Mid-October at Chunmuyuan! Tadao Ando + Art Festival Babysitting Guide～

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Want to escape the city on a weekend in Guangdong?
We recommend locking in Heyuan Chunmuyuan!
Mid-October is perfect to catch the Light Art Festival and check out Tadao Ando’s "Poetry Chapel." With the dinosaur park and hot springs all included, this two-day, one-night full itinerary has you covered!
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Day 1: Follow the master architect’s chapel, relax in the hot springs♨
Drive 2-3 hours from Shenzhen in the morning, navigate to "Chunmuyuan Town," parking is just 10 RMB/day, very convenient.
First, rush to the most beautiful core attraction, the "Poetry Chapel," tickets go on sale starting the 13th! We suggest visiting between 2-4 PM for stunning photos, as sunlight streams through geometric cutouts onto the exposed concrete walls, creating dynamic light and shadow effects with a high-end vibe.
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Don’t miss the Gerhard pipe organ inside the chapel, replicating the building’s triangular structure. The sound resonates with the architecture for an amazing experience. After the chapel, be sure to head to the nearby plaza to photograph the green apple installation; from a diagonal front angle, you can frame the apple and the chapel’s spire together—this is the perfect check-in shot!
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In the evening, soak in the 1200-meter underground palm hot springs. Staying at the Palm Tree Hotel allows unlimited access. After soaking, head to the gourmet street for Hakka stuffed tofu, great value for money.
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Day 2: Art festival celebration, kids play and burn energy
The highlight is the Light Art Festival from 10/12 to 10/18! Start from Green Apple Plaza and stroll along the lake. You might encounter performance art around corners and live bands on the lawn—no need to wait around. Must-see are Yoani’s world premiere "Stroll" and the Water Utopia Theater troupe’s performance. The lakeside vantage point is perfect for capturing the atmosphere.
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Don’t miss the evening water screen show "The Fantastic Journey of Light," with stunning light, music, and water effects—videos will definitely blow up your social feed. At 8:30 PM, there’s a bonfire and fireworks show, with the firelight reflecting on the lake for a super romantic scene.
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If you have kids, plan a visit to Dinosaur Island Water Park. The dinosaur slides will keep kids entertained all afternoon, and nearby Dragon Bone Park lets them catch loaches—free and stress-relieving. If time allows, try the hot air balloon ride; on clear evenings, you can soar over the valley, feeling like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale.
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Stay at the Palm Tree Hotel for proximity to attractions, or the Blue Grape Hotel for great value. Wear light-colored clothes for architectural photos, bring a light jacket for the evening. This two-day trip satisfies art, relaxation, and family fun all in one—grab your friends and go!
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