Heyuan Travel Guide: Wanlu Lake and the Upper Dongjiang
Heyuan, a Hakka city in the hills of northeastern Guangdong, is where people from Guangzhou and Shenzhen come to see clear water. Its main attraction is Wanlu Lake, the popular name for the Xinfengjiang Reservoir, Guangdong's largest lake, whose boat dock is only about 6 to 8 km from downtown. Spend one day on the lake, an evening on the Dongjiang (East River) waterfront, and, if you have children or an interest in fossils, a couple of hours at the dinosaur museum.
Wanlu Lake
The reservoir was created in 1958 when the Xinfengjiang was dammed for a hydroelectric plant. It flooded a maze of valleys, so today the lake covers roughly 370 km² of water studded with forested islands. The name means "ten thousand greens", and on a clear day the colour of the water lives up to it.
How the day works. Visits run from the tourist dock: scheduled boats leave through the day and stop at islands where you get off for a set time, typically for walking trails, viewpoints and lakeside paths. Longfeng Island and Shuiyuewan are common stops. Different route lines cover different islands, so check which stops your ticket includes before buying. The scenic area's own site lists current routes; 2026 ticket prices aren't confirmed here, so check the official notice.
Timing. Go on a weekday if you can. Weekend and holiday boats fill with Pearl River Delta visitors, and the last departures of the afternoon come early. Sunscreen and water matter on the open deck in summer.
Getting there. The dock is about 15 minutes by taxi from the city centre. Local buses and lake shuttle lines also run from the city and the stations; ask your hotel for the current numbers.
Heyuan Dinosaur Museum
Heyuan calls itself the "Hometown of the Dinosaur in China" with some justification. Thousands of dinosaur egg fossils have been found around the city, and the museum holds a Guinness World Record for the largest collection of dinosaur eggs: 10,008 specimens when the record was set in 2004. As recently as 2019 a primary school pupil found an egg while playing by the Dongjiang. It is the best rainy-day option in town and an easy win with kids.
Riverfront and plazas
The Dongjiang and Xinfengjiang meet in the city, and the riverbanks make a pleasant evening walk. Water from the Dongjiang has supplied Hong Kong since 1960, a fact locals mention with pride.
The musical fountain in the city park is a local institution, popular with families on summer evenings. Check showtimes locally; they vary by season and day of the week. It's a fine way to end a lake day, not a reason to travel.
Further afield
The prefecture has more Hakka heritage and mountain scenery than most visitors see. Sujiawei, a Hakka village of old houses by the river in Dongyuan County, and Dagui Mountain are the usual countryside additions; Huoshan in Longchuan County is further out. Each needs a car and a half day or more, so they suit a second or third day.
When to come to Heyuan
The climate is humid subtropical: mild winters, long hot summers, a wet overcast spring. Autumn (October to November) is the driest, clearest season and the best for lake views. Summer is hot but the lake breeze helps; typhoon-season rain can cancel boats. Avoid Golden Week if possible.
Getting in and where to stay
High-speed trains on the Ganzhou–Shenzhen line stop at Heyuan East, which puts the city within easy reach of Shenzhen and Guangzhou. The older Heyuan station is on the Beijing–Kowloon railway. By road, Guangzhou is about two hours away on expressways.
Stay in Yuancheng District, the city centre, for restaurants and the riverfront; it is a short drive to the lake dock. Lakeside resorts exist if you want quiet, but you'll depend on taxis.
Eating in Heyuan
This is Hakka country. Look for salt-baked chicken, stuffed tofu (niang doufu), braised pork with preserved mustard greens, and freshwater fish from the reservoir. Heyuan is also known for Hakka rice wine, kiwi fruit and green tea. Lakeside restaurants charge more for fish sold by weight, so confirm the price before it goes in the pot.
How to arrange the route
Day 1: Arrive by high-speed train, check in, riverfront walk and the fountain in the evening.
Day 2: Early boat on Wanlu Lake with island stops, back by mid-afternoon; dinosaur museum if time allows.
Day 3 (optional): Sujiawei or Dagui Mountain by car, then on to Huizhou, Meizhou or back to Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
What to cut if short on time
Drop the fountain and the countryside. A single day can cover the lake in the morning and the dinosaur museum in the afternoon before an evening train.
Things to confirm before you go
- Boat routes, island stops and last departures on the scenic area's notice.
- Weather warnings: boats stop in storms.
- Opening days of the dinosaur museum.
- Prices; this guide doesn't quote 2026 figures.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Heyuan?
One night is enough for the lake and the museum. Add a second day for Hakka villages or mountains.
Can I visit Wanlu Lake as a day trip from Shenzhen or Guangzhou?
Yes, with an early high-speed train. It is a long day; staying overnight is more relaxed.
Can I swim in Wanlu Lake?
The reservoir is a protected drinking-water source, so treat it as off-limits for swimming unless a designated area is clearly signposted.
Sources
The facts in this article were checked against the following Wikipedia and encyclopedia entries, retrieved September 24, 2026, and rechecked on October 17, 2026.
- Heyuan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heyuan
- Wanlu Lake / Dongjiang summaries (cross-checked)
- Northeastern Guangdong corridor summaries (cross-checked)
- Wanlu Lake scenic area visitor information (wanlvhu.cn) and Heyuan local press on lake bus links, consulted October 17, 2026
Tickets change; this article does not invent yuan amounts.
All photos are from Wikimedia Commons, used under CC licenses or public domain; re-use requires attribution.
- heyuan-dongjiang.jpg from File:Dongjiang River01.JPG, by Boris1601050607, CC BY-SA 3.0
- heyuan-plaza.jpg from File:文化广场.JPG, by Boris1601050607, CC BY-SA 3.0
- heyuan-fountain.jpg from File:The Musical Fountain of Heyuan.JPG, by Boris1601050607, CC BY-SA 3.0