Forget about going abroad! Dongguan is amazing!

My bestie saw my nine-grid post on WeChat Moments yesterday and thought I was in Tuscany 😂 Who would have thought that just three subway stops from Dongguan's CBD, there's a magical world of golden flower seas and European-style castles intertwined at Songshan Lake❗️ 7:00 AM: Sneak into the "Deserted Venice" 🚣 ‼️Fun fact: The Huawei Town opens to the public at 7:00 AM! Follow the morning joggers into the Heidelberg Castle area, and the empty stone streets make for cinematic photos. 3:00 PM: Take over the "Golden Waterfall Tunnel" 🌼 Navigate to the Binhu West Road cycling path, where the entire road is dyed gold by the yellow tabebuia trees! Bring a bag of shrimp crackers and feed the little ducks in the lake as you cycle. When you reach the Kangqiao bus stop, you'll just happen to see a vintage train passing through the sea of flowers. 6:30 PM: Unlock "God's Spilled Palette" 🎨 Don't crowd the popular viewing platform! Walk 300 meters to the left from the University Road entrance, and you'll find a wooden boardwalk extending into the heart of the lake. The setting sun divides the lake surface in two, with champagne gold waves on the left and a Klein blue mirror on the right. 🧳Suitcase Essentials｜Three items that beat any tour group 1️⃣ Foldable electric scooter 🛴 The 22-kilometer loop around the lake looks romantic, but cycling it on a regular bike will make you question your life choices! A foldable electric scooter with a 30km range lets you hop off and take photos whenever you encounter a beautiful scene. 2️⃣ Hanfu shawl 🎎 Taking photos in Hanfu in front of the bell tower in Huawei Town is surprisingly fitting! A light shawl is even more photogenic than a European dress, and when the wind blows, you'll transform into a martial arts heroine. 3️⃣ Self-heating clay pot rice 🍚 The queues at the lakeside restaurants are insane! Bring some self-heating clay pot rice with preserved meat, sit in the cedar forest, eat, and watch the egrets fishing. It's 100 times more enjoyable than fighting for a table at a restaurant. 🍜Foodie Delights at Songshan Lake｜Happiness for just ¥50 per person ✅ Highly Recommended: • Hakka stuffed tofu at "Songhu Times" on Xincheng Road: Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with flavor! Paired with the owner's homemade perilla sauce, you'll devour three bowls in no time. • Clay pot fish head at "Fisher King Wharf" in Vanke Plaza: The milky white soup is incredibly delicious! Add some fried dough sticks to soak up the soup, and you'll have the kids at the next table drooling. • "Datie Coffee" in the Talent Community: The mint cold brew with a lake view is amazing! The lychee jelly at the bottom of the cup is a Dongguan exclusive. ❌ Budget Busters to Avoid: • The scenic spot's novelty ice cream melts faster than you can take a selfie! It's better to bring your own. • Bottled water from vending machines is three times the price! It's more economical to buy it from FamilyMart at the entrance. 🚨Lessons Learned the Hard Way ⚠️Choose an electric-assist bicycle for rentals! Regular bikes will give you leg cramps. ⚠️Bring mosquito repellent patches if you're taking photos of the little train! The midges by the tracks are more enthusiastic than the aunties doing morning exercises. ⚠️On weekends, navigate to "Songshan Lake Library" for parking! It's a 5-minute walk to the scenic area and free. As the setting sun gilded the spire of Huawei Town, watching the smoke rise from the campsites by the lake, I suddenly realized—poetry and distant lands can really be just three subway stops away. The most touching thing about Songshan Lake isn't the illusion of "pretending to be in Europe," but the little joys it brings to every city dweller. 🌸