Summer in Guangzhou is sticky and sweltering, but we can always escape to cool mountains on  weekends and enjoy breathtaking views, adventurous hiking, alpine lakes, fine food, and more in the embrace of nature. Silk Road Post has gathered a list of mountains for your summer getaways.

Tiantangding Mountain, Conghua district 从化天堂顶

Located in Shimen National Forest Park, Tiantangding (天堂顶) Mountain is often called "Guangzhou's topmost mountain," with an altitude of 1,210 meters. More than 50 scenic spots are located in the park, where various kinds of flowers bloom all year round. The annual average temperature in the mountain is 15℃, and the highest temperature is just 22℃, making it a great hiking spot in hot summer. Juicy lychees produced locally in Conghua district are just in season and available in the market at this time of year.

Opening hours: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Ticket: 40 yuan/person

Liupian Mountain, Baiyun district 白云六片山

As a less-developed tourist spot, Liupian Mountain has become an internet-famous attraction in recent months because of its blue reservoir. Visitors can enjoy pristine nature on the mountain, but they should bring enough water and food as Liupian has no food shop. People also should be equipped with proper hiking tools such as alpenstock, climbing boots, and bug repellent. Don't forget to try roast chicken in Yongxing village (永兴村), where the mountain is located.

Opening hour: no limit

Ticket: free

Nankun Mountain, Huizhou city 惠州南昆山

With nearly 97 percent of its ground space covered with plants, the Nankun Mountain National Forest Park is one of the best-preserved forest areas in Guangdong. The average temperature in the mountain is 27.8℃, about 5℃ lower than in nearby cities, making it a perfect place to escape summer heat. Featuring a primitive forest, a sea of bamboo, waterfalls and precious plants, the mountain area also offers rafting, hiking, and hot springs for visitors.

Home cooking restaurants near the mountain serve fresh organic dishes such as free-range chicken, mountain fish, Allium hookeri Thwaites (similar to garlic and chives), and specialties like dried bamboo shoot and rice cake.

Opening hours: 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Ticket: 30 yuan/person

Lianshan county, Qingyuan city 清远连山县

Home to 49 mountains with an altitude of over 1,000 meters, Lianshan is the highest county in Guangdong province. With an annual average temperature of 18.9℃, the county is a cool and tranquil destination to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Daxu Mountain (大旭山) in Lianshan county welcomes visitors with well-preserved forest, clear streams, grand waterfalls, rare animal species. While Dawu Mountain (大雾山) provides incredible terraced fields and a sea of clouds. The county boasts famous dishes like paddy field fish and rice wine.

Opening hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ticket: Daxu Mountain 30 yuan/person; Dawu Mountain free

Author: Annie

Source: Silk Road Post