Huizhou

Huizhou

Huizhou is located in the southeastern part of Guangdong Province, on the eastern coast of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, bordering Daya Bay of the South China Sea to the south. It is a nationally recognized historical and cultural city and an outstanding tourist destination in China, renowned as the "Famous Prefecture of Lingnan and Gateway to Eastern Guangdong," also known as the "Goose City." Nestled between mountains and the sea, Huizhou boasts a harmonious blend of mountainous landscapes and lakes, embodying the poetic charm of West Lake, the mystical beauty of Luofu Mountain, and stunning coastal scenery. The city also integrates diverse folk cultures from the Hakka, Cantonese, and Chaoshan communities, where natural landscapes and millennia-old cultural heritage coexist in perfect harmony, making it a highly poetic and vibrant livable and resort city within the Greater Bay Area.

I. The Distinctive Culture of the City

Huizhou boasts a cultural heritage spanning millennia and remarkable inclusiveness, situated at the convergence of three major cultural traditions: Hakka, Cantonese, and Chaoshan. It is characterized by diverse folk customs and profound historical depth. The eminent Song Dynasty literary figure Su Dongpo resided in Huizhou for two years, leaving behind over 500 poems and essays that gave rise to the distinctive "half the city's landscape belongs to Su" culture. Historical sites such as West Lake and Hejiang Tower bear witness to the enduring influence of literati over centuries. Additionally, Huizhou's intangible cultural heritage is exceptionally rich: distinctive traditions like Pinghai Fishermen's Songs from Huidong, Longmen peasant paintings, Li Family Boxing, dragon and lion dances, and fire dog dances have been passed down through generations. The deep-rooted Dongjiang Hakka culture, combined with its simple folk customs, traditional dwellings, festive practices, and coastal fishing community traditions, has forged a unique urban culture that harmoniously integrates natural landscapes, Hakka heritage, and fishing folk customs.

II. Must-Visit Unique Attractions

(1) Huicheng Core: A Cultural and Lakeside Paradise

1. Huizhou West Lake (a 5A-level scenic area): Renowned as the "Western Beauty of Zhuluo," it ranks among the three most celebrated West Lakes alongside Hangzhou West Lake and Yingzhou West Lake. Centered around its iconic theme of "Five Lakes, Six Bridges, and Eighteen Scenic Spots," the area features serene lakes, scattered pavilions, ancient trees casting shade, and landmarks such as Sizhou Pagoda, Su Causeway, and historical sites on Gushan that embody Su Dongpo's cultural legacy. Open to the public free of charge, it stands as a flagship cultural landmark of Huizhou.

2. Hejiang Tower: One of Guangdong's six renowned historic towers, it served as Su Dongpo's first residence during his exile in Huizhou. This millennium-old tower by the river boasts a majestic presence. From its summit, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the confluence of the Dongjiang and Xizhijiang rivers, as well as the vibrant atmosphere of Shuidong Street's old town – making it a must-visit landmark that embodies Huizhou's thousand-year cultural heritage.

3. Shuidong Street: A time-honored retro arcade street in Huizhou that blends traditional charm with modern amenities. Its rows of historic arcades exude timeless elegance, featuring distinctive local cuisine and cultural innovation shops, complemented by a dazzling night scene that captures the vibrant essence of an old city.

(II) Boluo: A Secret Realm of Mountains, Waters, and Immortal Mountains

Luofu Mountain (a 5A-level scenic area): Known as the "First Mountain of Lingnan" and one of the ten renowned Taoist mountains, it features majestic terrain shrouded in mist, serene forests, and abundant waterfalls and streams. This place exudes an ethereal atmosphere and boasts exceptional ecology, serving not only as a natural oxygen bar but also as a sacred site of Taoist culture, ideal for hiking for blessings, leisure and wellness, or connecting with nature.

(III) Huidong · A Coastal Resort Paradise

1. Shuangyue Bay: A iconic coastal attraction in Huizhou, named for its two bays resembling a crescent moon—one calm like a lake and the other with surging waves—offering a unique mountain-sea landscape. It features beaches, reefs, viewing platforms, and other scenic spots ideal for watching sunrises and enjoying water activities, making it a popular coastal resort in eastern Guangdong.

