Two Days to Explore the Stone Art Hometown

Hello friends! As a seasoned travel blogger deeply engaged in Lingnan’s hidden wonders and cultural landscapes, today I’m taking you to a seriously underrated “Stone Art Hometown” — Yunfu, Guangdong. It’s not by the sea, yet it boasts beautiful waters and strange peaks; it’s low-key and reserved, yet known as the “Stone Capital of China,” the “Ancestral Home of Zen Buddhism,” and the “Hometown of Southern Medicine.” Two days and one night is enough for you to visit the hometown of the Sixth Patriarch to hear Zen chants, stroll around Panlong Tianhu to watch the sea of clouds, explore the Golden Phoenix Karst Cave, and enjoy a bowl of authentic mountain water tofu, experiencing this poetic small city hidden deep in western Guangdong. In a nutshell: Yunfu = Origin of Zen × Stone Art Treasure × Mountain and Water Secret Realm × Southern Medicine and Local Flavor ✅ Suitable for: Culture lovers, nature enthusiasts, photographers, families with children Recommended duration: 2 days 1 night (weekend mini-vacation) Comfortable budget: Within ¥900 (per person, including transportation) [Itinerary Overview] Core route: Xinxing County, hometown of the Sixth Patriarch → Panlong Tianhu → Golden Phoenix Karst Cave → Yunfu City Stone Art Street Theme: Zen culture × Karst cave wonders × Lake and mountain scenery × Authentic local flavors ✨ Highlights: - Visit Guoen Temple (birthplace and nirvana site of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng), listen to the thousand-year Zen bell - Climb Panlong Tianhu to see the high mountain lake and rolling sea of clouds - Explore Golden Phoenix Karst Cave, admire the stalactite wonders, and experience the underground world - Stroll through Yunfu Stone Art Street to see stone carving art - Must-eats: Xinxing stuffed tofu, mountain snail pot, southern medicine chicken soup 1: Origin of Zen · Hometown of the Sixth Patriarch + Mountain and Lake Secret Realm Morning: Arrive in Yunfu - Recommended arrival: Yunfu East Station (served by the Nanguang High-Speed Rail, accessible from Guangzhou/Nanning) - Transportation: - Taxi to city center (¥50) or take a bus to Xinxing County (about 40 minutes, ¥25) - Recommended accommodation: - Hot spring resort area in Xinxing County or comfortable city hotels (e.g., Vienna, City Convenience, ¥350–420/night) Morning: Guoen Temple (ticket ¥30) - “Ancestral home of Zen Buddhism,” birthplace, practice, and nirvana site of Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch - Built in the Tang Dynasty, ancient towering trees, continuous incense burning - Must-see spots: - Sixth Patriarch’s hand-planted lychee tree, a thousand-year-old tree that flowers and bears fruit annually - Bao’en Pagoda: seven-story Buddhist pagoda, climb to overlook the temple and forest - Sixth Patriarch Hall: enshrines the true statue of Huineng, solemn and majestic > Photography tips > - Soft light from 7–9 AM, monks’ morning chanting, peaceful atmosphere > - Wear plain-colored clothes to better match the Zen vibe Noon: Local Xinxing farmhouse cuisine - Recommended: Sixth Patriarch Town Farmhouse Restaurant - Must-order: - Xinxing stuffed tofu: mountain water tofu stuffed with meat, pan-fried then simmered, fresh and juicy - Mountain snail pot: stir-fried with perilla and chili, spicy and flavorful - Farmhouse stir-fried pork, goji leaf soup - Per person: ¥50, ingredients homegrown and raised Afternoon: Panlong Tianhu (free) - Yunfu’s “Little Jiuzhaigou,” a high mountain lake with jade-green water - Taxi to Panlong Cave Scenic Area entrance (about ¥40) - Activities: 1. Walk along the lakeside trail, photograph reflections of lake and mountains 2. Climb the viewing platform to overlook the lake shaped like a coiled dragon 3. On good days, see the sea of clouds rolling at dusk, like a fairyland 4. Lakeside pavilions and suspension bridges, great for family leisure > Tips: > - Bring sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and comfortable shoes > - Best time to photograph the sea of clouds is early morning or after rain clears Evening: Return to Yunfu City or Xinxing County - If staying in Yunfu