Weekend Getaway: Ultimate Two-Day One-Night Guangzhou Road Trip Guide

The spring of 2020 was unusual. A sudden pandemic made it feel like the whole world had hit pause. All my planned overseas ski trips and other entertainment were cancelled. The saying 'you never know if tomorrow or an accident will come first' made us learn to cherish life and treasure the present. As things gradually improved, I marveled at our country's prosperity and strength, grateful for the hard work of frontline medical staff. The whole nation united to fight the pandemic, and as the number of infections dwindled, the pandemic would eventually be wiped out. Everything will get better.

A spring journey is full of charm. Stepping into spring's footsteps, many little animals begin to stir. Seeing nature's lush greenery, everything reviving, it's a season full of hope. Spring is a great time to travel, and in the Pearl River Delta, Guangzhou is a wonderful getaway.

As a Guangdong girl, travel doesn't have to be far—beautiful scenery is all around. Since my younger sister is still on holiday, I quickly took her on a spontaneous trip. Here's what we did on our two-day journey:

1. Enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea

2. Went boating on the lake at the water park, and took a speedboat ride to feel the breeze

3. Picked vegetables to experience the breath of spring

4. Soaked in our private hot spring pool in the room, safe and hygienic

5. Played in the ball pit at the children's playground

6. Savoured exquisite Chinese cuisine

Day 1: Zhongshan—Zengcheng, Guangzhou—afternoon tea—farm picking—boating—dinner—hot spring

Day 2: breakfast—children's playground—lunch—return trip

It's a one-hour drive from Baiyun Airport, one and a half hours from downtown Guangzhou, and one hour from Guangzhou Railway Station. I chose to drive. During the pandemic, highway tolls were waived, so the 170km from Zhongshan to the hotel took about two hours.

[Forest Sea Hot Spring Resort Hotel]

The hotel's exterior blends harmoniously with the scenery, surrounded by virgin forest, with lake and mountain views. Built in a Southeast Asian resort style, it's a five-star hot spring resort. Newly opened this year, it's a 'water'-themed resort: swimming in summer, hot springs in winter, water fun all year round. The unique water system winds around the hotel, making it interesting in any season. Right next to it is the national 4A scenic area—Baishuizhai Scenic Area. You can see the waterfall of Baishuizhai from the hotel lobby. The air is wonderful. Even though I went on a Monday, many room types were already fully booked, and late check-out wasn't available—that shows how popular it is.

All room types have a hot spring bath, each with a private hot spring and balcony or terrace. Due to the pandemic, many public pools and hot spring areas were closed. This private setup is so thoughtful, providing a comfortable and private experience. Weekend prices are around 1,800 RMB, with villas, mountain-view, lake-view, and family rooms. I stayed in the main building's water-fun king room, a huge 97-square-metre space with a small courtyard where you can soak in the hot spring and drink tea. If you want to enjoy the hot spring early, turn on the water as soon as you enter the room—the pool is huge, fitting more than five people, and it takes over half an hour to fill. Soaking at night relaxes every inch of skin, melting away the stress of daily life. I lay in bed and fell asleep right away.

Before soaking, it's best to shower so your skin better absorbs the beneficial ingredients. Don't soak more than 15 minutes at a time; get up, drink some tea to rehydrate, and then soak again. Repeat 3-4 times for the best effect.

Besides the hot spring rooms, one room type worth mentioning is the family suite. Each floor has a different theme: forest, ocean, and starry sky, letting kids choose themselves. The rooms are duplexes of 100-110 square metres.

Forest family suite: Besides forest-pattern bedding, it has a children's bed (low design). The bathroom has a mini washbasin specially made for kids. The room's big highlight is a two-storey slide! Oh my! You could play all day—it's definitely a child's dream room.

Starry sky family themed room: Mysterious starry blue, stepping inside feels like being there, capturing the childlike heart even of adults. The room has a climbing frame, so the kid's entertainment is taken care of right in the room.

Ocean family duplex themed room: Fresh and natural ocean theme, cute decor, all ocean elements, spacious. Not only has a private hot spring, but is surrounded by a 180-degree swimming pool. Open the courtyard door and you're in the water. You're in the guest room, your feet are in the pool—water fun is that close!

Besides the family room amenities, the hotel's children's playground has many fun projects kids love. Parents can 'drop' the little ones in; they won't want to leave for hours, haha.

Coming to Forest Sea Hot Spring Hotel, the hot spring is naturally the main event. Apart from the small private hot spring in the room for privacy, the hotel has a hot spring centre with indoor and outdoor areas totalling 13,000 square metres, with comprehensive facilities. The water is mildly alkaline and rich in trace elements beneficial to health. Due to the pandemic, it was not open to the public at the time.

Growing up, I always yearned for the high-rises and bustling traffic of the city. But after growing up, I want to return to nature, to the countryside. At Forest Sea Hot Spring Hotel, you can enjoy spring. Looking out, a large field of rapeseed flowers, layers of green leaves holding up a sea of tender yellow blossoms, exudes a rustic countryside charm. The rich floral scent is intoxicating. My sister and I picked vegetables and strolled in the garden, cherishing our time together in nature.

The hotel is surrounded by mountains and water, so water activities are a must: lake bikes, kayaks, and speedboats. Water lovers will definitely have all their desires met—you can play to your heart's content! Opening hours: 13:30–17:30.

The hotel's 'All-Day Dining Restaurant' was a delightful surprise. With a view of the swimming pool, exquisite desserts, and top-notch butler service, my sister and I enjoyed the view and took photos over afternoon tea. This is what a perfect holiday should be.

For dinner, we went to the Chinese restaurant on the second floor. The decor, dish preparation, naming, and presentation were all carefully considered, highlighting Zengcheng's unique culture. The variety was rich.

Waking up the next day, the breakfast was very abundant, with delicate salads, breads, Chinese and Western pastries, etc., definitely energising, satisfying all age groups in the family.

On this trip, besides experiencing the hotel's new services, the most important thing was spending time with my sister. We sisters hadn't travelled together like this in a long time. Because of the pandemic, everyone had extra free time. As an older sister, I could take my sister to experience new and wonderful things, raising her awareness of quality living and adding to our shared memories.