A Hidden Forest Paradise in the Pearl River Delta: Guangdong's Southeast Asian-Style Little Bali ~ A Romantic Forest Sea Hot Spring Getaway

📍 Guangzhou · 👁 6 reads · ❤️ 46 likes

If you want to experience the romantic atmosphere of Southeast Asia, then head to Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort Hotel!

A hidden forest sanctuary in the Pearl River Delta, just a one-hour drive from Qingyuan, Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Foshan. It's an ideal destination for a Guangdong getaway, perfect for couples and family trips. This place brims with summery vibes, featuring a European-style water Venice park and a Southeast Asian-style Little Bali. It's a romantic retreat where you can soak up an intensely romantic mood.

This trip is planned as a 2-day, 1-night journey starting from Guangzhou, mainly focused on hot spring relaxation. I'll stay at Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort Hotel and visit the nearby Baishui Village scenic area. The itinerary is quite relaxed. The weather has been wonderful lately, so it's time for a spontaneous weekend escape.

11:00 Depart from Guangzhou

12:30 Arrive at Forest Sea Hotel, park in the open-air lot at the entrance

13:00 Check in, settle into a Waterfall View Room

14:00 Indulge in a French-style afternoon tea

15:00 Experience organic orchard fruit picking

16:00 Enjoy water park activities: kayaking, speedboat rides, water cycling

17:00 The core attraction: soaking in hot springs, including a rose pool and treehouse hot spring pool

18:00 Savor dinner at the new Chinese-style restaurant

21:00 Unwind with a joyful KTV session

8:00 Wake up, ease away fatigue with a hot spring dip

9:00 Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast at the all-day dining restaurant

10:00 Head to Baishui Village scenic area for a 2-hour tour to admire the famous sights~

11:30 Return to the hotel's Chinese restaurant for lunch

13:00 Check out and leave luggage at the front desk, then enjoy free time around the hotel

15:00 Journey back to Guangzhou

For those departing from within Guangdong, four cities are quite close to Zengcheng: Guangzhou, Qingyuan, Dongguan, and Foshan, all about a one-hour drive away. There are two quick ways to reach Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort: self-driving or public metro. Taking the metro, you can transfer via Conghua; the entire trip takes 1.5 hours.

Metro route:

From Guangzhou Railway Station: Take Line 2 towards Jiahe Wanggang, transfer to Line 14 towards Dongfeng at Jiahe Wanggang. Exit at Dongfeng Metro Station, D1 exit, a 1 hour 15-minute metro ride. From Dongfeng Metro Station, take bus no. 13 towards Baishui Village, alight at Baishui Village Road intersection bus stop. Walk 1.5 km to Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort Hotel. The fastest option is to catch a ride-share from Conghua to the hotel, about a 15-minute drive costing around 20 yuan per person.

Self-drive route: Take the Guanghe Expressway and Guanshen Expressway, exit at Guancun, and then drive 7 km to the scenic area.

If you could wake up each morning to birdsong, breathe air filtered by nature's oxygen bar all day, and then drift off in the profound silence of the night, would you choose such a place and never want to leave?

DAY 1: Check-in – French Afternoon Tea – Orchard Picking – Lake Cruise – Hot Springs

Guangzhou Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort Hotel opened in 2019, nestled in Paitan Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou, 14 km from Baishui Village scenic area. Connected to Nankun Mountain, the Forest Sea Hot Spring resort features a European-style water Venice, where you can jump into a swimming pool right from your balcony. It also boasts a Southeast Asian-style tropical rainforest Little Bali, a romantic getaway perfect for couples, complete with natural eco-lake water activities.

Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort carries the ideal of symbiosis with nature, taking the forest as its backdrop. It creates a multi-dimensional holiday destination that integrates natural living, dining, leisure, wellness hot springs, and cultural ecology, offering travelers a diverse forest experience.

The negative ion content in the resort area reaches as high as 42.85mg/L. Every breath here is so pure. It provides excellent wellness benefits, beautifying the skin, enhancing looks, and soothing nervous tension.

The hotel now has 341 luxurious rooms, including 118 hot spring rooms, 36 waterside villas, and three themed parent-child duplex suites. The forest, starry sky, and ocean themes incorporate design elements that delight children's playful hearts.

Each room features a private hot spring pool, ensuring high privacy while you soak and gaze at the beautiful scenery. The resort boasts 58 Instagram-worthy hot springs with four major themes: boathouse hot springs, treehouse sky hot springs, lantern bubble pool hot springs, and islet hot springs. The hotel also offers Chinese and Western all-day dining, French afternoon tea, a tea room, spa, chess and card games, KTV, a water park, and other entertainment facilities.

