Heyuan｜A Healing Short Escape from the Big City

Drenched in dragon boat rain, endless work and stress—with holidays approaching, all I want is to escape the big city! Why not plan a relaxing short trip? Heyuan is just 1 hour away from Shenzhen at the fastest! **Transportation**: - High-speed rail (Shenzhen North to Heyuan East): 2nd class seat ¥70, ~55 min - Alternatively, drive (~2 hours) **Itinerary**: **Day 1**: Wanlv Lake — Bavaria Manor **Day 2**: Fuyuan Temple — Chunmuyuan Town 1. **Wanlv Lake**: Composed of hundreds of islands, featuring attractions like Shuiyue Bay, Mirror Flower Valley, and Wanlv Valley. Three ways to explore: - **Immersive**: Take a boat tour covering multiple islands (~200 mins). - **Budget-friendly**: Visit just *Mirror Flower Valley* (a standalone attraction). - **Luxury**: Speedboat tour (ideal for those with ample budget). Suggested duration: 5–8 hours. 2. **Bavaria Manor**: A laid-back Dutch-style resort town with castles, windmills, hot springs, and more—all-in-one fun! Ride the cable car for panoramic views. Activities are paid (except the rainbow slide). Perfect for families! 3. **Fuyuan Temple**: Located in Bavaria Manor, this temple blends Hakka tulou architecture with a striking golden Bodhi tree at its center. The grand halls contrast playfully with cute cartoon monk sculptures—a unique vibe! 4. **Chunmuyuan Town**: A short drive from Bavaria Manor, this aesthetic artsy town boasts a central lake, open-air theater, kids’ camps, play pools with dinosaur footprints, and social kitchens. Great for families and relaxation. **Food** (eat these after sightseeing in the city): 1. **Zhaoji Breakfast**: Authentic Heyuan rice noodles—local favorite! 2. **Shangcheng Ximen Snacks**: Skip the radish soup, but try the delicious sticky rice. 3. **Zuiyi Lou Farmhouse Cuisine**: A classic Hakka restaurant. Must-tries: scallion chicken, steamed Wanlv Lake mandarin fish with black bean sauce, and Hakka tofu—all fresh and flavorful! 4. **Chuji Rice Noodle Soup**: A local staple, but I found it bland. Maybe try other dishes. 5. **Maiqifeng Cake**: Overhyped—just old-school sponge cakes with custard and pork floss. **Accommodation**: Consider downtown hotels for easy access to night markets and late-night snacks!