Just an hour's drive from major cities such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen, the Beijiang Levee (北江大堤) in Qingyuan, Guangdong Province, is becoming a popular getaway for urban residents seeking a slower pace of life.
Flanked by the Beijiang River, the expansive levee features green meadows, strolling cattle and a vibrant "rainbow road" stretching along the waterfront. The area has earned praise from visitors for its tranquil rural scenery, offering a stark contrast with the bustle of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Built as a flood-control embankment, the levee now hosts local businesses. Young locals who have returned home have converted idle village land into riverside tea houses and cafes. One is Hedi Xinyu (河堤·心屿茶咖), which blends a traditional courtyard design with views over the open meadow.
Nearby, Shuxia Coffee (树下咖啡) occupies a renovated Lingnan house shaded by old trees, pairing local architectural heritage with modern leisure.
Beyond the cafes, visitors can ride horses across the open grassland or sample freshwater fish along the riverbank. By combining natural landscapes with contemporary rural tourism, the levee has become an accessible weekend destination for residents across the Greater Bay Area.
Address: Beijiang Levee, Shijiao Town, Qingcheng District, Qingyuan City, Guangdong Province (广东省清远市清城区石角镇的北江大堤)
Author | Dong Han
Video | Qingcheng Fabu
Video editor | Dong Han
