A Serendipitous Encounter of Scenic Landscapes and Ancient Towns

✨️Hezhou, a hidden gem in northeastern Guangxi, is hailed as the "Back Garden of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area." Here, you’ll find the stunning karst mountains and rivers alongside the centuries-old charm of Huangyao Ancient Town, all at budget-friendly prices perfect for cost-conscious travelers. This guide covers must-visit attractions, local delicacies, and affordable accommodations to help you plan a high-value trip to Hezhou! ✨️

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🎈 🌠📌 Must-Visit Attractions in Hezhou 🌠

🎈 🔹1. Huangyao Ancient Town (🎫Ticket: ¥88; free before 8 AM or after 6 PM) 🔸
✅ 🔸Why Visit🔹: One of China’s top 10 most beautiful ancient towns, well-preserved Ming-Qing architecture with low commercialization.
✨ Tips ✨️:
- 🔸Dailong Bridge🔹: The iconic stone bridge is most picturesque in the morning mist.
- 🔹Ancient Stage🔸: 400-year-old stage with occasional folk opera performances.
- 🔸Flagstone Street Stroll🔹: Wander past century-old houses and workshops along the bluestone paths.
- 🔹Night Exploration🔸: Red lanterns create a magical atmosphere, perfect for photos.
🍜 🔸Food🔹: Fermented black bean noodles, Huangyao stuffed tofu, and plum wine.

🎈 ✨️2. Gupo Mountain National Forest Park (🎫Ticket: ¥82, includes shuttle bus) ✨️
✅ 💓Why Visit💓: A natural oxygen bar with waterfalls, tea plantations, and filming locations for dramas like *Wine Is Hometown’s Sweetest*.
✨ 🎇Tips🎇:
- 🔹Xiangu Waterfall🔸: A 30-meter cascade, ideal for summer escapes.
- 🔸Fangjia Tea Plantation🔹: Pick tea leaves and savor local high-mountain green tea.
- 🔹Lovers’ Forest🔸: Primeval woodland with streams, great for hiking.
🚌 🔸Transport🔹: Take Bus 16 from downtown Hezhou (1-hour ride).

🎈 🎇3. Yulin Stone Forest (🎫Ticket: ¥57) 🎇
✅ 🔸Why Visit🔸: Rare white marble karst formations resembling an alien planet.
✨ 🎆Tips🎆:
- Wear comfortable shoes to climb "One-Line Sky" for panoramic views.
- Compact site (2-hour tour); pair with Gupo Mountain for a day trip.

🎈 🌠4. Ziyun Fairyland (🎫Ticket: ¥60) 🌠
✅ 💫Why Visit💫: Spectacular lit-up stalactites in cool caves, perfect for summer.
✨ 💫Note💫: Slippery paths—wear anti-slip shoes; visit off-peak for photos.

🎈 🔹5. Zhongshan Hundred-Mile Ink Painting Gallery (Free) 🔸
✅ 💓Why Visit💓: Drive or cycle through poetic karst landscapes.
✨ 💓Best Photo Spot💓: Fengli Village at dawn, with misty rural vistas.

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🎈 ✨️🍜 Must-Try Foods in Hezhou ✨️

🎈 🌠【Signature Mains】🌠
1. 🔸Huangyao Fermented Black Bean Noodles🔸 (¥10): Savory broth with silky rice noodles; try at *Ancient Well Farmhouse*.
2. 🔸Hezhou Sour Spicy Beef Offal🔸 (¥15): Locals’ favorite late-night snack.
3. 🔸Rice Dumplings (Fenjiao)🔸 (¥5): Triangular rice wrappers stuffed with fillings, drizzled with sauce.

🎈 🎇【Snacks & Desserts】🎇
- 💕Oil Tea💕 (¥8): Yao ethnic specialty, bittersweet with crispy rice and peanuts.
- 💕Mugwort Cakes💕 (¥3): Seasonal glutinous treats around Qingming Festival.
- 💕Stuffed Pumpkin Blossoms💕: Steamed flowers with minced meat, sweet and fresh.

🎈 🎇【Restaurant Picks】🎇
- 🔸Downtown🔸: *Haomei Sour Spicy Beef Offal*, *Old Brand Auntie Fatty’s Rice Dumplings*.
- 🔹Huangyao🔹: *Ancient Well Farmhouse*, *Yangjinji Fermented Black Bean Noodles*.

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🎈 💟🏠 Budget Stays (¥80–200/Night) 💟

🎈 🎆【Huangyao Ancient Town】🎆
- 🔸Serendipity Homestay🔸 💰¥150/night: Renovated old house with a cozy courtyard.
- 🔸Economy Hotels Outside Town🔸 (e.g., 7 Days Inn) 💰¥100/night, 10-minute walk to town.

🎈 ✨️【Downtown Hezhou】✨️
- 💓City Comfort Inn (Babu Branch)💓 💰¥160/night: Near Lingfeng Square, convenient transport.
- 💓Hezhou Youth Hostel💓 💰¥50/bed: Backpacker-friendly.

🎈 🌠【Near Gupo Mountain】🌠
- 🔹Forest Hotel🔸 💰¥200/night: Inside the park for early access.

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🎈 ✨️🚗 Transport Guide ✨️
- 🔹High-Speed Rail🔸: Guangzhou→Hezhou (1.5 hrs, ¥97), Guilin→Hezhou (1 hr, ¥45).
- 🔹Local Transport🔸: Attractions are scattered; rent a car (~¥200/day) or join day tours.

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🎈 🌠📅 Itinerary Suggestions (2–3 Days) 🌠
✨️🔹 2D1N Highlights ✨️
- ☀️Day1☀️: Huangyao Ancient Town (overnight).
- ☀️Day2☀️: Gupo Mountain→Departure.

🎇🔹 3D2N In-Depth 🎇
- ☀️Day1☀️: Huangyao Ancient Town.
- ☀️Day2☀️: Gupo Mountain + Yulin Stone Forest.
- ☀️Day3☀️: Zhongshan Ink Gallery→Departure.

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🎈 ✨️💡 Travel Tips ✨️
✔ Huangyao is free at dawn/dusk, but some ancestral halls require tickets.
✔ Gupo Mountain shuttle tickets are a must—hiking distances are long.
✔ Hezhou cuisine leans spicy-sour; request mild if needed.

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🎇✨ Final Note 🎇
Hezhou’s beauty lingers in ancient flagstones, kaleidoscopic caves, and a bowl of sour-spicy beef offal. Let this guide pave your way to an affordable, soul-stirring journey through Guangxi’s poetic east! 🌿🏮