Danxia Mountain, One of Guangdong's Four Famous Mountains｜The Stunning Beauty of a World Natural Heritage Site

I rarely use the word "stunning" to describe a scenic spot, but Danxia Mountain in Guangdong—this World Natural Heritage site—definitely deserves it! It’s about a 2-hour high-speed train ride from Guangzhou. Here, you can experience panoramic tours by water, land, and air, watch a live light and shadow show, and every photo you take is sure to blow up your social media.

🟢 One-Day Water, Land, and Air Tour Route

Danxia Mountain Scenic Area Visitor Service Center → Zhongshan Gate → Take the Danxia Mountain Cableway → Shaoyin Pavilion → Dragon King Spring → Pianlin Rock → Sunrise Pavilion → Dan Ladder Iron Chain → Biechuan Zen Temple → Cliff Carvings → Jinshi Rock Temple → Xianglong Lake → Yinyuan Rock → Elder Peak Pier → Experience the Water Danxia Cruise → Yangyuan Pier → Yangyuan Mountain → Check in at Yangyuan Rock → Yun Cliff Plank Road → Jiadun Pavilion → Jiujue Ladder (watch the sunset 🌄) → Head to the Water Danxia Pier → Watch the Eternal Danxia Live Light and Shadow Show → End the trip and return

(The scenic area has many must-visit spots, each bringing surprises. If you have enough time, it’s highly recommended to plan a two-day, one-night trip to deeply experience the unique charm of this World Natural Heritage site.)

📷 Recommended Photo Spots

- 🔸 Jiujue Ladder: In the afternoon with direct sunlight, the rocks glow with a golden light. It’s also an excellent spot to watch the sunset.

- 🔸 Yangyuan Rock & Yinyuan Rock: Natural geological wonders, the morning or evening light makes the rocks appear even more mysterious and textured.

- 🔸 Elephant Crossing the River: The shape of the red cliffs resembles a herd of elephants crossing a river. Drone aerial shots capture the most stunning panoramic views.

- 🔸 Monk’s Hat Peak: The mountain’s outline looks like a monk’s hat, showcasing nature’s incredible craftsmanship.

- 🔸 One Line Sky: Looking up, the sky narrows into a “light slit,” where the interplay of light and shadow highlights the fascinating Danxia landform.

- 🔸 Water Danxia Cruise: Sitting on the boat, you can feel the poetic scene of “sailing through mist and rain,” enjoying up-close the magical collision of Jinjiang River and the red Danxia cliffs.

- 🔸 Xianglong Lake: Take a boat ride to enjoy the mountains and water, and check in at the photo spot also used by China Post.

- 🔸 Jade Belt Bridge: The water under the bridge is as clear as jade. Standing on the bridge, you can overlook the flowing water and gaze at the Danxia peaks in the distance, offering an excellent view.

🚗 Transportation Guide

- 🚄 High-Speed Train: Take the high-speed train from Guangzhou South Station to Shaoguan Station (about 1 hour). After exiting, you can take a taxi or the “Danxia Tourism Express” bus to the scenic area (about 1 hour).

- 🚙 Self-Drive: From Guangzhou, it takes about 3 hours by car to reach Danxia Mountain Scenic Area.

‼️ Practical Tips

- 🔸 For hiking, it’s recommended to wear windproof and waterproof jackets. Mountain weather changes quickly, so prepare for rain in advance.

- 🔸 Be sure to wear non-slip hiking shoes, as some sections are steep to avoid slipping and injury.

- 🔸 The scenic area has added water activities like flyboarding and paddleboarding. If you want to try them, remember to bring a change of clothes.

- 🔸 Photography enthusiasts are advised to bring wide-angle lenses, telephoto lenses, and drones to capture the vast panoramas and detailed beauty of Danxia Mountain more comprehensively.