Hezhou is located in northeastern Guangxi, at the junction of Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi provinces. It has a subtropical monsoon climate, warm and humid with four distinct seasons, and an average annual temperature of about 20°C.
Hezhou has a long history, established in the sixth year of the Yuanding reign of the Western Han Dynasty (111 BC). Formerly known as Linhe, it is one of the important birthplaces of Lingnan culture, with a history of over 2,000 years.
Hezhou is a significant representative of Hakka culture, featuring unique Hakka enclosed houses, Hakka folk songs, and Hakka cuisine. Local specialties include Huangyao fermented black beans, Xindu Sanhuang chicken, and Fuchuan oil tea, each with distinctive flavors.
Modern Hezhou actively develops eco-tourism and health industries, relying on attractions such as Huangyao Ancient Town and Gupo Mountain to become the backyard of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with sustained economic growth.
The best time to visit 贺州 is Best in spring and autumn.
Spring (March-May) has pleasant temperatures and blooming flowers, ideal for visiting Huangyao Ancient Town and Gupo Mountain.
Autumn (September-November) offers clear skies and charming scenery, perfect for outdoor hiking and photography.
Summer (June-August) is hot and rainy, but suitable for water activities like rafting; winter (December-February) is mild and dry, great for hot spring wellness.
In 111 BC, Linhe County was established, marking the beginning of administrative organization in Hezhou.
During the Ming Dynasty, Huangyao Ancient Town gradually became an important commercial center, preserving many Ming and Qing buildings.
In 2002, Hezhou Prefecture was abolished and Hezhou was established as a prefecture-level city, starting a new chapter of development.
Recommended places to visit
Huangyao Ancient Town is Hezhou's most famous attraction, a national 5A-level tourist attraction with a thousand-year history, well-preserved ancient buildings, stone streets, ancient stages, and Dailong Bridge.
Gupo Mountain is known for its fresh air, dense forests, and spectacular waterfalls. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction, ideal for hiking and summer retreat.
Explore rich intangible cultural heritage and traditional crafts
Yao Butterfly Song is a traditional folk song from Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County in Hezhou, using butterflies as a metaphor, with beautiful melodies. It was inscribed on the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008.
Yao Panwang Festival is a major festival for the Yao people to worship their ancestor Panwang, held annually on the 16th day of the tenth lunar month, featuring singing, dancing, and rituals. It was inscribed on the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006.
Must-know transportation for exploring the city
Hezhou Station is a stop on the Guiyang-Guangzhou high-speed railway, directly accessible from Guangzhou, Guilin, Guiyang, etc., with a travel time of about 1-2 hours.
Guangzhou-Hezhou about 80 CNY
Hezhou city has multiple bus routes connecting major attractions and urban areas, with fares of 1-2 CNY. There are also tourist shuttles to Huangyao Ancient Town and other scenic spots.
1-20 CNY
Hezhou currently has no civil airport. You can fly to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport or Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, then transfer by high-speed rail or bus to Hezhou.
Guilin-Hezhou high-speed rail about 60 CNY
Taste the most authentic and popular local specialties
Huangyao fermented black beans are a traditional Hezhou specialty made from fermented black soybeans, delicious and great for cooking.
Xindu Sanhuang chicken is a famous local breed from Hezhou, named for its yellow feathers, beak, and feet, with tender meat.
The Jade Stone Forest is a unique karst landscape composed of white marble pillars, with various shapes, known as 'fairyland on earth'.
Eighteen Waters is famous for its waterfall clusters, known as the 'Jiuzhaigou of Lingnan', a national 4A-level scenic spot and summer resort.
Hezhou Hot Spring is a natural geothermal spring with excellent water quality, rich in minerals, suitable for health and relaxation.
Fuchuan oil tea is a local Yao ethnic specialty drink made by pounding tea leaves, ginger, garlic, peanuts, etc., then boiling, rich and delicious.
Hezhou stuffed dishes come in many varieties, such as stuffed tofu, stuffed peppers, stuffed eggplants, etc., where meat filling is stuffed into vegetables and steamed or fried.
Gonghui beef tripe sour soup is a Hezhou specialty snack, made with beef tripe and stomach cooked in sour broth, sour and spicy to stimulate appetite.