10 recommended tourist spots in Guangzhou, China: Experience its rich history!

As one of China’s three major cities alongside Beijing and Shanghai, Guangzhou is not only a commercial hub, thanks to its proximity to Hong Kong, but also a city rich in tourism resources with plenty of sights to explore. Here are 10 recommended tourist spots in Guangzhou!

Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, is the center of politics, economics, science and technology, education, and culture, and is the largest coastal city in southern China. Known as "Shi zai Guangzhou" (meaning "Food is in Guangzhou"), the city is famous for its culinary delights. With dishes that use a wide variety of ingredients, Guangzhou’s cuisine is known for being less oily and easy to enjoy, making it popular among tourists. Let’s explore the charms of Guangzhou that make it a top destination!

1. Guangzhou Tower (Canton Tower)

Opened to the public in 2010, Guangzhou Tower has now become a symbol of the city. With its main tower at 450 meters and antenna at 150 meters, its total height reaches 600 meters, making it one of the world’s top five tallest structures. Also known as the Guangzhou New TV Tower, its counterclockwise twisted design has earned it the nickname "slim waist."

Guangzhou Tower boasts several world records, including the highest outdoor observatory, as well as a Ferris wheel, free-fall, and revolving restaurant. Inside, it offers a shopping center, amusement park, restaurants, and other leisure facilities, making it a top attraction for tourists.

2. Chen Clan Ancestral Hall

Built between 1890 and 1894, the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall was constructed by the Chen family, one of the most common surnames in Guangdong Province, as a place to worship ancestors, hold family gatherings, and educate the younger generation. Also known as Chen Jia Ci, it is designated as an important cultural heritage site. The hall’s 19 buildings, arranged around front, rear, and west courtyards, feature traditional Guangdong-style architecture with high ceilings and good ventilation.

Throughout the hall, you’ll find intricate wood, stone, and brick carvings (unique to Chinese architecture), as well as clay sculptures, which represent the peak of Chinese architectural art and have attracted the attention of art experts.

The Guangdong Folk Art Museum is also housed here, displaying valuable crafts like Southern embroidery, ceramics, and jade. Recognized for its historical and cultural significance, the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is one of Guangzhou’s Eight Scenic Spots, making it a must-visit for those exploring the city.

3. Guangzhou Museum (Zhenhai Tower)

Known commonly as Zhenhai Tower, Guangzhou Museum opened in 1929 and boasts over 60,000 artifacts. This comprehensive museum features over ten categories, including bronzeware, ceramics, paintings and calligraphy, jade, lacquerware, silk dyeing crafts, folk crafts, and foreign artifacts, presented in an accessible way that tells the history of each item.

With its red bricks and green tiles, Zhenhai Tower, also known as the Five-Story Tower, has a 600-year history and is adorned with stone lions from the Ming dynasty at its entrance to welcome visitors. Located on the hilltop of Yuexiu Park in central Guangzhou, the top floor of the museum provides beautiful views of the Pearl River and Baiyun Mountain. After touring the museum, taking a stroll around the park is highly recommended. Yuexiu Park has three artificial lakes—Beixiu, Dongxiu, and Nanxiu—that are popular among Guangzhou residents.

4. Western Han Nanyue King Mausoleum Museum

The Western Han Nanyue King Mausoleum Museum was built to preserve and exhibit the tomb of the Nanyue King, who ruled South China during the Western Han period. Discovered in 1983, the tomb was identified as that of the second king of the Nanyue kingdom during the Western Han period.

Visitors can actually enter the tomb, making it a popular attraction among domestic and international tourists. Inside, 15 martyr remains and over 1,000 artifacts were discovered, the most famous of which is the jade burial suit, crafted with jade pieces and red silk thread that the buried king wore. You’ll also find jade and bronze artifacts of exceptional quality and quantity, making this a must-see for anyone interested in ancient history.

5. Baiyun Mountain

Baiyun Mountain, more of a hiking course than a mountain for climbing, is a popular weekend spot for families. Its name, meaning "White Cloud Mountain," originates from the beautiful sight of white clouds surrounding the mountain and streams after the rain clears and the sky brightens.

Known since ancient times, Baiyun Mountain attracted distinguished visitors as early as the Warring States period and became renowned for its stunning scenery during the Jin dynasty, establishing itself as a famous scenic spot in the Tang dynasty. It was officially recognized as one of the "Eight Views of Yangcheng" during the Song dynasty. At the base of Baiyun Mountain is Yuntai Garden, a large garden opened in 1995, with seasonal trees that draw visitors throughout the year.

6. Chimelong Safari Park (Chimelong Zoo)

As the largest zoo in Asia, Chimelong Zoo is incredibly popular among both domestic and international tourists. The park is divided into two areas: a walking zoo area and a safari area that can be explored by car.

In the zoo area, you can see rare animals from around the world. Nearly half of the 300 white tigers in the world live here. The zoo is also home to koalas and pandas, and seeing so many pandas is a true reminder that you’re in China.

The safari area spans 1 million square meters and can be toured by private car or the park’s free buses. Divided into five themed areas—Australia’s forest, America’s jungle, