Weekend Tour Guide to 5A Xiqiao Mountain

This underrated 5A famous mountain in Guangdong hides the fairy aura of 72 peaks and the compassion of a thousand-year-old Guanyin! Ride the sightseeing bus to feel the breeze, watch the sunset above the clouds—this is the right way to spend your weekend! While other tourists crowd the popular spots, Foshan in Guangdong hides a “low-key to the bone” 5A famous mountain—Xiqiao Mountain! It doesn’t have the crowds of Huangshan, but features 72 peaks like ink wash paintings and 36 caves resembling fairy palaces; it lacks the imperial worship of Mount Tai, but is steeped in thousand-year Guanyin culture; it doesn’t have the glass plank road thrills of Zhangjiajie, but offers towering ancient trees and babbling streams in a healing forest. Even better, you can ride a sightseeing bus to enjoy the breeze and scenery, easily check in at Baofeng Temple for blessings, stroll through the Square Bamboo Garden, overlook the panorama from the Nanhai Guanyin Statue, and finally watch a “sea of oranges” sunset at the summit—who can resist such a divine experience! If you’re worried about having nowhere to go this weekend or want a place with fewer people, beautiful scenery, and rich culture to relax, this in-depth Xiqiao Mountain guide will definitely hit the spot! From transportation routes, must-visit spots, hidden experiences to pitfall warnings, even local secret viewing spots are uncovered for you. After reading, save it and go whenever you want! 1. Why is Xiqiao Mountain one of the “Four Famous Mountains of Guangdong”? These 3 reasons will make you understand instantly! 🔥 Reason 1: 72 peaks and 36 caves, natural scenery is the “top of Lingnan landscape”! Xiqiao Mountain is not a single peak but a mountain group composed of 72 peaks. The highest peak, Dake Peak, is 346 meters above sea level. Though not very high, the overlapping peaks and mist create a perfect “ink wash painting” with every shot. Even more amazing, there are 36 natural karst caves, among which Biyu Cave and Cuiyan Cave are worth exploring: stalactites hang inside, and light slants in from the cave entrance, resembling the fairy palaces in "Journey to the West"! 🔥 Reason 2: Taoism + Guanyin culture, a thousand years of history “come alive” here! Xiqiao Mountain is not only a natural treasure but also a cultural sanctuary: • Taoist culture: The mountain has Taoist sites like Baiyun Cave and Sanhu Academy. Baiyun Cave was the cultivation place of the famous Ming dynasty Taoist He Baiyun, with the Three Pure Ones enshrined inside and bustling incense offerings; • Guanyin culture: The Nanhai Guanyin Statue at the summit is 61.9 meters tall, the tallest seated Guanyin statue in the world, with a six-layer lotus base symbolizing the “Six Perfections and Ten Thousand Practices.” Every year on the 19th day of the 2nd, 6th, and 9th lunar months (Guanyin’s birthday), countless devotees come to worship, creating a breathtaking scene! 🔥 Reason 3: National 5A scenic spot, well-equipped yet “not commercialized”! As a 5A scenic spot, Xiqiao Mountain’s infrastructure is excellent: • Sightseeing bus: Covers all main attractions, effortless and comfortable (especially suitable for families with elderly and children); • Dining: There are vegetarian restaurants and tea houses on the mountain. Try the Xiqiao Big Pancake (a Foshan intangible cultural heritage, soft and sweet); • Accommodation: There are homestays at the summit, with mountain views from the window and the sound of insects at night, super healing! 2. How to play at Xiqiao Mountain? Here’s a 1-day/2-day deep itinerary! 📅 1-day itinerary (suitable for a weekend short trip) • Morning: Enter from South Gate → Sightseeing bus → Bless at Baofeng Temple → Stroll in Square Bamboo Garden • 9:00: Enter the mountain from the South Gate (self-driving or taxi, locate “Xiqiao Mountain Scenic Area South Gate”), buy tickets and take the sightseeing bus directly (ticket 20 RMB/person, hop on and off anytime); • 9:30: First stop Baofeng Temple (free), the most famous Buddhist temple on Xiqiao Mountain, built in the Ming dynasty. The grand Mahavira Hall and the Thousand-Hand Guanyin statue in the Guanyin Hall are stunning! You can pray and light incense here, feeling the tranquility; • 10:30: Walk 5 minutes to Square Bamboo Garden (free), home to the world’s only square-section bamboo (super magical!), also featuring rare species like purple bamboo and Luohan bamboo, perfect for artsy photos; • Noon: Vegetarian lunch at mid-mountain restaurant • 12:00: Have lunch at the vegetarian restaurant near Tianhu Park, recommended dishes are Luohan vegetarian dish and mountain water tofu, light and delicious; • Afternoon: Nanhai Guanyin Statue → Tianhu Park → Shiyan Cave • 13:30: Take the