Discover Guangzhou
Known as the ‘Flower City’ and ‘City of Rams’, Guangzhou has a rich history of 2,200 years, and has been listed as China’s second city with the greatest change by Forbes magazine for two consecutive years. Explore the city’s ancient and recent history while immersing yourself in its lively atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, and breathtaking views of the Pearl River.
Guangzhou is also a culinary stronghold, particularly for Cantonese cuisine. Whether you prefer local delicacies or international fare, Guangzhou’s impressive array of 30,000 restaurants will satisfy all your cravings.
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
Formerly called Chen Clan Academy, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is currently the largest and most complete Lingnan-style ancestral hall from the Qing Dynasty preserved in Guangdong. It was built in 1894 and funded by 72 Chen clans in Guangdong Province to provide accommodation for juniors of the clan who were preparing for their imperial examinations in Guangzhou.
A well-structured building compound of five three-hall courtyards, the ancestral hall consists of 19 buildings, with a total of nine halls and six courtyards as well. Its architecture represents the essence of folk art in Guangdong, with exquisite decorations of wood carving, brick carving, pottery figures and cast iron, sending the ancestral hall to be included on the list of ‘New Eight Views of Ram City’. The Guangdong Folk Art Museum is located inside the ancestral hall, showcasing folk handcrafts from all over China, with a focus on Guangdong.
Guangdong Museum of Art
The Guangdong Museum of Art has a comprehensive collection dedicated to Chinese modern and contemporary coastal art, overseas Chinese art, and Chinese contemporary art, featuring diverse art forms including ink painting, oil painting, sculpture and many more. Divided into three floors, the museum comprises 12 exhibition halls and an outdoor sculpture display area. It organises all kinds of exhibitions, attracting a huge following of art and culture lovers.
Among the collection of the museum, artworks from the Lingnan School of Painting are particularly noteworthy. Established in late Qing Dynasty, the Lingnan School of Painting combines Chinese traditional ink painting and western painting styles. Thanks to its advantageous geographic location, the Guangdong Museum of Art has collected a wide range of art pieces from the Lingnan School of Painting, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the region’s artistic excellence.
Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort
A must-go that tops the list of the places to visit in Guangzhou, Chimelong Tourist Resort comprises of four theme parks, namely Chimelong Paradise Amusement Park, Chimelong Safari Park, Chimelong Birds Park and Chimelong Water Park. Each promises a fun-filled day, while at night, visitors can enjoy a thrilling spectacle at Chimelong International Circus, the world’s largest permanent circus stadium, which hosts circus performances from over 20 countries.
Chimelong Paradise Amusement Park: Featuring more than 70 top-class amusement rides, including the world’s largest vertical roller coaster and other thrilling ones such as Inversion Roller Coaster, Motorbike Launch Coaster, Half Pipe, and Shoot the Chute, this amusement park is the perfect choice for adventure-seekers.
Chimelong Safari Park: The world’s biggest safari park with the largest number of animal species. Visitors can drive right in or take free cart rides to observe animals enjoying their free-range freedom up close. They can also see the world’s only living panda triplets, the largest koala group outside Australia, and over 20,000 rare animals of more than 500 species, such as yellow orangutans, Asian elephants, and anteaters.
Chimelong Birds Park: A large wetland park that combines birdwatching and science education, Chimelong Birds Park is home to over 300 species of rare birds from all over the world, including the largest flamingo group in China and the largest crested ibis group in southern China. Visitors have the opportunity to witness the magnificent sight of thousands of birds congregating and observe the graceful flight of these carefree gliding creatures.
Chimelong Water Park: With over 70 water rides, many of which have received prestigious awards, the park offers an extensive array of aquatic attractions. Highly recommended are SlideWheel, the world’s first of its kind, and Tornado and Behemoth Bowl. Recognised internationally with four prominent awards, SlideWheel guarantees unparalleled, limitless fun for all visitors.
Guangzhou Sunac Land Resort
Covering a total area of 2.2 million square metres, the Guangzhou Sunac Land Resort consists of four theme parks, namely Guangzhou Sunac Snow Park, Guangzhou Sunac Water Park, Guangzhou Sunac Land, and Guangzhou Sunac Sport Park. After an exhilarating day at the parks, sit back in the Grand Theatre or explore the resort’s vibrant bar street for additional leisure and entertainment options.
