Guangzhou Anaya, a fairytale town at the blue hour — Guangzhou Jiulong Lake Ecological Park

No need to fly north! Guangzhou hides a “budget Anaya” fairytale town, surrounded by 25,000 acres of lakes and mountains, with European-style castles breathtakingly beautiful at the blue hour. It’s the top choice for a weekend mini-vacation✨

History

Founded in 1993, formerly known as Jiulongtan Scenic Area, it was renamed and transformed into a high-end resort area in 2004. In 2010, it became the golf venue for the Asian Games, and in 2024, it was selected as an “Outstanding Beautiful River and Lake Case” in Guangzhou. In 2007, a medieval European-style town was built as a service center. Starting in 2024, it partnered with Anaya for a renewal, blending Lingnan landscape with European style, becoming a benchmark for “mini-vacations” in the Greater Bay Area.

Location

Located in Huadong Town, Huadu District, Guangzhou, it is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. Nestled against continuous mountains and surrounded by Jiulong Lake, it lies within a 30-minute living circle from Guangzhou’s main city, adjacent to Baiyun Airport, a tranquil lakeside mountain secret in the bustling city.

Transportation

- Public Transport: Take Metro Line 3 to Renhe Station, transfer to Bus 710 to Jiulong Lake Station, then a 10-minute walk; or take a taxi from downtown, about 1.5 hours, fare around 150 RMB.

- Self-driving: Navigate to “Jiulong Lake Ecological Park,” 1-1.5 hours drive from downtown, parking fee 8 RMB/hour.

- Internal Transport: Park buses shuttle between attractions, or stroll around the town; for mountain sections, taking a vehicle is recommended to save energy.

Must-visit photo spots📸

1. Anaya-style Church: Rust-red steel frame with concrete structure, hollowed-out top captures Tyndall light, sunny day shots have a sacred filter, blue hour with warm light fill makes photos even better.

2. Jiulong Lake Castle: Gray-white stone pointed roof building, castle stairs and central square fountain are classic spots, shoot from afar to frame castle and lake together, pretending to be in Europe.

3. Phoenix Mountain Viewing Platform: Use telephoto lens in the afternoon with front light to capture panoramic views of the European-style town, lake, and mountains together, full of layers.

4. Hidden gems: White spiral staircase in the hotel’s back garden, vintage phone booth in town, lakeside railings; sunset shots by the lake create an amazing atmosphere.

Food Recommendations

- Lihu Xuan Chinese Restaurant: Located in the Princess Hotel, Cantonese flavors, roast goose with crispy skin and tender meat, fresh and sweet lake seafood platter, average 150-300 RMB per person.

- Lakeside Western Restaurant: High cost-performance seafood buffet, well-reviewed steak and desserts, suitable for family gatherings, average 200-400 RMB per person.

- Jiulong Lake Fishing Village: Top choice for nearby farmhouses, firewood chicken is aromatic, freshly cooked river seafood is full of flavor, very affordable at 80-150 RMB per person.

- Specialty Snacks: Coffee shops and pubs inside the scenic area offer light meals; in the city, try local Huadu specialties like charcoal-cooked taro with braised meat and stepped tofu pudding.

Travel Tips

- Ticket Info: Adult tickets 50 RMB/person, discounted tickets for children, seniors, students at 20 RMB/person. Ticket stubs can be used to offset 50 RMB consumption at designated stores or exchange for ecological scenic area tickets.

- Photography Tips: Blue hour shooting recommended between 18:30-19:00; on cloudy days, set white balance to 5K to create blue hour effect, use warm light fill to brighten faces for better photos; in December, backlit dawn redwood tunnel shots are stunning; drone height limit 120 meters.

- Practical Reminders: The park is quieter after 23:00, so arrive early to allow enough time; protect against sun and mosquitoes outdoors; bring a light jacket for mountain temperature differences; staying at the Princess Hotel offers convenient experiences and some special services.

💡 A fairytale world just 1 hour from Guangzhou, unlock blue hour church, European castle, lake and mountain views with one click, and enjoy a “pretend Europe” vacation experience for just 500 RMB per person!