Guangdong Enping Travel Guide|Ancient Diaolou Exploration + Hot Spring Soaking, One-Stop Healing Journey for You
Hey guys! Stop just focusing on Kaiping Diaolou 😜 Enping in Jiangmen is the hidden gem of the Pearl River Delta—here you’ll find over 460 unique diaolou telling century-old stories of the overseas Chinese hometown, plus abundant natural hot springs to wash away all your fatigue. The ecological scenery is absolutely stunning, and the food will have you eating until you can barely stand! With just over 200 RMB per person, you can enjoy culture, hot springs, and nature. This weekend getaway destination is a must-lock 🚗
🌟Pre-trip Must-See|Lazy Traveler’s Checklist
✅Transportation: 1.5 hours by car from Guangzhou/Foshan, 1 hour from Jiangmen city; if no car, take the high-speed train to Enping Station, then taxis to attractions are super convenient
✅Best Time to Visit: Suitable all year round! Spring and autumn are perfect for comfortable diaolou tours, winter and summer are great for healing hot spring baths, and autumn rice fields paired with diaolou are stunningly beautiful
✅What to Wear: Wear Republic of China style or light-colored long dresses for diaolou visits 💯; bring a beautiful swimsuit for hot springs and a light jacket to keep warm
✅Essentials: Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, power bank, and a telephoto lens for photography (to avoid distortion when shooting diaolou)
🕌Ancient Diaolou Exploration|Touch the Century-Old Overseas Chinese Heritage
Enping diaolou and Kaiping diaolou each have their own charm. Every diaolou here holds the patriotic feelings of overseas Chinese. With over 460 unique structures, their hardcore defensive designs are fascinating 🔍
🌟Must-Visit Diaolou Spots
1. Core Area of Enping Diaolou in Shahu Town
This is the essence of Enping diaolou. The diaolou built with sanhetu (a traditional mixture of yellow clay, river sand, lime, brown sugar, and glutinous rice) are as solid as concrete! The rooftop watchtowers and corner “swallow nests” are very distinctive. The design of gun holes and aiming slits shows great ingenuity—you can literally touch the textures of history 👐
✨Photo Tips: Don’t shoot from the front! Walk around to the side and use a telephoto lens, lower your angle and zoom in 2x, avoid tourists, position your subject at the golden ratio point for maximum atmosphere; climb the diaolou to overlook the countryside, the layered clouds and sky create amazing depth
2. Litang Diaolou Cultural Square in Juntang Town
Ten diaolou surround the square, with granite flooring and greenery, perfect for a stroll and photo ops! Don’t miss the bronze statue of Zhang Ruifen, the world’s first female stunt pilot and a pride of Enping—small but meaningful 📸
📌Diaolou Trivia (Bonus for Followers)
Enping diaolou were not just for defense! In old times, villagers hid on rooftops during floods, and during the war they served as fortresses against Japanese invaders. The diaolou in Shidong Village, Niujiang Town still bear bullet marks—each scar tells a passionate story ❤️
🌡️Hot Spring Soaking|The Pearl River Delta’s Top Hot Springs
Enping is known as the “Hometown of Hot Springs in China” 💦 Natural hot springs are everywhere, offering everything from dynamic experiences to quiet private baths, from trendy check-in spots to health and relaxation styles. The best part? Great value for money!
🌟Top 5 Hot Spring Recommendations
1. Jinjiang Hot Spring (AAAA-rated)
A hidden gem by the Jinjiang River in Datian Town, featuring unique “three-element hot springs” (met national standards for metasilicic acid, fluoride, and radon) that are very healthful! Breaking the traditional static soaking, you can enjoy hot spring surfing and drifting—double the fun soaking and playing in water 🎉
2. Shanquanwan Hot Spring (AAAA-rated)
Super convenient, only 18 km from Guangzhou Shengtang exit. Over 30 uniquely designed hot spring pools in a garden-style environment, very healing and perfect for family or friends trips. After soaking, you can stroll in the park and breathe fresh air 🌿
3. Didu Hot Spring
One of the world’s rare slippery hot springs! With 3,200㎡ of pool area and over 30 natural springs, the 73°C water is extremely comfortable. The water is crystal clear and silky, rich in minerals, leaving you feeling moisturized after soaking ✨
4. Evergrande Hot Spring · Five Nations Hot Spring Town
A trendy hot spring in Liangxi Town! Three natural sodium bicarbonate spring sources and four themed pavilions representing Finland, Thailand, Japan, and Turkey—all in one place. You can check in to exotic hot springs without leaving Enping, perfect for photos 📸
5. Hot Spring Paradise Resort
Known as the “Southern Fairy Spring,” backed by the Qixingkeng primeval forest. Soaking here lets you enjoy mountain and forest views. It integrates accommodation, dining, and entertainment for a worry-free one-stop vacation 👍
✨Hot Spring Tips
