2 Days 1 Night Hiking in Shaoguan, Encounter the Stunning Danxia Scenery

1. Introduction Tired of the hustle and bustle of the city and craving a trip that allows your body and mind to fully relax? Then start from Shenzhen and head to Shaoguan! Here, Bazhai, with its majestic and rugged posture, tells legendary stories of the past; Jinjiang flows like a green ribbon winding through the Danxia peaks, sketching a poetic and picturesque rural landscape. In just 2 days and 1 night, you will have the chance to climb peaks, overlook magnificent mountains and rivers, stroll along the riverbank, feel the tenderness of nature, and gain unforgettable beautiful memories. Now, follow this guide to start an exciting journey in Shaoguan. 2. Past and Present 1) Bazhai — A former natural fortress, now a tourist attraction Bazhai is located 10 kilometers southwest of Danxia Mountain, locally known as Dashishan, facing Danxia Mountain across the Jinjiang River. It is the core area of the "Great Danxia" Danxia landform. Among the 27 peaks above 400 meters in the area, Bazhai alone has 20, with its highest peak at 619 meters, known as the "Mount Everest" of Danxia Mountain. It has a legendary past: during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, to avoid war, locals built homes, barracks, warehouses, and reservoirs in caves on the cliff halfway up the mountain. The village had only one "gate," a ladder about 20 meters high carved into the steep cliff, wide enough for only one person to go up or down. This was the only passage, with the highest and narrowest part equipped with walls and shooting holes, forming a "one man guards the pass, ten thousand cannot open" formidable terrain, making it a natural fortress that was easy to defend but hard to attack. Today, the smoke of war has long dissipated, and Bazhai has transformed into a scenic area integrating sightseeing, adventure, leisure vacation, camping, and scientific research. It not only boasts spectacular Danxia landforms, such as towering peaks and unique cliff crevices, but also has profound historical significance, attracting countless visitors to explore. 2) Jinjiang — A millennium-old landscape painting in flowing water Jinjiang is an important part of the Danxia Mountain Scenic Area. It originates from vast forests, with emerald-green waters winding southward among the Danxia peaks. Since ancient times, Jinjiang has played a vital role. Before the 1950s and 60s, Renhua’s water transport routes mainly used Jinjiang, with many tributaries and a total navigation length of 175.5 kilometers, allowing sailboats to travel 138 kilometers. It carried important transport tasks, bringing in salt, general goods, and shipping out local products like paper, bamboo, wood, and grain. Today, the banks of Jinjiang are lined with lush bamboo and swaying trees, with Lingnan-style mountain village pastoral scenery reflecting in the nearby stones and distant mountains. It is no longer just a transport route but a picturesque tourist route attracting people to hike and cycle, immersing themselves in this poetic landscape. 3. Detailed Itinerary 1) Overview Day 1: Depart from Shenzhen to Shaoguan, arrive and head to the foot of Bazhai Mountain to start the mountain climbing journey. Climb Bazhai to enjoy the stunning scenery and stay overnight near Bazhai. Day 2: Head to Jinjiang, hike along Jinjiang to admire the Danxia beauty on both sides, then return to Shenzhen. 2) Transportation Guide 1) Self-driving: Depart from Shenzhen via Changshen Expressway and Wushen Expressway, about 350 kilometers, driving time about 4-5 hours. The advantage of self-driving is flexible scheduling and the ability to stop at scenic spots along the way for photos. There is parking near Bazhai Scenic Area, with generally reasonable parking fees. 2) High-speed rail + bus: Take the high-speed train from Shenzhen North Station to Shaoguan Station, about 1.5-2 hours. Upon arrival, take a shuttle bus from the station square to Renhua, then transfer to a rural bus or taxi to Bazhai Scenic Area. The total travel time from Shaoguan Station to Bazhai is about 1.5 hours. This method is more environmentally friendly and allows you to enjoy the scenery on the train, but transfer times need to be planned in advance to avoid delays. 3) Ticket Information Bazhai Scenic Area is currently in ecological restoration and does not charge admission, but there are no supply points on the mountain, so prepare in advance. The Jinjiang hiking section is free to access, no tickets required. 4) Essential Items for the Trip 1) Clothing: Prepare comfortable sportswear or outdoor clothing, such as quick-dry clothes, suitable for climbing and hiking. Since there may be a large temperature difference between morning and evening on the mountain and riverside, it is recommended to bring a lightweight jacket. 2) Shoes: Hiking boots or trail shoes are the best choice, as they provide good slip resistance and support, ensuring safety and comfort during climbing and hiking. 