As China’s third-largest city, Guangzhou is not for the faint-hearted. A sprawling metropolis framed by stainless steel skyscrapers and split by the Pearl River, Guangzhou offers history and modernity in equal measure. The city’s size means a sightseeing tour is the best way to travel between landmarks quickly and easily. Full-day tours typically cover Chen Clan Academy, the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees (Liurong Temple), and the Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King, and include a traditional Cantonese lunch. Yuexiu Park—home to the emblematic Five Ram Statue and Ming-era Zhenhai Tower—offers plenty to explore, as does Shamian Island, with its the colonial mansions and neo-Gothic churches. Embrace Guangzhou’s evening energy on a Pearl River night cruise or by pre-booking a ticket to the Chimelong International Circus—and don't forget to eat your fill of Cantonese cuisine, such as dim sum and roast duck, on a food tour. Day trips to Hong Kong by super-speed bullet train are a popular choice with travelers short on time, while traveling to Chengdu by air makes the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding doable in a day. Plus, don’t miss Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, a rainbow of imperial architecture; Chimelong Paradise, China’s largest amusement park; and Canton Tower, the country’s tallest structure.
Subtropical Guangzhou is known for its sultry weather and toasty summers; depending on your heat tolerance, you may wish to visit in the cooler fall months. That said, the sizable city always has events worth traveling for, from Lunar New Year (complete with vibrant flower markets) and spring's Dragon Boat Festival to the Lotus Flower Festival in summer.
Born in the North of China, Shelly moved to Guangzhou with her family when she was little and lived there for over a decade. Now living 8,000 miles from home, Shelly dreams about the food in Guangzhou every day.
explore Zhujiang New Town, which represents the new spirit of Guangzhou. Also, make sure to spend some time in Shamian Island for a look at the city’s history.
starts with dim sum (or, “yum cha”) at Bei Yuan Restaurant, continues with a hike to the summit of Baiyun Mountain, and ends with a nighttime river cruise on the Pearl River.
the food. Guangzhou is the birthplace of Cantonese food, where you can try the authentic taste of white cut chicken and dim sum. No one leaves the city hungry.
try out the oldest and smallest restaurants on Xihua Lu and Huifu Dong Lu, where you can find the most traditional food and snacks. Look out for rice noodle rolls, wonton soup, and more.
visit the top of Canton Tower at night, and try some Longjing tea in the tea lounge after enjoying the view over the city.
is only spending time in the city center and missing the rich history Guangzhou has to offer.
Once known as Canton City, Guangzhou is China’s third largest city, a busy trading port, and the capital of Guangdong (Canton) province. It’s best known for Cantonese cuisine, Cantonese opera, the Pearl River, and modern architecture, including the 1,970-foot (600-meter) Canton Tower and Zaha Hadid’s Guangzhou Opera House.
...MoreMost travelers find 2–3 days is enough to explore Guangzhou. That lets you feast on Cantonese food, take in modern architecture and historic Shamian Island, enjoy a Pearl River cruise, and follow in the footsteps of former residents such as martial artist Bruce Lee and revolutionary Sun Yat-Sen.
...MoreThere’s more to Guangzhou than dim sum and discount shopping. Besides modern architecture, like the Canton Tower, Pearl River Tower, Guangzhou Opera House, and Guangzhou Circle, heritage sites include Shamian Island, Yuexiu Park, the Chen Clan Academy, the Former Residence of Sun Yat Sen, and the Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King.
...MoreStart the day by discovering Guangzhou’s historic European architecture on a stroll around scenic Shamian Island, then enjoy a dim sum feast. Spend the afternoon exploring heritage sites, such as Yuexiu Park or the 2,100-year-old Nanyue royal tomb. When night falls, soak up the skyline from a Pearl River cruise.
...MoreNot really. Much less English is spoken in Guangzhou than in Hong Kong: you can’t expect taxi drivers, shop workers, or staff in budget eateries to speak English. However, young people will have studied English at school and should have some basics, while subway signs are in both English and Chinese.
...MoreYes. It is unusual for travelers to experience serious crime in Guangzhou. However, pickpocketing is not uncommon, while you should avoid anyone who offers to help you at an ATM. China operates a zero tolerance policy for drugs, which can include random drug testing of foreigners.
...MoreNumber of Attractions | 17 |
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Number of Tours | 425 |
Number of Reviews | 440 |
Currency | CNY |
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