Guangzhou is one of the largest megacities in China, the capital of Guangdong Province, as well as the commercial and economic center of the country. It is the third most populous city in the Celestial Empire – 18.67 million people live here permanently, more only in Shanghai and Beijing. Guangzhou is a unique melting pot of modern urbanism and ancient historical heritage, frenzied rhythm of trade and vast flowering parks.
I will tell you what to see in the city and the surrounding area, what top sights to visit first. For your convenience, I will mark the places on the city map.
Guangzhou History
Guangzhou is included in the list of 24 historical cities in China, whose age exceeds 2000 years. The first mention of settlements on the site of the metropolis dates back to 862 B.C. A full-fledged city was founded here in 214 B.C. in the Qin Dynasty and named Panyu. During the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), Guangzhou was a key port on the Maritime Silk Road linking China with Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Middle East.
In the 13th century, the city became the first Celestial trade harbor open to European ships. It retained this status until 1840. Since then, the second name of the city, Canton, has been adopted in European languages. It came from the Portuguese Cantão, an adaptation of the Chinese word “Guangdong” (Guǎngdōng), denoting the province whose capital was Guangzhou.
It was the blockade of the port of Guangzhou that started the First Opium War (1839-1842), a military conflict between Britain and the Qing Empire over the right to maintain British dominance of the Chinese market.
Guangzhou played a key role in the Xinhai Revolution, which led to the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. It was here that one of the first armed uprisings of the revolutionary Sun Yat-sen took place in 1895. The founder of the People’s Republic of China repeatedly used the port as a staging ground for uprisings and armed campaigns.
What Guangzhou is known for
Today Guangzhou is one of the largest industrial centers in China. It is called the factory of the world because of the large number of enterprises. The metropolis is the key core of wholesale trade with all partners of the Celestial Empire. World companies have long ago opened representative offices here: the factories of famous brands such as Honda, Toyota, Peugeot, GAC Group and Nissan, factories of electronics and appliances of Hitachi, LG and Siemens, household products of Procter & Gamble are located here.
Every year since 1957, the city has hosted the famous Canton Fair, Asia’s largest trade show with hundreds of thousands of buyers and suppliers from all over the world. More than 150,000 products are on display: electronics, textiles, food and much more.
The city is actively developing in the spirit of the modern economy, but retains its traditions. Many Chinese folk goods are produced here, from silk and textiles to porcelain and tea.
Guangzhou Attractions
To visit the “factory of the world” is a unique chance for a tourist to see how rich history is combined with big steps into the XXI century, how ancient temples and tombs neighbor with skyscrapers and modern museums. Below I will tell you what to see in Guangzhou in the first place.
Guangzhou Central Square
Guangzhou Central Square, also known as Huacheng Square, is the modern and cultural center of the city. It is surrounded by impressive skyscrapers, including the famous Canton Tower, the International Finance Center and the Guangdong Museum. In the middle of the square is a pond with a park.
People come to Huacheng Square to get a feel for the atmosphere of the city and then move in stages to the rest of the sights.
End the walk nicely in one of the cafes overlooking the square of modern Guangzhou. Look out for establishments serving traditional Guangdong dishes such as dim sum and duck barbecue.
How to get there: get off at Tianhe South light rail station.
Canton TV Tower
The Canton TV Tower is one of the symbols of modern China and a young landmark in Guangzhou. The tower was designed by the Dutch firm Information Based Architecture in collaboration with Arup, a British company of consulting engineers. It was opened in 2010. The structure stands out with its spiraling graceful shape.
The Canton Tower is 600 meters high. It is the second tallest TV tower in the world after Tokyo’s Sky Tree.
Anyone can climb the tower and visit the observation decks. On the 109th and 110th floors there is a small museum where you will learn about the history and stages of construction of Canton Tower. At a height of 423 meters there is a French restaurant on a rotating platform Canton Tower Lutece, where it is pleasant to have dinner while admiring the views of Guangzhou.
At an altitude of 485 meters there is one of the highest rides in the world – Sky Drop. Sky Drop is a vertical tower with seats for participants at the top. The ride starts with a slow rise of the seats, and after a brief pause at the height, a sudden and rapid fall takes place.
For a few seconds, participants experience a state of weightlessness as they free-fall downward. The mechanism then gently brakes to provide a soft landing.
Canton TV Tower is open every day from 9:30 to 22:30. The ticket price depends on the time of visit and ranges from 150 to 200 yuan. The Sky Drop attraction costs 300 yuan.
How to get there: the tower is located at the Canton Tower subway station exit.
