Guangzhou hotels

Travelling in Guangzhou – City Guide

Exquisite classical European architecture, charming southern-style commercial complexes, brightly-lit streets and gorgeous nightscape of the Pearl River… Such exciting and enchanting scenery is the epitome of the attractive Guangzhou. In this southern city, the modern landmark Canton Tower and ancient bustling district Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street set off against each other; the Canton Trade Fair, China’s biggest international trade fair, is held here annually; and in the city’s creative and cultural district, the Redtory (“red” + “factory”) has already become the pioneer of Chinese contemporary culture… As the origin of the Maritime Silk Road, the city amalgamates ancient and modern, traditional and avant-garde, local and international characteristics. This is the inclusive, all-embracing City of Guangzhou, a southern Chinese city for which you’ll fall in love with.

A Southern City Known for Its Gastronomy

Guangzhou has long enjoyed a reputation of gastronomic capital.  Go for a cup of tea and Cantonese cakes and pastries in such old districts as Yuexiu, Liwan or Haizhu, or you’d like to head to a new district such as Tianhe and relax in an independent boutique café, or perhaps a hidden whiskey bar right around the corner. In any case, as you stroll around Guangzhou, every step will take you to some new delicacy.

Other districts outside the city center, such as Panyu and Huadu, are also famous for their Cantonese cuisine and large-scale recreational facilities. Anywhere you go, you’ll be entertained.

Places You Can’t Afford to Miss in Guangzhou

The Canton Tower, is located near the bank of the Pearl River, which flows between the building and Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou’s Central Business District. This tower, amicably nicknamed “the slim waist” by locals, keeps several Guinness World Records, such as its revolving restaurant above the clouds, the sky-high winding ladder known as the “Spider Walk”, a Ferris wheel surrounded by stars, etc., which offers amazing high-altitude experience to attract countless extreme sports enthusiasts. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens and tourists are invited to appreciate a panoramic view of the city’s scenic spots, historical sites and skyscrapers here. The Canton Tower will surely bring you on an extraordinary skyline over Guangzhou’s skyline.

If you’re looking to blend in with the local people of Guangzhou, a visit to the Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street would be a good choice. Strolling on its antique arcade streets, you’ll experience the everyday life of Guangzhou locals as you enjoy the unique spectacle of fused European themes and Guangzhou features in the hustling and bustling market.

If you’re travelling with your family, you should head to the Chimelong Tourist Resort. Here, you can have fun at the Chimelong Paradise and the Chimelong Water Park, walk in the wildlife parks like the Chimelong Birds Park and Chimelong Safari Park, or watch a spectacular circus show at the Chimelong International Circus. This humongous amusement park complex will certainly delight you again and again.

Travel Tips

A night cruise on the Pearl River is one of the best courses to appreciate the infinite beauty of the Guangzhou. Embark on a ferry and navigate down the river against the comfortable breeze to admire the wonderful sights on both shores, which is bound to be a pleasant experience.

Shameen Island in Guangzhou is like the French Concession in Shanghai. It is now the paradise of amateur photographers. Served as a Cantonese concession hundred years ago, today it has become Guangzhou’s romantic European-style neighborhood. The Island, although small and narrow in terms of area, absolutely deserves its reputation as an open-air museum of European architecture. Featuring the Gothic Catholic chapel, Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, baroque Guangdong Museum of Foreign Affairs, the Christ Church Shameen representing Christian culture and the English Snow Factory which is an ice factory dating from the Republic of China (1912 – 1949). Wandering around Shameen Island in the dimly-lit night feels like travelling back in time to some days of past.

Ranking among the Top 10 most beautiful universities across China, the Sun Yat-sen University is a famous place for commemorating Mr. Sun Yat-sen. Its campus is filled with southern-style architecture, including the uniquely elegant “Moon Palace” (known as one of the student residences), the central lawn and its verdant grass carpet… Whether one is looking to celebrate the memory of Mr. Sun Yat-sen, or to admire the charms of a famous university, the Sun Yat-sen University is worth a visit.

Immersive Living in Guangzhou

The best way to travel in Guangzhou is to immerse oneself, in the ancient arcade streets of old Guangzhou,  the luxury hotels in Tianhe District, the strong marketplace atmosphere of the Old City, the ever-changing New City. Along a boulevard or a small alleyway, amid the sound of spoken Cantonese, you will definitely savour the traditional charm and the modern attraction of this southern metropolis.

