Qingyuan Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 清远 (qīng yuǎn)
Population: 4,100,000
Area: 190,000 square kilometers (6,125 square miles)
Location: in the north of Guangdong Province, southern China
Administrative Division: 2 districts (Qingchen, Qingxin); 2 counties (Fogang, Yangshan); 2 autonomous counties (Lianshan Zhuang Autonomous County, Liannan Yao Autonomous County); 2 county-level cities (Yingde, Lianzhou)
Area Code: 0763
Zip Code: 511500
GDP (2018): CNY 156.52 billion (USD 23.65 billion)
Nationalities: Han, Yao, Zhuang
 

Qingyuan is the largest prefecture level city in Guangdong Province. It is situated in the north of Guangdong, bordering with Guangzhou to the south, Hunan and Guangxi provinces to the north. Qingyuan has developed many rafting scenic spots due to abundant rainfall, numerous canyons and rivers, becoming the township of drifting. The most famous and large-scale ones are Gulong Canyon Rafting, Huangteng Canyon Rafting, Qinglong Canyon Rafting and XuanZhen Rafting, etc. The rafting course at the Gulong Canyon ranks first for its largest rafting fall and most exciting rafting experience. The Gulong Canyon also highlights the world’s widest glass bridge. Travelers can also visit mystic Sanpai Yao Village to enjoy local traditional buildings, costumes, and folk activities. It is also available to take a weekend trip from Guangzhou as it only takes 20 minutes by bullet train.

Gulong Canyon is composed of Great Glass Canyon, an International rafting course, Gulong Nine Waterfalls and Jungle Flight. The glass skywalk bridge is a total length of 1,314 meters (4,311 feet) long. Also, you can experience the most exciting and fastest rafting at the rafting course.  

Guangdong Number One Peak: Situated in Nanling National Nature Reserve, Yangshan County, the peak is 1,902 meters (6,240 feet) ranking the highest peak in Guangdong. In this scenic area, there are several other scenic spots, such as the Yao's villages, waterfalls, alpine springs and drifting sites. 

Sanpai Yao Village and Lianzhou Underground River Qingyuan enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate, with an annual average temperature of 21C (70F). January and July has the extreme weather of the city. April to October is a damp season and the rainfall mainly concentrates on this period. Usually, the city do not have cold winters.

 When to Go: It is an all-year-round destination. During April to October, adequate rainfall and beautiful natural sceneries contribute to the most charming time in a year.

 History: Before the Qin Dynasty (220BC-206BC) united China, this area was inhabited by many ancient minorities in South China, generally called Bai Yue. Qingyuan region partly belonged to Nanhai Shire and Changsha Shire during the Qin Dynasty. In the early Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), it was governed by the Nanyue State, and the central government conquered it and brought this region into the Guiyang Shire later. Present Qingyuan City was established in 1988.

 Physical Features: Lying in the linking area between the Pearl River Delta and the mountainous region in northern Guangdong, Qingyuan boasts the vastest area among cities in the province. The terrain is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast. Plains, hills, mountains and karst landform coexist in the city.

 Special Local product: tea, crystal pear, Shatian pomelo