Hezhou + Nanny-Level Guide to Explore Stunning Attractions

「🗺️Hezhou 3-Day Tour | Classic Combo of Huangyao Ancient Town and Gupo Mountain・All-Age Friendly Guide」 Hezhou, a city hiding millennia-old ancient towns and scenic mountain-water secrets, take your parents to Huangyao Ancient Town to seek memories of the Ming and Qing dynasties, accompany friends to Gupo Mountain for oxygen and adventure, bring kids to the Garden Expo Park to play ethnic games. A leisurely 3-day pace, from tasting oil tea to Huangtian braised pork, the whole family can immerse in this Lingnan charm～ 🗓️Itinerary Overview D1: Huangyao Ancient Town → Yaojiang River Rafting D2: Gupo Mountain National Forest Park → Hezhou Garden Expo Park D3: Shibashui Pristine Ecological Scenic Area → Return Daily Detailed Schedule 🏮Day 1: Ancient Town Exploration · River Rafting Charm 📍Huangyao Ancient Town (5A) Core Highlights: One of "China’s Top 10 Most Beautiful Ancient Towns," well-preserved Ming and Qing architecture, cobblestone streets, ancient bridges with flowing water creating a picturesque scene. Take elders to see wood carvings at "Sima Residence," kids chase the stalls selling Huangyao fermented black soybeans, friends capture morning mist at "Dailong Bridge" (least crowded 6:00-8:00), time seems to slow down. 🕙Opening Hours: All day (recommended to stay overnight to experience the night view) 💰Admission: 70 RMB, free for seniors over 60, free for children under 1.2 meters 📸Photo Spots: Dailong Bridge (ancient bridge and reflection), Lantern Alley on Stone Slab Street (lights on at dusk) 💡Tips: The "Immortal’s Ancient Well" in the town can be used to fetch water for washing hands (symbolizing good luck); buy fermented black soybeans from the old brand "Yang Jin Ji" (20 RMB/bottle). 📍Yaojiang River Rafting Core Highlights: Bamboo raft drifting on Yaojiang River beside the ancient town, ancient banyan trees towering on both banks, boatmen tell stories of the town, elders sunbathe on the raft, kids play water fights, gentle and safe, suitable for the whole family. 🕙Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 💰Admission: 80 RMB/person, half price for children 💡Tips: Rafting lasts 1 hour, wear sandals to avoid wet feet; ginger tea (5 RMB/cup) available at the endpoint to warm up. 🍖Recommended Food: "Qiugesanchá" in the ancient town, must-try oil tea chicken (rich tea aroma), Huangtian braised pork (fatty but not greasy), about 60 RMB per person; try mugwort rice cakes (3 RMB each, soft and fragrant with mugwort). 🏨Recommended Accommodation: "Huangyao Ancient Town Longlintai Panorama Hotel" (view rooms overlooking the whole town, 400-600 RMB/night); budget options include ancient town homestays (200-300 RMB/night, wooden buildings with charm). 🌳Day 2: Forest Oxygen · Garden Expo Fun 📍Gupo Mountain National Forest Park (4A) Core Highlights: "South China’s Natural Oxygen Bar," featuring waterfalls, bamboo sea, tea gardens, sightseeing bus available (40 RMB/person). Take elders to rest under Xiangu Waterfall, kids feed monkeys in the "Monkey Park" (10 RMB/food portion), friends check in at "Fangjia Tea Garden" for fresh photos, abundant negative oxygen ions make it very comfortable. 🕙Opening Hours: 8:00-17:30 💰Admission: 75 RMB, half price for seniors over 60 📸Photo Spots: Xiangu Waterfall (rainbows often appear), beside the tea garden’s small train 💡Tips: Free rice wine tasting at "Jiupu Xiang Distillery" inside the park; gentle mountain paths, easy for elders to walk. 📍Hezhou Garden Expo Park Core Highlights: Showcases the customs of 14 cities in Guangxi, with miniature Dong drum towers, Zhuang bronze drums, etc. Bring kids to play "Ethnic Costume DIY" (30 RMB/set), elders watch intangible cultural heritage performances (11:00/15:00), highly interactive and educational. 