Unlock a 1.5-Hour Self-Drive Family Getaway from Guangzhou: Enjoy Forest Sea and Baishuizhai on the Tropic of Cancer

From the end of last year to now, all my travel plans have been canceled, flights and hotels refunded. It makes my heart bleed. When will the trips I've been longing for get back on track and actually happen? In April, the epidemic situation in Guangzhou began to improve, and I saw a glimmer of hope. Online, I spotted a newly opened family-themed hotel with in-room slides, hot spring pools, and water passages, which was very appealing. The location is also very close to Guangzhou, just a 1.5-hour drive, so a two-day weekend trip won't feel rushed. Plus, it's only 2 kilometers from the famous negative-ion oxygen bar, Baishuizhai Scenic Area, which we could visit along the way. I felt this was the perfect time to strike, so I decided to take my child and elderly family members on a trip. As usual, let me start with a wave of photo previews!

In April, Guangzhou gradually feels the breath of summer. The bright sunshine not only dispels the gloom of the virus but also my exhaustion. Lazing around any longer would make me restless. Taking advantage of the good weather, I had to take the kids out for some fun! Just 2 kilometers from Baishuizhai Scenic Area, there's a newly opened family-themed hotel: Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort. With a three-dimensional theme of sea, land, and air, it's a unique parent-child and hot spring resort in South China. Within the hotel grounds, you can enjoy not only your room but also many fun public facilities, fully meeting the standards for a family trip.

As Guangzhou locals, we're not used to getting up early. We slept until about 9 a.m. naturally, had a hearty homemade brunch, packed up, and set off right at noon. The resort is in Paitan Town, Zengcheng. From Guangzhou, take the Ring Expressway or Huanan Expressway onto the Guanghe Expressway, exit at Guancun Station, and drive about 3 kilometers to reach Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort.

Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort opened at the end of last year. Due to the impact of the pandemic, the overall opening slowed down. Out of over 300 planned rooms, only half were opened. Now that tourism is gradually recovering, resort-style hotels are naturally among the first to benefit. Although the day we went was not a weekend, it was still very busy.

We stayed in the Ocean Room representing 'Sea' (we also visited other themed rooms; I'll introduce them all later). With a refreshing seaside theme, it's dominated by light blue tones and decorated with elements like the ocean, ships, and fish. The room's back balcony connects to a swimming waterway, allowing you to enter the water directly from the room—a very unique design. However, in April the weather was still cool, so the waterway was closed and will reopen around the May Day holiday, something to look forward to.

The family-themed rooms are all duplexes, with a 1.5-meter double bed on both the first and second floors, comfortably suiting a family of three or four, and even bringing along elderly members without space issues.

The sink counter is designed at different heights, the beds and sofas are relatively low, and details like night lights and bedside outlets are well considered, showing the operator's child-centered mindset.

The Forest Room representing 'Land' is a highlight. Inside, there's a slide from the second floor to the first. The same kind of slide room first appeared at the Crowne Plaza Sanya Haitang Bay, and this is the second one in China. Kids can't resist slides. The entrance to the slide is right next to the 'treehouse,' making you feel like you're in a deep forest. Even this old mother couldn't help but slide down.

Tips: The slide has a certain slope and fast speed. Adults must try it first to gauge the speed before guiding children, to avoid minor accidents.

The Starry Sky Room representing 'Air' is my favorite. The ceiling and walls are set against a starry backdrop, with decorations and cushions incorporating cosmic elements. There are also the nine planets on the wall with their English names, allowing kids to learn while playing. Inside, there's a net climbing area connecting the two floors, a bit challenging for younger kids. My three-year-old daughter fumbled for a long time before mastering the climbing technique and finally could play freely.

Tips: The Starry Sky Room has an extra bed compared to the other two types—two double beds on the ground floor and a single bed upstairs—making it more suitable for a 'big family' and comfortable with elderly members. Each of the three room types has its own charm. The Forest Room is the most expensive and popular, but personally, I prefer the Starry Sky Room.

Guangdong people love soaking in hot springs. The Zengcheng area has natural hot spring sources and is a famous hot spring town, including well-known hotels like Golden Leaf, and Forest Sea is also a hot spring resort. The most distinctive feature is the outdoor birdcage hot spring area. Uniquely designed birdcages are set in the trees, allowing you to enjoy the scenery while soaking. All the pools are specially treated to create different bathing atmospheres and effects. Each pool has a real-time thermometer, giving me peace of mind as a mother.

The hot spring entrance is on the basement level (same as the parking lot). You can take the elevator from any building to the basement and walk over. Remember to bring your room wristband. Since the hot springs are open to the public, the changing room in the public area is very large. The staff even folded towels into various cute little animals.

After passing through the changing room, you enter the indoor swimming pool and hot spring area. The swimming pool is a standard one but the water is a bit cool. Although open year-round, it's recommended for summer swimming. There are three indoor hot spring pools, not very large, but since there weren't many guests, it was very comfortable. There's also a large relaxation area with massage chairs.