2. Sea Turtle Bay Tourist Area: China's only sea turtle conservation base, hailed as "Guangdong's Little Kenting." The coastal boardwalk winds along the mountainside and sea, offering crystal-clear blue waters, scattered reefs, and gentle sea breezes—a truly healing and picturesque setting perfect for photography and experiencing marine ecology up close.

3. Xunliao Bay: A renowned coastal resort featuring pristine soft sands, crystal-clear waters, and comprehensive amenities. It offers perfect opportunities for beach activities and water sports, making it ideal for family trips or short seaside vacations.

(IV) Longmen: A Secret Haven for Ecological Leisure

Nankunshan Ecological Tourism Area: Dubbed the "oasis on the Tropic of Cancer," it boasts an exceptionally high forest coverage, continuous mountain ranges, vast bamboo forests, and abundant streams and waterfalls. With its cool and pleasant climate, it has become a popular destination for summer retreats, wellness stays, mountain vacations, and immersive experiences in nature.

III. Specialty Cuisine (Dongjiang Hakka Flavor)

Huizhou cuisine centers on Dongjiang Hakka cuisine, incorporating Guangfu flavors while emphasizing authentic taste, rich savory flavor, fresh ingredients, and a strong local character. It stands as one of the three major schools of Cantonese cuisine, renowned for its vibrant, home-style flavors.

1. Signature Dish of the Restaurant

Dongjiang Salt-Baked Chicken: Huizhou's premier signature dish and a classic Hakka intangible cultural heritage cuisine. Made with locally raised free-range chickens, it is traditionally baked with coarse salt, resulting in golden, crispy skin; firm yet tender meat; and bones rich in flavor. Its authentic taste combines savory richness without being greasy, making it a quintessential representative of Dongjiang cuisine.

Huizhou Meicai Stewed Pork: A classic dish from Lingnan region, featuring Huizhou's specialty pickled mustard greens that absorb the fat from pork belly, resulting in a glossy, savory, tender, and chewy texture—rich yet not greasy, making it an ideal side dish for meals and a must-have staple at banquets.

The Three Hakka Stuffed Delicacies: Classic Hakka dishes featuring stuffed bitter gourd, stuffed chili peppers, and stuffed eggplant. These dishes involve filling vegetables or fruits with meat filling and steaming or frying them, resulting in a fresh, flavorful, light yet non-greasy taste with distinct home-style charm.

Dongjiang Fish Balls: Made by hand from fresh river fish, these balls are white, elastic, tender, and free of any fishy odor, served in a clear, sweet broth that embodies the authentic flavor of Dongjiang's water towns.

Lug 'e: A signature dish of Huizhou's traditional banquet, slow-cooked in a secret sauce to achieve richly flavored goose meat with intense aromatic notes. The meat is tender yet not tough, offering an authentic and genuine taste experience.

2. Traditional local snacks and desserts

These include Amajiao, Longmen Rice Cakes, Dongjiang Ai Ci, Bozai Cake, Sweet Water Water Chestnuts, Stir-Fried Rice Cakes, and Hakka Sweet Pastries. Among them, Amajiao is a classic street snack in Huizhou—made by frying shredded radish with flour, offering a crispy exterior and tender interior with a savory, aromatic flavor that embodies the vibrant memories of the old city.

IV. Urban Summary

Huizhou is a renowned livable city in the Lingnan region, blending mountains, lakes, and seas with rich cultural heritage and Hakka traditions. It embodies the millennium-old poetic charm of Dongpo at West Lake, the mystical aura of Luofu Mountain, the breathtaking coastal scenery of Shuangyue Bay and Xunliao Bay, as well as authentic Dongjiang Hakka cuisine. The city seamlessly integrates its millennia-old cultural legacy with natural landscapes, where fishing village customs coexist harmoniously with vibrant urban life, combining classical elegance with romantic mountain-sea vistas. It stands as an ideal destination for short trips, leisure vacations, and experiencing the authentic Lingnan culture within the Greater Bay Area.