Hidden in the mountains of Shaoguan

Hidden in the mountains of Shaoguan, the impromptu trip around Guangzhou starts from Guangzhou South Station, where a one-hour high-speed train takes you to Shaoguan Station. The high-speed train ticket costs 104.5 RMB per person. The resort is over 40 kilometers away from the train station. The accommodation chosen is the Ruyuan Lanshan Yuanling Nanfang Hot Spring Hotel located inside the resort. If you book a day in advance, the hotel provides a very considerate shuttle service. The room is on the third floor; although it's close to the mountains, there are no noticeable mosquitoes, and it's very close to the hot spring center. For dining, we chose the Roman's Chinese Restaurant inside the resort. The dishes are decently standard, with an average cost of about 80+ RMB per person. My personal favorite is the cauliflower in the pig's trotter pot, which tastes amazing. Breakfast is a buffet with a wide variety of choices, and the American coffee, freshly ground and brewed, is quite good. The temperature difference between morning and evening in the mountains is quite significant, and the wind is strong. I saw someone holding an outdoor wedding with the green mountains as a backdrop, which was picturesque. The highlight is the hot springs. Right next to the hotel are the springs, with many pools. The hot springs are above 43 degrees Celsius, and the cold springs are around 15 degrees Celsius. Many local retirees from Shaoguan city come here to soak, and the fact that locals come too suggests it's quite good. There's an infinity pool at the top, which is great for taking photos and checking in. However, the water is indeed cold in winter, so it's recommended to warm up in the hot springs before going. The corners of the pool are very photogenic.