Off-peak travel | Going to Aranya in Guangzhou on a weekday is really chill

Eight years ago, Guangzhou's Aranya was known for its Jiulong Lake. It was free, had few shops, and wasn't as crowded. In just a few years, Jiulong Lake gained Aranya's certification and unexpectedly became a sensation. I heard it gets incredibly crowded on weekends, but luckily I always go on weekdays and spend the whole day there – it's super chill! 📍Starting from Huadu District, Guangzhou, it's about a 40-minute drive to Aranya, which is part of Guangzhou. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the Aranya app or at the Jiulong Lake entrance for 50 yuan per person, which can be used to offset most food and beverage expenses inside. Parking is 8 yuan per hour, capped at 50 yuan per day. ✅Food and Shopping: 1. BEGL Bagel (a must-try). I especially love their blueberry cheesecake; it has a sweet and salty flavor, the blueberries are large and juicy, and the filling is generous – it's incredibly satisfying. I recommend pairing it with a lemon tea, otherwise it can get a little too sweet towards the end. 🤫 (Bread and drinks are generally priced around 20-40 RMB) 2. Chuntai (My favorite). Oh my god, the flavors at this shop are practically tailor-made for me! I've been three times and eaten there all three times, and every time I've had a great experience. Everything, spicy or not spicy, suits my taste perfectly. I especially recommend their stir-fried bullfrog with chili peppers and ginger (crispy on the outside and tender on the inside), the spiciness is just right, and the braised chicken with copper pot toast (my son can easily eat two big bowls of rice with it), and the lemongrass wild boar ribs (kids' favorite, they keep eating them). Just order whatever you like, you won't be disappointed, everything is delicious! 3. Shanchi Coffee. The coffee is a bit pricey but incredibly authentic. One cup and you feel refreshed. Coffee lovers should definitely try it. It's not as crowded as Bagel Coffee, so you can bring your bagel and go for coffee. A chat with your girlfriends will easily fill an afternoon. ✅Photo Spots: 1. The Christmas tree is now in place, and the entire lawn in front of the church is a great photo spot, creating a very Christmassy atmosphere. 1. I feel like Aranya really understands girls; the "Southern Fairy Tale Moon" truly touched my heart. 2. Every shot in the European-style town feels like a scene from a European street. I've seen many online celebrities taking photos here lately; Jiulong Lake is finally recovering. 3. The mountain path before reaching the ecological park (castle). The road from the European-style town to the castle is quite long; it would take at least half an hour to walk, so many people choose to drive. We walked there that day, enjoying the sunshine, shade, and small villas and mansions—it really felt like being abroad! Breathing in the fresh air all the way uphill was wonderful! Unfortunately, the castle was under renovation those days, so we didn't get any photos. I plan to go again next time. PS: In short, Jiulong Lake has become the best place to relax when I don't know where else to go.