Choose from 45 Fun Things to Do in Southern China
ShowingFilter 41-45 of 45 listings.
Pearl River
The Pearl River stretches for 1,376 miles (2,214 kilometers) from Xi Jiang to the Pearl River Delta where it pours into the South China Sea. It's the third longest river in China and the second largest by volume. According to local legend, the river got its name from a huge boulder in the middle of the river, smoothed by water erosion to resemble a round pearl in the middle of the river.
The most famous portion of the Pearl River flows through the heart of Guangzhou, and the waterfront is home to many of the city's top attractions, White Goose Pool and the behemoth Canton Tower among them.
One of the most popular ways to enjoy the Pearl River in Guangzhou is by cruise. While boats ply the waters throughout the day, the best time to experience the sights of the river are at night, when the Guangzhou skyline is colorfully lit up. No matter when you cruise, you'll likely pass beneath the 10 bridges that span the river within the city.
Practical Info
Set aside about 2 to 3 hours for a cruise along the Pearl River.
Address: China
From $ 49
Shekou
Shekou is a small waterfront area located at the southern tip of Shenzhen. It faces Hong Kong's Yuen Long across the water, which is only an hour away by ferry, and so many people choose to visit Shekou on a day trip from Hong Kong. Shekou is the primary expat hub of Shenzhen. The main attraction here is Sea World, a western-style entertainment center built around the grounded Minghu ship in the bay. This boasts a 3D cinema, a four star hotel, a nightclub, a fullyequipped gym, and a strip of bars and cafes catering to tourists.
In fact there's no shortage of cafes, bars, and nightclubs in the area, along with a number of high-end hotels. There are also some skyscrapers of note, such as the China Merchants Tower, plus several parks to explore.
Practical Info
Many visitors who don't need a visa to enter Hong Kong will almost certainly need one to enter mainland China, so be sure to check visa requirements before planning a trip to Shekou from Hong Kong. The customs and immigration process is completed upon disembarking the ferry.
Address: Shekou Industrial Zone, Shenzhen 518000, China
From $ 230
Solitary Beauty Peak
Rising 217 feet (66 meters), Solitary Beauty Peak has been a famous scenic spot in Guilin since ancient times. Also known as the “Pillar of the Southern Sky,” it’s one of the area’s highest peaks. Climb to the pavilion at the peak to take in sweeping views over the city.
The Basics
In addition to the two-story Solitary Peak Pavilion, other highlights include the Xuanwu Pavilion, Three Gods Memorial Hall, Three Guests Temple, and Guanyin Hall. There are also a number of notable caves at the base of the peak, including Dushu (Study) Rock, Taiping (Peace) Rock, and Snow Cave. At the east end of the peak, you’ll find Yueya (Crescent) Pond, with its distinctive crescent shape, and the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Tower.
It’s possible to visit Solitary Beauty Peak independently, but because most of the posted information is in Chinese only, visitors will gain more insight and appreciation of its historical significance on a guided tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture panoramic views of Guilin from the top of Solitary Beauty Peak.
- You should be in reasonably good shape and wear sturdy shoes if you’re planning to climb to the peak, as there are 306 steep steps to get to the top.
- Solitary Peak is part of the larger Prince Jinjiang Mansion. Plan to spend several hours to explore both sites, which are covered in the entrance fee.
How to Get There
Solitary Beauty Peak is located in the Prince Jingjiang Mansion, in the center of Guilin. Take the No. 1, 22, 30, or 100 bus and get off at Lequn Crossing stop, and walk east. Or take the No. 10, 11, 8, or 98 bus and get off at the Liberation Bridge stop, and walk north.
When to Get There
Solitary Beauty Peak is open year-round. Opening hours are longer during the summer and shorter during the winter. Summer will be hot and humid, which may make it more uncomfortable climbing to the peak.
How Solitary Peak Got Its Name
Solitary Beauty Peak got its name from a famous line in Southern Dynasty Poem by Yan Yanzhi: “None can surpass this solitary peak in beauty.” In addition to “Pillar of the Southern Sky,” a third name for the peak is “Purple Golden Hill,” so named because at dawn and at golden hour, the peak resembles a figure wearing a purple gown with a golden belt.
Address: China
Admission: Varies
From $ 93
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
If you’ve seen the James Cameron film Avatar, you might recognize the scenery at China’s majestic Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. According to park officials, it was photos of the national park in Hunan Province of Central China that inspired the floating mountains depicted in the film.
The park was the first designated national forest park in China and a favorite among outdoor loving travelers. The 185 square mile (479 square kilometer) park encompasses countless towering sandstone pillars, many times poking out from a sea of clouds, as well as peaceful streams, gaping karst caves and abundant natural wildlife.
Yuanjiajie, the most popular spot in the park, is where you’ll find the Avatar Hallelujah Mountains, while the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon area is home to the newly opened highest and longest glass bridge in the world.
Practical Info
A ticket to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is valid for four days. Elevators, cable cars and the tourist train cost extra.
Address: Zhangjiajie, Southern China, China
Admission: 245 Yuan
From $ 124
Ping'an Village
Located in the hills northwest of Yangshuo lies an area with the beautiful name Longji, which translated into English means "the rice terraces on the backbone of a dragon." The glittering, green fields swing their way gently up the slopes to lofty heights that are far away from the noisy tourist regions in the lower altitudes. Probably due to the climbs up the steep stairs and walkways being not that easy, the rice terraces breathe a sense of tranquility that is rare in modern China. In the midst of these rice fields lies Ping'an village, a place where time has almost stood still.
The traditional wooden houses are crowded together, as if they want to be as close as possible, and on the front steps, old women feed chickens and dogs lazily guard door ways. Although the region is well developed and houses now have water and electricity, the lifestyle is very simple and the area around Ping'an village is home to the Zhuang minority. Many women still wear the traditional clothing, colorful scarves and embroidered blouses to work in the rice fields. And because of the couple guest houses and short journey between Guilin and Yangshuo, the village is now a popular spot to spend the night and watch the sun rise over the rice terraces the following morning from the Seven Stars Around The Moon or the Nine Dragons And Five Tigers viewpoints. Sunrises here are spectacular any time of the year, as in spring, water glitters on the newly irrigated fields like silver ribbons, in summer the bright green of the growing rice takes over, during the harvest time in fall the slopes are golden and in winter, everything is covered in a layer of white.
Practical Info
Ping'an Village is situated about 150 km northwest of Yangshuo in a region called Longsheng. It's easy to get there by taking the bus to Guilin, then switching to another bus leaving from the same terminal to Longsheng. Busses leave regularly and the whole journey should take you about three hours. From Longsheng, it's a 20-minute walk up the hill to reach Ping'an nestled into the rice fields.
Address: Ping'an Village 541700, China
From $ 1,255