Sunac Land: Characterised by elements from Nanyue and Lingnan cultures, Sunac Land is divided into six themed areas. Boost your adrenaline on ‘Dueling Dragons’, a double-rail rollercoaster uniquely designed for the park. There are also state-of-the-art devices generating a mysterious 4K+VR experience of natural exploration. With a total of 31 high-tech rides, the theme park will take you to experience the best part of Lingnan culture’s past and present.
Sunac Snow Park: As the largest indoor ski resort in southern China, the park features the largest number of snow rides and skiing trails in the region. It boasts the world’s first 3D crossover ski run, designed to excite intermediate and advanced ski lovers. Novice skiers can practise their skills on the 460-metre mountain ski slope, which guarantees an ultra-long exhilarating experience.
Sunac Water Park: An immense, all-year heated water world rarely seen in southern China, Sunac Water Park takes the theme of ‘Maritime Silk Road’, fusing thrilling experiences with a historical ambience. Visitors can embark on a 450-metre riptide race, immerse themselves in an underwater 4D theatre, and enjoy the excitement of a mega double wave pool.
Sunac Sport Park: VR technologies are utilised to provide visitors with a sensational simulated experience in every possible way. In addition to five themed areas that focus on activities, racing, martial arts, adventures, and sports respectively, Sunac Sport Park offers 20 sports events, including rock climbing and archery, for all age groups who are up for an active challenge.
Guangzhou Temple Fair
Usually held on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, the Guangzhou Temple Fair is hailed as one of the two largest temple fairs in China. With a mission to showcase and promote traditional Cantonese culture, the fair features a rich variety of activities, including lantern displays, a Chinese martial art competition, puppet shows, and handcraft workshops.
In recent years, the fair has dedicated an area to intangible cultural heritage, where visitors would be amazed by a well-curated display of artisanal handcraft: Canton famille-rose porcelain making techniques, West Gate’s famous bronzeware and Guangzhou-style olive nut carving techniques, for instance. In addition, the fair’s food zone offers around 200 types of Cantonese snacks, allowing visitors to satisfy their appetite with traditional foods while soaking up the festive atmosphere.
Lingnan Impression Garden
Built upon the original Lianxi Village, the Lingnan Impression Park epitomises the art and culture of the Lingnan region. A number of themed pavilions and museums, including the Lingnan Guqin Art Museum, Lingnan Painting and Calligraphy Museum, Lantern Art Museum, and Dragon Boat Pavilion, are established in the garden. The locations of the buildings are all carefully planned and categorised.
The building compound, with houses built adjacent to water features and Pot-ear eaves, also perfectly represents the traditional Lingnan architectural style. There are also shops selling artsy collectibles and all sorts of goodies, including wooden clogs, pottery, clay sculptures and nostalgic Cantonese snacks, such as Chinese olives, all highly recommended as souvenirs to bring home.
Memorial Museum of Generalissimo Sun Yat-sen’s Mansion
Located at what used to be the Guangzhou Generalissimo Mansion, the Memorial Museum of Generalissimo Sun Yat-sen’s Mansion bears witness to the achievements of Dr Sun that have shaped the history of modern China. These include his three attempts to set up a revolutionary government in Guangdong, the establishment of Whampoa Military Academy, and the First United Front between Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party. This mansion was also where Dr Sun spent the most time with his wife Soong Ching-ling.
Nowadays, a gate tower and two veranda-style buildings from the old days are retained in the museum for visitors to appreciate the beauty of Lingnan architecture. Exhibitions, including a replica exhibition titled ‘One Hundred Years of Generalissimo’s Mansion’ and ‘Celebrities in Generalissimo Sun Yat-sen’s Mansion’ are held at the museum. The exhibits make you feel like travelling back in time as you approach an important era of history at this cultural site.
Nanyue King Museum
Divided into two exhibition sites named ‘Site of King’s Tomb’ and ’Site of Palace and Garden’, Nanyue King Museum focuses on showcasing the archaeological sites of the Tomb of Nanyue King Wen, the Palace and Garden of Nanyue Kingdom, and the Palace of Nanhan Kingdom.
