Liuxihe National Forest Park is located in Liangkou Town, Conghua District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, in the northeastern part of Conghua, about 93 kilometres from downtown Guangzhou. It is one of the first ten national‑level forest parks approved by the Ministry of Forestry. In 2025, "Misty Banks of Liuxi" within the park was selected as one of the New Eight Sights of Guangzhou. Covering a total area of 8,831 hectares, the park boasts a forest coverage rate of 80.3% and an average annual temperature of 20.3℃. Rich in negative‑oxygen ions, it is well‑known in Guangzhou as a natural forest oxygen‑bar and summer resort. The core water body of the park is Liuxi Lake, completed in 1958, with a water‑surface area of 1,466 hectares dotted with 22 islands of different sizes, earning it the reputation of "Guangdong’s Qiandao Lake". Falling within a subtropical monsoon‑climate zone, the scenic area features abundant vegetation resources, with 1,295 recorded wild vascular‑plant species and 158 terrestrial vertebrate‑animal species, delivering outstanding ecological value. Serving also as a key drinking‑water source protection zone for Guangzhou, it is an ecological‑oriented forest park integrating lake‑and‑mountain sightseeing, forest wellness and nature‑science education.
History and Culture
The water landscape traces its origin back to the construction of the Liuxihe Reservoir in 1958. After the reservoir was finished, Liuxihe Forest Farm was founded in 1959 to conserve mountain‑forest ecosystems around the reservoir, launching long‑term ecological‑management work for this mountainous region. Planning for Liuxihe Forest Park began in 1984. The park was officially opened to visitors in 1986 and formally named Liuxihe National Forest Park in 1993, making it one of the earlier subtropical forest‑parks open to the public in South China.
As early as the 1950s and 1960s, this place was already a famous leisure‑and‑tourism destination in the Lingnan region. Senior leaders including Zhou Enlai, Chen Yi, Tao Zhu and Guo Moruo once visited the site for sightseeing. Chen Yi toured Liuxihe on multiple occasions and wrote the poetic line: "When ranking Lingnan’s scenery, the finest views lie here". Tao Zhu once planned to develop the area into "a second Lushan Mountain". Hu Yaobang hand‑inscribed the park’s name, while renowned painter Guan Shanyue wrote the inscription "Fragrant Snow of Liuxi", endowing the plum‑grove landscape with profound cultural heritage. Numerous literati‑scholars left behind poems, calligraphy‑and‑painting works, forming a wealth of human‑history stories.
After decades of development, the park has won several titles including Guangdong Nature‑education Base, Guangdong Forest‑wellness Base and National Forestry‑and‑Grassland Science‑popularisation Base. The plum‑blossom appreciation tradition of "Fragrant Snow of Liuxi" has been passed down for many years. Winter plum‑viewing has become a classic folk‑leisure activity across the Pearl‑River Delta, forming a unique tourism brand built on plum‑blossom culture.
Major Attractions
Liuxi Lake
Liuxi Lake constitutes the core landscape of the park. The reservoir was completed in 1958. Twenty‑two islands scatter across its vast blue waters, resembling jade‑green gems, hence the alias "Emerald Archipelago". Visitors can take a cruise boat for a lake tour, gazing out at the islands and surrounding mountains to admire the magnificent waterscape formed by the high‑gorge lake. The lake is encircled by rolling mountains, with peaks over 1,000‑metres high such as Wuzhi Mountain and Jizhen Mountain rising nearby, creating picturesque scenery of mountains mirrored in water.
Fragrant Snow of Liuxi · Plum Grove (Liuxi Xiangxue)
Situated beside Liuxi Lake, the plum‑grove covers more than 3,000 mu and holds over 100,000 plum trees. Every year from December to January of the following year, plum blossoms burst into full bloom, with vast white flower‑fields set against green mountains and blue water, forming the well‑known scenic view "Fragrant Snow of Liuxi". Hailed as "the first plum‑blossom bloom of China, the spring‑heralding flower of southern lands", it ranks among the largest plum‑blossom viewing sites in South China.
Sanyatang Valley
Sanyatang Valley lies within the Wuzhi Mountain zone in the southern section of the park. Stretching 2,500 metres in length, it is a stream‑trekking sightseeing spot. Streams flow year‑round through the valley, interspersed with waterfalls, clear pools, strange rock formations and primitive secondary forests. Hiking boardwalks have been built along the route. With cool stream‑water and thick vegetation, it is a popular summer destination for stream‑wading, hiking and fresh‑air walks. The valley‑zone enjoys an extremely high forest‑coverage rate and retains an original, serene natural environment.
Lakeside Boardwalk
The lakeside boardwalk runs along the shore of Liuxi Lake, spanning 3,000 metres and built right beside the water. The trail links multiple lake‑viewing platforms along the shore. Strolling the boardwalk lets visitors admire lake scenery up‑close and appreciate the greenery surrounding the lake. The whole walking route is flat and easy‑going, suitable for tourists of all ages for leisurely walks and sightseeing.
