[PLACE] 20141222 Yuntai Garden 云台花园 @ Baiyun, Guangzhou

12:48 5-Star Attraction , Attractions , Baiyun , China , Flower , Fountain , Garden , Green House , Guangzhou , Guide , Lake , Nature , Orchid , Park , Place , River , Rose , Travel , Yuntai Garden 0 Comments

Yuntai Garden is actually a botanical park located at the north of Guangzhou city, bottom of Baiyun Mountain, next to Lihu Park. Although with the name "garden", Yuntai Garden is actually a huge park, covering land area of 120,000m² with 14 main attractions which includes river, lakes, stone carvings (artificial), tropical green house etc.

Despite the size, the Yuntai Garden is actually very well maintained with beautiful flowers to be seen everywhere, which is the main attraction for this garden. The other artificial sculptures and carvings are just add-ons which is nothing unique.

The entrance fee is at a humble RMB10 (RM5.70) which is well worth the ticket price given the scale of the park. The upkeep and maintenance are tip top. You are required to have some stamina to fully explore the park given the hilly landscape. Recommended to reserve at least 3 hours if you would want to explore every inch of this park.

801 Guangyuan Middle Rd, Baiyun, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
广州市白云区广园中路
Nearest Metro Stations: Nil
Telephone: +86 20 3722 2222
Opening Hours: 08:00am until 05:00pm (Daily)

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. Typical cost of an air-conditioned bus cost about RMB2 to RMB3.

ATTRACTION

Yuntai Garden was not in my original itinerary as I only planned to visit Baiyun Mountain. The entrance of the garden is just next to the cable car terminal to Baiyun Mountain, so I thought might as well just pay a short visit since the entrance fee is not too expensive.

My my I was wrong. The garden (or park) is freaking huge. Given the tight schedule, I'm not able to visit all the sections within the park but was able to cover about 70% of it within one and a half hours time. 

The sun light in the winter is very harsh with warm colours even thou it is early in the morning. During my visit, the park is having this lantern festival exhibition with various lanterns (made with cloth) based on themes are exhibited along the pathways. Lights will be turned on during night time.

I started off from the right pathway up the hill where I eventually reach a tropical green house, housing various tropical plantations as well as cactuses, sheltered from the four seasons under the green house.

The plants are labelled with their common names and scientific names, as well as their origins. (Yes, I post this on purpose)

There's this beautiful wall of orchids at the exit of the green house.

Right after the exit from the green house, there's this junction that will lead you to the Biodiversity Valley, which is another huge area with rivers and lake, decorated with Chinese-architectural huts. I skipped this area due to lack of time.

Next I arrived at this Rose Garden where different roses are found here. Unlike our lame Rose Valley in Cameron Highlands, the plants here are well kept and the roses blossom with vibrant colours.

Red rose, white red, blue red, purple rose, big rose, small rose, real rose, fake rose. You name it, they have it here.

Besides roses, they also have other beautiful flowers around.

At the left side of the park there's this uphill track, which presumably will lead you to a hill top. My advice is to just ignore it because I got conned to climb up the whole stairway to reach the top with no view or scenery. Just, ignore it.

The long long way up..

To this con-man hut. Nothing to see but some trees. 15 minutes uphill stamina wasted.

Last but not least, a replica of the London Eye made with lantern cloths in the middle of the lake near the entrance.

OK, time to move on to Baiyun Mountain after 1.5 hours spent here.

SUMMARY

Yuntai Garden is worth a visit if you like parks and plantations. Although there's no unique plants special to China like the Peony Flower, it is still worth a visit, thanks to its well maintained facilities and plants.

Attraction	☆☆☆☆☆
Cleanliness	☆☆☆☆☆
Entrance Fee	RMB10
Opening Hours	08:00am until 05:00pm (Daily)
Wifi	N/A
Parking	Yes
Website	Baiyun Mountain Website

GPS: 23.157012, 113.293786