Located at 801 Guangyuan Middle Road in the Baiyun District of Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, the Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area sits in the northeast of the city. Covering a total area of 21.8 square kilometers, it is an urban mountainous forest ecological scenic area.
The area features a southern subtropical monsoon marine climate, characterized by long summers, mild winters, abundant sunshine, and plentiful rainfall. Geologically ancient with diverse landforms, the mountain is higher in the center and lower in the north and south, sloping from the northeast toward the southwest. Although it has a large catchment area, there are no rivers within the scenic zone; surface water is limited to streams, mountain springs, and reservoirs, while groundwater—primarily in the form of mountain springs—is relatively abundant.
Baiyun Mountain boasts rich natural resources, hosting 1,054 plant species, including 23 national and provincial rare and endangered species such as fern trees, camphor trees, and Manglietia fordiana. Wildlife surveys have recorded 185 insect species, 43 amphibian species, and 16 mammal species.
The cultural history of Baiyun Mountain dates back to the Neolithic Age. During the Southern Liang Dynasty, Zen Master Jingtai established the Jingtai Temple, leaving behind a famous scenic view known as "Jingtai Monks Returning." During the Ming and Qing dynasties, three of the "Eight Views of Yangcheng" (Guangzhou) were located here. Since the founding of New China, successive municipal governments have developed the area, leading to the establishment of the Guangzhou Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area Administration Bureau.
The scenic area is divided into seven touring zones from south to north, including Luhu, Santailing, and Mingchungu. It features attractions such as Yuntai Garden, Mingchungu, and the Sculpture Park, which hold national records. The scenic spots "Pine Waves at Baiyun," "Splendor of Yunshan," and "Layered Greenery of Yunshan" have successively been selected as part of the "New Eight Views of Yangcheng."
In May 2002, Guangzhou Baiyun Mountain was designated by the State Council as a "National Key Scenic Spot" (the fourth batch). In 2011, it was rated as a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction. In 2022, Baiyun Mountain was included in the Guangzhou Place Name Protection List (First Batch). By 2023, the scenic area had attracted 16 million visitors.