Staying in a Waterfall View Room, you step onto the balcony to see the mountain waterfall opposite. That mountain is Baishui Village scenic area, adjacent to Nankun Mountain. Surrounded by hills and nestled by water, in the early morning mist wraps around the slopes, giving an ethereal aura. It echoes Li Bai's poem: "Sunlight on Mount Incense Basket kindles violet smoke; from afar I watch the waterfall hang before the river. Its flying stream descends three thousand feet, as if the Silver River had fallen from ninth heaven." The mountain views perfectly capture the mood.

The room's hardware is top-notch. Every room has a balcony with a private hot spring pool for strong privacy. You can soak while viewing the mountain scenery across the way. Open the door and you can gaze at the hillscape directly from the balcony. Nature's oxygen bar flows straight into the room, cozy and inviting.

The thoughtful butler-style service is warm; staff greet everyone politely, making you feel very welcomed. Even in an unfamiliar place, there's no sense of alienation—the experience is excellent.

After a hot spring soak, lying back on a rattan chair, feeling the cool breeze, is truly pleasant. Brew a pot of tea, read a book, and you can sit all afternoon—this is what travel should be, embracing the slow life.

The room's toilet and shower are separated for wet and dry areas, and bathrobes are provided.

Three parent-child duplex themed rooms: combining land, sea, and air elements with forest, starry sky, and ocean motifs that resonate with children's playful world, sparking curiosity and fun. The charming animated designs bring joy to the little ones.

There are slides, climbing ladders, and stylistic elements. Each parent-child room has a private balcony with a hot spring pool, connected to the water Venice swimming channel. The in-room entertainment facilities enhance interaction between parents and children, creating happy childhood memories. Kids can also play independently, freeing parents to relax—very convenient.

The ocean-themed design features blue and white hues, with a light blue main tone that exudes summery vibes. Sailboats, little fish, oars, and steering wheels are all ocean elements.

The room spans about 92 square meters, split over two floors. The first floor has two 1.8m double beds, while the second has a 1.2m bed, ideal for a family of four.

The bathroom also follows the ocean theme, with blue-white marble and wet-dry separation. The vanity includes lovely children's toiletries, much to the kids' delight.

The room is bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views inside. The windows connect to a balcony with a spacious private hot spring pool, perfect for family soaks. The ground-floor parent-child rooms link directly to the water Venice swimming channel.

Open the gate and you can jump right into the pool: hot springs in winter, swimming in summer—two distinct experiences. Each room has an independent balcony and hot spring pool for high privacy.

Forest-style room design centers on trees and greenery, with a green color palette. Green-decorated slides, lampshades, and elf chairs set the scene. The duplex "triangular treehouse" children's room has a 1.3m bed on the upper floor suitable for kids, and a 1.8m double bed on the lower floor, fitting a family of three.

The forest room comes with a children's slide for endless evening fun. The steep slide is fast, so you don't need stairs—it takes you straight to the ground floor. The indoor play facilities satisfy children's innocent playfulness.

The starry sky room design revolves around outer space: the nine planets, space, space capsules, the galaxy, stars, astronauts—an educational theme that captivates children. Look up and see the Milky Way; push open the door and it's like stepping into a wondrous world.

It involuntarily reminds you of the comedy series "The Orville," with its funny Ukranian couple, giving a sense of immersion and feeding children's curiosity about outer space.

The star room features a climbing net, a physically demanding activity that builds kids' endurance. The upper floor is a space capsule room with nine planets painted on the wall, sparking children's whimsical thoughts before bedtime and nurturing their interest in the cosmos.

The upper bed is a 1.8m double, and the lower floor has two 1.2m beds, suitable for a family of four. The balcony and hot spring pool are spacious enough for kids to play.

Southeast Asian-style Bali design, tropical rainforest summery vibes. Full of summer flair, you can experience Southeast Asian romance without flying to Bali. The lakeside villas are standalone units with open-air private courtyards, offering ample space.

Each villa courtyard includes a private hot spring pool and swimming pool. The space is large and private; hot spring pools have curtains for wind, light, and privacy protection. It's perfect for honeymoons and travel photoshoots.

In the morning, enjoy a sumptuous floating breakfast in a pool sprinkled with rose petals. The sweet, romantic atmosphere is palpable. On a summer morning, sunbathe by the courtyard pool and feel the warmth of the sun.

From the second-floor balcony of the villa, you can gaze out over the lake, where coconut palms lining the shore evoke the breezy feel of Hawaii. In spring, picnicking on the lawn under the coconut trees is a wonderful experience.

A trip to Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort wouldn't be complete without experiencing the afternoon tea. The tea lounge is connected to the lobby, so you can enjoy your tea while taking in the beautiful views outside—a perfect way to savor a leisurely afternoon.

