Luoding is such a wild spot—escape for the weekend and head straight there

Reverse travel for the Mid-Autumn Festival is a total win! Don't go to popular tourist cities just to stare at crowds. A 2.5h drive from the Pearl River Delta, I discovered a severely underrated hidden gem of a town—Luoding! The whole drive is on highways with no traffic jams. In one day, you can check off karst peaks and rice paddies, a Ming Dynasty pagoda, a general's former residence, and moon-viewing by the lake. The whole trip is relaxing and photogenic—just copy my itinerary! 📍 Route Overview: Pearl River Delta → Pingtang Town Karst Peaks (Julong Cave) → Luoding Wenta (Pagoda) → Cai Tingkai's Former Residence (Jinyin Lake) → Return. No backtracking the whole way. Tested on the actual Mid-Autumn Festival day, the timing was just right. 🚗 Transportation Guide: Direct highway access the whole way; just navigate to each spot. Good road conditions and easy parking. Recommend leaving before 8:00 AM for the best lighting. 📷 Stop 1: Pingtang Karst Peaks & Julong Cave: Park on the roadside, and you're greeted by karst peaks + golden rice paddies. The rice is ripe in September, with heavy ears of grain, and the wind rustles through the rice waves. Paired with the rising strange peaks, it's like walking into a pastoral painting. Every shot is wallpaper-worthy and cinematic. Walk in for a few minutes to reach Julong Cave. Inside, the stalactites are rugged, and there's a "Dragon Bed" stone that looks just like a dragon's head. It's a natural air conditioner and super cool—a savior after being exposed to the sun outside. The cave is slippery, so remember to wear non-slip shoes. 📷 Stop 2: Luoding Wenta (Pagoda): The most complete Ming Dynasty pagoda in Guangdong, an octagonal, seven-story brick structure. It's ten times more impressive in person than in photos. The stairs to climb the tower are narrow and steep, but reaching the top opens up to a stunning view. Overlooking the great bend of the Longjiang River, the water looks like a golden ribbon under the sunset, shimmering. The 64 bronze bells on the pagoda eaves jingle in the wind, full of ancient charm. There are remnants of the ancient city wall next to the pagoda. Taking a walk along the river in the evening, watching locals fishing and strolling, is the ultimate in relaxation—perfect for clearing your mind. 📷 Stop 3: Cai Tingkai's Former Residence & Jinyin Lake: The former residence of the anti-Japanese war hero, a three-courtyard complex with a watchtower. It's grand in scale, with green bricks and gray tiles. The pond in front of the house reflects the bamboo forest behind the mountain—both weathered and serene. Drive a few minutes to Jinyin Lake. The lakeside is open and empty. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the full moon rises from the lake surface. It's so quiet that you can only hear the water and the insects—it's the ultimate spot for moon-viewing.