Looking for a refreshing experience to break up your sweltering Shenzhen summer? Well, look no further than the treasure of northeastern Guangzhou, Baishuizhai waterfall in Zengcheng district.
Baishuizhai (白水寨瀑景区) is one of the tallest waterfalls in mainland China, falling a total of 428.5 meters between two former volcanic peaks. These hills are covered in lush bamboo forests, as well as natural hot springs.
While hiking heroes opt to climb the 9999 steps to the peak of the mountain, kids and casual walkers can climb up the boardwalk skirting the waterfall itself. In several tiers going up, the waterfall is crossed back and forth, at some points close enough to touch and feel its spray. Our goal will be the lookout platform at around 3200 steps.
This is a truly refreshing experience, only a couple hours’ drive from Shenzhen.
Please pack a simple picnic lunch, that we will enjoy on our hike on the side of the waterfall.
After we finish our hike, we’ll have an early dinner in town. Try the local style bamboo rice and other tasty dishes. (Dinner separate, share the bill AA).
Price: 360RMB for adults, 200 for kids (1.2m-1.5m). Under 1.2m and can share a seat, free!
340RMB discounted partner price – for SWIC members
Includes round trip private shuttle, entrance to the scenic area, and guide. Dinner AA pay separately.
Journey to Zengcheng about 2 hours.
Saturday, July 31
8:30am departure
10:30am arrive at waterfall park
Hike plus lunch along the waterfall
4:00pm dinner
5:30pm depart Zengcheng
8:00pm arrive Shenzhen
Pick up in Shekou, other pick ups available – just contact me.
How to Book:
Contact Greta on WeChat (Scan QR code)
If adding me for the first time, be sure to mention Trips or Waterfall in your introduction.
or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)
Our neighbor across the Pearl River Delta, Macau, has an outsized reputation as the “Las Vegas of the East,” and a quick European mini-holiday. But beyond the glittering lights and tourist-flooded streets, you will discover another side of Macau. Ornate temples wafting with incense, traditional bakeries, craftsman’s studios, and chapels and shrines with curious history can be found if you take the time to explore the winding alleys.
On this insider tour of Macau, we’ll see a relic of a Christian saint, a secret garden inside a public library, the most beautiful black-and-white mosaic street in Macau, and a temple dedicated to the snake goddess held to be creator of the Chinese universe. In the afternoon we’ll stop by a cozy wine bar for a glass of Portuguese wine.
Please note: This tour as priced and programmed starts in Shenzhen, journeys to Macau, and returns to Shenzhen. This involves exiting Mainland China to Macau, then returning to Mainland China on the same day. Please ensure that you can bring your original passport on that day, and that you have enough entries on your China visa to allow re-entry into Shenzhen.
Saturday, February 8 8:00am Ferry from Shekou Ferry Terminal ~9:00am Arrive Macau Walking tour, lunch, wine bar stop 17:00 Ferry from Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal ~18:00 Return to Shekou
Please let me know if you would like to board a later ferry and I will check availability for you.
How to Book:
Contact Greta on WeChat (Scan QR code)
If adding me for the first time, be sure to mention Trips or Macau in your introduction.
or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)
小桥流水人家 To make your home by a small bridge and flowing water.
These words describe the idyllic scenery of Chinese villages, which people come from across continents to see, often seeking out the tourist canal towns around Shanghai. But we have such a quaint village right in our backyard around the Pearl River Delta. The irrigated towns and paddies of Guangzhou and Foshan are a prime but overlooked place to find a classic scene of Chinese life.
On this day trip, we’ll head to the outer villages of Shunde district, part of Foshan just to the west of Guangzhou.
In the water town of Fengjian, you can wander the shaded streets of this village, catching glimpses of the local people’s relaxed life. Fishermen repair a net, two neighbors play chess along the river banks.
Shunde is also home to some of the most famous dishes of Cantonese cuisine, especially the popular desserts double skinned milk and ginger milk. We can taste these plus other snacks and sweets while lounging near the flowing river.
You can also take your family for a paddle in a traditional wooden boat in a loop around the canals.
This is the original Watertown group tour from Shenzhen. Come with China Tea Leaves to see some things that you can only see with us, and enjoy our relaxed, small group experience.
On this trip, you will experience: – A guided tour of the village, with information about the history of the watertown and the families that lived there – Lunch with introduction to some Shunde dishes – Free time for shopping and riding the traditional boats – Experience a second, non-touristy village
Sunday, February 2 Depart 8:00AM, return Shenzhen 6:00PM
Default pickup in Shekou. Contact me if you are outside of Shekou for other pickup options.
