Xinyi Tiger Leaping Gorge‖ reverse holiday tour 2h direct from Zhongshan
Xinyi Tiger Leaping Gorge (Huanghuajiang Tiger Leaping Gorge Resort)
🏖️Basic overview
📍Address: Mulu Village, Huaixiang Town, Xinyi, Maoming, by the Huanghuajiang River (Guangdong’s Little Guilin, new waterfront canyon resort opening in 2025)
Name origin: The huge rock in the river looks like a fierce tiger leaping across the river, hence the name Tiger Leaping Gorge
Two main areas: Dadi Po (artistic hot spring area) + Liuxia Village (pastoral ancient village)
Key highlights: 8 km canyon boat tour, bamboo art architecture, river-view hot springs, terraced ancient village, infinity pool, mountain coffee
Best seasons to visit
1. Mar–May: terraced rapeseed flowers, light river mist, gentle photo scenes
2. Jul–Sep: summer retreat, cool canyon, hot springs and water fun
3. Oct–Nov: golden rice fields, crisp autumn air, stunning sunsets
4. Winter: fewer visitors, quiet, hot spring wellness
⏰Opening hours: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, boat entry stops at 3:00 PM, boat tours run hourly 10:00 AM–4:30 PM
1. Tickets and packages
1. Basic sightseeing ticket (Dadi Po + Liuxia Village + round-trip resort shuttle): adult 58 CNY, child/senior 38 CNY
2. Boat tour package (recommended): main ticket + shuttle + 8 km canyon boat tour (40 minutes), adult 98 CNY, 1.2–1.5 m / 60+ years 68 CNY
3. Four seasons hot spring single ticket: 48 CNY per person, child 40 CNY; includes 8 themed pools + 800㎡ family water play area
4. Others: traditional papermaking experience 30 CNY per person; boat charter from 1,000 CNY
Discounts: children under 1.2 m free; seniors 65+ half price for sightseeing
2. Transportation guide (self-driving preferred, public transport inconvenient)
1. Self-driving
· From Maoming city: Baomao Expressway → Huaixiang Town, about 1.5h, toll approx. 40 CNY, navigate to Dadi Po visitor center, free large parking lot
· From Xinyi city: 30-minute drive, easy on national roads
· From Guangzhou/Foshan: 3.5–4h direct
2. Public transport (not recommended)
1. High-speed rail to Xinyi station, taxi to resort about 60 CNY
2. From Xinyi bus station, take shuttle to Huaixiang Town, then motorcycle taxi/three-wheeler 10 CNY to resort
Resort internal transport
Free shuttle between Dadi Po ↔ Liuxia Village, on demand; walking within areas
3. Must-visit spots in the two main areas
Area 1: Dadi Po (artistic hot spring pier area)
1. Golden hall
Intangible cultural heritage Xinyi bamboo dome architecture, giant floor-to-ceiling windows framing canyon scenery, light and shadow ceiling, free photo spot, with cultural shops and afternoon tea
2. Tiger Leaping Gorge art museum
Art collection, spiral staircase, moonlight lamp popular photo spot, easy great shots
3. Art museum hotel sky pool & Omo coffee
4th-floor river-view café, rooftop infinity pool overlooking the entire Huanghuajiang canyon, free for hotel guests, walk-ins welcome with purchase
4. Four seasons hot spring
Mountain forest hot springs, medicinal pools, flower pools, starry sky pools, large children’s water park, top choice for water fun and summer cooling
5. Boat dock
8 km canyon boat tour lasts 40 minutes, green mountains and cliffs on both sides, bamboo forests and clear water, morning mist creates the best atmosphere, ends at Liuxia Village
Area 2: Liuxia Village (pastoral ancient village)
1. Lucky ladder + Tiger viewing platform
High panoramic viewing platform overlooking the entire canyon, terraced fields, and river, best village viewpoint
2. Caiyunjian / Daohuaxiang guesthouse cluster
White-walled pastoral guesthouses facing terraced fields and river, soothing Japanese pastoral style
3. Peach Blossom Spring café
Slow mountain life afternoon tea, window seats by rice fields, quiet and great for photos
4. Terraced fields and countryside
Spring rapeseed flowers, golden rice fields in autumn, walking paths along field ridges, farm picking available
5. Niche traditional papermaking workshop (next to dock)
Experience thousand-year-old Lingnan papermaking, 30 CNY to take home finished product, cultural niche photo spot
4. Two classic itineraries
Plan 1: One-day tour (round trip from Maoming/Xinyi)
09:00 Arrive at Dadi Po visitor center, exchange tickets
09. 30 Photo stops at golden hall + art museum
10. 30 Take canyon boat (40 minutes) from dock to Liuxia Village
11. 20 Climb lucky ladder for full canyon view, visit Peach Blossom Spring café
12. 30 Farm lunch in Liuxia Village (Huai Xiang chicken, river fish)
14:00 Shuttle back to Dadi Po, soak in four seasons hot spring and water play
16. 30 Photo stops at art museum sky pool and lawn
17. 30 Return trip
Plan 2: Two-day, one-night (deep wellness, highly recommended)
Day 1
Arrive at noon, check in hotel/guesthouse
Afternoon photo stops at golden hall, art museum, sky pool
4. 00 PM boat tour, stunning river sunset
Dinner at Yunyanrenjia local dishes
Evening soak in four seasons hot spring to relieve fatigue
Day 2
Early morning river mist viewing (best before 9:00 AM)
Walk terraced fields in Liuxia Village, traditional papermaking experience
Afternoon tea at Peach Blossom Spring café
Light lunch then return
5. Accommodation recommendations (by price range)
High-end river view (500–900 CNY)
Return · Tiger Leaping Gorge art museum hotel
Full floor-to-ceiling river views, with pool, hot spring, café, dock downstairs, most convenient for travel, best for families with kids
Mid-range pastoral guesthouses (300–500 CNY, couples/photo lovers)
Liuxia Village Caiyunjian, Daohuaxiang guesthouses
Facing terraced canyon and river, quiet small courtyards, guesthouses include resort shuttle access, full pastoral vibe
Budget farmhouses (180–280 CNY)
Local farmhouses in Huaixiang Town, affordable dining, 10-minute drive to resort, great value
6. Must-try local foods
1. Huai Xiang chicken: Xinyi specialty, white-cut or chicken soup, firm and sweet meat
2. Huanghuajiang river fresh: steamed river fish, sashimi, river shrimp
3. Chaiqiang rice noodles: Xinyi specialty rice noodles, must-order farmhouse breakfast
4. Starfruit duck: sour and fragrant to cut greasiness, local farmhouse dish
5. Bamboo tube rice, mountain tofu pudding, wild farmhouse vegetables
Dining spots: Dadi Po Four Seasons Feast (refined Cantonese), Yunyanrenjia (authentic local dishes), Liuxia Village farmhouse