South China’s Guangzhou is one of the nation’s most vibrant cities. Because of its long history—which spans thousands of years—the city has many traditional Chinese features, but it was also the first center for Christian missionary work in this ancient country. Chinese tea and silk were sent to the West, while Western nations brought staff-like clocks, coffee, cinema, and mobile phones to China along with the pastor’s mission statement. You may enjoy the fusion of East and West culture in Guangzhou today, as well as get lost in the Chinese restaurants and Colonial Gothic buildings. The city stands apart from the rest of the nation because its residents are amiable, energetic, and mostly speak Cantonese rather than Mandarin.
The city’s culinary traditions were greatly influenced by the introduction of Western civilization thousands of years ago. Gourmet seekers will find a typical gastronomic heaven here in Guangzhou. In addition to bringing in culinary art from Western nations like Britain and France, the chef here incorporates the benefits and tastes of other Chinese towns. gradually develops Guangzhou’s own culinary style. Guangzhou is a must-visit destination for everyone looking for a delicious experience. You may always discover some excellent flavor for your culinary memories and never be let down, whether you’re at a traditional roast goose restaurant or a noodle eatery on a busy and deep street.
Although the city lacks a single World Heritage site, the renowned Canton Fair continues to draw tens of thousands of visitors from both home and abroad each year. People that visit Guangzhou are looking for business prospects, since the city has hundreds of factories and workshops for all types of workers, from fashion clothing, buttons, and shoes to high-tech devices and mobile phones. Nevertheless, the city serves as an essential transportation hub for the rest of China’s cities. You may easily connect to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hong Kong, and Tibet from Baiyun International Airport or Guangzhou South Railway Station. Visitors for business or stopover passengers should consider doing some research to make the most of their time in this metropolis. As I have been up in this city since I was born, I feel fully at ease giving them advice.
Historical and cultural sites:
1, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, located at No. 7 Zhongshan Road in Guangzhou, is the biggest and finest preserved ancestral temple complex in the Lingnan tradition. It reflects Guangfu architectural art from the Qing period. This grand architectural complex was once an ancestral and literary temple that was jointly supported by the Chen clan family from 72 counties in Guangdong province. It served as an ancestor temple, a school, and a means of communication with relatives. It has been classified by the National Council as a historical site under special protection of the country, as well as on the basis of international architectural history and as the shining jewel of oriental folk art.
2, Canton tower
Canton Tower, nicknamed ‘Xiaoman Yao’ (Slim Waist) for its curvaceous design, is Guangzhou’s iconic landmark. It is 600 meters high, listed as the tallest building in China and the fourth tallest building in the world. Located in the Zhujiang New City area of Haizhu District, Guangzhou, and in the vicinity of the Zhujiang River, it has become the symbol of Guangzhou for its brilliant light shows and unique streamlined design.
The tower’s“Slim Waist” curved silhouette, formed by24 spiraling steel columns, symbolizes Guangzhou’sgraceful charm and vibrant energy.
Guangzhou Tower is outfitted with numerous observation decks and recreational facilities to fulfill the needs of a wide range of clients.
An observation hall entitled White Cloud and Star View was created on the 433-meter tower body, providing a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of Guangzhou. There is also a glass-built hanging corridor to challenge visitors.
The viewing platform on the 450-meter-high tower body provides an intimate touch with the strong wind and is great for snapping images.
The tallest observation deck, at over 488 meters, is the world’s largest outdoor observation platform. You can easily capture memorable photographs of Zhujiang New City and White Cloud Mountain.
3, Shima Island
Colonial-Era Charm and Picturesque Streets Shimao Island, which used to be a foreign property, is a peaceful place to get away from Guangzhou’s busy city life. It is a photographer’s dream because of its tree-lined streets, European-style houses, and old churches. Remember:
The Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel is a lovely Catholic church.
Statues of famous people from history can be found all over the island.
Local cafés are great places to spend an afternoon resting.
One tip is to go early in the morning to escape crowds and get the best pictures.
4, Yuexiu Park and the Five Rams Statue
They are both beautiful parks that have cultural significance. Yuexiu Park is Guangzhou’s biggest park. It has lots of trees, lakes, and historical sites. The Five Rams Statue, which is a sign of the city, comes from an old story about five immortals who brought wealth to Guangzhou. Some highlights are:
Zhenhai Tower is a watchtower from the Ming Dynasty that has a small museum inside.
The pieces of the Guangzhou City Wall give us a look into the past.
You can rent boats and take a relaxing ride on the lake.
The most beautiful time to go is in the spring, from March to April.
5, The futuristic Guangzhou Opera House
The opera house was designed by Zaha Hadid. This amazing piece of architecture looks like two smooth river pebbles. The Guangzhou Opera House is where world-class concerts take place. It was designed by the late Zaha Hadid. The outside is beautiful, even if you’re not going to a show. It’s especially nice at night when it’s lit up.
