[PLACE] 20141222 Baiyun Mountain 白云山 @ Baiyun, Guangzhou

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Located north-east of Guangzhou City, the Baiyun mountain range is a famous tourist spot since ancient time. The name Baiyun 白云, which literally means "White Cloud" well describes the scenery above that covers in mist and clouds especially during damp seasons.

The mountain range span across an area of 28km² with more than 30 high and low peaks. The highest peak, which is the Moxing Summit is at 382 meters above sea level. There are many scenic spots like Yuntai Garden 云台花园, Mingchungu 鸣春谷, Moxingling 摩星岭, Mingzhulou 明珠楼, Yunxi Ecological Park 云溪生态公园 etc in the Baiyun Mountain area.

Similar to Luhu Park and Yuntai Garden, the entrance of Baiyun Mountain is accessible via public transportation like cab and buses but not the Metro. At the entrance, public can choose to either take the cable car to the first summit or hike up the hiking trail via foot. Alternatively, you may also drive up the using the mountain roads.

The cable car ticketing counter is next to Yuntai Garden with total journey of 1.6km with approximately 15 minutes travelling time ascending about 200 meters. You get to see the hiking trail and trees along the cable car pathway.

Entrance fee is chargeable at RMB5 (RM2.80) per pax. Return ticket for cable car is RMB40 (RMB25 up, RMB15 down). The entrance fee for the respective scenic spots are charged separately. There's also a shuttle service for those who prefer to walk less. Each shuttle service cost RMB8 to RMB10 from location to location.

Guangyuan Middle Rd, Baiyun, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
广州市白云区广园中路
Nearest Metro Stations: Nil
Telephone: +86 020 3722 2222
Opening Hours: 06:00am until 05:00pm (to be verified)

TO GO


 Disclaimer: Google services are barred in China. You need to either bypass the "Great Wall" or use a VPN. Alternatively, you may use their domestic sites such as Baidu Map.

Unfortunately, there's no direct Metro station for Baiyun area. Alternative transportation includes public buses and cabs. There are many buses travelling through this route including bus number 175, 179, 199, 218, 223 or the tourist bus No. 1 from Zhongshanba Terminal. Depending where you are coming from, do check out the bus routes via Google Map before you travel. Typical cost of an air-conditioned bus cost about RMB2 to RMB3.

There's one Baiyun Park Metro Station, but that's at the West Gate and further away from the Cable Car Terminal. You can choose to take a bus from that Metro Station to the Southeast Gate.


There are a few gates for Baiyun Mountain range, but do head to the South Gate where the cable car terminal is located, next to Yuntai Garden.




ATTRACTION



I continue my journey to Baiyun Mountain after my detour to Yuntai Garden. The cable car terminal is just next to the garden's entrance. Luckily there's not many visitors during my visit and I don't have to wait at all for my cable car. The return ticket costs RMB40 (RM23) which includes some free vouchers for pictures but never fall for any "free" things in China. Just discard the vouchers will do.


The 12 minutes ride across the 1.6km path has a bit more to offer other than convenience with the colourful trees underneath coupled with hiking trails and mountain roads.


I also spotted this temple known as Nengren Temple 能仁寺 along the hiking trail when reaching the top. 


There's this square after the exit from the terminal, saying "Baiyun Mountain Welcomes You (白云山欢迎您)". Many tourist will have a picture here for safekeeping.


Above the square there's a platform known as "Dusk View Spot (晚望)", which actually means the area for sunset and nightview because the sun will set at this direction usually around 6pm.


This is the view of the platform. It is actually a very wide space with trees and huts around. The Guangzhou City is towards the right side with a very wide opening.


This is the actual view from the platform. Unfortunately it is mid noon and the sun is no where near settings. As you can see from this picture, the buildings are actually quite far away from the mountains and with no large landscapes or signature buildings, the view is actually just...normal. From here, you will get to see the cable car at the bottom right side of the picture. (Pardon my picture with the vignetting and patching due to the CPL filter).


In between the platform and the square, there's an intermediate space showcasing statues of Confucius and the also the a few of the famous 中国二十四孝 (24 touching stories of filial children) stories.


During my visit, there's this Transformer exhibition going on, which has a lot of replica Transformers installed with some mechanical arms for movement. This is useful to attract local crowd but nothing special for foreign tourists because Transformers is not the main reason I'm here.


Walked along the streets further up away from the square you will see the number of visitors getting less. From here onwards will involve a lot of physical walking, unless you opt for the shuttle service which comes at a fee. There's a junction after you walked some distance where you need to choose which path to follow. The path on the left involves more walking at a longer distance while the right path involves more stair climbing at a shorter distance. Both routes will eventually lead to the peak.


I took the shorter route, which means I have to climb more stairs. Not long after that I reach this spot known as the Nine Dragon Spring (九龙泉) but unfortunately it is closed for renovation and recovery. I only get to take the picture of this small little spring before moving on.


There are many interesting spots and vantage points along the way, some of which I do not know what meaning does it bring. Nevertheless, my next destination is Moxingling, which is the highest peak, which also means that I need to keep on climbing.


Stairs.. more stairs!! But luckily the stairs are covered with trees and the air is refreshing. To be honest, I didn't felt tired at all after all the climb, perhaps it is due to the weather? or the fresh air? or maybe the spiritual energy around the mountain that fuels me up. I did saw many visitors giving up halfway, panting and resting after the long climb, but I just kept going.


There's also some interesting corridors along the stairs, which makes your whole journey less boring because you kept seeing new things.


Half way up I stumbled upon this small little house which writes 轩墨仙, which is actually a spot where ancient writers and scholars gather. There are some exhibits of calligraphy and books inside.


I didn't spend much time here and left after I took a few pictures. The journey up continues with more stairs and stairs.


Eventually I reach a spot that meets the crowd who took the longer route via slope. There's a bee farm and a military camp at this area which is also known as the 观云阁 (literally means Cloud Observing Pavilion).


However, the pavilion is closed during my visit and there's nothing much to observe from there to be honest.


The climb up to slope continues with another 200 meters more to go. 


Lazy people or the elderly can opt for the electrical shutter car.


I have been continuously climbing for close to 30 minutes and I thought I finally reached my destination, Moxingling. My.. my I was wrong. To read more, please continue to my next post about Moxingling.

SUMMARY

Baiyun Mountain is a very scenic place, filled with lush greenery and vegetation. It provides various vantage points overseeing different angle of Guangzhou City. If you are a nature lover and a hiking fan, would suggest you to spend a day here to explore all the different peaks at Baiyun Mountain range.

Attraction
☆☆☆☆☆
Very scenic and refreshing place. Close to nature.
Cleanliness
☆☆☆☆☆
Cleanliness is well kept
Entrance Fee
Varies according to area
Baiyun Mountain: RMB5
Cable Car Return Ticket: RMB40
Mingchungu: RMB10
Xinghai Park: RMB5
Others: RMB3 to RMB10
Opening Hours
06:00am until 05:00pm (to be verified)
Wifi
N/A
Parking
Yes
Website
Baiyun Website - English Version

GPS:
Cable Car Terminal: 23.157015, 113.295640
Baiyun Square: 23.171753, 113.300479

farscope

Malaysian lad, engineer by background, banker by profession whom passionate in photography, food and travelling.

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