While we were soaking, a staff member brought us some water, saying it's important to stay hydrated during hot spring bathing—very thoughtful. They also asked if we wanted fruit. We said yes, and they brought several plates. We couldn't finish it all. The service was really attentive, and I hope this level of service can continue into the peak season.

The outdoor hot springs feature birdcage designs, each with a pool that can hold about 5-6 people. Bathing in the sun is especially pleasant. There's a temperature display beside each pool, so you can choose a suitable one based on your preference. There weren't many visitors, so we 'occupied' a birdcage all afternoon. The two kids played in the water while I sunbathed on a lounge chair. It felt like I hadn't had such a wonderful holiday in a long time.

After the hot springs, we enjoyed a delicious 'ladies' afternoon tea. When we arrived at the restaurant, colorful little cakes and snacks were already prepared. Sunlight streaming through the bright floor-to-ceiling windows made the food look extra inviting. I didn't get to take many photos before they dug in eagerly. Both in appearance and taste, this afternoon tea was top-notch. It's rare to find such quality at a non-luxury resort.

After the tea, it was time to burn off energy. Opposite the hotel, there was a hidden vegetable patch growing choy sum, mugwort, eggplants, peppers, and more. The kids were most interested in 'veggie picking.' A large eggplant garden looked ordinary, but it hid many long, plump eggplants. We each couldn't resist picking a basket to take home. Some of the hotel restaurant's produce comes from this organic garden, which is why it's especially fresh and sweet, and guests can eat with confidence.

There's also a man-made lake at the resort, with water bikes, kayaks, speedboats, and other recreational activities. Life jackets come in small, medium, and large sizes, so kids of any age can enjoy boating. The calm lake reflects the blue sky and white clouds, with the backdrop of Baishuizhai's waterfall. A spring breeze blows gently. You don't necessarily need to row a boat; even sitting by the lake is a pleasure.

After playing all day, I was exhausted and just wanted a motorboat ride on the lake. But my daughter was full of energy and insisted on a water bike. I knew she was too small to pedal, so I nearly had a meltdown. Luckily, another young lady in our group was interested, which spared me from the misery of pedaling alone.

For a Cantonese person, eating is crucial, and good food is a highlight of a trip! After the lovely afternoon tea, I had full confidence in the hotel's cuisine, but the dinner surpassed expectations—masterpiece-level, with flawless presentation, appearance, and flavor, truly worthy of a five-star hotel.

The dishes also showcased local specialties, with a fish feast as the hotel's signature. Shikuang Lake, located in the Baishuizhai Scenic Area, is rich in minerals and nutrients. The fish there are plump and springy. The hotel chefs master various cooking methods like baking, stewing, braising, and boiling. Among all the dishes, I loved the poached fish in chili oil—just the right spice, suiting Cantonese palates. There's also seasonal health soup. They prepare special soups based on seasonal vegetables and herbs. We ordered mugwort and lean pork soup, nourishing and delicious! Enough talk, let the photos speak!

KTV and mahjong rooms are standard in resorts. Here, they're on the basement level, with about 10 KTV rooms of various sizes, equipped similarly to regular KTVs but newer, better suiting young people's tastes. When we arrived, beer, snacks, fruit platters, and entertainment props were all ready, just missing the music, you, and me.

Forest Sea is also beautiful at night. After singing, I snapped a photo on the way back to my room—it felt wonderful!

Because I had set a small goal to conquer the nearby Baishuizhai's 'First Stairway in Southern China' the next day, I got up early. The hotel has a buffet breakfast with a spacious dining area and a wide variety of dishes, both Chinese and Western. Even the eggs came in four or five styles: boiled, fried, braised, and pig trotter ginger egg. There were many cheeses and fresh seasonal fruits, leaving me a bit spoilt for choice! Haha.

What touched me most was that besides regular plates, they prepared car-shaped trays especially for children. The kids were overjoyed and ate heartily—every mother's wish. I truly appreciate the hotel's thoughtful touch.

Hotel name: Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort

Transport: Self-driving is more convenient, only 1.5 hours from Guangzhou. Public transport: Metro Line 3 (Jiahe Wanggang Station) – transfer to Line 14 to Conghua Passenger Station, Exit A. Walk 800 meters left to Conghua Bus Terminal (express bus stops only 3 stops), then take Bus 13 (Rongcun Station). Walk 110 meters to Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort.

Booking offer: There's currently a second-night-free policy, equivalent to a 50% discount, super value. Now is the right time to stock up on rooms.

A silver ribbon hangs amidst the lush greenery, where ten thousand stone steps begin.

This is my impression of Baishuizhai. A silvery fairy waterfall cascades from a thousand-meter-high peak, as light and graceful as a white silk ribbon, hence the name 'Baishui' (White Water). The scenic area has a significant drop; apart from a small section of waterside boardwalks, most paths consist of stone steps, ascending 9,999 steps in total, revered as the 'First Stairway in Southern China.'

I've been here five times already, each time wanting to conquer all 9,999 steps, but each time I failed, with my best record only 2,500 steps. It's quite embarrassing. Today, taking children makes it even harder. I can only cherish this parent-child moment!

