Six ideal weekend getaways for spring outings in Guangdong

Spring is in full bloom, and it's a great time for an outing on weekends. Guangdong boasts several provincial tourist resorts covering a variety of fun experiences, such as forests, mountain scenery, bird watching, beaches, and hot springs. Here are some highlights of these within-reach spring getaways.

SKOV River Wonderland, Guangzhou (广州市森林海旅游度假区)

(Photo: Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province)

Located in Guangzhou's Zengcheng District, SKOV River Wonderland features five theme parks, including a 300,000-square-meter water park, a hot spring hotel, and a recreational vehicle campsite. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant boat trip on the shimmering lake or soak in the hot spring while admiring the beautiful scenery.

(Photo: SKOV River Wonderland)

Add.: SKOV River Wonderland, No.101 Baishuizhai Avenue, Paitan Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou (广州市增城区派潭镇白水寨大道101号森林海旅游度假区)

Midea Egret Lake Forest Resort, Foshan (佛山市美的鹭湖森林度假区)

(Photo: Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province)

This resort is surrounded by Egret Lake and the forest on Tianlu Mountain, with hundreds of wild bird species living there, as well as large, lush tea fields. It provides visitors with experiences in an intangible cultural heritage museum, a shooting club, a water park, and a wetland. People are able to enjoy golf and the sightseeing of a wetland as well.

(Photo: Midea Egret Lake Forest Resort)

Add.: No.218 Gaoming Avenue, Yanghe Town, Gaoming District, Foshan (佛山市高明区杨和镇高明大道218号)

Jinting Bay Tourist Resort, Shanwei (汕尾市保利金町湾旅游度假区)

(Photo: Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province)

Jinting Bay boasts seven kilometers of coastline. The blue and clear waters, soft sandy beaches, and sea sports such as speedboats, sailing boats, and hot air balloons attract many tourists.

Here, visitors can appreciate the well-designed statues, halls, and hotels, while feeling the charm of traditional arts and intangible cultural heritages at the art gallery, such as traditional Chinese paintings, porcelain, and Shanwei Kirin Dance. Furthermore, people can also get hands-on experience in pottery, guqin, painting, calligraphy and the like.

Add.: No.142 County Road, Magong Street, Shanwei City (汕尾市城区马宫街道142县道)

Zhenshan Tourist Resort, Zhaoqing (肇庆市四会贞山旅游度假区)

(Photo: Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province)

The resort is located at the foot of Zhenshan Mountain in Zhaoqing, where the climate is mild and spring-like in all seasons. The mountain is covered with forests, adorned with streams and ponds.

The Zhenshan Tourist Resort is home to several tourist spots such as Tianyin Pagoda, Zhenguan Palace, the Liuzu Temple with a history of over 1,300 years, and Dachong Zoo, as well as original pastoral scenery and rural settlements with poetic landscapes.

At the same time, it offers services like homestays and hotels with different styles and local cuisine to meet the diverse needs of visitors.

(Photo: The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China)

Add.: 100 meters north of No.382 Township Road, Sihui City, Zhaoqing (肇庆市四会市382乡道北100米)

Aoyuan Yingde Chocolate Kingdom, Qingyuan (清远市奥园英德巧克力王国)

(Photo: Aoyuan Yingde Chocolate Kingdom)

Themed on chocolate, the resort is the largest chocolate culture display base in Asia. Based on resources such as hot springs, karst peaks, and forests, it has established four major sections at present: Chocolate Paradise, Tea and Chocolate Manor, resort hotel, and Yingde Karst Spring Water World. Visitors can try chocolate DIY, seven themed hot spring pools, and various amusement facilities, making it an excellent place for family outings.

Add.: Hengshitang Town, Yingde City, Qingyuan (清远市英德市横石塘镇奥园英德巧克力王国)

Yuetianxia Ecotourism Resort, Yunfu (云浮市悦天下生态度假区)

(Photo: Yuetianxia Ecotourism Resort)

Situated in a forested valley, Yuetianxia Ecotourism Resort features a "European-style water-friendly experience," with leisure facilities including large swimming lanes, open-air hot spring pools, a wetland park, a children's park, KTVs, an outdoor barbecue, and a commercial street.

Specialty dining is also an important part of the holiday experience, and visitors can enjoy a variety of local specialties such as Xinxing fried rice noodles, stewed lamb, and fasting dishes, as well as exotic dishes like Spanish ham and Spanish seafood fried rice.