Tag: nature

outing – fairy lake october 26

Let’s get out for a half day exploration of Shenzhen’s botanical treasures and a special temple!

On Saturday October 26 we will go together to the Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (仙湖植物园). The lush settings of the large park are the green lungs and heart of Shenzhen, sitting at the foot of Wutong Mountain, Shenzhen’s tallest peak.

The Botanical Garden features 1,349 acres of wild and landscaped tropical vegetation, all around the namesake Fairy Lake, or Lake of the Immortals. Stately trees line the winding roads wrapping the lake, over which looks the grand Hongfa Temple. 

The Hongfa Temple was founded and began construction in 1983 by abbot Ben Huan. This Buddhist temple was the first new temple to be built in China after the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Its courtyards ascend the hill in a series of bright tile roofs. Visitors light incense and bow before the grand Mahavira Hall. A new phase of the temple has recently been opened to the west side, with an elegant pagoda rising up in the mist surrounding Wutong Mountain. 

After visiting the temple, we will explore some of the best botanical areas of the garden. Hundreds of miniature bougainvillea and evergreens make up the bonsai garden, a hothouse is filled with diverse cacti and succulents, and a pine garden evokes feelings of Japan with an arcing red bridge punctuating the framed view.

A half day out allows you to enjoy the greatness of nature in the subtropics of Shenzhen. 

Saturday October 26
9:30 Meet Huangbeiling metro
Bus to Fairy Lake Botanical Garden
10:30-11:00 Visit Hongfa Temple
11:00-13:00 Visit Botanical areas
13:00 Finish, continue to visit the gardens or lunch on your own

Price: 58RMB per person, includes garden entrance ticket, shuttle bus inside the park, bus from Huangbeiling, and a bottle of water

How to Book:

Contact Greta on WeChat (Scan QR code)

If adding me for the first time, be sure to mention Trips or Fairy Lake in your introduction.

or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)

day trip – shuilian march 2

Announcing an easy day out with your family, to a mountain park covered in waterfalls and fresh green nature!

We’ll be traveling to Shuilian Mountain Park in nearby Dongguan. Dongguan actually has the greatest number of parks of any city in China, even more than Shenzhen. Shuilian is beautiful park located less than 1.5 hours drive from Shekou, making for a convenient day out with your family!

We’ll have a leisurely departure at 9:00am from Shekou. After arriving at the park, we’ll take a modest hike part way up the mountain past waterfalls and taking in views of the lake below. This hike is uphill, but not very steep. We’ll be climbing about 150m at an easy pace and we can take our time enjoying the forest views.

At the top of our hike, we’ll sit and eat our picnic lunch next to a pool fed by the waterfall. You may feel as if we’re in a fairy world amongst the streams and shady groves of trees. This time of year the mountain is ablaze with yellow flowering trees, and kapok flowers being harvested for herbal tea. After lunch we’ll visit the park’s ancient temple, a small stone sanctuary dating back to the Song dynasty. After viewing the temple, we’ll have some free time for exploring more of the mountain or taking a boat out on the lake. We’ll arrive back in Shekou at 5:30pm.

Adults: 220RMB
Kids 1.2-1.5m: 160RMB

SWIC or ABNet members receive a discount of 15RMB off each 

includes round trip private shuttle, entrance to the park and ancient temple, and guided tour by Greta. Please bring a packed lunch, water, and any snacks you will want for the bus ride. Boat ride or any other fees not included.

Saturday, March 2
Departure: 9:00am
Return: 5:30pm

Private shuttle picks up from Shekou (for other pick ups contact me). Journey to Shuilian about 1.5hours.

Minimum 10, maximum 14

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. 加我的时候，请备注Trips或Waterfall.

or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)

day trip – zengcheng july 7

  

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 the tallest waterfall 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 2 hours drive from Shenzhen.

Please pack a simple picnic lunch, that we will enjoy on our hike on the side of the waterfall.

Price: 290RMB for adults, 220 for kids
270RMB discounted partner price – available for ABNet members, SWIC members, and students of Purple Peony Studio
Includes round trip private shuttle, entrance to the scenic area, and guide

Journey to Zengcheng about 2 hours.

