Huizhou
The City of Su Dongpo and Coastal Mountains
Huizhou is celebrated as the “City of Su Dongpo” thanks to the great poet’s deep connection with this land. During his years in Huizhou, Su Dongpo left behind 587 works of poetry, essays, and letters. His footsteps can be traced to 19 sites across the region, from Luofu Mountain to Huizhou West Lake. Huizhou witnessed his life’s ups and downs, while Su Dongpo’s literary brilliance made Huizhou’s landscapes and legends even more renowned. As the saying goes: “Ever since Dongpo was exiled to Huizhou, no one dares belittle this city.”
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Today, visitors can follow in Su Dongpo’s footsteps, exploring Huizhou’s West Lake, where cultural landmarks are linked like pearls along the shore. Wandering through the mountains and lakes, travelers can unlock a “poetry map” of Dongpo’s life and art.
Huizhou is also known as “East Guangdong’s Strategic Town” and the gateway to Eastern Guangdong, blessed with mountains at its back and the sea at its feet. To the north, Nankun Mountain is famed as a summer paradise and a natural oxygen haven along the Tropic of Cancer. The Luofu Mountain, known as “Lingnan’s No. 1 Mountain”, has long been a center of Taoist and Buddhist cultivation, with Taoist master Ge Hong establishing a temple here during the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
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In the south, Huizhou boasts over 200 kilometers of coastline, offering seaside leisure destinations like Xunliao Bay, Daya Bay, and Haigui Island, the largest turtle conservation zone on the Chinese mainland.
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Huizhou West Lake rivals the beauty of Hangzhou’s West Lake and is considered one of Eastern Guangdong’s most famous scenic spots. The region is also rich in hot springs, including the renowned Dongpo Hot Spring, where Su Dongpo bathed three times, as well as Nankun Mountain Hot Spring, Longmen Hot Spring, and Pinghai Hot Spring, each offering a relaxing and romantic atmosphere.
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Huizhou is a significant Hakka cultural center and known as the “Hometown of Overseas Chinese Hakka People”, especially for communities in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and abroad. Historic sites like Shizi Ancient Street, Guan Emperor Temple, and Town God’s Temple in Pinghai Ancient City are well-preserved examples of Lingnan folk culture. Meanwhile, ancient water villages like Gongwu Village in Xiangxibao offer unique southern water-town charm, and visitors can explore the mysterious Wuzhai Ancient Castle by boat.
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Getting to Huizhou
Huizhou is well-connected to major Guangdong cities through high-speed rail, long-distance buses, and ferries to its coastal areas.
High-Speed Rail (Recommended)
From Shenzhen:
- Huizhou South Station: Shenzhen North / Pingshan → Huizhou South (about 30-40 minutes)
- Huizhou Station: Shenzhen Station / Dongguan South → Huizhou Station (about 50 minutes)
From Guangzhou:
- Huizhou North Station: Guangzhou East / Guangzhou South → Huizhou North (about 1 hour)
From Hong Kong:
- Take high-speed train to Shenzhen North, then transfer to Huizhou South (about 1.5 hours in total).
Long-Distance Bus
From Shenzhen:
- Futian / Yinhu Bus Station → Huizhou Downtown (about 1.5-2 hours)
From Guangzhou:
- Tianhe Bus Station → Huizhou (about 2 hours)
### Ferry (To Coastal Areas)
- Daya Bay: Shenzhen Shekou Port → Daya Bay (about 1 hour by sea)
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How to Reach Major Attractions
| Attraction | Recommended Transport |
|---------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| Huizhou West Lake | Taxi or Bus from City Center |
| Luofu Mountain | Intercity Bus from Huizhou Downtown |
| Nankun Mountain | Bus from Huizhou Downtown |
| Xunliao Bay / Daya Bay | Ferry or Taxi / Bus from Huizhou Downtown |
| Dongpo Hot Spring (Tang Spring) | Bus / Taxi from Huizhou Downtown |
| Pinghai Ancient City | Intercity Bus to Pinghai + Walk or Taxi |
| Gongwu Village (Xiangxibao) | Bus from Huizhou Downtown |
| Wuzhai Ancient Castle | Boat within Xiangxibao Water Town Area |