Five Spots You Can Not Miss

The eight-day National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival are here. Many students in GDUFS intend to have a short trip around Guangdong. Let’s check out some of the scenic spots in Guangdong!

 

Shamian – An Exotic Paradise

 

If you ever ask me where to visit in Guangzhou during the eight-day holiday, I’ll recommend Shamian without the slightest hesitation.

 

Shamian is a sandbank island that lies in Liwan District of Guangzhou, and its name literally means sandy surface in Chinese. Exquisite architecture in European style is the outstanding characteristic of this attractive island. Shamian used to be governed by France and the UK in the 19th century, which explains why the whole place is swept up in the air of exotic charm and romance. Unlike other famous scenic spots, here your high spirits will never be ruined by a sea of people. Instead, whenever you visit Shamian, it is always a peaceful wonderland with quiet pedestrian avenues flanked by trees and lined by charming historical buildings.

 

Here you can probably find the most striking Starbucks in Guangzhou, and even the most ordinary stores are decorated in European style. You can also visit The French Catholic chapel – Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, The British Protestant church, Christ Church Shamian and the Shamian Park. If you feel like going, here’s the last tip for you: in order to have an optimal experience, be sure to visit Shamian during daytime because many shops close before 5 pm.

 

The Shamian Park

 

The Wen Tower

 

The Wen Tower, built in 1611, is located in the bank of the Shuangjiang River of Luoding. The Wen Tower is 47 meters tall, consisting of 7 floors and a lotus top, which makes it grand and spectacular. Looking down on the tower, it looks like an octagon. The canopy of each floor, decorated with green glass, tilts lightly as if it were a blooming flower. There are brass bells hanging under the canopies. When the wind blows, they will ring rhythmically and musically. It is said that the gods are driving the evils away when the brass bells ring. The top of the tower is made of an iron pillar, and there are some iron chains used to pin the iron pillar down. The iron pillar of the lotus top, weighing seven tons, is the biggest iron pillar of tower in Guangdong.

 

At night, with the colorful lights illuminating, the Wen Tower looks more beautiful and attractive. Although the Wen Tower lies in a small town — Luoding — it enjoys a long history and rich culture, sending out its unique charm to people. All in all, it is worth visiting.

 

 

Wen Tower at night

 

Wen Tower in the daytime

 

The Birds' Paradise

 

Located in Xinhui district, Jiangmen, Guangdong, the Birds’ Paradise is a popular resort to watch birds. It attracts tourists from all over the world. The region is blessed with plentiful rain and a mild climate. There are about 40 kinds of birds in the Birds’ Paradise, among which the egrets are in largest quantities. “A banyan tree is heaven”, a poem summarized the characteristics of the birds’ paradise. These banyan trees have grown for 394 years, which cover about 40000 square meters.

 

Going on an excursion to the Birds’ Paradise is one of the best ways to spend the National Day holiday. Tourists are able to enjoy the local folk songs and experience the local life. What’s more, there’s a one-kilometer-long sightseeing corridor which provides different angles for tourists to watch the birds. Tourists can also row on the lake for a close view of the Birds’ Paradise. Not only can the tourists watch the birds, but they can also feed the birds in the park.

 

The birds leave the nests to find food in the early morning and come back from all directions in the evening. Therefore, these are the best periods of time to watch the birds. When the tourists are in the Birds 's Paradise, the birds will extend a warm welcome to them and fly around. There are more activities during the National Day, such as watching the birds’ performances and visiting the bird museum of natural history.

 

 

Birds from different directions

 

Such is the Birds' Paradise, a beautiful and inviting island, where a warm welcome awaits.

 

Lychee Bay

 

I went to Lychee Bay for the first time because of the famous cuisine.

 

There locates many restaurants, which are small but time-honoured. Porridge, cake, rice, sugar... Such ordinary food is all made in an unbelievable and awesome way, offering you an amazing feast.

 

I went there for the second time because of its history.

 

Laid in Liwan, Guangzhou, Lychee Bay was once an important trading port in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, linking the world to China. Therefore, it combines ancient and modern civilization, gathers western and Chinese cultures and becomes the typical representative of Guangzhou.

 

I went there the third time because of its buildings and people.

 

The constructions, named Sai kwan Mansion, with grey bricks and tiles, stand along the roads and river like a delicate oil painting. Who created them and who lives in them? It is the local people. They made and protect the surroundings, who then foster more and more sincere, kind and enthusiasm generations there.

 

This is what Lychee Bay is like in my heart. Do you want to have a trip to Lychee Bay? Believe me, it won't let you down.

 

 

Porridge in Lychee Bay

 

Lychee Bay

 

Bathed in green: buffalo fish mouth, an emerald of Qingyuan

 

You may wonder what buffalo fish mouth is. Or you may guess it’s a kind of Chinese food. Then, you are wrong. It may not be a treat for your mouth, but it will definitely be a feast for your eyes!

 

Located in Damao mountain of Qingyuan, buffalo fish mouth is famous for its natural beauty. Scientists of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have confirmed that it was a primitive wild botanical garden, with a rich natural landscape. Tourist attractions in buffalo fish mouth include various flowers and trees, waterfalls as well as the glass skywalk.

 

Different seasons in buffalo fish mouth present different scenery. In spring, the rice bird flowers (禾雀花) are in full blossom, attracting lots of tourists to admire the “flower sea”. While, in autumn, the whole mountain carpets with yellow maple leaves, transporting tourists into a fairytale world.

 

The most thrilling part of buffalo fish mouth will be the glass skywalk, which is 250 meters above the ground. Walking across the skywalk needs courage indeed. Some tourists may tremble with fright when they look down through the glass. However, on the skywalk, you will find the best view to appreciate the amazing scenery.

 

 

The rice bird flowers in spring

 

The maple leaves in autumn

 

The tourists on the glass skywalk

 

Only reading words or watching pictures is absolutely not enough, please pack up and leave for such attractive sites! Have a good holiday!