Heyuan
Introduction
Heyuan, also known as Ho Yun, is a prefecture-level city in Guangdong whose name means "origin of the river". The majority of its people are Hakka, and the city is made up of districts and counties including Yuancheng, Dongyuan and Zijin, with the urban area centred on Yuancheng and Dongyuan.
The surrounding landscape is green and wet, with rainforests and Xinfengjiang Reservoir, the largest lake in Guangdong. Heyuan has also been officially titled the "Hometown of the Dinosaur in China", after thousands of dinosaur egg fossils were unearthed in the area.
Before you go
Before you go, it helps to know that Heyuan is a Hakka heartland. The Hakka, a distinctive subgroup of the Han, have a long history and rich cultural traditions here, and their dialect and customs shape daily life across the region. The city is multi-ethnic with the Han as the majority, and its identity is closely tied to Hakka culture. Language is the practical thing to prepare for. Cantonese and Hakka are the main languages of communication and both matter in everyday social interaction, so a few phrases in either will serve you well. You will also hear local variations such as the Dongyuan dialect and the Heping dialect, though Cantonese and Hakka remain the primary means of getting by.Getting there
You can reach Heyuan by train, with Heyuan Station and Longchuan Station serving the city; high-speed rail stations are under construction. Bus services arrive at Heyuan Bus Station on Daqiao Road in Yuancheng District, or at Heyuan Xincheng Bus Station on Heyuan Avenue North, also in Yuancheng District.Getting around
Heyuan has no metro or tram system, so getting around relies on buses, taxis, ride-hailing, and your own two feet. The urban bus network is the main way to travel within the city, and it serves both residents and visitors. For short trips in the urban core, taxis and ride-hailing apps are straightforward options, and they're a sensible choice in hot, humid summer weather or during the wet spring. Walking is practical for short errands and for exploring nearby streets and riverside areas along the Dong River, but the city sprawls over a large area, so plan on a bus, taxi, or ride-hailing car for outlying sights such as Xinfengjiang Forest Park, Dagui Mountain, Wanlu Lake, and the Sujiawei Round House.
For longer journeys, Heyuan is served by conventional rail on the Hong Kong–Beijing Jingjiu line, with stations at Heyuan and Longchuan, while Heyuan East Railway Station is the key stop on the Jinggang high-speed line. Both are best used for arriving in Heyuan or reaching neighbouring cities rather than for moving around within the city. Intercity and county buses leave from Heyuan Bus Station and Heyuan Xincheng Bus Station, both in Yuancheng District, which is also where you'll want to base yourself to be near the urban core and the main bus stations. The Dong River supports freight and tourism, so boat trips and riverside sightseeing are an option rather than a commuter route. Note that additional high-speed rail stations were still under construction when the source material was compiled, so check current schedules before you travel.
