Lotus Hill is situated on the outskirts of Panyu City, approximately 20 kilometres east of Guangzhou. It boasts the most well-preserved ancient quarry site in China, with a history spanning 2,000 years. Covering an area of 2.54 square kilometres, the hill comprises 48 red sandstone cliffs, the tallest of which rises to 108 metres. The former quarries now feature hidden grottoes, cliffs, peaks, stone forests, and some rock formations. Additionally, the hill is home to temples, pagodas, and other structures dating from the Ming dynasty, along with remnants of Lotus City, built during the Qing dynasty under the reign of Emperor Kangxi. Today, Lotus Hill is designated as a national 4A-level tourist attraction.
Origin of the name
Lotus Hill is said to have derived its name from a legend about an evil dragon that once wreaked havoc at the mouth of the Pearl River. The Goddess of Mercy intervened by casting her lotus seat into the water to calm the dragon. It is believed that the seat transformed into a lotus-shaped stone, which can now be found near Nantianmen of the hill.
Scenic areas
I started my visit to Lotus Hill Resort in the afternoon, entering through the west gate and taking the tourist train to the central part of the park to save time. The first sight that greeted me was the Lotus Waterfall. 
As I continued, I came across the Lotus Fairyland scenic area, where the Lotus Fairy statue welcomed me.
Lotus Fairyland
This area includes Water Lily Lake, Lotus Lake, and Lotus Fairyland, home to around 1,200 varieties of lotuses and 500 kinds of water lilies. 
In the summer, a lotus tourism festival takes place, offering visitors the chance to admire the lotus blooms and enjoy a lotus banquet featuring dishes made from lotus seeds, roots, and petals. During my visit in March, it was too early to experience these attractions, so I first explored the Lotus Tower and its surrounding area.
Ancient buildings of the Ming and Qing dynasties
The Lotus Tower, constructed in 1612 during the Ming dynasty, stands out as the most prominent building in the area. Standing nearly 50 metres tall, it served as a landmark for foreign sailors and merchants arriving from the South China Sea into the Pearl River, signalling they had reached Guangzhou, the Southern gateway to China. 
Although I was keen to climb the tower, it was closed. After admiring the garden surrounding the Lotus Tower and its beautiful blooming kapok trees, I proceeded to the Lotus Wonderful scenery area.
Lotus Wonderful scenery
The Lotus Wonderful scenery area features the world’s largest gold-plated statue of the Goddess of Mercy. Towering nearly 41 metres high and gazing out over the ocean, this magnificent statue is said to watch over and protect sailors. Created in 1994, it is made of 120 tonnes of bronze and coated with gold. 
Adjacent to the grand statue is the Lotus Zen Temple. To access the Ancient Quarry area, I had to descend numerous steps and reach the gate before closing time, as the resort was about to close for the day.
Ancient Quarry
The Ancient Quarry area is impressive and unlike anything I have ever seen before. For over 2,000 years, the quarry has supplied stone for prominent buildings in the nearby city of Panyu. The unique shapes carved into the rock give it a distinctive appearance. Visitors to the Ancient Quarry Relics may be amazed by the strange and enormous rocks scattered throughout the area. As you walk along the path, you will encounter many of these rocks.
Stop at Yuxian Pond to observe the koi fish and admire the white marble statue of a female figure in the water.
Next, visit the Swallow Rocks, a major highlight of the area. Swallows have built nests between the gaps in the rocks, which is how the area got its name. Looking up from the Swallow Rock, you will see four cliffs surrounding it, creating a small well in the sky. The massive, precarious cliffs are stunning and impressive. During the blooming season, the vines on the rocks create a green wall, resembling a beautiful watercolour painting. Film and TV directors often use this location for shoots.
After visiting Yanle Pavilion for breathtaking views of the surrounding area, I made my way back to the west entrance.
Unfortunately, due to time constraints, there were several other areas in the park I could not explore.
Tourist service area
The Lotus Hotel Yuehai Hotel is ideally located for those considering an extended stay in the area. The hotel offers 103 elegantly decorated rooms, each thoughtfully furnished to provide a peaceful and luxurious retreat. Guests can unwind in their rooms or explore the nearby Lotus Mountain scenic area, play golf at the nearby course, or visit the sea-viewing pavilion.
Amusement park
The area is home to the Bamboo Garden, All Flower Garden, Water Park, Mid Hill, and Nianci Pavilions. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to explore this section of Lotus Hill.
Best time to visit
The well-known Lotus Flower and Peach Blossom Festivals are held each year at the Lotus Hill Tourist Resort. In spring, Lotus Mountain hosts a festival celebrating the beauty of peach blossoms. From June to August, more than 100 varieties of lotus flowers, revered in Buddhism, are showcased during the Lotus Flower Festival. Visitors at this time can enjoy the picturesque scenery and admire the stunning display of blooming lotus flowers.
How to get to Lotus Hill
1. Take Subway Line 3 to Shiqiao Station. From the station entrance, hop on bus Pan 92 to Lianhuashan Bus Station. Once you get off, it is about a five-minute walk to the entrance of Lotus Hill.
2. Ride Metro Line 3 to Panyu Square, then switch to bus Pan 93 to Lianhuashan.
3. Book a Didi
For the second part of my day trip, I decided to catch a Didi ride from Baomo Garden to the west entrance of Lotus Hill. Given the considerable distances and the inefficiencies of public transport, opting for Didi over the metro and buses can save you a lot of time.
Practical advice
This resort is highly recommended for a visit. However, please be aware that visiting hours are from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, so plan your visit accordingly. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you will be doing quite a bit of walking. Also, keep in mind that there is another Lotus Hill Park located in Shenzhen, so make sure you are visiting the correct one. A visit to Lotus Hill pairs perfectly with a trip to Baomo Garden, making for an excellent day trip from Guangzhou.
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Author: Anita Sane
About the author
Anita is a part-time traveller, passionate photographer and a retired career woman from Latvia, travelling mostly solo for more than 15 years. She is a skilled travel planner who plans and executes her travels by herself. Anita wants to show you how to travel the world and open your mind to new experiences. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Bloglovin.
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