Monkey Island
Monkey Island is a separate islet on Liuxi Lake where a troop of macaques roam freely. Tourists cruising the lake may stop and disembark on the island, observing the macaques in their natural habitat. It is a well‑liked check‑in spot for family outings with children.
Wuzhi Mountain (Five‑Finger Mountain)
Wuzhi Mountain is located in the southeast zone of Liuxihe National Forest Park and serves as the mountain‑hiking section of the scenic‑area. Composed of several peaks with steep slopes, the mountain rewards hikers at its summit with panoramic, wide‑open views overlooking the entire Liuxi Lake. It is recommended for physically‑fit hiking‑enthusiasts. The Wuzhi Mountain zone follows separate entry‑management rules and opening‑hour arrangements.
Tour Routes
Relaxed One‑day Route: Main Entrance → Lakeside Boardwalk → Cruise‑boat Wharf → Monkey Island → Lake‑Circling Sightseeing → Return to Wharf → Rare‑plant Garden → Exit
In‑depth Hiking‑and‑Stream‑trekking Route: Main Entrance → Liuxi Lake Cruise → Sanyatang Valley Stream‑trekking Hike → Sightseeing at the Foot of Wuzhi Mountain → Plum Grove (Plum‑blossom Season) → Return Journey
Winter Plum‑viewing Special Route: Main Entrance → Plum‑grove for Fragrant‑Snow Viewing → Lakeside Boardwalk → Lake Cruise → Exit
Travel Tips
- The park is split into the main Liuxi‑Lake scenic‑zone and the Wuzhi‑Mountain‑Sanyatang zone, roughly 4 kilometres apart. No shuttle‑bus service runs between them, so plan your itinerary in advance.
- The optimal plum‑blossom viewing window falls from late December to early January each year. Flowering dates are weather‑dependent; check official blossom forecasts before your trip.
- When visiting Sanyatang Valley for stream‑trekking in summer, wear non‑slip water‑shoes and bring enough drinking‑water.
- A one‑day visit can cover just the main Liuxi‑Lake zone. Reserve 5‑6 hours for a full‑day exploration; add the Wuzhi‑Mountain hike only if you have sufficient stamina.
- Temperature differences between day‑time and night‑time are noticeable in mountain‑areas. Pack a light extra jacket no matter what season you travel in.
- Cruise‑boat trips are charged separately and are not included in the main‑gate ticket. You may purchase them as required.
Precautions
- Liuxi Lake is classified as Guangzhou’s drinking‑water source‑protection zone. Swimming in the lake without permission is forbidden. Visitors may only view the water‑edge scenery from safe areas on the boardwalk.
- The Wuzhi‑Mountain zone closes earlier than the main scenic‑area. Mountain‑sections may be temporarily shut down during rainy or storm‑prone weather. Check the official WeChat‑public‑account notices before departure.
- Mountain‑forests contain many mosquitoes. Carry insect‑repellent supplies. Stay on official paved hiking‑trails and do not create unmarked wild‑paths.
- Feeding macaques on Monkey Island carries safety‑risks. Do not bring food to feed the monkeys and follow instructions from on‑site staff during your visit.
- Open‑flames are prohibited inside the park during the forest‑fire‑prevention period. Barbecue‑stoves, lighters and other fire‑sources cannot be brought into mountain‑areas.
- Certain recreational‑facilities within the scenic‑area may be closed for unscheduled maintenance. You may phone the scenic‑area to confirm facility‑opening status before travelling.
Transportation
- Self‑driving: Depart from downtown Guangzhou, take the Beijing‑Hong‑Kong‑Macao Expressway and Airport Expressway, transfer to the Da‑Guang Expressway, then drive onto National Highway 105 to reach the scenic‑area. On‑site car‑parking facilities are available.
- Public Transport: Take Guangzhou Metro Line 14 to Conghua Coach‑station. Exit via Gate A and transfer to Conghua Bus 12, alighting at the Liuxihe National Forest Park stop. The journey takes a long time, and the last bus departs at 18:00, so plan your return carefully.
- Long‑distance Coach: Board a coach heading towards Liangkou Town from Tianhe Coach‑station, then take a taxi to the scenic‑area once you arrive in Liangkou Town.
Opening Hours
The main Liuxi‑Lake scenic‑zone opens from 08:00 to 17:30, with last‑entry ticket‑sales ending at 17:00. The Wuzhi‑Mountain (Sanyatang Valley) zone operates from 08:00 to 16:00, with no further entry permitted after 16:00. Sections of the park may close temporarily during extreme‑weather events or forest‑fire‑prevention controls. Always refer to on‑site announcements on the day‑of‑visit for the latest opening‑hour information.
Tickets
The admission‑ticket price is 40 RMB per person. Search for the WeChat official‑account "广州市流溪河国家森林公园" to obtain the latest updates.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.