The desserts here are distinctive, with both Chinese and Western sweets, plus bubble tea—a touch of petite bourgeois lifestyle.

The Chinese-style dessert box combines traditional design elements. The bamboo steamer-style box has four compartments, and the red Chinese gift box looks very upscale, as red symbolizes "good luck."

In the garden at the hotel entrance, fruits and vegetables are grown, ideal for family-friendly picking activities. The vegetables used in the hotel come from this on-site garden: pure, natural, organic produce—hand-planted, green, and additive-free.

Even at the hotel, you can experience the joys of countryside fields and educate children about fruits and vegetables, all while capturing fresh, pastoral-style photos.

The range of recreational activities in the scenic area can keep you entertained for an afternoon: water cycling, kayaking, and speedboat rides. Fun and engaging, kayaking and water cycling require teamwork of two or more, making them great for team building and boosting cooperation.

Paddling solo is quite strenuous. Opting for a speedboat lake cruise is really fun—feeling the cool breeze and admiring the lake views. The on-site activities are plentiful enough to fill an afternoon.

There's water cycling, kayaking, and speedboat rides, all fun and interesting. Kayaking and water cycling need at least two people, fostering teamwork and making it a good spot for team outings.

Paddling alone is tiring. I chose the speedboat cruise, which was genuinely enjoyable—wind in your face, taking in the scenery. A full lake circuit takes about eight minutes, passing the surrounding lakeside sights. The views are delightful. Always wear a life jacket during water activities; safety first!

Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort Hotel's signature theme is, of course, the hot springs—a haven for wellness and recuperation. The scenic area boasts 58 Instagram-famous functional hot spring pools of high-quality design. Pretty social media influencers love to check in here.

Soaking in hot springs: four major themes—boathouse hot springs, treehouse hot springs, lantern bubble hot springs, and islet hot springs. The hot springs can soothe away your tiredness.

The treehouse hot spring, with its bird's nest-inspired design built on a treehouse, has a water temperature of 33°C. The backdrop of the sky treehouse hot spring pool features a lantern design, an ingeniously crafted garden-style aesthetic that makes for impressive photos. Soaking for 30–40 minutes is ideal; too long may cause dizziness or chest tightness.

The islet hot spring has a pool surface sprinkled with rose petals, offering beautifying and skin-nourishing effects. Near the hot spring pool, fruit tea is provided—enjoy a cup after soaking for an uplifted mood. Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort Hotel's core theme is its hot springs, a wellness sanctuary.

Inside the hot spring area, there are 58 trendy functional pools, all of premium quality. Many attractive influencers come here to pose. The four hot spring themes—boathouse, treehouse, lantern bubble, and islet—can ease fatigue.

The hot spring hotel also has an indoor temperature-controlled swimming pool, letting you enjoy swimming in both summer and winter. The thoughtful amenities include lockers for belongings, with fresh towels and slippers.

At the grooming station for drying hair, you'll find a hairdryer, towels, combs, and hair ties—very considerate. The elephants and rabbits made from towels on the vanity are adorable. It's clear the hotel pays great attention to detail.

The staff in the hot spring area are especially polite and warm. The overall service quality and facilities are high-class, delivering an excellent experience.

Even in the hot spring center, the familiar shampoo and shower gel are available. The shower gel leaves a lingering fragrance, rinsing clean. The shampoo is creamy and works well.

18:00 Dinner is on the second floor of the lobby, in a new Chinese-style design. The color scheme and elements feel somewhat Japanese, with warm yellow lighting. The overall ambiance is bright, cozy, and of high quality.

Forest Sea's fish and shrimp dishes come from the natural stone quarry lake within the scenic area, all purely natural and organically farmed. The chef uses three sections of the fish—head, middle, and tail—to create four dishes with distinct flavors. The restaurant's menu blends Cantonese and Chinese-Western cuisine; the head chef is an international chef with top-notch skills.

The full fish banquet employs three cooking methods: fried fish tail, sour fish soup, and fish sashimi. The presentation is exquisite and exceptionally delicious. The sour fish soup is truly unforgettable, with lemon adding zest.

The restaurant's signature dish is roast pigeon, a well-known delicacy in Guangzhou. It emphasizes roasting technique and the texture of the meat. I love the pigeon here best—fragrant, tasty, and not greasy.

Dipping it in spiced salt enhances the flavor. If you're worried about oiliness, eat a slice of dumpling afterward to cleanse the palate. Desserts follow the meal: durian pastry and double-skin milk. The double-skin milk is authentic, with a rich milky aroma, silky smooth, and topped with peas—especially delicious.