sightseeing bus to Nanhai Guanyin Cultural Garden (ticket included in scenic area ticket), climb the 61.9-meter Guanyin statue to overlook all of Xiqiao Mountain and surrounding cities, the view is amazing! • 15:00: Walk to Tianhu Park (free), with clear lake water, ancient pavilions, and corridors, great for strolling and photos; • 16:00: Visit Shiyan Cave (free), the largest karst cave in Xiqiao Mountain, warm in winter and cool in summer, perfect for summer heat relief! • Evening: Watch sunset at the summit → Descend • 17:30: Arrive at Dake Peak viewing platform (last stop of sightseeing bus), the best spot to watch the sunset! The setting sun dyes the mountains golden, with rolling seas of clouds, like a movie scene; • 18:30: Take the sightseeing bus down the mountain, ending a perfect day! 📅 2-day 1-night itinerary (suitable for deep travel/family trips) • Day 1: Morning hike + afternoon cultural experience + camping at the summit at night • 9:00: Enter from South Gate, take sightseeing bus to Baofeng Temple and Square Bamboo Garden; • 12:00: Vegetarian lunch at mid-mountain restaurant; • 14:00: Visit Baiyun Cave (free), explore Taoist culture and feel the mystery of “one day in the cave equals a thousand years in the world”; • 16:00: Go to Sanhu Academy (free), where the famous Qing dynasty Lingnan scholar Zhu Jiujiang lectured. The academy has towering ancient trees and a scholarly atmosphere; • 18:00: Check in at summit homestay, dinner recommended is mountain spring boiled fish (so fresh it’ll make your eyebrows fall off!); • 20:00: Join the bonfire party at the summit (reservation required), dance and sing with strangers, super stress-relieving! • Day 2: Sunrise viewing + morning hike + afternoon return • 6:00: Wake up early to watch the sunrise (Dake Peak viewing platform is the best spot), the sea of clouds is breathtaking; • 8:00: After breakfast, hike the Cuiyan Ancient Trail (free), a route often taken by ancient literati, with cliff inscriptions and ancient pavilions along the way, full of cultural vibes; • 11:00: Return to homestay to pack and check out; • 12:00: Lunch at mid-mountain restaurant, recommended Xiqiao Big Pancake + mountain water tofu pudding; • 13:00: Take sightseeing bus down the mountain and head home! 3. Hidden experiences: “Niche experiences” only locals know! 1. Listen to a “forest concert”: • Every Saturday afternoon, Tianhu Park hosts folk band performances (free). Sitting by the lake listening to music and feeling the breeze is super relaxing! 2. Find the “Four Wonders of Xiqiao Mountain”: • Besides the square bamboo, Xiqiao Mountain has three other wonders: Dongshuang Stone, Wuye Well, and Camellia Garden. Find and take photos with them to show off on social media! 3. Experience “Zen tea flavor”: • Baofeng Temple has a tea room offering Guanyin tea (brewed with mountain spring water). One sip calms your heart! 4. Pitfall guide: These “bitter lessons” must be read! 1. Transportation pitfalls: • Don’t drive to the North Gate! The North Gate is a pedestrian path; cars can’t go up the mountain, only sightseeing buses or hiking; • The last sightseeing bus is at 18:30, don’t miss it or you’ll have to hike down (very tiring!); 2. Clothing pitfalls: • Wear sports shoes! Though the mountain isn’t high, there are many steps. High heels or slippers will make you exhausted; • In summer, bring sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses; UV rays at the summit are very strong; 3. Food pitfalls: • Snacks at mid-mountain stalls are a bit pricey; it’s recommended to bring your own water and snacks; • Vegetarian dishes are light; if you prefer strong flavors, bring your own chili sauce; 4. Other pitfalls: • During Guanyin’s birthday (19th day of the 2nd, 6th, and 9th lunar months), it’s very crowded; try to avoid peak times; • Caves are slippery; watch your kids carefully; • Temperature difference at the summit is big; bring a light jacket for sunset viewing or camping! 5. Nearby combined activities: Xiqiao Mountain + surrounding attractions, play creatively! 1. Xiqiao Mountain + Guoyi Film and Television City: • Distance: About 10 minutes by taxi from Xiqiao Mountain to Guoyi Film and Television City (fare 15 RMB); • Activity: Visit Xiqiao Mountain in the morning, then go to the film city in the afternoon to wear ancient costumes and take photos (featuring Ming and Qing palaces, Jiangnan water towns, European-style streets), perfect for girls who love photography; 2. Xiqiao Mountain + Sangji Fish Pond: • Distance: About 15 minutes by taxi from Xiqiao Mountain to Xiqiao Sangji Fish Pond Ecological Park (fare 20 RMB); • Activity: Play on the mountain in the morning, then experience mulberry picking, fish feeding, and boating in the afternoon, great for family outings;