If you choose to stay in the old district of Sai Kwan (today’s Liwan District), not only will you be able to fully appreciate the southern architecture, local cuisine and folk customs, but you’ll also be at a short distance’s walk from many scenic spots. So the international 4-star hotel on Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street—the Holiday Inn Guangzhou Shifu will be your best option. The elegant marble lobby has several antiques on display, whereas its outdoor skyline pool gives view onto the historical buildings of the old district, allowing you to experience the distinctive and modern Sai Kwan.

If you choose to stay in the new urban district of Haizhu, you’ll also be able to admire both modern and ancient views such as the Canton Tower and the Ming Dynasty Chigang Pagoda built during the reign of Emperor Wanli, listen to the rolling waters of the Pearl River, taste delicious food from all over the world, and enjoy yourself in as many ways you can think of.

The Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is located only a 20-minute drive away from downtown Guangzhou. It is also reachable by shuttle, bus, and subway. If you choose to stay near this location, for example at the Holiday Inn Express Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, not only will it make your return journey more convenient, but it’ll also make it much easier for you to plan a trek to the Baiyun Mountain.

Shopping and Souvenir Hunting in Guangzhou

As a 2000-year-old prosperous port city, Guangzhou is featured by numerous shops and stores, a trend that has given birth to many distinctive commercial streets, including Yide Road, famous for its dried seafood; Gaodi Street and the Hongmian Marketplace, famous for wholesale clothing; as well as Wende Road, the Haiyin Cloth Marketplace, the Hualin Jade Street, etc. Of course, there is also no lack of large-scale shopping malls, and other public shopping streets such as the Beijing Lu Pedestrian Street.

Ever since the Qing Dynasty, the Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street has been an important commercial window for domestic and overseas trade in Guangzhou. Nowadays, it is known to be a shopping paradise for tourists and residents. Strolling down its arcade streets, wandering in and out of its colorful stores, bargaining with shopkeepers… Such treasure hunting is probably the best way to enjoy your shopping.

Teemall, Grandview Mall, One Link Walk, Tai Koo Hui and other large-scale shopping malls have already blossomed all over the Tianhe CBD. You’ll find anything you want here: from local brands to international fast fashion brands, and even luxury brands. At the mezzanine level of the Tai Koo Hui shopping mall, you’ll find a large cultural space called “Fang Suo”. If you’re into reading, we suggest you make this small detour.

In the mind of Guangzhou locals, the 2000-year-old stone-paved road of the Beijing Lu Pedestrian Street is an undisputed landmark. Such century-old stores as Renxin House, Qingxin Tang, Jammy Chai and other time-honored brands of Guangzhou can all be found here. As you’re shopping, you’ll also be able to witness the marks of time along Beijing Lu, and take in all of its charms.

Delicious Cuisine in Guangzhou

When it comes to Chinese food, one cannot underestimate the importance of Cantonese food. This includes colorful and tasty tea, cakes and dim sums, street congee, rice or wheat noodles, and even gourmet Cantonese cuisine, it is obvious that Guangzhou is a “delicious” city.

In Guangzhou, “morning tea” (in Chinese: zao cha) is an absolute “must”. Now and then, it is customary for locals to invite one another to partake in “morning tea” together, drinking tea and eating cakes and dim sums. Roasted pigeon, shrimp dumplings, chicken feet or chicken in sticky rice, fried tofu… and any type of congee and rice or wheat noodles you desire. Have “morning tea” only once, and you’ll be able to taste all the delicious dim sums you can imagine. The Daoxiang Restaurant in Tianhe District, or the Taotaoju Restaurant and the Shifu Pavilion Chinese Restaurant in Liwan District, are all smart choices where you’re guaranteed to eat your fill.

When you stop to rest on your way, why not have bites of one of the unique local desserts? From the world famous chilled mango sago cream with pomelo, to numerous sweets just as hard to resist as double-skin milk, nuomici (glutinous rice cakes) and snow white sago, etc., these delicacies are sure to get your salivary glands working.

Moreover, other Cantonese dishes, as well as Chaoshan-style hotpots and congee and rice or wheat noodles shops abound all over Guangzhou are also attractive to diners. Of course, you’ll also be able to eat wonderful food from all around the globe: western cuisine, Japanese and Korean delicacies, there’s everything and anything one’s stomach craves.

