Xiqiao Mountain Scenic Area in Foshan City is located in the southwest of Nanhai District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a national key scenic spot, and a national forest park. The total area of the scenic area is 14 square kilometers, with beautiful natural scenery, characterized by "quietness, elegance, simplicity and naturalness". Xiqiao Mountain is an ancient extinct volcano, formed by the accumulation of volcanic eruption materials, and it has unique geological landscapes, such as volcanic craters and Shiyan Rock. The vegetation in the scenic area is lush, with a high forest coverage rate and fresh air, making it a natural oxygen bar. There are also many ancient buildings on the mountain, such as Baofeng Temple and Baiyun Cave, which have a long history and profound cultural heritage. In addition, the supporting facilities in the scenic area are complete, including tourist service centers, parking lots, catering and accommodation facilities, which are convenient for tourists to visit.
History and Culture
Xiqiao Mountain has a long history. As early as more than 6,000 years ago, there were traces of human activities here. During the Qin and Han dynasties, Xiqiao Mountain was already well-known and was called one of the "Two Famous Mountains in South Guangdong".
During the Tang and Song dynasties, Xiqiao Mountain gradually became a resort for literati, scholars, and officials to live in seclusion, give lectures, and visit. Many poems, songs, and cultural relics were left behind. Scholars such as Zhan Ruoshui and Fang Xianfu once built academies on the mountain to give lectures and spread cultural ideas.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the development of Xiqiao Mountain reached its peak. A large number of temples, Taoist temples, and garden buildings were built on the mountain, making it an important dissemination place for religious cultures such as Buddhism and Taoism. Baofeng Temple is an important building of this period. The temple has a strong incense, attracting many believers and tourists.
In modern and contemporary times, Xiqiao Mountain has become a famous tourist attraction after continuous protection and development. At the same time, Xiqiao Mountain also carries rich folk culture. Traditional activities such as lion dance performances during the Spring Festival and the Goddess of Mercy's Treasury Opening attract a large number of tourists to experience.
Main Attractions
Baofeng Temple
Baofeng Temple is located in the southeast of Xiqiao Mountain. It was first built in the 4th year of Tianjian in the Southern Dynasty (505 AD) and has a history of more than 1,500 years. The temple has been rebuilt many times in history, and the current Baofeng Temple is rebuilt on the original site. Baofeng Temple is large in scale, with a simple and elegant architectural style. Many Buddha statues are enshrined in the temple, and the most famous one is the largest white jade Avalokiteshvara statue in the world. Surrounded by green trees, the temple has a quiet environment. Tourists can feel the strong Buddhist cultural atmosphere here and also admire the exquisite architecture and sculpture art.
Baiyun Cave
Baiyun Cave is located at the northwest foot of Xiqiao Mountain and is one of the core scenic areas of Xiqiao Mountain, known as the "Pearl of Xiqiao Mountain". There are Ming and Qing buildings such as Yunquan Xianyuan, Sanhu Academy, and Kuiguang Tower in the cave. Yunquan Xianyuan is a Taoist building, first built in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, with an antique architectural style. Sanhu Academy was the place where the famous scholar Kang Youwei of the Qing Dynasty studied and gave lectures. Here, Kang Youwei accepted new ideas, laying the foundation for his later reform and innovation. Kuiguang Tower was built to commemorate the imperial examinations and has important historical and cultural value. Baiyun Cave has beautiful scenery, with gurgling water and towering ancient trees inside, which is a good place for tourists to enjoy natural scenery and historical culture.
Shiyan Rock
Shiyan Rock is an important geological landscape of Xiqiao Mountain and is the site of an ancient quarry. After quarrying, a huge cave was formed, and many swifts have lived in the cave all year round, so it got its name. Shiyan Rock cave is spacious, and there are many strange stone patterns and stalactites on the cave ceiling and walls, which have high ornamental value. The water pool in the cave is crystal clear, complementing the cave landscape. Tourists can walk along the plank road in the cave, admire the unique geological landscape, and feel the uncanny workmanship of nature and the wisdom of ancient working people.
Nanhai Guanyin Cultural Garden
Nanhai Guanyin Cultural Garden is located on Daxian Peak, one of the seventy-two peaks of Xiqiao Mountain, with an altitude of 346 meters. The Nanhai Guanyin Statue in the garden is 61.9 meters high and is the tallest sitting statue of Guanyin in the world. The statue is made of pure copper, and the appearance of Guanyin is compassionate and peaceful. There are also buildings and landscapes such as Guanyin Square and the Release Pond in the cultural garden. When tourists come here, they can pay homage to the Guanyin Statue, feel the solemnity and holiness of Buddhist culture, and at the same time overlook the magnificent scenery of Xiqiao Mountain, with a very broad view.
