Guangzhou Just 1 Hour Away | Recommended Self-Drive Routes and Hotels for the Spring Festival Holiday in the Province～

Winter vacation is here, can Spring Festival be far behind? Finding a place to take the kids is a top priority! Zengcheng has always been the top choice for a Guangdong getaway.

Warm winter sunshine, perfect timing—don’t let this wonderful season slip away. Take a trip with your family and welcome the New Year together!

Just 1 hour from Guangzhou! Here hides the “longed-for life” we dream of.

Baishuizhai is a famous scenic spot in Zengcheng, boasting the waterfall with the greatest drop in mainland China. Enjoy the alpine coolness, crisp air, and clear mountain waters here. It’s said that Baishuizhai even has the highest concentration of negative air ions in Guangdong.

True to its name, flowing water greets you everywhere at Baishuizhai.

The water here is crystal clear and lively, washing the mountain forests until they are clean, bright, and beautifully verdant.

The most challenging attraction at Baishuizhai is the 9,999-step “First Ladder Under Heaven” hiking trail. Stretching across three high mountains and connecting two great sky lakes, it spans 6.6 kilometers.

Stroll along the paths at Baishuizhai, splash with your kids in the waterside play area at the foot of the mountain, or sit quietly on the lakeside lawn and soak in the forest atmosphere…

Lavender Forest World, Water Fun World,

Health Retreat Center, Erlong Mountain Residence, Wildlife Park, Glass Sky Bridge—

the first forest glass sky bridge in Guangzhou, 150 meters long, lets you safely experience the thrill of heights!

As a popular self-drive destination, you’ve likely checked in at Baishuizhai and the many hot spring hotels around it, right?

Xiaoli has been hunting for great-value hotels, and here’s a recommendation for a family-friendly hot spring hotel perfect for a self-drive getaway during the Spring Festival holiday within the province:

Guangzhou Baishuizhai Jiahua Hot Spring Hotel

Guangzhou Baishuizhai Jiahua Hot Spring Hotel is right next to Baishuizhai Scenic Area.

Backed by green mountains, surrounded by emerald peaks and deep valleys,

swirling mist, lush woods, and babbling streams,

it’s hailed as Guangzhou’s “urban” escape.

The hot springs are set amid clear waters, dramatic mountains, and murmuring streams. Half-reclining in the open-air hot springs, you can deeply breathe the light, fresh air—such a warm and soothing treat, pleasing to the eye and calming the soul. As 2021 begins, treat yourself to a cozy, comfortable hot spring journey—it’s the perfect way to nurture your body and feel utterly blissful~

Oh my gosh! This hotel makes you feel like a millionaire!

The overall atmosphere is elegant, understated, and grand.

A clever blend of Southeast Asian style and modern living offers a uniquely relaxing experience. This is Little Mengmei’s second visit to this hotel, and she was even more delighted than the first time—completely uncontrollable!

Every thoughtful detail and flawless design of the hotel makes the most of the natural terrain, built along the mountain slope.

To welcome the New Year, the hotel is now adorned with festive decorations. The lobby, three stories high and spanning 2,100 square meters, showcases the hotel’s strong Southeast Asian flair—majestic and well-layered.

To the right of the lobby, there’s even a local specialty shop, since Zengcheng’s agricultural products are very popular. When checking out, you can conveniently pick up some souvenirs.

A variety of family activities, both indoor and outdoor.

Little Mengmei, who’s loved drawing since she was small, casually picked a princess model she liked and carefully filled it in with her favorite colors.

If you don’t want the kids to get too wild in the play area, take them to Huahua’s Little Potter house to do some crafts and calm their minds.

Besides the boutique shop, you can also enjoy creative DIY time with your child.

The hotel’s children’s playground is huge. Little Mengmei spent the whole afternoon frolicking there, going down all kinds of slides with excitement. When she got tired, she’d run over and say, “Let’s go back to the room and rest, then come back later!”

Jiajianiu Fun Park

Outdoors, there are also kid-friendly activities, like the go-karts at Jiajianiu Fun Park.

To my surprise, even though it was her first time, she handled the go-kart so skillfully. At first, her dad was worried and ran after her, but after one lap she came back and said, “You were overthinking it…”

A child’s happiness is simple: with their parents playing alongside them, their faces light up with smiles. The hotel’s family bicycles are also a great choice.

A variety of accommodation suites to choose from.

No matter their age, there are always people who absolutely adore Minions. Everyone who enters this room can instantly feel the Minions’ passion and playful charm.

This time we stayed in a family-themed hot spring room. The moment the door opened, I was smitten by the Minions covering the wall. Placing the wristband on the power slot lit up the room. With such adorable Minions, how can a kid fall asleep? Love it, love it~

There was also a children’s bunk bed, and Little Mengmei was overjoyed, quickly kicking off her shoes and climbing up (｡･∀･)ﾉﾞhi!

The guest room isn’t a straight-line layout. It has a balcony outside, and within the balcony is a private plunge pool—you can soak in the hot spring right in your own room. Isn’t that amazing?