🕙Opening Hours: 9:00-18:00 💰Admission: Free 📸Photo Spots: Hezhou Garden’s "Wind and Rain Bridge," Nanning Garden’s "Hibiscus Sculpture" 💡Tips: Rent multi-person bicycles (50 RMB/hour) for easier travel, suitable for the whole family. 🍖Recommended Food: "Lao Huang Ji Noodle Shop" in the city, recommended Hezhou rice noodles (with sour bamboo shoots, very fragrant), rice dumplings (5 RMB each, skin wrapped with filling), about 20 RMB per person; dinner at "Niu Babao Hotpot" (fresh beef platter, about 50 RMB per person). 🏨Recommended Accommodation: "Hezhou International Hotel" (city center, 300-500 RMB/night, family rooms available). 💦Day 3: Waterfall Exploration · Ecological Wild Fun 📍Shibashui Pristine Ecological Scenic Area Core Highlights: "Lingnan’s First Waterfall Cluster," the nearly 300-meter-high "Huangchou Waterfall" is spectacular, clear creek water perfect for wading. Take elders on the waterside boardwalk, kids catch small fish (bring a small net), friends shoot slow shutter waterfall photos (water flows like silk), a natural water play area perfect for summer. 🕙Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00 💰Admission: 65 RMB, half price for seniors over 60 📸Photo Spots: Huangchou Waterfall viewing platform, Tongxin Magpie Bridge (spanning the valley) 💡Tips: Waterproof phone cases sold at the entrance (10 RMB each); bring change of clothes, easy to get wet. 🍖Recommended Food: "Farmhouse Restaurant" outside the scenic area, recommended perilla stewed duck (fragrant but not greasy), stir-fried pumpkin flowers (sweet and fresh), about 40 RMB per person; bring a bag of "Xindu Red Melon Seeds" (15 RMB/bag) as snacks. ✨Hezhou Survival Guide 1️⃣Transportation: - From city center to Huangyao Ancient Town: 1.5 hours by car, or take the tourist shuttle (30 RMB/person); - Gupo Mountain and Shibashui are 20-30 minutes from the city, self-driving recommended (car rental 200 RMB/day); - Taxi starting fare in the city is 6 RMB, walk inside the ancient town, sightseeing buses inside scenic spots. 2️⃣Clothing: - Spring (March-May): thin long sleeves + jacket, bring umbrella for rain; - Summer (June-August): short sleeves + quick-dry pants (bring change of clothes for water play), mosquito repellent essential; - Autumn and winter: long sleeves + light jacket, Gupo Mountain is a bit cool. 3️⃣Taboos: - Do not touch ancient wooden carvings or step on thresholds in Huangyao Ancient Town (local custom); - Do not feed monkeys or pick tea leaves in Gupo Mountain; - Respect Yao ethnic customs, do not casually photograph elderly in Yao villages. 4️⃣Accommodation: - Choose homestays inside Huangyao for a quiet night experience; - Choose Babuzhou District in the city for convenient transport and many dining options; - For elders and children, prioritize accommodations with elevators and sufficient hot water; mountain homestays are mostly 2-3 floors. 🛍️Must-Buy Souvenirs ① Huangyao fermented black soybeans (20 RMB/bottle, great for steaming fish and stir-fry, reliable old brand) ② Gupo Mountain Jiupu Xiang rice wine (50 RMB/bottle, low-alcohol sweet wine, suitable for elders) ③ Hezhou oil tea powder (15 RMB/bag, can make oil tea at home) ④ Yao ethnic embroidery pendants (40 RMB each, exquisite handmade, strong ethnic characteristics) Closing Interaction Hezhou’s ancient towns have stories, its mountains and waters have spirit, and oil tea has warmth～ Whether strolling slowly with parents on stone slab streets, playing wildly with friends under waterfalls, or catching fish by the creek with kids, everyone can find their own little happiness. If you come to Hezhou, would you first want to see the morning mist in Huangyao Ancient Town or take a big breath of fresh air on Gupo Mountain?