National park · China
Nanling National Forest Park南岭国家森林公园
Enter Nanling National Forest Park for about ¥60–¥80 CNY per adult (check), hike Little Yellow Mountain (≈2 h, check) in spring, and note that the main mountain trail was closed in summer 2012 — confirm current status before visiting.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
1993
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- Area figures differ between sources; roughly 150 km² of forested land (check).
- Established
- 1993
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Nanling National Forest Park protects pine‑dominated mountains and waterfalls in Guangdong’s southern range, offering stone‑step trails, a short hike to Little Yellow Mountain and a longer waterfall trek.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1993.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 1993
Area figures differ between sources; roughly 150 km² of forested land (check).
Why go
- Explore pine‑covered mountains and waterfalls in Guangdong’s southern range.
- Hike well‑maintained stone trails with railings and stairs.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry (check)
- FebCool, dry (check)
- MarMild, flowers (check)
- AprPleasant, good hiking (check)
- MayWarm, still dry (check)
- JunHeat, possible trail closure (check)
- JulSummer heat, trail closed (check)
- AugSummer heat, trail closed (check)
- SepCooling, clearer (check)
- OctMild, good colors (check)
- NovCool, dry (check)
- DecCool, dry (check)
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine forest birdsMar–Oct · Common in the park. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Shaoguan
Train to Shaoguan East, then bus from the station square to the park (07:45, 11:15, 15:15 departures; return 07:30, 11:30, 15:30).Train to Shaoguan East, then bus from the station square to the park (7:45 AM, 11:15 AM, 3:15 PM departures; return 7:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM).
≈2 h bus ride
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance area | Ticket office, information centre, start of main trails. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Little Yellow Mountain | Popular short hike with views of the valley. | Open; trail may be closed in summer (check). |
| Rufeng Waterfall Group | Series of waterfalls along a longer trail. | Guided or self‑guided; check seasonal status. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate centre of the park.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | CNY 60–80 (≈ US$9–12) | person | Typical adult price; exact rate not published (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Camping permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated sites with a permit.
- Trail closure
- Main mountain trail closed in summer months (check).
- Pets
- Not allowed inside the park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Orange House
Triple room ¥238, standard room ¥328 with A/C on weekends (check).
Near the park
Inn near entrance
Rustic rooms around ¥150 per night (check).
Safety
Stray dogs low
Trail navigation medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Entrance area reachable by bus or taxi; short walks to trailheads.
- Stair‑heavy trails not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use the designated bus service to reduce car traffic.
- Carry out all litter; do not disturb wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Nanling National Forest Park?
Adult entry is about ¥60–¥80 CNY; exact price varies and should be confirmed at the gate (check).
What are the best hikes in Nanling National Forest Park?
Little Yellow Mountain (≈2 h, easy) and the Rufeng Waterfall Group trek (4–5 h, moderate) are the most popular (check).
When is the best time to visit Nanling National Forest Park?
Spring (Mar–May) and autumn (Sep–Oct) offer mild weather and open trails; summer may see closures (check).
Can I camp in the park?
Camping is allowed only with a pre‑arranged permit; otherwise stay at nearby inns.
How do I get to the park from Shaoguan?
Take a train to Shaoguan East, then a bus from the station square to the park (07:45, 11:15, 15:15); the bus ride is about 2 hours.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Nanling National Forest Park
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