Saturday, July 7
8:30am departure
10:30am arrive at waterfall park
Hike plus lunch along the waterfall
4:00pm depart
6:00pm 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)

may day jaunt to “little guilin” – apr 30-may 1 in zhaoqing


Come with China Tea Leaves on a holiday jaunt from Shenzhen to nearby Zhaoqing!

Zhaoqing (肇庆) is located in Guangdong province, to the west of the Pearl River Delta, rich in both history and green mountains, but a bit off the tourist track.

We will depart by shuttle from Shekou in Shenzhen, on Sunday April 30 (ask for other pick up locations). In Zhaoqing we’ll stay one night in a sweet and stylish hotel overlooking one of the city’s most famous sights, the Seven Stars Crag park (七星岩). With its classic landscape of rocky mountains and peaceful lakes, you’ll see why Zhaoqing is called a “little Guilin.” (Hotel: Yuese Theme Hotel, right on Seven Stars Lake)

On Saturday June 17, we’ll visit Dinghu Mountain (鼎湖山), one of the four most important mountains in Guangdong province. This biodiverse park is full of greenery and tropical flowers, a butterfly sanctuary, a majestic waterfall, and a quiet lake.

Zhaoqing also is full of history, including an intact city wall dating back to the Song dynasty.

On Sunday, we will head back on our shuttle for an afternoon arrival in Shenzhen.

Enjoy a weekend away from the city for reinvigorating views in Zhaoqing with China Tea Leaves.

Depart: Sunday April 30, 8:00am
Return: Monday May 1, 6:00pm

Adult price: 1530RMB (double occupancy)
Kids 7-18y: 980RMB
Kids under 7y: ask for price (please inform me if seat on shuttle or extra bed required)

SWIC or ABNet members: Get a special price of 1480RMB for adults or 920RMB for kids 7-18y.

Includes: round trip shuttle from Shenzhen, 1 night hotel (double occupancy), all meals Sat lunch – Sun lunch, entrance tickets, butterfly sanctuary and Dinghu park shuttle, travel insurance and guided tour by Greta.

Minimum: 8 people, Maximum, 14.

Payment by cash or WeChat, deposit of 700 per person to hold your spot, please pay in full by April 20.

How to Book:

Contact Greta on WeChat (Scan QR code)

If adding me for the first time, be sure to mention Trips or Zhaoqing in your introduction.

or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)

daytrip – shuilian waterfall april 15

 

Announcing an easy day out with your family, to a mountain park covered in waterfalls and fresh green nature!

We’ll be traveling to Shuilian Mountain Park in nearby Dongguan. Dongguan actually has the greatest number of parks of any city in China, even more than Shenzhen. Shuilian is a beautiful park located less than 1.5 hours drive from Shekou, making for a convenient day out with your family!

We’ll have a leisurely departure at 9:00am from Shekou. The main feature of the park is a lake fed by a grand waterfall. After arriving at the park, we’ll take a modest hike part way up the mountain past waterfalls and taking in views of the lake below. Note: This is hiking up steps, first some stone steps and then an uphill boardwalk. However the climb we are doing is not very high (about 150m – half a Nanshan mountain) and not to the top of the mountain, so we can go at an easy pace. At the top of our hike, we’ll sit and eat our picnic lunch next to a pool fed by the waterfall. You may feel as if we’re in a fairy world amongst the streams and shady groves of trees. After lunch we’ll visit the park’s ancient temple, a small stone sanctuary dating back to the Song dynasty. After viewing the temple, we’ll have some free time for exploring more of the mountain or taking a boat out on the lake. There is also a butterfly garden (extra charge) and other paths you can explore on your own. We’ll arrive back in Shekou at 5:30pm.

 

 

Adults: 220RMB
Kids 1.2-1.5m: 180RMB

SWIC or ABNet members receive a discount of 15RMB off each 

includes round trip private shuttle, entrance to the park and ancient temple, and guided tour by Greta. Please bring a packed lunch, water, and any snacks you will want for the bus ride. Boat ride or any other fees not included.

