Sanbaishan, Jiangxi: Immersed in the Green Hakka Mountain and Water Tour

Driving into Sanbaishan feels like stepping into a green pocket — the trees on both sides are so dense they block out the sky, sunlight only filters through the leaves in scattered beams, and even the breeze carries the fresh scent of grass and wood, completely different from the exhaust smells in the city. First, we rushed to the core area, Fu'ao Pond. Standing on the viewing platform looking down, wow, this lake is so magical! A thin veil of mist floats over the water, reflecting the surrounding mountains. Every photo taken with a phone looks like it has a built-in filter, no editing needed. Walking along the lakeside trail, you can hear birds singing and water flowing, occasionally spotting little fish jumping out of the water. When tired, you can sit on a stone bench to rest, and the breeze instantly relaxes you. The biggest surprise was the First Waterfall of Dongjiang! Walking down the stone steps, you hear the water before you see the waterfall. The closer you get, the cooler it feels. When you reach it, the mist hits your face, cool and refreshing. The waterfall crashes from a height into the pool below, splashing water droplets like shattered silver. Standing on the viewing platform, rainbows appear from time to time, and the aunties traveling with us couldn’t stop taking pictures. The food must be praised — Hakka cuisine! The stuffed tofu made by the homestay owner at the foot of the mountain is filled with meat juice inside, paired with local chili peppers, it’s super appetizing; also, the Wuzhi Maotao chicken soup has a faint herbal aroma, the chicken is stewed until tender, and two bowls are never enough. After the meal, the owner brewed mountain spring water tea, saying the water is drawn from the mountain. It tastes truly fresh and sweet, much better than bottled water. The Hakka homestay is also very charming. In the wooden courtyard, there are pomelo trees. In the morning, you’re woken up by birdsong, and opening the window lets you see clouds slowly drifting over the mountaintop. The owner also told us that Sanbaishan is a water source for Hong Kong, pointing to a distant stream and saying, “This water flows all the way to Hong Kong,” which instantly gave the mountains and waters a special meaning. A reminder for everyone: the stone steps near the waterfall are a bit slippery, so be sure to wear non-slip shoes; the temperature difference in the mountains is big between morning and evening, so even in summer, bring a light jacket; if you want authentic mountain spring water, the homestay owner can provide it, no need to carry big bottles yourself. Looking back as we left, Sanbaishan was still shining green. It felt like this trip wasn’t just tourism, but a way to “dust off” the heart. So refreshing!