河源市

Why this place

Heyuan holds the Xinfengjiang reservoir, which supplies much of the water that Hong Kong, China uses — the city is bound to its southern neighbour by a pipeline. It is mountain country with a large lake and few people.

What to see

• Xinfengjiang reservoir, one of the largest artificial lakes in China, with forested islands
• The Hakka villages and the old walled houses of the surrounding hills
• Wanlu Lake and the hot springs of the mountain parks

What to eat

• Hakka and Cantonese cooking, with the local reservoir fish
• Heyuan is known for its 'checai' (pickled vegetables) and its rice wine

Best time

October–December and March–April