Guangdong Provincial Museum of Fine Arts
One of the largest art museums in southern China. The modern square-shaped building was designed by Chinese architect Mo Bozhi and opened in 1997. The museum’s collection covers about 20,000 square meters and covers an extensive period of Chinese art from antiquity to the present day.
The museum is divided into several exhibition halls where Chinese paintings, clothes, weapons, armor and calligraphy of the Ming and Qing dynasties are displayed. The museum’s collection includes an exquisite collection of ceramic and porcelain tableware, such as bowls, vases, and figurines.
The museum has not neglected contemporary art and design. Young artists from all over China are regularly exhibited on the grounds: paintings, art installations and interactive multimedia statements.
Opening hours: Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:00 to 17:00.
Ticket price: you can get here free of charge. The museum has a daily quota of 5,000 tickets.
How to get here: the museum is located in the southeast part of Guangzhou Square at the intersection of Hangqing and Lingchang Streets. The nearest subway station is Lede. The address is 2 Zhujiang E Rd, Tianhe District.
Pearl River
The Pearl River, or Zhujiang, is one of the largest rivers in China and the third largest in the country after the Yangtze and Huang He. Its length is 2400 km, Zhujiang flows through several major industrial centers: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan – and flows into the South China Sea. Near the sea, it forms a vast delta covering two of the most important ports and financial centers: Macau and Hong Kong. The Zhujiang has played a key role in the development of Guangzhou – in the city area, the river reaches a width of several hundred meters and is suitable for both cargo ships and pleasure boats.
From the waters of the Pearl River you can see the most important sights of downtown Guangzhou: Guangdong Provincial Museum, Opera House, Canton TV Tower.
Include an evening cruise on the Zhujiang River on your trip. The pleasure boats depart from Tianzi Wharf pier near Haizhu Square subway station. The average cost ranges from 50 to 300 yuan depending on the duration and dinner included.
Guangzhou-Yuan
The quirky skyscraper in northeastern Guangzhou was designed by Italian architect Joseph di Pasquale. The building opened in 2013. It simultaneously symbolizes the Chinese yuan coin and the jade disk bi, which in ancient China was associated with the sky and eternity.
Inside the skyscraper there are company offices, conference halls, a stock exchange, a helipad and commercial premises, so you can’t just walk in here. Tourists can stop on the waterfront and take colorful photos of the hulk with evening illumination.
How to get there: “Guangzhou Yuan” is located 20 kilometers south of the central square. The nearest subway is Hedong station. From the subway, you can take a cab and show the name of the place in Chinese 广州圆大厦.
Opera House
The Guangzhou Opera House, designed by Zaha Hadid, is a modern deconstructivist building with a futuristic design. It consists of two asymmetrical structures that resemble smooth boulders with traces of time. These forms seem to merge with the natural landscape: the theater seems to have emerged from the Pearl River on whose banks it is located.
The facade of the theater is made of glass and aluminum panels. Smooth lines and curves repeat the flow of water, creating the illusion of movement and changeability.
The spacious auditorium seats 1,800 and is equipped with multimedia and LED fixtures, immersing audiences in the world of art through a profound audio-visual experience.
The interiors are filled with soft, curved lines that make you feel like you’re inside a spaceship or organic object.
The theater’s repertoire is focused on classical art. It stages popular Western operas such as Carmen and Turandot, classical ballets such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, concerts by world-class symphony orchestras and soloists, and Chinese national productions.
Tickets are priced from 150 yuan. Check the schedule on the official website.
How to get there: Guangzhou Opera House is one of the main attractions in the center of the metropolis. You can walk here from Huacheng Square, heading south to Canton Tower for about 20 minutes. The nearest subway station is Lede.
Chen Clan Academy
The Chen Clan Academy is also known as the Chen Clan Ancestral Temple. It is an important cultural monument dedicated to the history of the region. The complex consists of several buildings. It was built in the tradition of the classical Cantonese school of architecture in 1894 during the Qing Dynasty. After it was built, an educational institution and a small temple for ancestor worship were opened here. The halls were used by young men of the clan to prepare for state examinations.
The academy is decorated with exquisite Chinese décor with stone and wood carvings, ceramic sculptures and moldings.
The complex consists of nine halls, six courtyards and 19 rooms connected by corridors and arches.
The walls and roofs depict characters from Chinese mythology.
The Clan Academy now houses a folk art museum where you can learn about the traditions of Guangdong Province. You will see objects made of wood as well as paintings, porcelain, samples of national dress and embroidery.
Entrance fee: 10 yuan.
Opening hours: daily from 8:00 to 17:00.
