About Yunfu
Yunfu lies in the hills of western Guangdong, on the south bank of the Xi River, and governs a region of forested ranges, river valleys and old market towns. The city has long been known for stone: it is one of China's main centres for cutting, polishing and carving marble and granite, much of it shipped in from elsewhere.
The region's most famous son is Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism, who was born in present-day Xinxing County in the 7th century. Guoen Temple, built at his family home, draws pilgrims from across China and beyond. Luoding, to the southwest, preserves a tall Ming dynasty pagoda, a Confucian temple and ancient rock inscriptions, while Yunan County keeps the Qing era houses of Dawan.
The landscape is part of the appeal. Tianlu Mountain rises to more than 1,200 metres on the Xinxing border and the countryside is heavily forested. Yunfu is reached by high-speed rail and expressway from Guangzhou and Foshan, making it a quiet, little-visited corner of the province.
Best seasonOctober to April, cooler and drier
Ideal stay2 days with a car
ArrivingHigh-speed rail to Yunfu East or Xinxing South from Guangzhou