Plus, Haixinsha Island is close by and has great views of the river.
Experiences with culture and history
1,The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees
The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees is an old Buddhist temple. This temple is famous for its Flower Pagoda, a nine-story building with brightly colored wings that was built in 537 AD. Inside, there are Buddhist relics, beautiful carvings, and a calm environment.
What you need to do:
Burn incense to get good luck.
Ascend the tower to get a wide view of the city.
Note: Don’t wear shorts or tops without sleeves.
2, The Mausoleum of the Nanyue King
The Mausoleum of the Nanyue King has interesting artifacts from the Han Dynasty. This tomb, which was found in 1983, is 2,000 years old and belongs to Zhao Mo, the second king of Nanyue. This is on the site:
Ashes made of jade are a rare prize.
Gold seals and objects show how skilled people were in the past.
Why go there? It’s like going on an Indiana Jones journey in real life!
3, The Guangdong Museum
The museum is free to visit and a great place for history buffs. In this free museum near the Opera House, you can learn about:
History of nature (dinosaurs, sea life).
Opera and Lingnan buildings are examples of Cantonese culture.
Exhibitions that only last a short time (check their website).
If you want to skip the line, buy your tickets online.
Food and Cooking Adventures
For Dim Sum, you must try the steamed shrimp dumplings (har gow) and the BBQ pork buns (char siu bao).
Roast Goose: The skin is crispy, and the meat is soft.
Wonton Noodles are springy noodles in a tasty soup.
Cast-iron rice is cooked slowly with meats and a crunchy rice top.
It’s said that Banxi or Tao Tao Ju are the best places to eat dim sum.
On Shanghaixiajiu Pedestrian Street, you should try milk tea, egg cakes, and fish balls.
At the Chime Long Night Market, you can try strange foods like stinky tofu and grilled squid.
Shopping and Markets
1, Pedestrian Street on Beijing Road: Shopping and Historical Sites A mix of new shopping stores and old ruins that can be seen through glass walkways. The best deals:
Clothing and accessories (low-cost names).
Things to take home, like tea sets and silk scarves.
2, Haizhu Wholesale Market: Fashion on a Budget A heaven for people who like to find deals on:
New clothes that are in style (great for buying in bulk).
Shoes and bags (talk about prices!).
Day trips
Chimelong Safari Park is one of the best zoos in the world. Here are some of its best features:
Panda Village is where you can see cute giant bears.
Nairobi on Rails (meeting animals outside).
How to get there: Get off at Hanxi Changlong Station on Metro Line 3.
Foshan: Ceramics and Martial Arts For kung fu fans, Bruce Lee’s Ancestral Home is a must-see.
Ancient Nanfeng Kiln: See how pottery is made.
Guideline
Most of the sights are located in the center of the city, which you can easily manage by car tours. You can simply send us an email at orangetransfer@aliyun.com to inquire about car rental service and cover all your interested sights.
Subway is also an ideal choice for saving money and time, but it is not recommended because you might get lost during the transition, and it can be time-consuming.
Shopping is the must-do experience for overseas customers because Guangzhou provides the unbelievably favorable price for high-quality staff, and it is not something you can easily find elsewhere in this country. But before you go to any of the markets for shopping exploration, you should always ask the local people whether they do retail or not. This guideline is very important, as someone went to the market and was told the vendors do only wholesale business.
Gourmet experience is the bucket-list option, as the city is renowned both at home and abroad for its featured Cantonese-style dish with unique flavor. if you have decided to go for lunch or dinner at a local restaurant, especially those time-honored ones that enjoy popularity both at home and abroad. You should always be aware to make a reservation and register on apps such as Dazhongdianping and Meituan 30 minutes before you reach there, or you will have to queue up and wait for a vacant table.
Generally speaking, the city is famous for its food and shopping resources, so do not put too much expectation on the historical staff in the same way you do in cultural and touristic cities like Beijing and Xi’an. The city is not unveiled in that way. Shamian is a nice place to go to get yourself indulged in the old western-style architecture and Gothic church that date back to colonial times.
Chimelong is a must for a family tour with kids, but you will have to stay away from high seasons such as Labor Day (1st May to 7th May), National Day (Oct 1st to 7th Oct), or you will be herded like a shrewd goat in the hot and moist Guangzhou weather. Anyway, Guangzhou is worth a visit, especially to those first-time visitors. We would be happy and prompt to respond if you will need our assistance to plan your trip and provide excellent charter service in Guangzhou. Contact us. Your Guangzhou in-depth tour by car is just a click away. Wish you have a pleasant journey in Guangzhou!