韶关市

Why this place

Shaoguan is the main city of northern Guangdong, and beside it is Danxia Mountain — the place that gave its name to the whole 'danxia' landform type, red sandstone peaks and cliffs that glow at sunrise. It is the most beautiful landscape in Guangdong.

What to see

• Danxia Mountain — the red sandstone peaks above the Jinjiang River, with a boat trip along the base
• Nanhua Temple, the ancestral temple of the Sixth Patriarch of Zen, Huineng
• The Meiguan ancient road, the old pass between Guangdong and Jiangxi
• Zhuji Lane, where many Cantonese families trace their migration from the north

What to eat

• Northern Guangdong cooking — often spicier than Cantonese
• Shaoguan is known for its 'Nanxiong' cured duck and its mountain vegetables

Best time

October–December and March–April; Danxia is hot and crowded in summer