❶ Don’t soak on an empty stomach; drink warm water after soaking; soak for 15-20 minutes each time and take breaks
❷ Some hot springs offer private pools, perfect for couples or families—book in advance for privacy
❸ Jinjiang and Shanquanwan hot springs offer packages including tickets and accommodation, much more cost-effective than buying separately
🌿Ecological Wandering|Encounter Natural Healing Scenery
After exploring diaolou and soaking in hot springs, be sure to visit Enping’s ecological hidden gems. The mountains and waters are clear and beautiful, with abundant negative oxygen ions to instantly relieve urban stress 😌
🌟Must-Visit Ecological Spots
1. Guangdong Enping Geothermal National Geopark
An 80-square-kilometer geological wonder featuring hot spring landscapes, granite landforms, and colorful stone valleys. Located in Najizhen, Datian Town, and Liangxi Town, you can soak in hot springs nearby after touring—one-stop check-in 💚
2. Yunli Stone Village
A thousand-year-old stone village in Najizhen, with houses, roads, and canals all made of stone, a masterpiece of craftsmanship! Stone tools from over 4,500 years ago and Tang dynasty ethnic minority relics are hidden here. Walking through the stone alleys, time slows down ⏳
3. Aofengshan Provincial Forest Park
Enping’s urban “green lung,” home to the Ming and Qing scenic “Stone God Pine.” The zoo, stone sculpture garden, and Yun Song Temple are perfect for walks. At the top is the Feng Ru Memorial Hall, with panoramic views of Enping city 🌄
4. Cendong Canyon Rafting
For thrill-seekers! A 3.8 km river with a total drop of 128 meters, 1.5-hour rafting experience through a primeval forest canyon with towering ancient trees and misty clouds, comparable to the “Western Gallery.” Choose between adventure rafting or sightseeing rafting 🚣
🍲Food Explosion|Enping Specialties to Eat Until You Can’t Move
Enping’s food is full of authentic local flavor, with nationally recognized geographic products and intangible cultural heritage snacks. For about 30 RMB per person, you can eat to your heart’s content—every bite is happiness on your tongue 😋
🌟Must-Try Food List
✅ Enping Rice Noodles (National Geographic Indication Product): Rich rice fragrance, moderately soft and chewy, with lotus root and pork bone soup or old duck lotus root soup bases that are amazing. The intangible heritage craftsmanship is well deserved
✅ Enping Shaobing (Baked Flatbread): Over 600 years of history, made from glutinous rice, golden and soft with a fragrant crust. Best eaten fresh out of the oven
✅ Enping Braised Goose: Geese raised for 100 days, braised over high heat, bright red color, fragrant meat, pairs perfectly with rice—you can eat three big bowls
✅ Eel Rice/Chicken Grain Rice: Each grain of rice soaked with meat juice, eel is tender and chewy, chicken is fresh and fragrant. Opening the lid will make your mouth water instantly
✅ Shankeng Fish: Deep-fried then steamed with fermented black beans, crispy fish bones, rich flavor, perfect with plain congee to cut the grease
✅ Specialty Glutinous Rice Cakes: Bean pod cake, taro cake, sweet potato cake—crispy and soft, savory and sweet, authentic street snacks
📍Food Check-in Spots
The night market in Encheng Street, farmhouse restaurants in Shengtang Town, and farmhouses near hot springs in Datian Town are all great places to enjoy authentic Enping cuisine. Just follow the locals to eat, no risk of disappointment 💯
🚗Classic Routes|Perfect 1-2 Day Itineraries
👉1-Day Tour (Essentials)
Shahu Town Diaolou → Litang Diaolou Cultural Square → Jinjiang Hot Spring Soaking → Encheng Street Food
👉2-Day Tour (In-Depth)
Day 1: Yunli Stone Village → Geothermal National Geopark → Shanquanwan Hot Spring Soaking → Stay near hot springs
Day 2: Shahu Town Diaolou → Litang Diaolou Cultural Square → Cendong Canyon Rafting (or Aofengshan) → Eat Enping specialties and return
⚠️Avoid Pitfalls|Practical Tips
❶ Don’t use wide-angle lenses for diaolou; they distort the buildings. Telephoto lenses make them look more magnificent
❷ Don’t overdo hot spring soaking, especially in high-temperature pools. Those with weak constitutions should rest well
❸ Most farmhouses in Enping have clear pricing. Confirm prices before ordering to avoid surprises
❹ Drivers beware: some roads near diaolou are narrow, drive carefully
❺ For souvenirs, choose Enping rice noodles and shaobing, available in local supermarkets and specialty stores, with great value
Guys! Enping really is the top short-trip destination in the Pearl River Delta ✨ Century-old diaolou hold overseas Chinese sentiments, natural hot springs wash away all fatigue, ecological scenery heals the soul, and food is everywhere to eat until you’re full. With just over 200 RMB per person, you can enjoy it all. Just go for it on weekends or short holidays!
Friends who have been to Enping, share your favorite diaolou and hot springs in the comments 💬 If you haven’t been, bookmark this guide and invite your friends and family for a diaolou and hot spring trip~