Danxia Mountain, a world-class geopark, is surprisingly easy to reach.

#NovemberDestinations2025 After seeing the photos, you might ask, "Is this Danxia Mountain in Shaoguan?" The answer is yes. There's no AI editing, no retouching whatsoever. So why is it different from what other netizens have shared? Because we spent three days at Danxia Mountain. Aside from taking a boat tour of the Danxia landforms, we spent the rest of our time exploring on foot, covering almost the entire Yangyuan Mountain Scenic Area and Elder Peak Scenic Area, even spending over an hour at Xianglong Lake Scenic Area. Danxia Mountain is a World Geopark and a listed historical heritage site. It consists of over 680 red sandstone and conglomerate rocks. The flat-topped, steep red rocks are truly unique. It was the first time in my life I'd seen such rock formations, and in such a large group at that—it was breathtaking. Elder Peak is the highest mountain in the scenic area. A cable car takes you to the summit, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Danxia landforms – it's truly spectacular! 🤩🤩 A smartphone simply can't capture the view; you have to experience it in person to truly appreciate it. The sunrise here is absolutely breathtaking. If you're physically fit, have the energy, and love watching the sunrise, this is a must-visit. Besides the cable car, you can also hike up the mountain. The cliffside path is railed, making it safe and easy to walk, but there are many steps – probably close to a thousand. We rested several times before reaching the sunrise pavilion at the summit. To save energy and time while still seeing more of the scenery, you can take the cable car up and hike down. On your way down, remember to visit Jinshiyan Temple, a temple built into the cliff (P1, P2). The architecture is beautiful, and the route also passes many caves, making it well worth a visit. As for the Yangyuan Mountain Scenic Area, the main attractions include Yangyuan Stone, the Ninety-Nine Heavenly Ladder, Shaibu Cliff, Tongtai Bridge, Seal Rock, Ao Fish Rock, and Hunyuan Cave. Except for the Ninety-Nine Heavenly Ladder, most of the attractions are easily accessible. We didn't climb the Ninety-Nine Heavenly Ladder (P10) because it involves a long stretch of stone steps leading up to it, and the end involved repeated climbing and descending of steps. Before we even reached the bottom, it was getting dark, and we were quite tired, so we gave up halfway through 😭😭 So, if you're planning a visit, be sure to allow plenty of time and energy. The route around Tongtai Bridge and Hunyuan Cave was very easy. Of all the routes, this was my favorite. Whether it's the Tongtai Bridge, an archway formed by weathering large rocks lying in mid-air, the incredibly lifelike Seal Rock and Ao Fish Rock, or the huge weathered cave—Hunyuan Cave—all these natural wonders are captivating. I highly recommend everyone try this route. A visit to Danxia Mountain isn't complete without a boat tour on the water. From the river, you can get up close to the red cliffs and Danxia landforms. Looking up at them makes them appear even larger and more beautiful. Along the way, you'll see many strangely shaped rocks, including a group of elephants crossing the river that looks remarkably like elephants (P19), which is quite interesting. Although the boat ticket is a bit pricey (120 yuan, including a keychain photo), it's definitely not to be missed. Whether you love hiking or not, if you love natural scenery, Danxia Mountain will absolutely not disappoint you. Tickets: Adults 100 yuan Cable Car: One way (weekdays 40 yuan, holidays 45 yuan) Round trip (weekdays 60 yuan, holidays 70 yuan) Water Danxia: Adults 120 yuan Transportation Information: Take the high-speed rail from Hong Kong West Kowloon, Shenzhen Futian, or Shenzhen North Station to Shaoguan Station (approximately 1.5 hours). From there, you can take a bus or taxi to Danxia Mountain, a journey of about 1 hour. For those staying overnight in Danxia Mountain, it's recommended to take a taxi directly to your guesthouse/hotel. A few tips: 1. From the cliff carvings, walk forward until you see a fork in the road. Both paths lead to the Sunrise Pavilion. If you want an easier ascent, take the right path. The left path has narrower and steeper steps, and the section with the iron chain ladder is almost a 90-degree angle (P9). We practically climbed it while holding onto the railings. 2. There are no restaurants within the scenic area, only some small stalls selling snacks. It's best to bring your own snacks. 3. It's recommended to stay in a guesthouse near the Danxia Water Wharf on the riverbank. This is very close to the entrance of Yangyuan Mountain Scenic Area, and the free shuttle bus station to other attractions is also nearby. You can also enjoy the light show on the river at night. In addition, there are many restaurants and convenience stores nearby, which is very convenient. 4. From now until 31/3/2026, compatriots from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan can enjoy a 50% discount on tickets (only for entrance tickets, no discount for cable car or boat rides). You must bring your ID to the ticket window to buy tickets. Tickets are valid for 48 hours and allow unlimited entry and exit from the park. Remember to get a park map to plan your route. 5. For food, I recommend the mountain snails. We had stir-fried mountain snails with perilla leaves; the snail meat was tender and delicious. When eating, you need to suck out the snail meat with your mouth, ignoring the tail. It can be a bit tiring because there's a lot on a plate, and the snails are small, making some meat difficult to suck out. Later, the auntie in the restaurant taught us to gently suck out the tail first, then suck out the meat from the other side. This method really works; you can try it! #Shaoguan #DanxiaMountain #ChinaTourism #GuangzhouTourism #GuangzhouTourism