The Site of King’s Tomb is centred around the tomb of Zhao Mo, the second king of Nanyue Kingdom, who ruled during the early Western Han period. The tomb is the largest and best-preserved pointed stone tomb in Lingnan region, with more than 1,000 pieces of cultural relics unearthed.
The site of Palace and Garden presents the historical site of the Nanyue Kingdom Palace. The large stone pond in the garden is the first one of its kind discovered in Lingnan region, while the site with a crooked stone brook is the earliest royal garden during the Qin and Han Dynasties discovered to this day. Additionally, the museum’s permanent exhibitions, including ‘The Nanyue Treasures’ and ‘Two-thousand-year Centre of Lingnan Region’ offer a panorama of the history of Guangdong for visitors.
Shamian Island
A sandbank island naturally formed by the Pearl River, Shamian Island boasts over 150 European-style buildings, attracting visitors to take pictures and enjoy a charming European ambience. The island served as an important port for Guangzhou’s foreign trade in the past. It was once divided into two concessions, given to Britain and France respectively. As trading firms, banks, churches, and consulates from different countries took presence on the island, a unique building complex of modern European style was established.
Today, Shamian Island is like an architecture museum where one can discover different forms of architecture. A stroll along the island’s main street is another delightful experience, where visitors can spend a laid-back afternoon at the rows of roadside cafes, making the most of the picturesque and chill-out atmosphere.
Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street
‘Shangxiajiu’ is the collective name for Shangjiu Road, Xiajiu Road and Dishifu Road in Guangzhou. As the first commercial pedestrian street in mainland China, the one-kilometre-long Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street was opened in 1995. One both sides of the street, one can find distinctive buildings with verandas, where shops occupy the ground floor and residences on the first floor. These buildings include long-standing teahouses and restaurants, contributing to the street’s vibrant atmosphere.
Liwan District, where the pedestrian street is located, is also known as ‘West Gate’ and as the backbone of Guangzhou’s food scene. In addition, Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street features a rich array of chain stores and specialty shops, making it an exciting destination for leisure shopping and souvenir hunting.
Shawan Ancient Town
Founded in the Song Dynasty, Shawan Ancient Town has retained the unique cultural traits of Lingnan region over the past 800 years. The layout of its stone stairs and stone alleys is very well preserved, its ancestral houses dotted around in an orderly manner, and eave raters and ridge beams exquisitely decorated. There are currently about 100 ancestral halls in the town; equally worthwhile to see is the town’s distinctive architecture, which is represented in the floor plans of ‘Three Rooms and Two Corridors’ and houses with Pot-ear eaves. Liugeng Hall, also known as the Grand Ancestral Hall of He Family, is the most iconic building in the town.
In addition, the art of brick carving of Shawan has been inscribed as an intangible cultural heritage. Through carving images or patterns directly on tightly stacked blueish bricks, this incredible art form is characterised by impeccable craftsmanship, delicate and smooth lines, and a lifelike impression.
Another eye-catching feature of Shawan Ancient Town is the abundance of oyster walls, which are also a specialty of Lingnan culture. Since oysters were commonly found in the Pearl River Delta, locals found them a convenient, readily available resource for constructing walls that were robust and durable. That’s why today we can find unspoiled oyster walls, built by stacking layers of oyster shells, all over the town.
Yong Qing Fang
Situated in the Liwan District of Guangzhou, Yong Qing Fang provides a key connection with Shangxiajiu to the east and Shamian to the south. It’s acclaimed for epitomising the unique ambience of the West Gate area.
Thanks to rejuvenation efforts, Yong Qing Fang has transformed into a creative inner- street park. While preserving the architectural charms of Guangzhou and West Gate from the old days, including buildings with verandas, Yong Qing Fang has also become a Instagrammable hotspot for young people. Strolling along this old street, you will be impressed by its nostalgic barbershops and Chinese herbal tea stores; at the same time, you can explore the latest art and cultural offerings in the area — all at the intersection of time and space.
Another scenic spot not to be missed is the residence of martial arts icon Bruce Li. Typical of the architectural style of West Gate residences, the house has retained its original wood and brick structure, delicate carved girders, and colourful carved glass screens.
Reprinted from the website of the Hong Kong Tourism Board，click here.
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