Escaping the City for a Breath of Forest Air: "Little Kyoto of Qingyuan" Unlocks a New Hot Spring Micro-Vacation Getaway

Northbound spending by Hong Kong residents has become routine. Beyond nearby cities like Shenzhen and Zhuhai, a growing number of travellers are opting for "micro-vacations"—brief escapes to places like Zhongshan and Qingyuan to unwind. Last week, our reporter became a "vacation expert" for the day, packed a light bag, and set off for New World Qingyuan Hotel on a two-day, one-night trip to experience this resort paradise nestled among green hills and waters, and to discover firsthand the unique charm of the "Little Kyoto of Qingyuan."

New World Qingyuan Hotel. Photo source: New World Qingyuan Hotel

Departing Hong Kong in the morning, the reporter reached Qingyuan, Guangdong, by noon, a journey of just half a day. As the bustling cityscape outside the window gradually gave way to rolling emerald mountains, a sense of tranquility washed over the reporter. Immersed in nature, she felt the tension melt away.

New World Qingyuan Hotel. Photo by Bastille Post

Stepping into the hotel, guests are greeted by a wood-accented design that exudes a strong resort feel. According to the hotel staff, the property was meticulously crafted by a renowned Japanese design team, which skillfully blended traditional Japanese roji (garden path) aesthetics with the graceful landscapes of Lingnan. Grey tiles and white walls complement the surrounding trees, creating an atmosphere that is elegant without being ostentatious, one that feels like stepping into a secluded Eastern Zen-style courtyard. It is little wonder travellers call it the "Little Kyoto of Qingyuan."

The property was meticulously crafted by a renowned Japanese design team. Photo by Bastille Post

The hotel offers 217 deluxe rooms and suites, with exceptionally spacious and open layouts ranging from 55 to 145 square metres. The in-room art installations draw inspiration from Qingyuan's famous ginkgo landscapes, using traditional Japanese washi paper dyeing techniques to render the delicate veins and natural hues of ginkgo leaves, creating a culturally rich atmosphere for rest.

The in-room art installations draw inspiration from Qingyuan's famous ginkgo landscapes. Photo by Bastille Post

Most captivating of all, every room features a built-in soaking tub, allowing guests to gaze out at the mist-wreathed mountains from the privacy of their own space. Accumulated work stress and fatigue would melt away, offering a complete release for both body and mind.

Every room features a built-in soaking tub. Photo by Bastille Post

The hotel's most celebrated asset is its natural hot spring resource. Qingyuan has long been known as "China's Hot Spring Town," and the hotel sits atop a source of premium thermal mineral water.

The property features 18 outdoor onsen pools and 5 indoor soaking pools. Photo by Bastille Post

The property features 18 outdoor onsen pools and 5 indoor soaking pools. The spring water has been certified by the Hot Spring Research Center, Japan, as a top-tier weakly alkaline quality with a silky-smooth feel. The reporter experienced it firsthand, and in an instant the weariness of the journey was washed away.

The spring water has been certified by the Hot Spring Research Center, Japan, as a top-tier weakly alkaline quality with a silky-smooth feel. Photo by Bastille Post

The hotel also houses a Japanese Zen-inspired spa centre, following traditional Japanese onsen philosophy and combining hot spring therapy, soothing hydrotherapy, steam room, and foot therapy.

The hotel houses a Japanese Zen-inspired spa centre. Photo by Bastille Post

The hotel offers over 20 leisure experiences. Outdoors, a lawn of more than 18,000 square feet hosts pickleball, archery, mini golf, basketball, tennis, cycling, and an outdoor pool, all popular with Hong Kong visitors. Indoors, there is a VR game room, movie screening room, KTV, billiards room, and a children's club of over 3,000 square metres. For families, there are dedicated play areas and family-friendly craft workshops designed for younger guests.

The hotel offers over 20 leisure experiences. Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

The reporter also tried making a local specialty dessert on site—a mung bean pastry filled with wampee. The mung bean dough was kneaded and cut into small pieces, wrapped around a sweet-and-sour filling made from Qingyuan's native wampee, then pressed into a mould to produce a chestnut-shaped pastry. Whether for a weekend retreat, a gathering of friends, or a large family outing, everyone can find a suitable activity here.

The reporter tried making a local specialty dessert on site—a mung bean pastry filled with wampee. Photo by Bastille Post

For dining, the hotel encompasses an all-day restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, a lobby bar, and a poolside bar, upholding the farm-to-table philosophy. Nearly 80 percent of ingredients are sourced from Qingyuan and surrounding areas.

Nearly 80 percent of the hotel's ingredients are sourced from Qingyuan and surrounding areas. Photo by Bastille Post

A visit to Qingyuan would not be complete without tasting authentic Qingyuan chicken. The hotel uses 180-day-old free-range Qingyuan orchard chicken. Other dishes include Sankeng smoked black-bristled goose wrapped in rice straw, claypot yellow beef from Yangshan with small yellow ginger, free-range duck simmered in spring water with freshly picked Jinsixian and tofu skin, and stone-pot black tofu from Jiulong Town with sea urchin. All ingredients retain their original, natural flavours.

