Hezhou

Hezhou is a slow-paced, excellent-value small Lingnan city, perfect for a laid-back weekend escape. Here is a classic 3-day, 2-night itinerary covering natural scenery, ancient-town culture, and authentic local food.

3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Fresh Air, and Ancient-Town Night Views

After arriving in Hezhou in the morning, head to Guposhan for fresh forest air, and see Xiangu Waterfall and Fangjia Tea Garden. In the evening, descend the mountain and go into the city for beef intestine sour soup and grass jelly on Yuandong Food Street. At night, head to Huangyao Ancient Town and enter for free after the security staff finish work, then enjoy its quiet night scenery without the usual commercial bustle.

• Day 2: Ancient-Town Morning Light and Ink-Wash Countryside

In the morning, have fermented black bean rice noodles in the ancient town, then stroll around Dailong Bridge and Shitiao Bridge. At noon, head to Zhongshan County and explore Zhongshan Ink-Wash Countryside by self-driving or rental car, weaving between karst peak forests and rice fields. Every casual photo looks like a Chinese-style blockbuster. In the evening, return to the city for Jiayuan barbecue.

• Day 3: History, Culture, and a Relaxed City Afternoon

In the morning, visit Linhe Ancient City and touch the 2,000-year-old rammed-earth city walls from the Western Han dynasty. In the afternoon, go to Dazhongshan Park for a panoramic city sunset, then buy some inexpensive fruit in the city in the evening and head home with takeaway local food.

Must-Visit Attractions

Hezhou’s attractions are fairly spread out, so it is best to choose key destinations based on your interests.

Authentic Food Guide

Hezhou’s food is affordable, with flavors leaning sour, spicy, fresh, and fragrant. Most options are concentrated around Lingfeng Square and the Yuandong commercial area in the city center.

Accommodation and Transportation Tips

• Where to Stay: The best choices are around Lingfeng Square or the Yuandong commercial area in the city center, where dining, shopping, and entertainment are concentrated and chain hotels offer good value. If you want to visit the hot springs, consider Banshan or hot spring hotels near Guposhan, but self-driving is recommended.
• Getting Around: High-speed trains go directly to Hezhou Station. Shared electric scooters are the most convenient option within the city. For surrounding attractions, self-driving or taking a taxi is recommended. It may be hard to get a taxi after leaving Guposhan, so plan ahead.

Pitfalls and Things to Note

• Avoid Sales Traps: If staff at temples near Guposhan try to create anxiety and persuade you to buy wish plaques, politely decline to avoid unnecessary spending.
• Weather and Road Conditions: There are many mosquitoes in the mountains in summer, so bring mosquito repellent. Zhongshan Ink-Wash Countryside is a rural loop route with many bends; drive slowly, and be especially careful on wet roads after rain.
• Taste Differences: Hezhou luosifen is usually cooked with dry rice noodles added directly to the pot, so the texture tends to be firmer. If you are not used to that, ask the owner to cook the noodles a little longer. Beef intestine sour soup is quite sour, so first-timers may want to try a small portion first.