After bathing in the outdoor pool, you can continue soaking in the indoor bathtub. Every time we stay at a hotel, Little Mengmei’s biggest concern is whether the tub is big enough, and this one absolutely thrilled her!

The vanity area in the themed room is also beautifully decorated, with children’s tooth-brushing cups shaped like Minions!

The Minions themed room’s lively, adorable style fills adults with nostalgia and kids with pure joy—an excellent choice for family trips.

A natural oxygen bar from Mother Nature.

The valley hot springs are set among karst caves and lush greenery, with panoramic mountain views all around. Divided into four functional areas—Chinese herbal wellness, normal-temperature splash pool, cave natural hot spring, and mountaintop hot spring—there are over 55 different pools.

Quiet and peaceful, far from the city’s hustle, it’s like the paradise Tao Yuanming described, where you can wholeheartedly enjoy nature’s gifts with your child.

The hotel’s hot spring water comes from the high-quality springs of Baishuizhai. With a temperature of 52–63°C, it’s a metasilicic acid spring rich in fluoride, lithium, zinc, potassium, chlorine, calcium, magnesium, and many other trace elements beneficial to health. It softens skin cuticles, smooths the skin, fights aging, prevents cardiovascular diseases, and regulates nervous system function—making it a health-preserving, therapeutic, and beautifying mineral hot spring.

The hotel also has a 🌊 wave pool that both kids and adults love. Bouncing with the waves, it’s a must-visit spot in summer. In winter, children can play in the kids’ fun pool, surrounded by warm spring water while bonding with family.

Near each pool, there’s herbal tea to reduce internal heat, as well as hot water and warm water. Warm towels are always available for changing, and staff will serve tea at any time—thoughtful and attentive. When you’re tired from soaking, you can also enjoy a sauna, lie on a heated stone bed to banish fatigue, or grab a snack at the on-site restaurant.

If the outdoor weather isn’t ideal, you can retreat into the caves! The caves are cool in summer and warm in winter. The hot spring pool inside covers about 1,500 square meters—quite spacious.

Inside, there are multiple function pools (large massage pool, fish therapy pool, bubble pool, hot-and-cold pool, and more) as well as several natural spring pools. The cave is vast and solemn, with stalactites and stalagmites in all shapes—some hanging from the ceiling, some rising from the ground, in fascinating formations.

After night falls, it’s the best time for a hot spring bath. Without the direct sun, the night feels even more tranquil.

The hotel is truly quite large, with scenic views everywhere. The infinity pool is certainly an Instagram-worthy spot. The most beautiful moment is sunset, when the scenery is breathtaking.

Hotel specialty dining.

Stylish yet luxurious interior design creates an elegant dining atmosphere where everything you see radiates grace. Here, even meals become a ritual. What’s it like to enjoy a gourmet feast after a hot spring soak?

Every winter, Zengcheng late-harvest choy sum takes center stage on the table. Visitors come to Zengcheng just to taste that freshest, crispest, sweetest bite.

Illuminated by the lights, the entire restaurant is impressive yet cozy, offering an immersive visual and culinary experience. Whether dining alone, as a couple, or with the whole family, this is a great choice. May you relax and savor the flavors here.

What wakes you up every day doesn’t have to be just dreams—it can be a lavish breakfast. Breakfast also needs a sense of ritual. At the hotel’s buffet breakfast restaurant, you’ll warm both heart and stomach, enjoying a beautiful morning awakened by the aroma of food~

Yunshan Pavilion Chinese Restaurant & Fengjing Western Restaurant

For this bullish new year, they’ve prepared uniquely crafted dishes so you and your family can immerse yourselves in rich New Year flavors. Let your happiness bloom starting from Spring Festival.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye we’re in 2021. After a year of hard work, it’s time to plan a soul-freeing trip for dear yourself.

Self-drive travel guide

Hotel address: Jiahua Hot Spring Hotel, Gaotan Village, Paitan Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou (Navigate to: Baishuizhai Jiahua Hot Spring Hotel)

◆ From Guangzhou: Guangzhou – South China Expressway – Guanghe Expressway – Guanshen Expressway – Baishuizhai Jiahua Hot Spring Hotel

◆ From Zhuhai: Zhuhai – Gangwan Avenue – Guang’ao Expressway – Jinggang’ao Expressway – Guanghe Expressway – Guanshen Expressway – Baishuizhai Jiahua Hot Spring Hotel

◆ From Shenzhen: Shenzhen – Meiguan Expressway – Pearl River Delta Ring Expressway – Lihu Avenue – Guanshen Expressway – Baishuizhai Jiahua Hot Spring Hotel

◆ From Foshan: Foshan – Shenhai Expressway Guangzhou Branch – South China Expressway – Guanghe Expressway – Guanshen Expressway – Baishuizhai Jiahua Hot Spring Hotel

◆ From Dongguan: Dongguan – Pearl River Delta Ring Expressway – Guanshen Expressway – Baishuizhai Jiahua Hot Spring Hotel