Guangzhou Travel Guide: Journey Through the Millennia-old Commercial City and Encounter the Modern Flower City

Guangzhou Travel Guide: Journey Through the Millennia-old Commercial City and Encounter the Modern Flower City
1. Itinerary Planning
Three-day Classic Tour:
Day 1: Classic Landmarks Check-in — Canton Tower → Huacheng Square → Pearl River Night Cruise
Day 2: Historical and Cultural Exploration — Shamian Island → Chen Clan Ancestral Hall → Sacred Heart Cathedral → Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
Day 3: Natural Scenery Experience — Baiyun Mountain → Yuexiu Park (Five Rams Statue)
Five-day In-depth Tour:
Based on the classic tour, add:
Day 4: Lingnan Cultural Experience — Lingnan Impression Park → Yongqingfang
Day 5: Theme Park Carnival — Chimelong Safari Park / Chimelong Paradise (choose one)
2. Must-visit Attractions
1. Classic Landmarks & Modern City
① Canton Tower (Xiaomanyao): Climb to the top for a panoramic city view, experience the Ferris wheel or the extreme sky drop, and don’t miss the nighttime light show.
② Zhujiang New Town & Huacheng Square: The CBD core area, check in with the three towers of Guangzhou (Canton Tower + East and West Towers), Guangdong Museum and Guangzhou Opera House are worth a visit.
③ Pearl River Night Cruise: Recommended boarding at Tianzi Wharf or Haixinsha Wharf to enjoy the dazzling night views on both sides of the river.
2. History, Culture & Heritage
① Shamian Island: European-style architectural complex, stroll along the shaded paths and feel the historical accumulation.
② Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (Chen Clan Academy): The pinnacle of Lingnan architectural art, with breathtaking carving craftsmanship.
③ Sacred Heart Cathedral: A Gothic-style all-stone church, a popular photo spot.
④ Beijing Road Pedestrian Street: Ancient road ruins plus modern commercial street, perfect for both food and shopping.
⑤ Lingnan Impression Park: Experience Lingnan folk customs, watch traditional performances, and taste authentic snacks.
3. Natural Scenery & Urban Green Lungs
① Baiyun Mountain: Hiking, trekking, and watching the sunrise while overlooking the entire Guangzhou panorama.
② Yuexiu Park: Five Rams Statue + Ming Dynasty ancient city wall, a historical green oasis in the city.
3. Food Guide
Must-try Foods:
① Dim Sum: Shrimp dumplings, rice rolls, BBQ pork buns, sticky rice chicken (recommended Tao Tao Ju, Dian Du De).
② Cantonese Restaurants: Roast goose, white-cut chicken, claypot rice, slow-cooked soup (Bing Sheng, Guangzhou Restaurant).
③ Desserts & Sweet Soups: Double-skin milk, ginger milk curd, mango pomelo sago (Nanxin Milk Dessert Expert).
④ Night Market Snacks: Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, Beijing Road Night Market, Tianhe City Snack Street.
4. Transportation Guide
1. Airplane: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Metro Line 3 direct to downtown.
2. High-speed Rail: Guangzhou South Station (high-speed rail hub), Guangzhou East Station.
3. City Transportation:
○ Metro: Covers major attractions, recommended to download the “Guangzhou Metro” app.
○ Bus: Dense routes, some attractions accessible directly.
○ APM Line: Connects the core area of Zhujiang New Town.
○ Tram: Haizhu Line offers views of the Pearl River scenery.
5. Accommodation Recommendations
1. Zhujiang New Town: Concentration of high-end business hotels, convenient transportation, excellent night views.
2. Beijing Road / Shangxiajiu: Old city area, convenient for food and shopping, cost-effective.
3. Chimelong Resort Area: Suitable for family trips, stay at Chimelong hotels or nearby homestays.
6. Practical Information
1. Best Travel Season: Spring and autumn (October to April next year), avoid summer heat and typhoon season.
2. Health Code: Register in advance for “Yuekang Code” or “Suikang Code.”
3. Language: Mandarin + Cantonese, Mandarin is widely spoken in most places.
4. Payment Methods: WeChat Pay and Alipay are popular, some old shops accept cash only.
5. Tips:
○ Chen Clan Ancestral Hall and Sacred Heart Cathedral have dress code requirements.
○ Baiyun Mountain: Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection.
7. Special Experiences
1. Dim Sum Culture: Experience the lively and exquisite atmosphere of Cantonese tea houses in the early morning.
2. Pearl River Cycling: Ride along the greenway by the Pearl River and feel the city’s vitality.
3. Lingnan Souvenirs: Buy Cantonese cured meats, chicken biscuits, dried lychees, and other specialties.
8. Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Modern Guangzhou One-day Tour
● Morning: Stroll around Huacheng Square, visit Guangdong Museum.
● Afternoon: Climb Canton Tower for a sky-high sightseeing experience.
● Evening: Pearl River night cruise to enjoy the riverside night views.
Day 2: Journey Through History
● Morning: Take photos and explore Shamian Island’s European style.
● Afternoon: Visit Chen Clan Ancestral Hall → Sacred Heart Cathedral to experience the blend of Chinese and Western cultures.
● Evening: Taste delicacies and stroll the ancient road at Beijing Road Pedestrian Street.
Day 3: Fusion of Nature and Culture
● Morning: Hike Baiyun Mountain and breathe fresh air.
● Afternoon: Visit Yuexiu Park’s Five Rams Statue and explore the Ming Dynasty city wall.
● Evening: Experience Lingnan intangible cultural heritage at Yongqingfang.
9. Budget Reference
● Budget: 300-500 RMB/day (hostels/budget hotels + public transport + affordable food)
● Comfortable: 800-1500 RMB/day (mid-range hotels + taxis + specialty restaurants)
● Luxury: 2000 RMB+/day (five-star hotels + in-depth experiences)
10. Notes
1. Take precautions against heat and sun in summer, carry rain gear.
2. Attraction tickets can be booked in advance via the “Suihaoban” app.
3. Respect local customs and travel civilly.
Conclusion: Guangzhou is a city where you can savor millennia of history among skyscrapers and feel modern vitality amid the aroma of tea and bustling life. Come and start your Guangzhou journey now!