Traditional Guangzhou and Avant-garde Guangzhou

The folk culture of Sai Kwan is the epitome of the culture of Guangzhou. The Sai Kwan Mansion is a typical landmark, where artist names such as Sir Dongshan and Miss Sai Kwan have already been incorporated into the everyday life of locals.  Sai Kwan nursery rhymes in Cantonese narrate the vivid episodes of Guangzhou people; Cantonese actors who sing, do, recite and practice martial arts are still playing out operas to this day at the Southern Theater and on other stages… Indeed, the traditional culture of Guangzhou merits your careful appreciation.

Every big city has its own LOFT paradise: New York has SOHO, Chicago has SUHU, Beijing has 798, Shanghai has M50… and Guangzhou has the Redtory. Vanguard galleries, designer studios, artistic spaces, fashionable stores, specialty restaurants, etc. are gathered in this creative district transformed from an old factory. Why not take a pleasant stroll around the area? Perhaps an interesting, little surprise is right around the corner, waiting to be discovered by you!

Nightlife in Guangzhou: the Later the Better

After the cover of night has fallen on Guangzhou, the city becomes even richer in spectacles. People start to send and receive “night tea” invitations, or opt for a familiar midnight snack stall for a delicious treat. Even the most fashionable people are getting ready for action to enjoy the fantastic nightlife. Even the Chimelong Safari Park becomes totally wild after dark.

There are numerous bar streets in the Liwan District, including Yanjiang Road, Huanshi Road, Bai’e Tan, etc., all with distinct features. And among these, the bar street of Huanshi Road is particularly inimitable: the Gipsy King, the Elephant & Castle Pub, the Color Riot, the Mexico Bar and the Hill Bar, etc., all attract innumerable customers and tourists. Most people who come here for a “night out” are foreigners, creating an atmosphere almost like that of a bustling street abroad every weekend. Invite a few friends to a party and head out to an international five-star hotel in the heart of Huanshi East Road—the lounge at the Crowne Plaza Guangzhou City Centre. Choose a world-famous bottle, or enjoy a specialty cocktail, and spend a wonderful night as only Guangzhou would let you have it.

In addition to bar hopping, you might want to check out the wonderful night scenery of the Pearl River, enjoy local seafood and beef hotpots and snack stalls, watch a midnight film, or climb up Baiyun Mountain at night with a few friends, for a few other interesting experiences.

International Trade and the Canton Fair

In the past, Guangzhou was known as the “millennium commercial port”. It has always served as one of China’s most important commercial centers since then, and today, Guangzhou is undisputedly the financial center of the south of China. It is the third inland city to join in the “Trillion Yuan GDP Club” following Shanghai and Beijing.

The Canton Fair, or the China Import and Export Fair, is a world-class trade fair that has been held twice every year since 1957. Every spring and autumn, the fair opens and the world business community surges in. Thousands of trade companies, research institutes and foreign-funded enterprises from all over the world rendezvous in Guangzhou for mutual exchanges and renewed friendships.

It is also worth mentioning that the main hall of the Canton Fair is also absolutely extraordinary. Boasting its harmonious and natural design, as well as top-ranking scale, it is definitely a good destination for sightseeing.

How to Get There

In total, Guangzhou has 1 airport and 4 passenger railway stations. Among them, the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, which offers just as many domestic flights as international flights, is located conveniently. It is only a 20-minute expressway drive away from the downtown; meanwhile, it is also connected to the city by way of subway (line 3), shuttles, taxis, etc.

The Guangzhou Railway Station and the Guangzhou North, East and South Railway Stations make up the Guangzhou railway network. The Guangzhou Railway Station is located in the city center, connected to subway lines 3 and 5 and public buses, making it convenient for tourists to reach their destinations right as they get off the train. The Guangzhou East Railway Station is situated in the Tianhe District, operating trains mostly in direction of Dongguan, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. The Guangzhou South Railway Station is situated in the Panyu District, and mostly serves the Wuhan-Guangzhou high-speed railway, the Guangzhou-Zhuhai intercity rail and Guangzhou-Shenzhen high-speed railway. The Guangzhou North Railway Station is situated in the Huadu District, also serving principally the Wuhan-Guangzhou high-speed railway.

As you immerse yourself body and soul in Guangzhou, don’t forget to try to learn old charming Cantonese songs, see fashionable men and women on the streets, and taste its authentic dim sums, and you’ll definitely fall in love with this city.