Sunday April 15

Departure: 9:00am
Return: 5:30pm

Private shuttle picks up from Shekou (for other pick ups contact me). Journey to Shuilian about 1.5hours.

Minimum 10, maximum 14

How to Book:

Contact Greta on WeChat (Scan QR code)

If adding me for the first time, be sure to mention Trips or Shuilian in your introduction.

or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)

day trip to shuilian – march 18

Announcing an easy day out with your family, to a mountain park covered in waterfalls and fresh green nature!

We’ll be traveling to Shuilian Mountain Park in nearby Dongguan. Dongguan actually has the greatest number of parks of any city in China, even more than Shenzhen. Shuilian is beautiful park located less than 1.5 hours drive from Shekou, making for a convenient day out with your family!

We’ll have a leisurely departure at 9:00am from Shekou. After arriving at the park, we’ll take a modest hike part way up the mountain past waterfalls and taking in views of the lake below. This hike is uphill, but not very steep. We’ll be climbing about 150m at an easy pace and we can take our time enjoying the forest views. At the top of our hike, we’ll sit and eat our picnic lunch next to a pool fed by the waterfall. You may feel as if we’re in a fairy world amongst the streams and shady groves of trees. After lunch we’ll visit the park’s ancient temple, a small stone sanctuary dating back to the Song dynasty. After viewing the temple, we’ll have some free time for exploring more of the mountain or taking a boat out on the lake. We’ll arrive back in Shekou at 5:30pm.

 

 

Adults: 220RMB
Kids 1.2-1.5m: 180RMB

SWIC or ABNet members receive a discount of 15RMB off each 

includes round trip private shuttle, entrance to the park and ancient temple, and guided tour by Greta. Please bring a packed lunch, water, and any snacks you will want for the bus ride. Boat ride or any other fees not included.

Departure: 9:00am
Return: 5:30pm

Private shuttle picks up from Shekou (for other pick ups contact me). Journey to Shuilian about 1.5hours.

Minimum 10, maximum 14

How to Book:

Contact Greta on WeChat (Scan QR code)

If adding me for the first time, be sure to mention Trips or Guangzhou in your introduction.

or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)

escape to yangshuo – november

 

Announcing a 3 day getaway to the rolling hills of Yangshuo! Yangshuo and nearby Guilin are famous for their mysterious karst mountains and lazy rivers. The combination of mountains and waters (山水 shan shui) is a classic of Chinese art and a must for travel during your time in China! Jet away just 3 hours by high speed train to experience this oasis of relaxing nature.

Friday, November 3:      07:21am high speed train from Shenzhen North, Yangshuo style cooking class, relax at our courtyard hotel
Saturday, November 4: hiking amongst the karst peaks and rivers to Moon Hill, lunch, option for Impression Liu Sanjie light show
Sunday, November 5:    drifting on bamboo rafts on the Yulong River, high speed train back to Shenzhen

 

Price: Adult: 2480RMB per person (double occupancy), Kids 1.2m+ 1580RMB

Plus – If you book 2 or more people together, receive 50RMB off per person in your group!
For example – book 2 together, 100RMB off for you and your friend. Book 4 together, 200RMB off for each person! Maximum 200RMB off the original price. Ask about kids’ discount.

Price includes:

High Speed Rail from Shenzhen
Private shuttle around Yangshuo area
2 night (double occupancy) at Secret Garden Boutique Hotel
Meals (except Friday lunch)
Cooking class, bamboo raft, Moon Hill tickets
Travel insurance
and full service guide by Greta of China Tea Leaves.

Does not include optional Liu Sanjie light show (adults 198RMB, kids 85RMB)

Payment: cash preferred, deposit of 1000RMB per person to be made by October 20. Balance must be paid in full by October 31.

Minimum 6 people, maximum 12

 

How to Book:

Contact Greta on WeChat (Scan QR code)

If adding me for the first time, be sure to mention Trips or Yangshuo in your introduction.

or contact me by email (chinatealeaves @ yahoo.com)