How to Book:
Contact Greta on WeChat (Scan QR code)
If adding me for the first time, be sure to mention Trips or Watertown in your introduction. 加我微信的时候，请备注Trips或Watertown；如果没有，我可能不加你。
or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)
Are you dreaming of a land of blue skies, colorful clouds, people living a quiet traditional life? A place where you can stretch your legs, climb green mountains, wade amongst wildflowers, and discover temples, new friends and always a bit of adventure? Sounds like a fairy tale, some kind of Shangri-La, you say?
You would be right. And you can find your own paradise in the northwest corner of Yunnan province.
Come with Greta Bilek, author of China Tea Leaves travel guides and explorer of China, on your dream trip to Yunnan province.
Yunnan province is located in southwestern China, tucked between Tibet, Sichuan and Guangxi provinces, Myanmar, and Vietnam, and is one of the most diverse provinces in China, with dozens of ethnic minorities; flowers, mushrooms and other wildlife; and dramatic landscapes with the weather of eternal spring.
We’ll be visiting the Shaxi valley; Shuhe and Lijiang; and Shangri-La.
We will fly from Shenzhen direct to Kunming. There we will be picked up by private shuttle to head to Shaxi (沙溪 elev. 6890ft/2100m), a pristine valley with a well preserved Bai minority village and world class historical sites. The Bai people are a Sino-Tibetan ethnic group, known throughout Yunnan for their intricately carved architecture and fine cooking with local ingredients. Shaxi was an important trading post on the ancient Tea Horse Road, which connected Tibet to southern Yunnan and beyond, for centuries of trade of horses (from Tibet) and tea (from southern Yunnan).
In Shaxi we will stay inside a temple/theatre that served entertainment for the gods of the Bai people. We will visit the market area, with its temple and theatre complex, recognized by UNESCO for its articulate restoration. On our the next day in Shaxi, we will journey into the rolling hills to find a secluded temple and the fascinating sculptural grotto of Shizhongshan.
From Shaxi we will head up to Shuhe (束河 elev. 7900ft/2400m) near Lijiang, another town located on the ancient Tea Horse Road. On the day of our arrival, we will stroll the colorful streets of Shuhe, in the view of the imposing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Shuhe and Lijiang were stops on the old Tea Horse Road, which connected Tibet to southern Yunnan and beyond, for centuries of trade of horses (from Tibet) and tea (from southern Yunnan). This area is the home of the Naxi minority, with their own writing system and religion.
The following morning we will take in the stellar view of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from the famous Black Dragon Pool. Early in the morning in the week of the new year, the park will be filled with people singing, dancing, and celebrating the new spirit of the Year of the Mouse.
We will head north towards to Shangri-La (香格里拉 elev. 10,370ft/3160m), the center of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan province. You will really feel like we’re in Tibetan country, even though we won’t have crossed the border. Ladies in traditional pink headwear do their shopping and older folks grasp their prayer beads throughout the streets. We will visit a lively market, the old town of Dukezong, the largest prayer wheel in the world, and the Songzanlin monastery, which is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan.
Our final night will be spent in Shuhe, before departing back to Shenzhen. Package includes train from Lijiang to Kunming, for your flight return Kunming to Shenzhen.
After days dreaming in the heights amongst a rainbow of wildflowers and prayer flags, you will return to Shenzhen with a vision of paradise in your mind’s eye and a burning desire to come back to Yunnan province.
January 26: Arrive Kunming, transfer to Shaxi January 27: Shaxi Shibaoshan temple, transfer to Shuhe January 28: Visit Lijiang, transfer to Shangri-La January 29: Visit Songzanlin Monastery, return Shuhe January 30: Return from Lijiang, by train + flight or direct flightPrice: 4380RMB per adult. Ask for kids’ price. Hotels (double occupancy), Private Ground Transportation, Entrance Tickets, Meals, Travel Insurance, and guide by Greta
(Note: Much of this trip is at high elevation – 7900ft/2400m and higher. Travelers will feel the effects of the elevation, but can usually adjust to normal activity level within 1-2 days. The Tiger Leaping Gorge hike has some steep inclines and is at high elevation. Hiking at this elevation is tough and incurs a real risk of altitude sickness. There are donkeys available on the trail for those who feel uncomfortable, for an additional fee.The trail is in good condition, and no special prior hiking experience is necessary. But this hike is best suited for those in good physical shape. Please notify us of any health conditions when booking. China Tea Leaves is not responsible for any injuries or accidents sustained during the trip.)
How to Book:
Contact Greta on WeChat (Scan QR code)
If adding me for the first time, be sure to mention Trips or Yunnan in your introduction.
or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)
Our neighbor across the Pearl River Delta, Macau, has an outsized reputation as the “Las Vegas of the East,” and a quick European mini-holiday. But beyond the glittering lights and tourist-flooded streets, you will discover another side of Macau. Ornate temples wafting with incense, traditional bakeries, craftsman’s studios, and chapels and shrines with curious history can be found if you take the time to explore the winding alleys.