Food
Xiqiao Big Cake
Xiqiao Big Cake is a traditional famous snack of Xiqiao Mountain with a long history. It is made from high-quality flour, white sugar, lard, etc. through multiple processes such as fermentation and baking. Xiqiao Big Cake is shaped like a full moon, with a slightly yellowish white color, soft texture, sweet taste, and melts in the mouth. It has a faint milk flavor. It is one of the must-try delicacies for tourists visiting Xiqiao Mountain and is also a good souvenir. It is sold in specialty stores inside and outside the scenic area.
Stuffed Mud Carp
This is a traditional dish with great Foshan characteristics and is also very popular in restaurants around Xiqiao Mountain. Mud carp has tender and delicious meat but many small thorns. The unique production method of Stuffed Mud Carp is to remove the bones of the mud carp, chop the meat into fish paste, add ingredients such as pork, shrimps, and mushrooms, mix them evenly, and then stuff them back into the fish skin. After that, it goes through cooking processes such as frying and stewing. The finished Stuffed Mud Carp has a complete shape, tender fish meat, rich fillings, and a delicious taste. It not only retains the freshness of the mud carp but also has rich taste levels.
Fish Skin Dumplings
Fish Skin Dumplings are traditional snacks in Foshan, and authentic Fish Skin Dumplings can also be tasted around Xiqiao Mountain. They are made by wrapping fillings such as pork and shrimps with mud carp skin, with thin skins and delicious fillings. There are various cooking methods for Fish Skin Dumplings, such as boiling, steaming, and frying. The cooked Fish Skin Dumplings have a smooth texture, delicious fillings, and taste very good when paired with the fresh soup. Tourists can easily taste this delicious snack at snack stalls or restaurants near the scenic area.
Double-skinned Milk
Double-skinned Milk is a classic dessert in Guangdong and is very common in dessert shops around Xiqiao Mountain Scenic Area. It is made from fresh milk and egg whites. There is a layer of delicate milk skin on the surface, with a smooth and tender texture, rich milk flavor, and moderate sweetness. Double-skinned Milk comes in the original flavor and can also be added with ingredients such as red beans and lotus seeds, and different flavors have their own characteristics. After visiting the scenic area, tourists can have a bowl of Double-skinned Milk, which can not only quench their thirst but also enjoy the sweet taste.
Admission Tickets
The admission ticket price for Xiqiao Mountain Scenic Area in Foshan City is about 55 yuan per adult (the price may be adjusted according to policies and other factors). Special groups such as children under 1.2 meters in height and the elderly over 70 years old (with valid certificates) are exempt from tickets. Children with a height between 1.2 meters and 1.5 meters, the elderly between 60 and 69 years old (with valid certificates), students (with student ID cards), etc. can enjoy a half-price discount. Some scenic spots in the scenic area may also charge separately, such as the sightseeing bus and other projects. Tourists can buy tickets at the ticket window of the scenic area or book tickets in advance through online travel platforms to get more favorable prices and save queuing time. At the same time, the scenic area sometimes launches some package tickets or preferential activities, and tourists can pay attention to the official website of the scenic area or relevant travel platforms for the latest information.
Opening Hours
Xiqiao Mountain Scenic Area in Foshan City is open throughout the year, from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm every day. However, the opening hours of some scenic spots in the scenic area may be different. For example, the opening hours of temples such as Baofeng Temple may be adjusted according to religious activities and other factors. During holidays or peak tourist seasons, the scenic area may appropriately extend the opening hours according to the actual situation. Tourists can pay attention to the official website of the scenic area or relevant announcements to arrange their itinerary reasonably. At the same time, the scenic area may temporarily close some areas or scenic spots in case of special weather conditions (such as heavy rain, strong winds, etc.). Tourists need to pay attention to the weather changes before traveling.
Itinerary for Visiting
One-day Itinerary: After arriving at Xiqiao Mountain Scenic Area in the morning, first go to Nanhai Guanyin Cultural Garden, pay homage to the tall Nanhai Guanyin Statue, and enjoy the magnificent scenery of Daxian Peak. Then take a sightseeing bus or walk to Baofeng Temple, feel the atmosphere of Buddhist culture, and visit the buildings and Buddha statues in the temple. Have lunch at a restaurant inside or around the scenic area and taste local delicacies such as Xiqiao Big Cake and Stuffed Mud Carp. In the afternoon, go to Baiyun Cave Scenic Area, visit Ming and Qing buildings such as Yunquan Xianyuan and Sanhu Academy, and enjoy the natural scenery inside the cave. Finally, go to Shiyan Rock, explore the site of the ancient quarry, and admire the unique geological landscape to end the day's trip.
