Daytripper is a regular column that aims to help people get the most out of their PRD experience by proposing fun excursions that can be made in a single day to explore the local culture and nature of the region.
About 24 kilometers south of Panyu Square, on the foot of a lush mountain, sits Shunfeng Mountain Park, one of the must-visit destinations in Shunde. Though the former city is now considered a district of Foshan, most people there still call themselves 'Shunde ren,' affirming their distinct culture.
Boasting a total of 24 scenic spots, the park greets visitors with its iconic paifang, a kind of Chinese archway, that is eulogized as 'China’s No.1 Paifang' for its sheer size and ornate marble carving of Chinese dragons.
Occupying an area of about 5.5 square kilometers, the Shunfeng Mountain Park is a weekend retreat for local families and senior citizens who chit-chat and play Chinese chess in pavilions or picnic on its verdurous lawns. Everyone is in motion: kids drag their parents to a ticket booth by the lake where dozens of goose-shaped boats are docked; a few boys run around a square, flying kites; men photograph women posing beside 500-year-old pagodas; groups of cyclists follow a 3-kilometer bike lane that encircles the park.
If you only have time to visit one or two scenic spots, make it any of the four gardens, which resemble the classic gardens of Suzhou and are unrivaled in the PRD. These serene grounds, when combined with the lakes, stone bridges and pagodas, create an aura similar to that of the renowned West Lake in Hangzhou – just without the crowds.
The Baolin Temple, originally constructed during the Tang Dynasty, grandly towers over the park. Stop in around noon and try its lauded zhaicai, or Buddhist vegetarian cuisine.
While southern China's climate makes traveling relatively convenient any time of the year, avid day trippers might want to visit Shunfeng Mountain Park in June to see the sea of spectacular pink lotuses that burst into bloom come late spring.
The annual Music Day – part of the French Croisements Festival – is also held this month, and will see a number of French musicians and Chinese bands rock out in Desheng Cultural Square from June 24 to 25. If you've ever thought about visiting Shunde, there's never been a better time.
How to get there:
High-speed trains run from Shenzhen's Futian Station to Guangzhou South Railway Station. From there, take another train to either Shunde Station or Shunde Xueyuan Station (顺德学院站), then take a taxi to the Shunfeng Mountain Park (顺峰山公园). It should cost less than RMB50 to travel one way. Cycling enthusiasts may opt to bike there from Panyu Square Metro Station, which takes about an hour and a half. Remember to pack enough water, because there aren't many convenience stores along the route!
See listing for Shunfeng Mountain Park.
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[Images via Tristin Zhang]
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