Guangdong Grand Loop: Diaolou, Peaks & Danxia Landform

Starting from Guangzhou, loop through Kaiping, Zhaoqing, Yingxi, Yao villages, and Mount Danxia to experience the best of Guangdong's landscapes and heritage.

This is an in-depth loop of inland Guangdong commonly favored by travel agencies. Start with Guangzhou's old town and the Kaiping Diaolou, then head north via Zhaoqing to the Yingxi Peak Forest, Liannan Yao Village, and Lianzhou. Conclude with Mount Danxia and Nanhua Temple, finishing with a relaxing hot spring stay in Conghua. Most driving days involve 2–3 hours of travel, making a chartered car with a driver highly recommended. This route is designed for returning visitors who want to see inland Guangdong in one go, bypassing the coastline.

Summer is great for rafting but is hot and rainy. Winter in northern Guangdong can be quite cold. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Guangzhou & Explore the Old Town

Central Guangzhou（Beijing Road Pedestrian Street）

Upon arrival at Baiyun Airport, take the metro or a taxi (approx. 1 hour) to Yuexiu to check in. Walk around the Beijing Road area in the evening.

Stay: Yuexiu / Beijing Road

Day 2 · Guangzhou Old Town & Pearl River Night Views

Central Guangzhou（Nanyue King Museum (Mausoleum Site)、Chen Clan Ancestral Hall、Shamian Island、Canton Tower、Pearl River Night Cruise）

Get around via metro and taxi. Visit museums and ancestral temples in the morning, explore Shamian Island in the afternoon, and head to Canton Tower and the cruise wharf in the evening.

If the Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King is closed, you can visit Yongqing Fang instead.

Stay: Yuexiu / Beijing Road

Day 3 · Kaiping Diaolou & Chikan Ancient Town

Jiangmen（Liyuan Garden、Zili Village Diaolou Cluster、Chikan Overseas Chinese Town）

Take a chartered car in the morning to Tangkou (approx. 2 hours). Sights within the Diaolou villages are a 10–15 minute drive apart. Head to Chikan in the evening to check in.

Stay: Chikan Ancient Town

Day 4 · Head to Zhaoqing for Mountains & Lakes

Zhaoqing（Dinghu Mountain、Seven Star Crags）

Take a chartered car from Chikan to Dinghu Mountain (approx. 2 hours). Transfer to Seven Star Crags in the afternoon (approx. 40 mins) and stay by the lakeside in Yanqian.

Stay: Around Seven Star Crags

Day 5 · Song Dynasty City Wall & Gulong Gorge

Zhaoqing（Zhaoqing Song City Wall） → Qingyuan & Yingde（Gulong Gorge）

Explore Zhaoqing's old town on foot in the morning, then take a chartered car to Gulong Gorge (approx. 2.5 hours). Drive to Jiulong Town in the evening (approx. 1 hour).

Gulong Gorge rafting is only open in summer. Check official announcements for the glass bridge opening status.

Stay: Yingxi Fenglin – Jiulong Town

Day 6 · Yingxi Peak Forest to Thousand-Year-Old Yao Village

Qingyuan & Yingde（Yingxi Peak Forest Corridor） → Lianzhou & Liannan Yao Villages（Nangang Ancient Yao Village）

Take a leisurely stroll along the Yingxi Peak Forest Corridor in the morning. Take a chartered car in the afternoon to Nangang in Liannan (approx. 130 km, 2 hours).

Accommodations in the Yao village are basic, and temperatures on the mountain can be cool in the mornings and evenings.

Stay: Nangang Millennium Yao Village

Day 7 · Wanshan Chaowang & Lianzhou Underground River

Lianzhou & Liannan Yao Villages（Wanshan Chaowang Viewpoint、Lianzhou Underground River、Huiguang Pagoda）

Descend the mountain to visit the Wanshan Chaowang viewpoint, then head north to the Underground River (approx. 1 hour). Take a boat ride through the cave before returning to Lianzhou town center.

The cave maintains a constant cool temperature; bring a light jacket.

Stay: Lianzhou Urban Area

Day 8 · Huangchuan Three Gorges to Mount Danxia

Lianzhou & Liannan Yao Villages（Huangchuan Three Gorges） → Shaoguan（Yangyuan Stone、Jinjiang River）

Visit the Huangchuan Three Gorges in the morning, then take a chartered car to Mount Danxia (approx. 250 km, 3 hours). See the Yangyuan (Male Energy) Stone in the afternoon.

Mount Danxia entry tickets are valid for 48 hours and can be used over two consecutive days.

Stay: Duanshi & Yaotang Villages

Day 9 · Zhanglao Peak Sunrise & Nanhua Temple

Shaoguan（Zhanglao Peak Area、Nanhua Temple）

Climb Zhanglao Peak in the early morning. After descending, drive about 1 hour to Nanhua Temple, then drive about 3 hours to Conghua Hot Spring Town.

Go to bed early the night before if you plan to watch the sunrise. Check official announcements for cableway operating hours.

Stay: Wenquan Town

Day 10 · Conghua Hot Springs & Return to Airport

Conghua（Conghua Hot Springs Scenic Area）

Spend the morning soaking in the hot springs and walking around the town. Take a chartered car to Baiyun Airport in the afternoon (approx. 1 hour) or back to the city center (approx. 1.5 hours).