5 Days in Qingyuan

Settle in downtown Qingyuan and walk the river promenade; sand barges work the channel and the evening skewer stalls gather under the bridge approaches.

1. qingyuan beijiang bank

The temple clusters north of downtown — said to date from the 500s — string along cliff shelves above the river; stair paths connect the halls, and boats put in at the lower landing.

1. qingyuan feixia mountain

The city's rafting headquarters runs rubber boats down an about 4-km gorge of drops and pools; the June-August water releases are the fullest, and dry bags and helmets come with the ticket.

1. qingyuan huangteng gorge

2 hours north to Yingde's west, where 1,000-odd pinnacles line a 20-km corridor; the Dongtian gorge adds a boat passage under the cliffs before the drive back.

1. qingyuan yingxi peak forest
2. qingyuan dongtian wonderland

Another 2 hours north to the national 5A cave at a steady 18-20°C — walkway loop plus boat run on the underground stream; return via the HSR for the evening train.

1. qingyuan lianzhou underground river