be sure to purchase insurance.
Conclusion
Huizhou's Fengche Mountain offers a unique landscape in every season. A sea of clouds rises from the mountain, the tranquil sea lies beyond, and a local temple stands on the summit. Below, the bustling village of Yanzhou Island, golden sunsets, and egrets returning to their nests in the mangroves, offer a unique experience. In the new year, why not grab a few friends and check in together?
