A Down-to-Earth Two-Day Family Trip Guide to Heyuan
Every summer, we take our children on a trip. In the summer of 2019, my husband and I took my husband’s parents and the siblings Yiyi and Dudu to Heyuan. This time, we gained a lot of experience and I’d like to share it with you. In this article, I will mention attractions, hotels, etc. by name for reference only, this is not an advertisement.
At 9 a.m. on July 29, our family set off from Shenzhen. After nearly three hours of driving, we arrived at Puqian Town, the destination of the Bavarian Manor in Heyuan. It was almost lunchtime, so we planned to eat outside before entering the manor. Following the recommendation of a friend who often visits Puqian, we had lunch at Deyi Restaurant, a 27-year-old establishment in Puqian Town. The dishes there were indeed good; the Overlord Pork Trotter and Handmade Taro Rolls were especially delicious.
Around 1 p.m. after lunch, we arrived at the Heyuan Bavarian Manor. The manor is surrounded by forests and waters, with beautiful scenery and a pleasant climate, and it features many recreational facilities. The manor includes themed hotels, a tourist experience park, and a themed resort town, among other unique supporting projects. We checked into the Manor Yage Resort Oster Bodhi Hotel.
Inside the manor is the Black Forest, a paradise for children and a place of nostalgic memories for adults. Attractions like Interstellar Speed, Happy Little Train, Little Pendulum, Dream Carousel, and High-altitude Bicycle evoke childhood memories for adults. You can also experience the thrill and romance of 'Alpine Skiing'—sitting on a rubber ring, sliding down a slope over 20 meters high, feeling the scream of a 26-meter drop. The kids had a blast... There are also the Happy Little Train, Little Pendulum, Dream Carousel, and High-altitude Bicycle... Adults can share in the joy of childhood with the kids—it’s that simple and happy.
After dinner, we went together to the Guoyi Guoyao Hot Spring and Water Park. The hot spring is rich in 58 minerals beneficial to health, including metasilicic acid, lithium, zinc, and manganese. The hot spring area features 62 pools of various types, arranged according to the Five Elements theory (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth). Corresponding to the five internal organs, the pools are designed as Chinese medicinal soaking areas, with relevant medicinal plants planted around them. Through scent and soaking, one can deeply regulate and improve health. After washing away the fatigue of the day and soaking in the hot springs, we returned to the hotel and finally had a good night’s sleep, perfectly ending the first day’s itinerary.
Early the next morning, my husband’s parents said that since we were here, we should visit the Fuyuan Temple at Bavarian Manor. Before entering Fuyuan Temple, I recalled a phrase I had seen online: 'When the mind is like Bodhi, stillness is like the ebb and flow of all things.' This means that if a person can calm their mind, they can generate wisdom and understand the cycles of yin and yang, growth and decline in the universe. The term 'Bodhi' is a transliteration of the Sanskrit word Bodhi, meaning enlightenment or wisdom. It refers to the state of suddenly waking up, gaining insight, realizing truth, and reaching a transcendent realm.
After breakfast, we left Bavarian Manor and drove to Wanlv Lake in Heyuan. From Bavarian Manor to Wanlv Lake, you can take National Highway 205 or the Changshen Expressway. We chose the Changshen Expressway, which took about 40 minutes.
Wanlv Lake is magnificent in its waters, pure in water quality, beautiful in water color, and gentle in water nature. It is hailed as a green gem hidden in the mountains of northern Guangdong. The slogan 'Nongfu Spring is a little sweet' is well known—this is one of the water sources for Nongfu Spring. Whether the water here is a little sweet, our Hong Kong compatriots can best attest, as this is the water source for 700,000 Hong Kong residents. Over a distance of more than 200 kilometers, the grace of a strip of water connects us.
Wanlv Lake stretches as far as the eye can see, full of vitality and hope. Green islets float on the lake; the lake is filled with the breath of life—each leaping life adds ripples to the calm surface. Everything in Wanlv Lake is green: the mountains are green, the water is green, and even the people are 'green'—in varying shades, colorful and diverse.
Jinghuayuan is located to the southwest of the Wanlv Lake tourist pier. Jinghuayuan is lush with trees, exotic flowers, and fragrant herbs. Climbing to the top of the mountain and looking around, you see sturdy pines, unique pines, and strange pines. Through the dense pine branches, Wanlv Lake appears like a precious mirror, even more like a fairyland. Jinghuayuan has a Women's Kingdom, where you can watch a grand Hakka cultural song and dance performance. The performances include: the dance 'Tang Rhyme' with rich Tang Dynasty charm, the enthusiastic Hakka girls and boys performing the 'Tea Picking Dance', the interactive duet 'Hakka Folk Songs' between performers and audience, and the hilarious Hakka wedding custom performance 'The Matchmaker'.
After visiting Wanlv Lake and Jinghuayuan, it was past two in the afternoon, and we started preparing to return to Shenzhen. The two-day happy journey ended amidst the laughter of our family.