How to get there: Chen Clan Academy is located a little away from the center, but easily accessible to tourists. There is a subway station of the same name right at the entrance of the museum.
Temple of the Six Ficus
The Six Ficus Temple is one of the oldest revered Buddhist shrines in Guangzhou. Founded in 537 during the Liang Dynasty, the temple was originally called Baoshan.
The name that the shrine bears to this day was given to it by the visit of the Chinese poet Su Shi in the 11th century, who noticed six ficus trees on the temple grounds.
The six ancient ficus trees adorning the vaults of the temple have not survived, but there are trees and shrubs growing on the grounds, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
The central element of the temple is the 57-meter-high Flower Pagoda. Its octagonal structure with nine inner levels is crowned by a multi-layered tiled roof. The pagoda got its name due to its external decorative elements resembling flowers.
The Flower Pagoda at the Six Ficus Temple was erected from wood in 1097. The pagoda acquired its modern appearance in 1373 during the Ming Dynasty and has retained its main architectural elements since then.
The Six Ficus Temple houses important relics. The central hall, known as the Hall of the Great Buddha, houses three statues of the deity, each symbolizing the past, present and future. The courtyards are paved with stone and their perimeters are decorated with stone vases, bronze urns and carved stone panels.
Stepping inside the shrine, one can unwittingly witness a Buddhist ceremony. In contrast to the bustling metropolis, this corner of tranquility is the perfect place for a tourist to take a break from the hustle and bustle and immerse himself in reflection.
Opening hours: daily from 8:00 to 17:00.
How to get there: Six Ficus Temple is located near the center, a 14-minute walk from Siminkou subway station.
Dafo Temple
This Buddhist shrine strikes with the scope and echoes of a great ancient culture. It has sprawlingly carved out a place for itself amidst the dynamic center of the 21st century. Also known as the Big Buddha Temple, Dafo was founded in 520 AD, during the Liang Dynasty. Along with the Six Ficus Temple, it is one of Guangzhou’s oldest religious structures.
Opening hours: daily from 6:30 to 17:00.
How to get there: Take Haizhou Square Station and walk north along Beijing Street.
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
Just as Petrograd became the center of the Russian Revolution in 1917, the popular uprisings in China began in the port city of Guangzhou. The revolutionary Sun Yat-sen is called the Father of the Nation in China and is equally revered in both mainland China and Taiwan. He was the ideologue of the Xinhai Revolution, which led to the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and the end of a thousand years of imperial rule in China.
Yat-sen became the first president of the new state – the People’s Republic of China – and formulated the “Three People’s Principles” (nationalism, democracy, people’s welfare) that formed the basis of the young country. Sun Yat-sen’s ideas are still important for Chinese political thought – his influence can be compared to Lenin in the USSR.
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall was built after the revolutionary leader’s death in 1929-1931. The entrance to the building in traditional Chinese style is decorated with a bronze statue of the politician.
The museum’s exposition is devoted to the revolution and the activities of its chief ideologist. Here you can see photographs, documents and personal belongings of the leader.
Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
Ticket price: 40 yuan.
How to get there: it is not difficult to find the hall, it is located in front of the exit of the subway station of the same name.
King Nanyue’s Mausoleum
Near Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is an impressive rectangular stone building decorated with bas-reliefs depicting dragons, snakes and other traditional Chinese folklore characters.
The brightly colored structure was erected to hide the ancient tomb of Zhao Mo, king of the ancient kingdom of Nanyue. He ruled from 137 to 122 BC.
The tomb was discovered by accident during the construction of new buildings in Guangzhou. The tomb was located at a depth of about 20 meters. The underground structure made of massive stone slabs consisted of six burial chambers, where the remains of the king and his personal belongings were kept.
Inside the mausoleum found about weapons, treasures, vessels and ritual jewelry. The find became a sensation. Perfectly preserved artifacts, the complex structure of the tomb and the variety of treasures testified that the kingdom of Nanyue was a highly developed state with its own culture and traditions.
Zhao Mo was buried in a luxurious suit of jade plates bound with gold threads.
In the museum created on the site of the tomb you can see the mummy of the king, as well as separate rooms of the burial chambers, clothing of the nobility, frescoes, ceramics and other treasures found.
Opening hours: daily from 9:00 to 17:00.
Ticket price: 12 yuan.
How to get there: the mausoleum is located at YueXiu Park subway station.
Yuexiu Park
Guangzhou’s largest urban park covers an area of 860,000 m2. The park was built in 1927 on the Yuexiu Hills, from where it got its name.
