Baiyun Mountain – Great Spot for Hiking in Guangzhou

Baiyun mountain (also known as “white cloud mountain”) was on top of my list of places to visit in Guangzhou, China. However, I had no idea it was such a scenic spot and made for a perfect half-day hike in Guangzhou.

If you are planning an active day trip in Guangzhou to add to your epic Guangzhou itinerary then this is the best blog for you.

Baiyun Mountain Guangzhou – What to expect, see and do!

After my easy stroll around Shamian island, with no maps or info about Baiyun, I headed off to explore it on my own. Little did I know that it took around 4 hours just to hike up and back down – plus much more if you wanted to explore all routes, hike further up to Moxing summit and see all the other wonderful parks and exhibits there.

After a bit of mental calculation, I realized I won’t be able to see everything and would probably skip few parks. The place is HUGE with a total area spanning across 28 square kilometers! I also decided to take the cableway one way to experience riding high above the pagodas and forests.

To save time, I got the mini bus to Moxing summit as well – There, that cut my “hiking” to half and I still could not see it all. I was literally running around to find my way and ‘understand’ the whole structure.

Yes it can be confusing if you don’t have a map or if you are not Chinese, but it is still very much worth a visit, make sure to check out the bird spring valley park and the top – Moxing summit which has lovely love locks all around – Hey, it’s time to prove your love people! Other spots in Baiyun worth a visit are – Yuntai garden, Jinye pond, Luhu park and Santailing park.

Practical tips for Hiking Baiyun Mountain

Most signs are in Chinese and I only found two foreigners among the crowds, who were just as “lost” as I was. Here are few tips to ensure you maximize your time exploring the place instead of retracing your steps, like I did.

Carry a Map in English & Chinese

Ensure you have a bilingual map which marks all important routes and spots in both languages. You might not find anyone who knows English, so knowing where you want to go in Chinese would be very helpful.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Needless to say, there’s a lot of walking involved, unless you want to take the mini bus on all 3 routes to/fro and cableway both ways. To really experience the place, I would suggest to wear comfortable walking shoes and enjoy the unpaved paths as well – the buses literally just take you from point A to B so you can’t really enjoy anything in between. I would also suggest to carry your earphones and good music for those longer stretches – it can really put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.

Pro Tip – Don’t forget to tie your hair in a ponytail or a comfortable hairstyle for easy walks. 

Keep some Mosquito Repellent

There a lot of greenery all around – pretty trees, flowers and grass which is the best part about Baiyun. You know what this means though, right? – Mosquitoes! Avoid getting your blood sucked by carrying a lotion/spray and dabbing it every few hours. The mosquitoes are huge and can really bite… I am not kidding!!

Best time to visit Baiyun Mountain

It is best to hike on Guangzhou mountains as early as possible – remember, it’s China and it gets busy. Baiyun opens at 0600 hrs, I would recommend going before 8 am (At the latest) to avoid the crazy rush.

If possible, avoid weekends too. I went there on a Sunday so it was extremely busy with lot of school events and families. You can see its one of the top rated attractions in Guangzhou – so, try to skip the crowds if you can.

How to Reach Baiyun Mountain

Since there is no metro station in close proximity, hop on a bus no B16, B18, 32, 46, 60, 63, 127, 175, 179, 199, 210, 223, 241, 257, 285, 298, 540 or 841 which would take you straight to Baiyun for just CNY 2. To check if you are on the right bus, you can ask the driver if it goes to ‘Baiyun Shan’ (Shan means mountain in Chinese) or simply show them the written version –  白云山.

There are buses to other gates and parks as well incase there’s no stop for the ones mentioned above nearby, plus a metro station around 1200 meters away on Line 3 called Meihuayuan Station. Baiyun is very accessible so make it a point to pay it a visit when in Guangzhou.

Opening hours & Entry Fees

Open from 0600 – 1700 hours everyday. You could literally spend the entire day there.

Entry to the Baiyun park is only CNY 5 (Approx $1) so if you hike everywhere that’s practically all you pay. However, cableway to the top is CNY 25 one way and a mini bus would costs CNY 10 per route, per way. Other popular parks/attractions cost an additional CNY 5 to enter so you can choose where you want to go but for me, Moxing summit was totally worth it.

Where to Stay in Guangzhou China?

While you are looking for options for hiking in Guangzhou, ensure you have the perfect stay as well.

Budget Stays in Guangzhou

Lazy Gaga was my pick of accomodation in Guangzhou and it is the #1 top rated hostel in the city. However, here are the next best rated hostels in Guangzhou China –

Dongshan Gaga Hostel – Equipped with lounge games that help make friends easily like pool, table tennis, foosball etc. Private showers and walking distance from the metro in a vibrant district, gives Dongshan excellent reviews from fellow backpackers.

Homy Hostel – As the name suggests, this is a comfortable cozy hostel with a homely atmosphere. Close proximity to metro (always a big plus in this bustling city) and started by a backpacker are reasons enough to choose this.

Click here to check lowest rates for hostels in Guangzhou for your dates. 

Mid-Range Hotels in Guangzhou

If you are looking for some lovely hotels in Guanzhou under $50 per night, here are the top rated options from Booking.com  –

Fenk Attitude Hotel – Situated literally next door to the Guangzhou railway station, this is one of the best selling properties in the city. Excellent reviews by all travelers and bang in the middle of Yue Xiu’s shopping district makes it an easy crown favorite.

Lan House Youth Apartment – Boasting of a lovely shared garden, views of lake and lovely lounge area, with close proximity to Canton fair. Very budget-friendly hence ideal for business travelers on a budget.

Metropolo Jinjiang hotels – Stylishly decorated fashion rooms in under $50 per night.

Click here for best deals for hotels in Guangzhou

Luxury Sleeps in Guangzhou

Here are the best rated 5 star hotels in Guangzhou  – Chateau Star River, Grand International, The Garden Hotel Guangzhou, Asia International and Dong Fang Hotel.

FAQ’s

Have you been to Baiyun mountain or been hiking in Guangzhou? If so, I want to hear about it. Tell me in comments below.

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Jo

Jo has been putting pen to paper from an early age when she started her "Dear Diary" and letters to her pen friends across the globe.
This alongside regular visits to Indian jungles in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger, fueled her zest for adventure, nature and wildlife.
Now she is a renowned travel blogger, outreach expert and has worked with over 500 travel brands in the last 15 years.

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