City, take a night stroll on Century Avenue - A favorite local walking spot with soft lighting and a strong sense of life - Must-have late-night snacks: - Bamboo-pressed noodles: handmade noodles served with beef brisket or pork trotters (¥12) - Pork stomach chicken pot: southern medicine soup, warming and nourishing (per person ¥60) - Budget: Transportation ¥140 + Accommodation ¥380 + Meals ¥60 + Tickets ¥30 = ¥610 2: Underground Wonders · Karst Cave Exploration + Stone Art Tour Morning: Golden Phoenix Karst Cave (ticket ¥65) - Also called “Panlong Cave,” a national 4A-level scenic spot, a karst cave wonder - Features: - Constant 18°C temperature inside, warm in winter and cool in summer - Stalactites, stalagmites, and stone curtains in various shapes, illuminated like a dream - “Dragon Palace” hall: 30 meters high, grand and magnificent - “Water Curtain Cave” passage: duck under to pass, very fun > Photography tips > - Cave floor slippery, wear non-slip shoes > - Turn off flash to avoid reflections Noon: Lunch in Yunfu City - Recommended: Shixiang Renjia Restaurant - Fusion of Xinxing and Yunfu flavors - Must-order: - Southern medicine stewed chicken soup (five-fingered peach + native chicken, fragrant and sweet) - Stone-milled mountain water tofu (tender as fat, served with dipping sauce) - Stir-fried mountain yam (local wild vegetable, clears heat and detoxifies) - Per person: ¥55 Afternoon: Yunfu Stone Art Street (free) - China’s largest stone material distribution center, known as the “Stone Art Hometown” - Located around Muyang Road in Yunfu City - Must-experience: - Stroll through the stone market, see marble, granite, jade in abundance - Visit carving workshops, watch artisans hand-polish Buddha statues and ornaments - Optional purchases: - Small stone carvings (¥50–100) - Stone tea trays, inkstones (starting at ¥150) - Local specialty: Yunshi paintings (natural stone patterns resembling landscapes) > Hidden activities: > - Find a “Stone Art Café,” sit at a stone table and enjoy hand-brewed coffee > - Chat with artisans to learn about the journey from quarry to art Evening: Return trip - Taxi from Yunfu City to Yunfu East Station (about ¥50) - Souvenir shopping: - Vacuum-packed mountain snails (ready to cook) - Southern medicine packs (five-fingered peach, niu dali, for soup) - Stone art ornaments (symbolizing good luck, like pixiu, lotus) - Budget: Transportation ¥100 + Meals ¥55 + Tickets ¥65 + Souvenirs ¥60 = ¥280 Total Budget Breakdown (per person) | Item | Cost | Round-trip major transport (train/high-speed rail) | ¥200 – ¥450 (one-way from Guangzhou ¥110, round-trip ¥220) | Accommodation (1 night, comfortable hotel) | ¥380 | Meals (3 main meals + snacks) | ¥115 | Attraction tickets (Guoen Temple + Panlong Cave) | ¥95 | Local transport (taxi + bus) | ¥240 | Others (souvenirs, tea) | ¥60 | Total ¥1,090 – ¥1,340 ✅ If departing from Guangzhou, round-trip high-speed rail is only ¥220, total budget can be as low as ¥870! ✅ Off-season hotels as low as ¥300, excellent value. Blogger’s Insider Tips 1. Best season: - October to April: cool climate, ideal for hiking and cave exploring - Avoid May to September due to high heat, humidity, and frequent thunderstorms 2. Transportation advice: - Taxi or car hire recommended between counties, bus service is limited - Download “Gaode Map” for more accurate navigation 3. Pitfalls to avoid: - Do not touch stalactites inside caves to protect natural heritage - Stone market prices are negotiable, compare before buying 4. Hidden experiences: - Go to Guoen Temple at 6 AM to hear monks’ morning chanting - Find a mountain tea house, drink “Xinxing Dancong” tea, listen to cicadas and birds In summary: Two days and one night, tour Yunfu, Hear the Sixth Patriarch’s Zen chants at Guoen Temple, watch clouds roll at Panlong Tianhu, explore underground wonders at Golden Phoenix Karst Cave, and touch centuries of craftsmanship on Stone Art Street. This city writes Zen into every stone and brews the warmth of southern medicine into every bowl of slow-cooked soup. Follow me, next stop will take you to continue unlocking the hidden beauty of western and northern Guangdong!