In the park is the famous Five-story Pagoda (Zhenhai Tower), built in 1380 during the Ming Dynasty. The tower currently houses the Guangzhou History Museum.
Opening hours: 24 hours a day.
How to get there: take the subway to YueXiu Park Station.
Lotus Mountains
A picturesque mountain range 40 km south of downtown Guangzhou with an area of about 2.5 km2. The name “Lotus Mountains” comes from the legend of a dragon that lived in the South China Sea and wreaked havoc at the mouth of the Pearl River, causing storms, flooding and disaster for the locals.
Their suffering continued until Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, visited the area. Seeing the residents’ distress, she threw a lotus into the water to subdue the dragon. After a while, it turned into mountains overgrown with trees and flowers.
The Lotus Mountains have a peaceful atmosphere and allow you to experience the mood and state of mind of Buddhist monks. The hike up the mountain takes you along winding paths with scenic views.
Ticket price: 54 yuan.
How to get there: the nearest subway station to the array is Shiqi, located 6 km away. Then you should call a cab or take bus No. 92 or No. 93.
Baiyun Mountains
A mountain reserve with winding trails within the city limits. The name “Baiyun” translates to “White Cloud Mountains”, which refers to the frequent appearance of white clouds that shroud the peaks.
The mountains adjoin the center almost closely, so from here you can enjoy views of the dynamic metropolis.
There are more than 30 peaks in the mountain range, the highest of which is Maoming Peak with a height of 382 meters. There are gardens, ponds, and observation decks scattered on the slopes. Among the main attractions are the Nianshan Temple, Sculpture Park and Spring Lake. It has its own botanical garden and many hiking trails.
It is better to go to the park for 1 day to take your time, have a picnic and meditate under the temple arches.
How to get there: from the center, take the subway to Baiyun Park Station.
How to get around
The most convenient way to quickly get to the sights is the subway. Guangzhou subway has 320 stations on 16 lines – a total length of 652 kilometers. For tourists are suitable for single-use tickets, which are sold at station ticket offices and in vending machines. The cost of the trip is calculated by distance: from two yuan for three stations, but not more than 12 yuan.
When is the best time to go
Guangzhou has a subtropical climate with distinct seasons. The city is characterized by hot and humid summers, mild winters and abundant rainfall throughout the year.
Summer is a period with frequent rains and possible typhoons, lasting from May to September. The temperature ranges from +25 to +35 °C. The rainiest months are June and July. This period is not the most comfortable time to visit a huge metropolis. The stuffiness and showers will prevent active walks.
The fall season lasts from October to November, when the weather is dry and pleasant with temperatures ranging from +20 to +27 °C. This time is ideal for walking and sightseeing.
Winter (December through February) is not less comfortable period for traveling. The temperature is from +10 to + 20 ° C, dry, cold winds are possible. In this season there are many national holidays in the city, for example Festival of Lights. Guangzhou is decorated with lights and installations.
In February, the Chinese New Year is celebrated in the Middle Kingdom. In Guangzhou, it is celebrated especially brightly, with fireworks, fairs and parades. The streets are decorated with red lanterns. On New Year’s Eve, the city holds the Festival of Flowers – buildings are decorated with flower arrangements.
Spring lasts from March to April. The air temperature is from +15 to +20 ° C. During this period you can also comfortably walk and explore the surroundings, but be aware of the impending rainy season. Precipitation is more frequent, although not as heavy as in summer.
Travel Tips
1. For souvenirs, head to Qingping Market. Here you can buy not only the usual tea and spices, but also some unexpected things.
2. It’s easy to get lost in Guangzhou, but asking passers-by for help is often useless: most of them don’t know English. Therefore, think out your route in advance, study all the information, learn more about transportation. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, it is better to get to the nearest hotel with English-speaking staff.
3. Always take your documents with you: China is tourist friendly, but police may check a foreigner’s passport, especially if he or she is out walking at night.
4. If you take a cab, copy the names of all the places in Chinese from the translator and save them in your notes to show the driver. It is unlikely that you will be able to explain yourself in English. We wrote about the most convenient translators in this article.
5. Guangzhou is the heart of Cantonese cuisine. For example, dim sum is a small set of steamed, fried or baked appetizers. Other dishes include char siu, grilled pork covered with a sweet glaze. If you want to go exotic, try the soup based on chicken broth and snake skin.
6. From Hong Kong to Guangzhou is 129 kilometers, so it is great to combine a trip to the capital of Guangdong with a visit to the famous autonomous city. Trains depart from the Eastern Railway Station. The ticket price starts from 100 yuan.