On this insider tour of Macau, we’ll see a relic of a Christian saint, a secret garden inside a public library, the most beautiful black-and-white mosaic street in Macau, and a temple dedicated to the snake goddess held to be creator of the Chinese universe. In the afternoon we’ll stop by a cozy wine bar for a glass of Portuguese wine.
Thursday, January 9 8:00am Ferry from Shekou Ferry Terminal ~9:00am Arrive Macau Ferry Terminal Walking tour, lunch, free time Wine bar stop 17:00 Ferry from Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal (if you prefer a later ferry so you can stay on in Macau, let me know at time of booking) ~18:00 Return to Shekou
How to Book:
Contact Greta on WeChat (Scan QR code)
If adding me for the first time, be sure to mention Trips or Macau in your introduction.
or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)
Discover something different in Shenzhen when we visit the Gankeng Hakka Village, one of the original ten villages predating modern Shenzhen. The Hakka people migrated over the centuries from central China into Guangdong and Fujian provinces and play an important part in the culture of coastal Guangdong. This village was founded in the early Qing dynasty.
On our visit we can see the old village and sample Hakka rice wine and street snacks. Lanterns and red wish ribbons stream the streets around the old well, a central part of the original village. A new museum complex has rotating exhibits of classical Chinese artwork and artifacts. In recent years the area is being developed by OCT as a rural village experience with architecture from other provinces in China like Guizhou, Anhui, and Guangxi. A must in Gankeng village is a hearty Hakka lunch with dishes like squirrel fish, Hakka niang tofu, and clay baked chicken. Not many know that such a traditional place like this exists within our modern city.
Thursday, December 19 Approx. 8:30-15:00
Price: Adult: 225RMB, Child: 130RMB Includes Private transportation, Lunch, entrance ticket to Phoenix Valley museum, and tour by Greta
How to Book:
Contact Greta on WeChat (Scan QR code)
If adding me for the first time, be sure to mention Trips or Gankeng in your introduction.
or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)
小桥流水人家 To make your home by a small bridge and flowing water.
These words describe the idyllic scenery of Chinese villages, which people come from across continents to see, often seeking out the tourist canal towns around Shanghai. But we have such a quaint village right in our backyard around the Pearl River Delta. The irrigated towns and paddies of Guangzhou and Foshan are a prime but overlooked place to find a classic scene of Chinese life.
On this day trip, we’ll head to the outer villages of Shunde district, part of Foshan just to the west of Guangzhou.
In the water town of Fengjian, you can wander the shaded streets of this village, catching glimpses of the local people’s relaxed life. Fishermen repair a net, two neighbors play chess along the river banks.
Shunde is also home to some of the most famous dishes of Cantonese cuisine, especially the popular desserts double skinned milk and ginger milk. We can taste these plus other snacks and sweets while lounging near the flowing river.
You can also take your family for a paddle in a traditional wooden boat in a loop around the canals. (Price not included in tour: small boat 150 per boat/up to 5 people, large boat 250 per boat/up to 10 people, pay directly to boatmen on the day)
This is the original Watertown group tour from Shenzhen. Come with China Tea Leaves to see some things that you can only see with us, and enjoy our relaxed, small group experience.
On this trip, you will experience: – A guided tour of the village, with information about the history of the watertown and the families that lived there – Lunch with introduction to some Shunde dishes – Free time for shopping and riding the traditional boats – Experience a second, non-touristy village
Price: 330RMB per adult, 235RMB for kids between 1.2-1.5m (20RMB off for Shenzhen ABNet or SWIC member), kids under 1.2m get an additional discount – contact me.
Saturday, December 14 Depart 8:00AM, return Shenzhen 6:00PM
Default pickup in Shekou. Contact me if you are outside of Shekou for other pickup options.
includes round trip private shuttle, access to two water towns, lunch and Cantonese dessert, and tour
Minimum 8
How to Book:
Contact Greta on WeChat (Scan QR code)
If adding me for the first time, be sure to mention Trips or Watertown in your introduction. 加我微信的时候，请备注Trips或Watertown；如果没有，我可能不加你。
or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)
小桥流水人家 To make your home by a small bridge and flowing water.
These words describe the idyllic scenery of Chinese villages, which people come from across continents to see, often seeking out the tourist canal towns around Shanghai. But we have such a quaint village right in our backyard around the Pearl River Delta. The irrigated towns and paddies of Guangzhou and Foshan are a prime but overlooked place to find a classic scene of Chinese life.
