Reverse travel to Luoding for the Mid-Autumn Festival! Explore a niche hidden gem in 1 day

Skip the crowded tourist spots this Mid-Autumn! I took a gamble on "reverse travel" to Luoding and was absolutely blown away 🤯 It’s a 2.5-hour drive via highway from the Pearl River Delta. Leave early on the Mid-Autumn Festival for smooth traffic and beat 90% of the crowds! You can see everything in 1 day without rushing, and still make it back to the Pearl River Delta in time for moon viewing at home. It’s just perfect! 🏮✨ 📍Route plan (no backtracking): Pingtang Peak Forest > Julong Cave > Luoding Wenta > Cai Tingkai Former Residence > Jinyin Lake The route is straightforward with no detours. It’s a relaxed pace perfect for a day trip, and even new drivers can handle it easily~ 📷Must-visit spots ✨Pingtang Peak Forest I was stunned by the karst peaks the moment I parked! ⛰️ Small hills rise abruptly from the ground, set against golden rice fields that stretch to the horizon. With the wind rippling through the rice, I can't believe Guangdong has such an incredible rural landscape! Every photo looks like a desktop wallpaper—no filters needed at all. 🌾 A few minutes' walk inside is Julong Cave, filled with stalactites of all shapes and sizes, including a "Dragon Bed" that looks just like a dragon's head. It’s nice and cool inside—like stepping into a natural air-conditioned room after being out in the sun~ ❄️ ✨Luoding Wenta This is truly the most complete Ming Dynasty pagoda in Guangdong 🏯. The craftsmanship of this octagonal, 7-story brick pagoda is incredibly detailed—it’s 10 times more impressive in person than in photos! The stairs to climb the pagoda are narrow and steep, but the moment you reach the top and overlook the great bend of the Longjiang River, it’s all worth it! In the sunset, the river looks like a shimmering golden ribbon 🌅. There are 64 copper bells hanging from the eaves that tinkle in the wind, full of ancient charm. There are also ruins of an old city wall nearby. It’s super relaxing to stroll along the river in the evening, and you can take some great retro photos 📸. ✨Cai Tingkai Former Residence + Jinyin Lake The former residence of the anti-Japanese general Cai Tingkai is larger than expected 🏛️. It features a 3-courtyard layout with pavilions and corridors, and the 2 watchtowers at the back, originally built for defense against bandits, are particularly eye-catching—the sense of history is palpable! The large pond in front of the house reflects the forest on the hill behind it. After exploring, it’s just a few minutes' drive to Jinyin Lake, where the view is incredibly expansive~ 🌊 When the full Mid-Autumn moon rises over the lake 🌕, with nothing but the sound of water and insects, it’s quiet and healing. There’s absolutely none of the noise found at popular tourist spots—this is the right way to spend the holiday!