Two-day Itinerary: After arriving at the scenic area in the morning on the first day, go to Baiyun Cave Scenic Area and slowly visit scenic spots such as Yunquan Xianyuan, Sanhu Academy, and Kuiguang Tower to learn about the history and culture of Xiqiao Mountain. In the afternoon, go to Shiyan Rock to feel the unique geological features. Stay at a hotel or homestay around the scenic area in the evening and taste local food. In the morning of the second day, go to Nanhai Guanyin Cultural Garden, and then go to Baofeng Temple. In the afternoon, move freely in the scenic area. You can choose to climb the mountain to enjoy the natural scenery or have a tea break in the teahouse in the scenic area, and then return.
Transportation
- Bus: You can take bus routes such as Qiao 01, Qiao 02, Qiao 03, Qiao 05, Qiao 06, Qiao 09, Qiao 10, Qiao 12, Qiao 13, Qiao 14, etc. to reach the North Gate or South Gate of Xiqiao Mountain, and then walk or take the scenic area sightseeing bus to enter the scenic area.
- Self-driving: Self-driving tourists can enter "Xiqiao Mountain Scenic Area in Foshan City" in the navigation software and follow the navigation prompts to get there. Starting from Foshan urban area, you can reach the scenic area via Fokai Expressway, Guangzhou Ring Expressway and other roads. There are multiple parking lots in the scenic area for convenient parking. However, during holidays and other peak tourist seasons, parking spaces may be relatively tight, so it is recommended to arrive in advance.
- Tourist Special Line Bus: Some travel agencies or tourism institutions will open tourist special line buses to Xiqiao Mountain Scenic Area. Tourists can choose to take them by consulting travel agencies or making online reservations. This method is relatively convenient and may include services such as tour guide explanations.
Must-visit Attractions
- Baofeng Temple: First built in the 4th year of Tianjian in the Southern Dynasty, with a long history, large scale, simple and elegant architecture. There is the largest white jade Avalokiteshvara statue in the world in the temple, allowing you to feel the strong Buddhist cultural atmosphere.
- Baiyun Cave: One of the core scenic areas of Xiqiao Mountain, known as the "Pearl of Xiqiao Mountain". It has Ming and Qing buildings such as Yunquan Xianyuan, Sanhu Academy, and Kuiguang Tower, with profound cultural heritage and beautiful natural scenery.
- Shiyan Rock: The site of an ancient quarry, with strange stone patterns and stalactites in the cave, and a clear water pool. You can feel the uncanny workmanship of nature and the wisdom of ancient working people.
- Nanhai Guanyin Cultural Garden: Located on Daxian Peak, with an altitude of 346 meters. The Nanhai Guanyin Statue is 61.9 meters high and is the tallest sitting statue of Guanyin in the world. You can pay homage to the statue and overlook the magnificent scenery of Xiqiao Mountain.
Suggestions for Visiting
- Check the weather conditions of the scenic area in advance and choose a sunny day to visit, so as to better enjoy the natural scenery of Xiqiao Mountain. If it rains, some roads may be slippery, so pay attention to safety.
- Prepare comfortable sports shoes and light clothing. Since visiting Xiqiao Mountain requires a lot of walking, comfortable equipment can make the visit more relaxed.
- If you want to visit temples such as Baofeng Temple, it is recommended to dress appropriately and do not wear overly revealing or inappropriate clothing for religious places. After entering the temple, follow the temple's regulations and etiquette.
- When tasting local food, pay attention to food hygiene to avoid physical discomfort caused by unclean food. You can try a variety of characteristic delicacies, but do not overeat.
- You can learn about the history, culture, and geological knowledge of Xiqiao Mountain in advance, so that you can better appreciate and understand the connotations of the scenic spots during the visit.
- If time permits, you can choose to climb the mountain on foot to feel the tranquility of the mountains and forests and the fresh air, but arrange your physical strength reasonably to avoid excessive fatigue.
Precautions
- Take good care of the environment in the scenic area, do not litter, and keep the scenic area clean.
- Some roads in the scenic area are relatively steep. Pay attention to safety when climbing the mountain, especially for the elderly and children who need to be accompanied by adults.
- When visiting religious places such as temples, respect religious beliefs and customs, and do not make loud noises or inappropriate behaviors.
- When taking the scenic area sightseeing bus, follow the instructions of the staff, fasten your seat belt, and do not walk around or make noise in the bus.
- Take good care of personal belongings, especially in crowded places such as the entrance of the scenic area and restaurants, to prevent the loss of belongings.
- When staying in the scenic area, keep the room key properly and abide by the regulations of the hotel or homestay.
- If you encounter an emergency, contact the staff of the scenic area in a timely manner or call the emergency rescue phone number of the scenic area.