Location: Heyuan stands in northeastern part
of Guangdong Province, on
the middle and upper reaches of the Dongjiang River. It shares
boundary with Jiangxi Province in the north. Being a traffic hub
in northwestern Guangdong, Heyuan is the first stop the Beijing-Kowloon
Railway makes within the province.
History: It is a Hakka population center along
the Dongjiang River. Extreme long ago, settlers from present Zhejiang
and Jiangsu provinces were scattered around the region, living
together with the minorities there. It was during the Qin Dynasty
(221BC-206BC) that the court transferred people in North China
to this area, bringing it advance Yellow River Culture. From then
on, whenever a war broke in Central Plain, there would be a crowd
of settlers moving there. Gradually, the Hakka cultural came into
being.
Physical Features: Heyuan has a rolling terrain.
Mountainous region occupies the major land of the city, and the
hilly area ranks the second place. It is long and narrow. Plain
area in the center is surrounded by mountains and hills. The Dongjiang
River flows north and south through the city.
Climatic Features: The city bears a subtropical
monsoon climate featuring relatively higher temperature, less
rainfall and more sunshine than surrounding areas. Torrid and
dry weather may continuously occur during July and August. However,
warm winter is commonly met due to the less active cold air.
When to Go: The city is favorable for visiting
all the year round due to the temperate weather.
Special Local Products: Jiulian Chinese mushroom,
Heyuan Garlic, green tea, ginkgo nut
Scenic Spots:
Xinfengjiang National Forest Park: This ecological
tourist zone is built relying on the largest lake by manpower
in South China, the Evergreen Lake. Backing on the Guishan Mountain
(Laurel Mountain) the zenith of the city, this scenic area also
holds hundreds of green islets dotted on the lake.
Sujiawei Hakka Village Tourist Zone: 26 kilometers
(16 miles) from the downtown Heyuan, this is a fine destination
to admire local country scenery and the Hakka culture, including
old Hakka building and unsophisticated Hakkas.
Other Scenic Spots: Tuocheng, Huanglong Crag,
Hakka Round-Dragon House
Tourist Tips: The two principal bus stations
in Yuancheng District downtown Heyuan, one is the central bus
station in Daqiao Road and the other is Xincheng Bus Station in
Heyuan Dadao. Buses departing there can reach Shenzhen and Guangzhou
in three hours. From the Shenzhen Yinhu and Donghu bus station,
as well as the Guangzhou Tianhe Bus Station, buses to Heyuan can
also be easily found.