An evening view of Huizhou, Guangdong Province, January 7, 2024 (Photo by VCG)
Huizhou is a subtropical city surrounded by beaches and countryside with long, hot and humid summers and short, mild and dry winters. The city is conveniently positioned close to the major metropoles of the Greater Bay Area in southern China, with their dynamic and exciting lifestyles, a short trip by rail from urban areas like Guangzhou and Hong Kong. However, unlike those bustling megacities where life can feel tiring and overwhelming at times, Huizhou offers visitors a peaceful and measured lifestyle. With its access to stunning mountains and picturesque seaside, Huizhou offers visitors a tranquil and serene break from the grind of daily life.
For many visitors the main attraction is the West Lake, although it is actually a series of six connected lakes, and has since ancient times been compared in beauty to Hangzhou’s much more famous West Lake. Both cities are fortunate to have such exquisite natural features within their boundaries, and in both cases the lakes are fringed with paths, flower beds, pavilions and small piers. The park acts as a lung to the city, offering respite and recuperation to its citizens. It is therefore little wonder that on days with pleasant weather and blue skies, the shores can become a little busy.
However, in recent decades it is increasingly the coastline lake that attracts visitors to Huizhou. The southern tip of Huizhou stretches along an area known as Daye Bay, with several stunning beaches with long stretches of golden sand. The area includes dozens of islands and coral reefs, making it an excellent destination for snorkeling or scuba diving. One particularly popular spot for snorkeling are the waters around Xiaoxingshan Island in the South China Sea. Although the waters are not necessarily the best in terms of sea life, they are extremely clear and shallow, making them perfect for those who are new to watersports, or nervous swimmers. Xiaoxingshan Island and other similar locations can be reached via one of the many motorboat services that shuttle between the mainland of Huizhou and swimming destinations. With relatively calm and flat waters, the motorboats are able to pick up considerable speed and bounce along the ridges of the waves, ensuring that the boat journeys are as much a part of the experience as the swimming or snorkeling. It is perhaps not surprising that the boat captains strongly encourage their passengers to wear life jackets.
Once safely swimming above the corals of the South China Sea snorkelers and divers are in for an oceanic treat as butterflyfish, wrasse and clownfish swim in harmony with spadefish, soapfish and sardinella. Very lucky visitors might spot moray eels, seahorses or a giant manta ray. While, at least theoretically, there is always a chance of encountering a shark, most South China Sea sharks are quite shy and would be difficult to approach even if one wanted to. The giant whale shark, which can occasionally be found in the waters, is a filter-feeder and harmless to humans. The only potential danger could come from venomous creatures such as lionfish, scorpionfish and sea goblins. While their venom can be fatal, these species are not aggressive unless they are threatened.
After a day on the water, and under it, it is natural that visitors might seek some respite. Thankfully, Huizhou’s tranquil coastline offers numerous top-quality resorts operated by both local and international brands. Many of the best resorts, though not all, are located in Huizhou’s Huidong County. Many resorts, including Le Meridien in Xiaojing Bay, Country Garden Silver Beach Hotel and Dusit Thani Sandalwoods Resort Shuangyue Bay Huizhou, offer both swimming pools and rooms with balconies that overlook pristine sandy beaches. Many of Huizhou’s most popular international and local restaurants are located within resorts near the coast, including Bohemia Restaurant & Bar, Latitude 22 and the Fairyland Restaurant at the Huidong Regal Palace Resort. However, it is always worth exploring beyond the resorts, as there are also plenty of popular restaurants, bars and cafés, including Jojo’s Cafe & Bar, where bagels, pastries and pizzas come highly recommended.
Huizhou also offers hot spring resorts, where visitors can replenish their energy by bathing in naturally warm waters. Some of them, including the Regal Palace Resort Huizhou, are adjacent to sandy beaches, offering visitors the ultimate choice of aquatic worlds. Others, including Cloud Nine Hot Spring, are nestled in the mountains to maximize the sense of serenity and isolation.
While there are plenty of opportunities for relaxation, Huizhou also offers enticing attractions for those who are feeling more active. History lovers would be wise to visit the area known as Pinghai Ancient City, established near the end of the 14th century. Although it is less famous and less visited than many other ancient cities in China, its defensive walls, many of its historical dwellings, and four of its grand gatehouses remain intact from ancient times. This ensures that Pinghai Ancient City has an authenticity than other more “developed” historical sites. History buffs might also be interested in visiting Huizhou’s famous Hejiang Tower, sometimes called Hejiang Attic. This beautiful and historical building towers over the surrounding lake, city and park, lending a clear and unambiguously Chinese context to photographs of the lake’s tranquil waters.
Huizhou is also renowned for its sporting achievements, and many visitors come to test their endurance on a climb up Mount Luofu, one of China’s holy mountains. It is renowned for its connection to historical developments in meditation, traditional Chinese medicine and Choy Lee Fut, a form of kung fu, which is why the mountain attracts a wide range of health-conscious visitors. With the modern world’s stresses and complexities, it is easy to see why so many visitors relish the chance to stretch their legs and burn calories as they cleanse both their souls and their lungs with fresh mountain air. Nevertheless, after a long day of hillwalking, it is easy to understand why so many visitors relish their return to one of Huizhou’s many beach-adjacent resorts for a relaxing evening of fresh seafood and a refreshing ocean breeze.
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