Where to stay
For a high-end stay, the Wanda Realm Heyuan Hotel offers luxurious rooms along with multiple restaurants and leisure facilities. If you would rather base yourself in a mountain-and-water setting, the East River Hua Yang Nian Hua Resort sits within the East River Scenic Area and provides various resort facilities. Mid-range options include the Heyuan Yongle Guesthouse, a cozy choice in the city center with convenient accommodation and dining, and the Heyuan Century Sunshine Hotel, which features modern rooms and conference facilities. Budget-conscious travelers can consider Home Inn Heyuan, an economy hotel with basic accommodation facilities.Food & drink
< p>Heyuan's table is rooted in Hakka cooking, and the local beef is a point of pride. Try the Hakka stuffed tofu, fresh tofu filled with minced meat and steamed with seasonings until tender and savory, or the Hakka marinated duck, braised in a rich soy-based sauce until the meat turns flavorful and tender — both make fine companions to rice. The city's own beef congee is a hearty bowl in which thinly sliced beef is cooked with the porridge so its flavor blends into every spoonful, while bamboo rice steams rice with various ingredients inside a bamboo tube, which lends the grains its distinctive aroma. < p>To drink, the region produces its own teas. Heyuan white tea is prized for its delicate flavor and tender buds and leaves, with Silver Needle and White Peony among the varieties made here. Heyuan also produces oolong, notably Hakka Water Fairy Oolong Tea, which has a floral aroma and a rich taste.What to see and do
In Yuancheng District you can see the Heyuan Dinosaur Museum on Nanti Road, a small museum with a large collection of dinosaur eggs, and nearby on Guifeng Mountain stands Guifeng Pagoda, a short climb from the road between the museum and the Heyuan Museum. Both close on Mondays. In the middle of the Xinfeng River, south of Chashan Park, the First High Fountain in Asia puts on a musical fountain show in the evening, and it is free to watch. For a full day out, head beyond the city. Guishan Mountain sits by the Xinfeng River Reservoir in Dongyuan County, roughly 20km away, reachable by special buses from Heyuan Railway Station or by boat from Wanlü Lake. Wanlü Lake itself, on Gangzhong Road in Xingang Town, is a vast artificial lake that supplies drinking water to Heyuan and parts of the Pearl River Delta; boats leave hourly, with the last departure in the late afternoon, and you can tour by boat, swim, or walk, with greenery year-round. Further afield in Longchuan County, Huoshan Mountain near Dongjiang Village in Tianxin Town is served by special buses from Longchuan Railway Station, and a glass bridge is an optional extra on the entry ticket.When to go
Heyuan has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate, so the season you choose shapes your trip considerably. Winters are short and mild to warm, starting out sunny and dry before turning progressively wetter and cloudier, with January the coolest month. Spring is generally overcast and often rainy — March is the cloudiest stretch of the year — and the heaviest rain builds through this period, with a large share of the annual total falling from April to June.
- Winter: Short and mild to warm; begins sunny and dry, becomes wetter and cloudier as it goes on. January is the coolest month.
- Spring: Overcast and often rainy; March is the cloudiest month. The year's heaviest rain builds from April to June.
- Summer: Long, hot and humid but much sunnier than spring, though rain continues. July is the hottest month.
- Autumn: Sunny and dry, with October and November the brightest months.
If you want the best odds of clear, dry days, aim for autumn, when sunshine is most reliable. Summer suits you if you don't mind heat and humidity in exchange for brighter skies than spring offers, while spring travellers should pack for persistent cloud and rain. Winter is comfortable but changeable, so prepare for both dry, sunny spells and damper, greyer conditions as the season wears on.
Three days in Heyuan
Day one: Base yourself in Yuancheng District, the city's central neighbourhood, and use Daqiao Road as your starting point for getting oriented. From Heyuan Bus Station or Heyuan Xincheng Bus Station on Heyuan Avenue North you can reach the surrounding counties, but save the first day for the city itself. Walk along the Dong River, which gives Heyuan its name, and take in the Hakka character of the streets. In the evening, look for Hakka cooking - the source material notes the Hakka people and their Han roots, and Cantonese is among the languages you will hear.
Day two: Head out to the Xinfengjiang Reservoir and Xinfengjiang Forest Park, where Wanlu Lake sits among the hills. Dagui Mountain is the other green escape within reach, and both suit a full day of walking. If you would rather stay closer to town, the Sujiawei Round House shows the round-house building tradition associated with Hakka communities. Return to Yuancheng District for the night.
Day three: Choose a direction depending on your onward plans. Heping, Dongyuan, Zijin and Longchuan are the counties around Heyuan, and Longchuan has its own station on the Beijing Jingjiu line. Heyuan Station and Heyuan East Railway Station connect the city by rail, with Heyuan East on the line toward Hong Kong. If you are leaving by bus, Heyuan Bus Station and Heyuan Xincheng Bus Station are your departure points. Before you go, the Hometown of Dinosaur displays are worth a look for the fossils that gave the city part of its reputation in China.