Baishuizhai is located at 23 degrees north latitude, just a hair away from the Tropic of Cancer at 23°26′. The mountain forests here exhibit subtropical rainforest characteristics—tall, dense, with abundant rainfall supporting diverse flora, creating a natural oxygen bar. The air negative ion count reaches 112,500 per cubic centimeter, ranking first among Guangdong scenic spots, earning it the title 'Emerald on the Tropic of Cancer.'

Today's Baishuizhai presents a serene and beautiful appearance, but long ago, it was a volcanic eruption site. At the mountain base, there are many strangely shaped boulders—ancient volcanic rocks hidden for millennia, now exposed to form a boulder field. Ten thousand years ago, underground magma didn't break through the thick crust and cooled deep below, forming columnar crystals. Through weathering, erosion, and other forces, these massive magma rocks developed joints (small fractures), which over time shifted, eventually causing the rocks to break into variously shaped boulders.

This ancient boulder field lies within a 'Fairy Tale Forest' full of colorful graffiti. The rocks and tree trunks here are painted with vibrant patterns, all created by local children and then reproduced on nature by professionals. Frogs, rabbits, elephants—not masterpieces, but vivid and lively. Walking along the boardwalk through this childlike forest, I felt like a kid again, seeing the world with innocent eyes. It felt especially simple and wonderful.

In mid-April, Guangzhou hits 25°C, perfect for enjoying the cool stream water. A wooden waterside platform is built right in the rushing stream, allowing water to splash up. But each wooden plank has a centimeter-wide gap for drainage. This design lets people get close to the babbling brook while eliminating the danger of standing directly in the water, so kids can play safely—very thoughtful!

I'm no mountain climber and never aimed to finish all 9,999 steps. Actually, every stretch of the trail reveals different beautiful views; just follow your own pace. Hiking along the trail, aside from the children's laughter, there's the roar of the waterfall. After the recent Qingming rains, water levels have risen. Wherever there's a drop, water rushes down with a thundering sound, especially at the 599-step Shuanglonghui and the 899-step Baishuizhai Xiaobai, with drops of 3-5 meters—truly magnificent.

Throughout the hike, I could see the fairy waterfall above but couldn't reach it. I've always been curious about its source. Surrounded by dense forests with no vehicle access, it can't be a reservoir. The waterfall doesn't seem to have a huge volume, so it's unlikely a lake. Could it be a river? Later, a local told me there are two large quarry lakes up there, rich in minerals, nurturing the plump and tender fish. The waterfall source lies between the two lakes. Because the spot isn't large, the flow is modest, creating the fairy waterfall spectacle. Is that true? Since I haven't seen it myself, it remains a mystery to me.

[Baishuizhai Visit Guide]

1. Tickets: Adults 60 yuan, children 30 yuan, free for seniors over 65, parking 10 yuan per vehicle. Purchase online; you can also buy on-site, but bring your ID.

2. Recommended self-drive: Take Guanghe Expressway and exit at Guancun, then drive 3 kilometers. From downtown Guangzhou, it's about 1.5 hours. Public transport: At Fangcun Bus Terminal in Guangzhou, there's a direct bus to Baishuizhai (Zengcheng Paitan Town), fare 45 yuan, about 2 hours.

3. There are many restaurants near the highway exit, but inside the scenic area, due to the pandemic, shops and snack stalls were closed. If you plan a long hike, bring your own water and snacks. At step 1199, there's a simple stall selling only long-stored dry food, as it has no electricity or water.

4. Originally, there was a shuttle bus to the reservoir at step 4999, but it's suspended due to the pandemic. The entire area is walking-only.

5. Lifebuoys and life jackets are along the path. If you fall in, remember to use them.

Such a short two-day holiday is hardly enough to make up for the long homebound suffering, but good times must end. I can only share the joy of the journey with everyone, hoping that for the upcoming May Day holiday, you'll all have a wonderful vacation!

Finally, I almost forgot to mention: the resort also has a children's play area. The space isn't huge, but it has everything you'd expect. Let a few pictures speak for themselves!

Travelogue Contents

1. Before the Travelogue

2. Travelogue Begins: Guangzhou Self-Drive Departure

3. Sea, Land, and Air Fully Crafted Family-Themed Rooms

4. A Relaxing Holiday Starts with a Soak in the Hot Springs

5. Delightful Ladylike Afternoon Tea

6. Fun Family Picking and Boating on the Lake

7. Top-Notch Group Meal, Chef's Masterpieces No Less Than Star Hotels

8. Post-Meal Singing, Unleashing the Desire for Vacation

9. A Day Full of Vitality Starts with a Delicious Breakfast

10. "Emerald on the Tropic of Cancer" Baishuizhai Fairy Waterfall

11. Ancient Boulder Field Hidden for Millennia and Family Fairy Tale Forest

12. Ten Thousand Steps Begin Underfoot

13. Epilogue: Reluctant Farewell to the Holiday

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