Stand on the riverside esplanade where the Wu and Zhen Rivers meet and you are looking at the reason Shaoguan exists: the confluence that creates the North River, flowing south to Guangzhou. The rebuilt Tongtian Pagoda rises above the water, with the foundations of the Ming-era original displayed beside it.
Shaoguan suits travellers heading between Guangdong and the north who want more than a transit stop: Zen Buddhist pilgrims, hikers drawn to red sandstone country, and anyone curious about a city whose local dialect, Shaozhou Tuhua, is not mutually intelligible with Mandarin or Cantonese.
1. Nanhua Temple
Nanhua Temple in Qujiang District is the former temple of Huineng, the sixth patriarch of Zen Buddhism, and holds his mummified remains. It is an important pilgrimage site for practitioners of Zen, and the monastery was established nearby under the Southern Liang by an Indian monk.
Special express buses run to the temple from Shaoguan East Railway Station; if you arrive at Shaoguan Railway Station, take bus no. 23, or bus no. 309 from Shaoguan South Bus Station. It is open 8AM-5PM and admission is ¥20.
2. Danxiashan
Danxiashan in Renhua County is canyon-like valleys and striking red and brown mountains, and the area is both a national geopark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is open 24 hours a day.
Special express buses leave from both Shaoguan Railway Station and Shaoguan East Railway Station, and take about an hour to reach the park.
3. Shaoguan Museum
Shaoguan Museum on Gongye West Road in Wujiang District is a free, air-conditioned introduction to the city, and it is the natural place to make sense of the region's deep past before you head out to the temples and mountains.
It is open 09:00-16:30 and closed on Mondays. Bus routes 3a, 9, 10, 15, 19, 22, 25, 29, 31 and 40 serve it, along with the Tangliao Special Bus Line.
4. Tongtian Pagoda and the riverside esplanades
The slender Ming-era Tongtian Pagoda stood at the confluence of the Wu and Zhen Rivers until it was destroyed during the 19th-century Taiping Rebellion; a replacement was erected in 2012, along with a display of the foundations of the former tower. The downtown sits on a peninsula between the two rivers, and about 20 kilometres of tree-lined riverside esplanades run along the banks.
Come in the late afternoon, when the light softens over the water, and walk the esplanades on both sides of the confluence. Seven bridges cross the three rivers, so you can loop back without retracing your steps.
5. Fengcai Tower
Fengcai Tower in central Shaoguan was built under the Ming. It stands as one of the city's surviving historic landmarks and is easy to fold into a walk through the centre.
Pair it with the Dajian Monastery, which lies nearby at the opposite end of a pedestrian shopping street, so you can see both on one stroll.
6. Dajian Monastery
The Dajian Monastery was founded in 660 and lies at the opposite end of a pedestrian shopping street from Fengcai Tower. It is closely associated with Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism.
Combine it with Fengcai Tower and the shopping street in a single outing; the two are at either end of the same pedestrian route.
7. Maba Man museum
The town of Maba in Qujiang District has a museum dedicated to Maba Man. The partial skull of Maba Man was discovered by farmers in the 1950s; the hominid lived in the area between 300–100,000 years ago.
Maba is in Qujiang District, the same district as Nanhua Temple, so the two can be visited on the same trip out of the city.
8. Nanling National Forest Park
Nanling National Forest Park lies in Ruyuan Yao Nationality Autonomous County, eight kilometres from the bridge exit of the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway. It is the core zone of the Nanling Mountain range and the only preserved virgin forest in Guangdong.
Developed scenic spots include No.1 Peak in Guangdong, also known as Shikengkong, at an altitude of 1,902 metres, along with Water Loving Valley, Waterfall Groups and Small Yellow Mountain. The park covers 27,300 hectares, so plan for a full day and choose your spots before you arrive.
9. Guangdong Grand Canyon
The Guangdong Grand Canyon is in Dabu Town, Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County, 70 kilometres from the Ruyuan exit of the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway. The canyon runs up to 15 kilometres and is more than 300 metres deep, cut into quartz sandstone.
Be aware that the site is not well maintained: despite the maps you will see, only a very small part of the canyon is accessible, with the rest closed and under guard. It is worth the trip only if you want to see a 100-metre-high but very narrow waterfall.
10. Nine Torrents and Eighteen Shoals
The Nine Torrents and Eighteen Shoals in Pingshi is popular for white-water rafting. It is one of the region's active outdoor options rather than a sight to look at.
Treat it as a wet-weather activity and bring a change of clothes; the source gives no season or price, so confirm locally before you commit a day to it.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Nanhua Temple in Qujiang District, arriving for the 8AM opening to see Huineng's mummified remains and the pilgrimage site before the day fills up. If you have time afterwards, the Maba Man museum is in the same district.
Afternoon: Return to the city and spend an hour or two at Shaoguan Museum on Gongye West Road, then walk the pedestrian shopping street between Fengcai Tower and the Dajian Monastery, seeing both in one pass.
Evening: Finish at the confluence of the Wu and Zhen Rivers, where the rebuilt Tongtian Pagoda stands above the display of the former tower's foundations. Walk the tree-lined riverside esplanades as the light goes, crossing one of the seven bridges to make a loop.
How do I get to Nanhua Temple?
Special express buses run to the temple from Shaoguan East Railway Station. If you arrive at Shaoguan Railway Station, take bus no. 23, or bus no. 309 from Shaoguan South Bus Station.
How do I reach Danxiashan?
Special express buses leave from both Shaoguan Railway Station and Shaoguan East Railway Station, and the journey takes about an hour. The park itself is open 24 hours a day.
When is the best time of year to visit Shaoguan?
Autumns are relatively sunny, while springs are the cloudiest and wettest season and much of the annual rainfall falls from April through June. Winters are short, mild and damp, and significantly cooler than the rest of the province, with freezing rain possible in nearby mountain passes in some years.
Is the Guangdong Grand Canyon worth the trip?
Only if you want to see a 100-metre-high but very narrow waterfall. The site is not really taken care of, and despite the various maps, you will only be able to access a very small part of the canyon, with the rest closed and under guard.
Decide which of these fits your days, check the bus routes from your arrival station, and start planning your trip to Shaoguan.