7 of the best natural wonders in the Greater Bay Area

Before the industry and the development, the Greater Bay Area was an expanse of genuine beauty. And that selfsame beauty can still be found across the region – from mountains to waves, forest to lake, here’s where to explore and what to do next in the GBA .

Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve

Dinghushan set the bar for nature reserves when it was appointed the region’s first protected reserve in 1956, and then one of the Chinese Mainland’s first Unesco biospheres in 1979. This beautiful spot , located near Foshan, is home to some of the nation’s oldest undisturbed forests and some amazing endangered animals, like the regal silver pheasant and Chinese pangolin. With its crowning mountain, Buddhist temples and rich biodiversity, it’s well worth the trek.

Hac Sa Beach

Hac Sa Beach, which literally translates to “black sand”, is found in Macao’s quieter Coloane, away from the city streets and casinos. The beach, coloured by minerals in the seabed, hugs a wild coastline just waiting to be explored. Before returning to city life, enjoy a meal at the famed Portuguese restaurant Fernando’s for a truly nourishing day out.

Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark

Honeycomb volcanic columns rise out of the earth at the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, forming vegetation-topped structures that seem to be out of another world. This sprawling 150 sq km park is a testament to the Earth’s turbulent geological history, with 400-million-year-old rock formations neighbouring mangrove forests and roaring coastlines. It’s easy to explore these natural wonders: regular boat tours allow you to get up close.

Dong Ao Island

Of all the islands in the Wanshan archipelago near Zhuhai, Dong Ao is one of the most attractive. With the island’s sweeping coastline of sandy beaches and lush greenery, it’s no surprise that luxury resorts have started to pop up here. Head to Honeymoon Park, where you can walk on raised platforms along the water’s edge and watch the sunset.

Shimen National Forest Park

Crayon-hued flowers spill over the reserves at Shimen National Forest Park on the outskirts of Guangzhou, where something is always in bloom. Head to the Shimen Flower Sea to witness floral carpets rolling towards a still lake, or explore the forests that cover nearly every square inch of the park and have earned it an official government designation as a forest bathing spot. Bamboo thickets, waterfalls, sunset-hued maple groves and more make it somewhere you’ll want to get lost in all year round.

Wutongshan National Forest Park

The 900m Wutong mountain towers over the relatively flat cityscape of Shenzhen. If you’re a keen hiker, grab your boots and take on the peak for sweeping views of the Dapeng Peninsula and the tower-studded landscape of Hong Kong’s New Territories across the water. The park has several hiking trails of varying difficulties, so spend a few hours traversing woodland and filling your lungs with mountain air.

Seven Star Crags

Emerald-covered limestone formations tower above Zhaoqing’s Star Lake, hiding caves bubbling with underground rivers, ancient Buddhist and Taoist stone carvings and secluded lagoons. Locals say the crags are arranged like the Big Dipper, lending a celestial quality to a site that already feels otherworldly. Archaeology buffs can spend hours poring over the site’s hundreds of preserved carvings, while more casual sightseers can hop onto river cruises through caves illuminated with neon lights.