Exquisite dishes fuse Chinese and Western styles.

The boneless chicken feet use black-boned chicken, seasoned with spiced salt—super tasty, though the portion is a bit small.

After a day of fun, shake off fatigue and relax with singing. Here, not only is there joyful KTV but also chess and card games—perfect for gatherings with friends or team-building events. The KTV room is spacious, clean, with excellent sound quality and no odors, making it very comfortable.

【Hotel Hot Springs】 Easing Body and Mind

After waking at 8:00 am and freshening up, the most relaxing thing to do is soak in a hot spring, relieving yesterday's tiredness and leaving you energized for another vibrant day.

In the morning, pulling back the curtains reveals a mountain-facing view. Opposite, the Baishui Village waterfall is shrouded in mist among the surrounding hills. A refreshing feeling washes over you, lifting your mood.

While bathing in the hot spring, you can enjoy the mountain scenery of Baishui Village waterfall. Embrace the slow pace of a holiday getaway. A morning soak of about 20 minutes is best; don't stay too long.

Afterward, rest on a rattan chair for 15 minutes, listening to music, feeling the sunlight slant onto the balcony and the warmth on your face. Shed your fatigue and savor the slow life of a hot spring retreat—so relaxing!

A wonderful day starts with breakfast. At 9:00, head to the all-day dining restaurant. The modern, minimalist open-kitchen design offers a rich buffet: fruit station, cold dish station, noodle station, whole grain station, and beverage station, clearly laid out.

The breakfast spread is abundant with many choices, suiting diverse tastes and allowing guests to build a nutritious meal according to their preferences.

At 10:00, set off for Baishui Village scenic area, just 2.1 km and a 10-minute drive from Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort. This must-visit spot near the resort is a natural scenic area known as the "No.1 Ladder in Southern Tian"—Tian Nan Di Yi Ti. It features the largest vertical waterfall on inland China, Baishui Waterfall, and challenges visitors to climb the 9,999-step stairway. Called nature's oxygen bar, the negative ion content reaches 112,500 per cubic centimeter, ranking first among Guangdong's scenic spots.

There are three hiking routes:

The first, the 9,999-step Southern Tian ladder, is the hardest. As Guangdong's longest hiking trail, it stretches about 6.6 km, crosses three mountains, and connects two large sky lakes, offering views of mountain and water beauty along the way. The second is the country's only waterside plank road built from old ship timber, letting you enjoy waterscape vistas. The third is the battery car sightseeing route, the most time-saving and easiest way up.

If you'd rather not climb, you can explore the water valley near the scenic area entrance. At the foot of the mountain, the rocks and trees are painted with various colorful murals: hippos, lions, elves, adding whimsy to the pristine valley and filling it with fairytale world charm—a great spot for family fun. The painted water valley is a hit with children, igniting their imaginations.

01 Transport from Guangzhou to Baishui Village

1) Most economical way – Train (Guangzhou Station). Take Guangzhou Metro Line 2, transfer to Line 14, alight at Conghua Bus Station, then take bus no. 13 towards Baishui Village, getting off at Baishui Village Road intersection. Buses run every 30 minutes.

2) Quickest way – Self-drive. Guangzhou - Jingzhu Expressway - Jiebei Expressway (Jiekou exit) - National Highway 105 - Wennan Road - Baishui Village.

02 Preparations before arriving at Baishui Village

1) It's advisable to bring food and water. The trails are all uphill in lush areas with many insects, so pack some repellent or mosquito spray.

2) The midday sun is strong; apply sunscreen for UV protection.

3) If you aim for the summit, start early in the morning. The 9,999-step ladder is quite challenging; taking the battery car is the easiest and quickest option.

03 Photo Tips

1) For photo-loving travelers, prepare brightly colored outfits and accessories in advance. The scenic area's Southeast Asian flair, water Venice, and hot spring pools offer many photo backdrops for stunning shots.

2) The hot spring pools and water Venice are incredibly photogenic. Use a camera or high-resolution phone for best results, and don't forget to bring your own swimsuit.

Travelogue Contents

1. Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort Hotel 【Forest Secret Realm】

2. Check-in: Waterfall View Room

3. 【Parent-Child Duplex Themed Rooms】 Multi-element animation themes

4. Ocean Wind Theme

5. Forest Jungle Theme

6. Starry Sky Theme

7. 【Southeast Asian Flair】 Romantic couple getaway theme

8. 【French Afternoon Tea】 Petite bourgeoisie lifestyle

9. 【Orchard Picking】 Family-friendly pastoral scenery

10. 【Water Park】 Lake cruise – enjoy emerald waters and picturesque mountains

11. 【Soaking in Hot Springs】 A wellness and recuperation sanctuary