3) Backpack: Choose a medium-sized backpack to carry drinking water (recommended 2-3 bottles per person), food (such as bread, chocolate, beef jerky, and other quick energy snacks), rain gear (Shaoguan’s weather is changeable, carry an umbrella or raincoat), and sun protection items (such as sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses). 4) Other items: If possible, bring trekking poles to reduce leg pressure during climbing; carry a power bank to keep electronic devices charged for recording the beautiful scenery; prepare some common medicines like cold medicine, stomach medicine, and band-aids in case of discomfort. 4. Hiking Route Details (1) Day 1: Bazhai Mountain Climbing Route 1) Starting point and route Navigate to Danxia Mountain Bazhai Jufu Farmhouse, where there is a free parking lot. From Jufu Farmhouse, follow the plank road, passing several viewing platforms where you can stop to admire the surrounding Danxia landforms. Then enter the mountain trail and start climbing. The entire route is about 10 kilometers, including dirt roads, forest paths, and mountain stairs, with varied terrain, requiring 4-5 hours of hiking. 2) Highlights along the way 1) Teapot Peak Viewing Platform: On the way, you will reach the Teapot Peak viewing platform, an excellent spot to admire Teapot Peak. The peak’s unique shape resembles a teapot, with the red mountain body contrasting beautifully with the surrounding green vegetation under sunlight, creating a stunning picture perfect for photos. 2) Ming Dynasty Ancient Road Ruins: You can see the ruins of the Ming Dynasty ancient road, with old bluestone slabs weathered by time, carrying a heavy historical feel. Walking on it feels like traveling through time, experiencing the scenes of ancient people walking here. 3) Cliff Plank Road: There is a section of cliff plank road built along the sheer cliff. Walking on it, you can enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the Danxia landscape. Below is a deep abyss, and in front are numerous peaks, bringing a strong visual impact and spiritual shock. 4) Summit Experience: After successfully reaching the top of Bazhai, the first sight is the lush subtropical jungle. The summit has multiple terraces; the first terrace is large and the best viewing spot, suitable for camping and watching the sunrise (there are many wooden boards for tent setup). You can overlook the surrounding rolling red peaks and feel the grandeur of "standing on the summit, overlooking all other mountains." The second terrace is smaller and semi-circular, like a fairyland, perfect for a short rest and enjoying tranquility. The third terrace is the famous Fairy Scattering Flowers viewpoint, with extremely beautiful scenery but requires crawling and weaving through. On rainy days, it forms a spectacular waterfall flowing down. (2) Day 2: Jinjiang Hiking Route 1) Route plan It is recommended to start from Jinjiang Niubi Bridge (Guanyin Stone), walk along the riverbank, passing Niubi Village. Niubi Village is a quaint village preserving many traditional buildings, where you can stop briefly to feel the village’s peace and harmony. Then continue to Xianshan Qionggge, enjoying the poetic rural scenery and Danxia beauty. Next, reach Miaozai Kengkou small bridge, then walk along the river to Jinjiang Xiafu Bridgehead. Afterward, pass Jinjiang Danxia Hydropower Station Dam (where you can view the Sisters Peaks), Chetou Village, Fanghe Pond, Caizi Dam Ticket Station, Shaoyang Stone (Ximei Village), Duanshi Village, and finally arrive at Jinjiang Shaoyang Bridge. The entire route is about 12 kilometers, mostly flat with low elevation gain, suitable for all ages, with a hiking time of about 4-5 hours. 2) Scenic spots along the way 1) Sisters Peaks and Five Finger Peak: During the hike, you can admire the Sisters Peaks and Five Finger Peak from different angles on both sides of Jinjiang. The Sisters Peaks resemble two graceful young girls, elegant in posture; Five Finger Peak looks like five fingers reaching the sky. The varied peaks, reflected in the river, appear even more magnificent. 2) Child Worshipping Guanyin: There is a scenic spot resembling a child worshipping Guanyin, lifelike and awe-inspiring, making people marvel at nature’s craftsmanship. When admiring this scene, you can feel a sacred atmosphere. 3) Emerald Jinjiang: The Jinjiang River water is as dense as jade, clear to the bottom, where you can see sand and swimming fish. A gentle breeze ripples the water surface, reflecting the green mountains on both sides, creating a dreamy, flowing landscape painting. 4) Countryside and Villages: On both sides of Jinjiang are Lingnan-style mountain villages and pastoral fields, with lush green rice paddies, neatly arranged farmhouses, and villagers working in the fields, forming a peaceful rural life picture. Walking here, you can feel the strong countryside atmosphere, far from the city’s noise and chaos.