On this day trip, we’ll head to the outer villages of Shunde district, part of Foshan just to the west of Guangzhou.
In the water town of Fengjian, you can wander the shaded streets of this village, catching glimpses of the local people’s relaxed life. Fishermen repair a net, two neighbors play chess along the river banks.
Shunde is also home to some of the most famous dishes of Cantonese cuisine, especially the popular desserts double skinned milk and ginger milk. We can taste these plus other snacks and sweets while lounging near the flowing river.
You can also take your family for a paddle in a traditional wooden boat in a loop around the canals. (Price not included in tour: small boat 150 per boat/up to 5 people, large boat 250 per boat/up to 10 people, pay directly to boatmen on the day)
This is the original Watertown group tour from Shenzhen. Come with China Tea Leaves to see some things that you can only see with us, and enjoy our relaxed, small group experience.
On this trip, you will experience: – A guided tour of the village, with information about the history of the watertown and the families that lived there – Lunch with introduction to some Shunde dishes – Free time for shopping and riding the traditional boats – Experience a second, non-touristy village
Price: 330RMB per adult, 235RMB for kids between 1.2-1.5m (20RMB off for Shenzhen ABNet or SWIC member), kids under 1.2m get an additional discount – contact me.
Thursday, November 21 Depart 8:00AM, return Shenzhen 6:00PM
Default pickup in Shekou. Contact me if you are outside of Shekou for other pickup options.
includes round trip private shuttle, access to two water towns, lunch and Cantonese dessert, and tour
Minimum 8
How to Book:
Contact Greta on WeChat (Scan QR code)
If adding me for the first time, be sure to mention Trips or Watertown in your introduction. 加我微信的时候，请备注Trips或Watertown；如果没有，我可能不加你。
or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)
Discover something different in Shenzhen when we visit the Gankeng Hakka Village, one of the original ten villages predating modern Shenzhen. The Hakka people migrated over the centuries from central China into Guangdong and Fujian provinces and play an important part in the culture of coastal Guangdong. This village was founded in the early Qing dynasty.
On our visit we can see the old village and sample Hakka rice wine and street snacks. Lanterns and red wish ribbons stream the streets around the old well, a central part of the original village. A new museum complex has rotating exhibits of classical Chinese artwork and artifacts. In recent years the area is being developed by OCT as a rural village experience with architecture from other provinces in China like Guizhou, Anhui, and Guangxi. A must in Gankeng village is a hearty Hakka lunch with dishes like squirrel fish, Hakka niang tofu, and clay baked chicken. Not many know that such a traditional place like this exists within our modern city.
Monday, November 11 Approx. 8:30 – 16:00
Price: Adult: 225RMB, Child: 130RMB Includes Private transportation, Lunch, entrance ticket to Phoenix Valley museum, and tour by Greta
How to Book:
Contact Greta on WeChat (Scan QR code)
If adding me for the first time, be sure to mention Trips or Gankeng in your introduction.
or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)
Our neighbor across the Pearl River Delta, Macau, has an outsized reputation as the “Las Vegas of the East,” and a quick European mini-holiday. But beyond the glittering lights and tourist-flooded streets, you will discover another side of Macau. Ornate temples wafting with incense, traditional bakeries, craftsman’s studios, and chapels and shrines with curious history can be found if you take the time to explore the winding alleys.
On this insider tour of Macau, we’ll see a relic of a Christian saint, a secret garden inside a public library, the most beautiful black-and-white mosaic street in Macau, and a temple dedicated to the snake goddess held to be creator of the Chinese universe. In the afternoon we’ll stop by a cozy wine bar for a glass of Portuguese wine.
Price: 550RMB for adults, 280 for kids 525RMB discounted partner price – available for ABNet members or SWIC members includes round trip round trip ferry to Macau, tour, and glass of wine for adults Ferry to Macau about 1 hour. Minimum 5.
I will guide the group to restaurants in Macau, cost of lunch on your own.
Please note: This tour as priced and programmed starts in Shenzhen, journeys to Macau, and returns to Shenzhen. This involves exiting Mainland China to Macau, then returning to Mainland China on the same day. Please ensure that you can bring your original passport on that day, and that you have enough entries on your China visa to allow re-entry into Shenzhen.
Monday, November 4 8:00am Ferry from Shekou Ferry Terminal ~9:00am Arrive Macau Ferry Terminal Walking tour, lunch, free time Wine bar stop 16:00 Ferry from Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal (if you prefer a later ferry so you can stay on in Macau, let me know at time of booking) ~17:00 Return to Shekou
How to Book:
Contact Greta on WeChat (Scan QR code)
If adding me for the first time, be sure to mention Trips or Macau in your introduction.
or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)
