Little Switzerland of Guangdong! A nanny-level guide to Xinxing Windmill Hill with free sea of clouds and Milky Way photography

No need to fly to Xinjiang! A cloud meadow just 3 hours from Guangzhou and Shenzhen, with 46 giant windmills spinning a healing vibe. Free admission and parking, personally tested with few people, stunning scenery, and great photo spots ✅

🚗 Transportation Guide (accessible by sedan)
▫️ Self-drive: Search directly for "Xinxing Windmill Hill," avoid "Windmill Hill Forest Park" and drive 2 more kilometers! The last kilometer has gravel road, be careful not to scrape the chassis.
▫️ Parking: 20 free parking spots at the top of the hill, arrive before 9 AM on weekends to get a spot, arriving late will really make you cry.
▫️ Public transport: From Xinxing County → Chengdong Bus Station take the Taiping Town bus (8 RMB) → motorcycle taxi to the foot of the hill (10 RMB) → 15-minute walk uphill.

📸 3 legendary photo spots (great shots straight from your phone)

1. Cinematic mountain road: Every 500 meters there is a viewing platform, wide-angle shots of "road + windmills + meadow," stand in the middle of the road and turn back for a candid shot, full protagonist vibes.
2. Panorama of Windmill No. 18: Highest altitude with the widest view, chase the cattle on the meadow (the cows are very gentle), lay down a picnic mat and instantly turn into a healing photo shoot.
3. Southeast slope sea of clouds: On sunny days fog often forms around 11 AM, wait until the mist covers your ankles to start live shooting, hair strands touched by moisture look breathtaking.

🌌 2 must-try experiences
▪️ Sunset silhouette: After 4 PM, face away from the camera and raise both hands, focus on the windmills and lower exposure, the outline effect is amazing.
▪️ Starry camping: After 8 PM use a tripod for a 30-second long exposure, the Milky Way stretching across the windmill group is stunning.

⚠️ Pitfall warnings

1. Double protection from sun and wind: The hilltop is exposed, SPF50+ sunscreen reapplied every hour, long-sleeve shirts are a must (light colors easily stain with grass juice).
2. Bring a transparent raincoat: Mountain areas are rainy, it protects from rain and can be used as a prop for misty windmill photos.
3. Take all trash with you: Cows can get sick from eating plastic, protecting the meadow depends on everyone.

🍜 Must-try delicious food downhill
▫️ Farmhouse at the foot of the hill: Perilla stewed mountain snails, steamed chicken with Ficus hirta, about 60 RMB per person to eat until full.
▫️ County town bonus: Wens roast pork belly (crispy skin and fragrant meat), yellow skin preserved fruit smoothie (8 RMB to cool down).

Lying on the meadow watching the windmills turn and clouds roll by, all worries really get blown away by the wind~ Remember not to get lost on navigation, when you see herds of cattle, you’ve reached the real hilltop!