Yangchun

Western Guangdong's karst country: Lingxiao Cave, the “No. 1 Cave of the South,” Longgong Cave and the Chunwan Stone Forest, boat trips through the Three Caves of Yuxi, the ancient temple at Kongtong Cave and Chundu Hot Springs.

Yangchun is a county-level city administered by Yangjiang in Guangdong Province, on the middle and upper reaches of the Moyang River in western Guangdong. Limestone is widespread here, forming peak forests, caves and underground rivers; it is home to Yangchun National Geopark and is often called “the Little Guilin of western Guangdong.” The urban area of Chuncheng is built along the Moyang River, and the main attractions lie north and south along the river: in the north, Chunwan Scenic Area (AAAA) in Chunwan Town brings together Longgong Cave and the Chunwan Stone Forest, while Hetang Town has Lingxiao Cave (AAAA), the “No. 1 Cave of the South,” and the Three Caves of Yuxi, which you pass through by boat; in the western outskirts of the city is Kongtong Cave, with a temple hidden inside the rock, and near Heshui Town is the Dushizai Paleolithic cave site; in the southwest, Mashui Town has Chundu Hot Springs, and the Ehuangzhang Nature Reserve around Bajia Town holds one of the highest peaks in western Guangdong, good for hiking and cloud-watching. The climate is southern subtropical monsoon; October to April is the most comfortable time, with rapeseed flowers blooming around Chunwan and Songbai in Jan–Feb. May–Sep is hot and rainy, though the caves stay cool — but take care in the mountains during typhoons. Getting there: the Guangzhou–Maoming and Yangjiang–Yangchun railways pass through the city and Chunwan; it's about a 3-hour drive from Guangzhou (via the Shantou–Zhanjiang or Guangzhou–Kunming expressways, then toward Yangchun). Attractions in the north and south are far apart, so driving is recommended. Allow 2 days: one for Lingxiao Cave and the Three Caves of Yuxi, one for Longgong Cave, the Chunwan Stone Forest and Kongtong Cave, with an evening soak at Chundu Hot Springs. Local specialties include Yangchun amomum and Mashui mandarins; try amomum and pork tripe soup and Yangchun lai fen rice noodles. Ticket prices and opening hours change often; check official scenic-area announcements.

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