Shaoguan

The place that gave "Danxia landform" its name: World Heritage–listed Danxia Mountain's Zhanglao Peak, Yangyuan Stone and Jinjiang River, plus Nanhua Temple, an ancestral seat of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, make it a popular scenic getaway from Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Shaoguan lies in northern Guangdong and has long been the gateway from Lingnan to the Central Plains; Renhua County, home to Danxia Mountain, is about 50 km from the city. Danxia Mountain gave its name to the "Danxia landform": red sandstone and conglomerate carved by running water into mesas, peaks, rock walls and pillars. In 2010 it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site as part of "China Danxia," and it is also a UNESCO Global Geopark and a national 5A-rated scenic area (China's top tier). Shaoguan is also where Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism, taught, and Nanhua Temple is revered as the school's ancestral temple; Zhuji Lane in Nanxiong is the ancestral home of many Cantonese families.

The Danxia Mountain scenic area is divided into the Zhanglao Peak area (the main peak, Jinshi Cliff, sunrise viewing), the Yangyuan Stone area (Yangyuan Stone, Xianglong Lake), the Jinjiang River boat trips (bamboo rafts, cruise boats) and the more remote Bazhai (pristine Danxia peak clusters reached on foot, suited to outdoor enthusiasts). A full-price ticket costs about ¥100, is valid for 48 hours and includes the in-park bus; boats and the cable car cost extra. Half-price and other discounts are often offered in the low season; check official announcements.

Seasons: spring and autumn are best. Oct–Dec has the most clear days, ideal for sunrises and seas of cloud. During the Apr–Jun rainy season the mountains are lush and green, but the trails are slippery. Summers are hot, so hike in the early morning or evening.

Getting there: Shaoguan Station on the Beijing–Guangzhou high-speed railway is about 50 minutes from Guangzhou South; tourist shuttles and regular buses run from the station to Danxia Mountain in about 1 hour. Drivers can take the Beijing–Hong Kong–Macau or Daqing–Guangzhou expressways. Suggested 2–3 days: day 1 for Zhanglao Peak and Yangyuan Stone, day 2 for an early sunrise and a bamboo raft on the Jinjiang River, then on to Nanhua Temple or Zhuji Lane. Yunmen Temple in Ruyuan (ancestral temple of the Yunmen school), Fengcai Tower and the century-old East Street in downtown Shaoguan are also worth combining. Local food includes Renhua sour bamboo shoots, Nanxiong pressed duck, Shaoguan's "three yellows" and the Danxia Mountain tofu banquet.

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