The hotel also has five outdoor barbecue areas, providing small gathering spaces for friends and families.

The hotel uses 180-day-old free-range Qingyuan orchard chicken. Photo by Bastille Post

Even on a weekday, the reporter saw many guests checking in, including Hong Kong residents who had driven north. Mr. Luk and his wife were on their second visit to Qingyuan. Mr. Luk said that last time they took a coach to Panlong Gorge, but this time they drove directly, which was "much more convenient since driving in the Mainland is quite comfortable." He noted that he comes "at least twice a month," partly because "petrol in Hong Kong is too expensive," but what attracts him most is still the hot springs. "Zhongshan hot springs used to be Hong Kong people's favourite; now we can go a bit further, and the water quality is different. Tonight I must give it a try." He also planned to try archery and other outdoor activities, and felt that Qingyuan is a few degrees cooler than Hong Kong, making it even better for soaking in hot springs in winter.

Mr. Luk and his wife. Photo by Bastille Post

Another couple, Mr. and Mrs. Cheung, visiting for the first time, said they chose the destination because family members had recently been and highly recommended it. "We usually go to Zhuhai or Shenzhen, but this time we wanted to venture a bit further north for different activities and to enjoy nature." They said they are used to driving north once or twice a month and enjoy finding a comfortable place to stay for a few days with family and friends. This time, they would stay three days at the hotel before returning to Hong Kong via Guangzhou.

Mr. and Mrs. Cheung. Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Alex K.C. Lee, General Manager of New World Qingyuan Hotel, said the hotel's average occupancy rate in the first three quarters of 2026 was about 65 percent, reaching 90 percent on weekends and often fully booked during long holidays. Benefiting from the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" policy, Hong Kong guests have become the fastest-growing source market, accounting for 18 percent of guests in the first three quarters, a rise of 10 percentage points year on year. During the recent three-day Chung Yeung Festival holiday, the proportion of Hong Kong guests exceeded 40 percent. The hotel expects overall occupancy to reach 95 percent for the Christmas period, with some dates fully booked and the Hong Kong guest share potentially exceeding 50 percent, or even approaching 60 percent.

Mr. Alex K.C. Lee, General Manager of New World Qingyuan Hotel. Photo by Bastille Post

He added that Qingyuan has a forest coverage rate of 72 percent, forming a sharp contrast with urban environments like Shenzhen and Hong Kong, precisely meeting Hong Kong visitors' desire to "escape the city and relax." To this end, the hotel has optimised its offerings for families, introducing family rooms and all-inclusive packages, and expanding children's playground facilities. It also provides 17 EV charging points and 300 parking spaces, which should adequately cover the needs of self-driving guests.

The hotel has optimised its offerings for families, introducing family rooms and all-inclusive packages, and expanding children's playground facilities. Photo by Bastille Post

On this basis, the hotel is actively developing deeper surrounding experiences, such as Yingde tea plantations, Beijiang Little Three Gorges Cruise, and the "market day" held on the 2nd, 5th, and 8th of each lunar month, when the chef leads guests to the local market to shop and experience the rhythm of Qingyuan life firsthand. In summer, rafting and other activities complement the hot springs, ensuring travellers can find a suitable way to enjoy themselves in any season.

The hotel is actively developing deeper surrounding experiences. Photo source: New World Qingyuan Hotel

To further attract Hong Kong visitors, the hotel has launched an exclusive accommodation offer. From now until 31 March 2027, Hong Kong travellers presenting their Home Return Permit at check-in can enjoy four additional privileges: one hour of pickleball court use, one hour of chess and card room access, an archery experience (12 arrows), and a RMB 200 dining credit.

EPD alerts public to fraudulent recycling subsidy scheme

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has recently received public enquiries regarding a recycling subsidy scheme purportedly jointly launched by an enterprise and the EPD. The publicity poster claimed that subsidy would be provided for recycling under the "Renewable Resource Recovery Incentive Scheme". The EPD today (November 9) urged members of the public to stay alert and not to believe in that circulating publicity poster and relevant information.

The EPD clarified that the Department has never jointly launched any project named the "Renewable Resource Recovery Incentive Scheme" with any organisations, nor has it authorised any individual or entity to use the name and logo of the EPD for such publicity. Upon review, the logos of the EPD and the related enterprise on the poster are false. The EPD has reported the case to the Police.

A spokesperson for the EPD reminded the public not to trust posters, links, or messaging software from unknown sources and not to participate in suspicious recycling subsidy activities. Members of the public should also refrain from disclosing personal data or financial information to unknown sources. Anyone who has provided personal information or conducted transactions in connection with the fraudulent recycling subsidy scheme is advised to contact the Police as soon as possible.