Baiyun “White Cloud” Mountain Nature Reserve Park is the beginning of the Lingnan mountain range. The “first peak of the Lingnan” is ringed in smoke-like clouds which rise from the trees that cover the mountain. The park is a series of peaks and valleys crossed with paths. An exercise track ranges over the area and two reservoirs nestle below in the valleys. The view of Guangzhou is one of the best in the city and local walk to the top for luck.
There are several ways to enter the park, the southern gate is the largest and follows the road. The cable car stretches from the bottom of Yuntai Garden to the central courtyard at the base of Moxing Summit. Following the road from the southern entrance visitors slowly stroll around the mountain. Trees and the elevation make the area cooler and fresher than down in the heart of the city. Signs guide visitors off the main path towards the attractions. The first of these attractions is Nengren Temple. The buildings of this temple were built in1993 based on the temple destroyed in World War II. A smaller temple was first built here in 960, but replaced by a larger complex in 1851. The larger complex is what the People's Government of Guangzhou chose to reproduce. The two main buildings sit pressed into the mountainside and a stair and heavily wooded path lead up to it. Farther up the mountain is the Dusk Viewing Platform. A courtyard divided in two, with one half an open courtyard and the other a covered sitting area. The view from here is the best offered by the mountain of Guangzhou's central business district and surrounding area. The basin of the Zhujiang River stretches out and the buildings of the CBD reach upwards to the sky. Across the courtyard from the platform is the Mingchungu Natural Birdcage. A wide net was stretched over a section of the slope and filled with birds. More than five thousand birds live here and visitors may stroll among them. Illustrated signs help guests identify the birds. A butterfly house is also part of the area, but does not always have butterflies in it. Up the mountain from the viewing platform runs the Nine-Dragon Spring. A spring used by the Baiyun temple and Nengren as a primary water source. The spring is guarded by a statue of nine dragons. The dragon was thought of as the god of water and storms, which is why they are included here. The largest dragon in the city is said to be the Zhujiang River itself. Next to the spring is the Stele Garden. More than three hundred stone steles stand in this garden. They are sitting on the site of the old Baiyun Temple destroyed in World War II. The garden covers 52,493 sq.ft. (16,000 sq.m) and is filled with these stones. Each is carved with works by famous poets, calligraphers or historic celebrities. The mountain road stretches to the second ridge where Moxing Summit can be climbed. It's the highest point in Guangzhou at 1,253 ft. (382m). Steep stairs lead visitors to the top from the ridgeroad. At the top sits a lucky bell. Ringing it is supposed to bring good luck in love, life, business or health. The views are impressive. From here guests can see the entire area of Guangzhou. Old and new parts of the city and north towards the rest of the Lingnan range. The temples here are not especially important religious sites, but the mountain itself holds a high place of esteem and value for locals. Many make the walk everyday to the top. When visitors are finished wandering the park its worth riding the cable car down to return to the bus station at Yuntai Garden and from there return to the main city. |
Time needed : 5 - 8 hours
Ticket price : Park is 5 RMB. Yuntia Garden (which does not connect with Baiyun Park) is 10 RMB. Moxing Ridge (Star-Scraping Ridge) is 5 RMB. Guangzhou Forest of Steles is 5 RMB. Xinghai Garden is 3 RMB. Bird Sanctuary 10 RMB. Cable Car: 25 RMB to go to the top and 20 RMB to go to the bottom. Opening Times : Park open 9AM - 5PM How to get there : Take Bus 24, 240, 285, or Tourism Bu Line 3 and get off at Yuntai Garden Bus Station. Then walk right up the mountain or take the tourist cable car to the top of Baiyun. Take bus 32,46,60,127,175,179,199,240,241,298,540,543,615,841, or 891 and get off at White Cloud Telpher (Baiyun Suodao) Station. Walk right to the gate. Take metro line 3 to Meihuayuan Station and walk 1,200 meters to the Plum Garden. (Unless you have a Chinese translator to help this is not the easiest entrance to find.) |