Heyuan｜A Healing Short Escape from the Big City

Drenched in dragon boat rain, endless work and stress—with holidays approaching, all I want is to escape the big city! Why not plan a relaxing short trip? Heyuan is just 1 hour away from Shenzhen at the fastest!

**Transportation**:
- High-speed rail (Shenzhen North to Heyuan East): 2nd class seat ¥70, ~55 min
- Alternatively, drive (~2 hours)

**Itinerary**:
**Day 1**: Wanlv Lake — Bavaria Manor
**Day 2**: Fuyuan Temple — Chunmuyuan Town

1. **Wanlv Lake**: Composed of hundreds of islands, featuring attractions like Shuiyue Bay, Mirror Flower Valley, and Wanlv Valley. Three ways to explore:
- **Immersive**: Take a boat tour covering multiple islands (~200 mins).
- **Budget-friendly**: Visit just *Mirror Flower Valley* (a standalone attraction).
- **Luxury**: Speedboat tour (ideal for those with ample budget). Suggested duration: 5–8 hours.

2. **Bavaria Manor**: A laid-back Dutch-style resort town with castles, windmills, hot springs, and more—all-in-one fun! Ride the cable car for panoramic views. Activities are paid (except the rainbow slide). Perfect for families!

3. **Fuyuan Temple**: Located in Bavaria Manor, this temple blends Hakka tulou architecture with a striking golden Bodhi tree at its center. The grand halls contrast playfully with cute cartoon monk sculptures—a unique vibe!

4. **Chunmuyuan Town**: A short drive from Bavaria Manor, this aesthetic artsy town boasts a central lake, open-air theater, kids’ camps, play pools with dinosaur footprints, and social kitchens. Great for families and relaxation.

**Food** (eat these after sightseeing in the city):
1. **Zhaoji Breakfast**: Authentic Heyuan rice noodles—local favorite!
2. **Shangcheng Ximen Snacks**: Skip the radish soup, but try the delicious sticky rice.
3. **Zuiyi Lou Farmhouse Cuisine**: A classic Hakka restaurant. Must-tries: scallion chicken, steamed Wanlv Lake mandarin fish with black bean sauce, and Hakka tofu—all fresh and flavorful!
4. **Chuji Rice Noodle Soup**: A local staple, but I found it bland. Maybe try other dishes.
5. **Maiqifeng Cake**: Overhyped—just old-school sponge cakes with custard and pork floss.

**Accommodation**: Consider downtown hotels for easy access to night markets and late-night snacks!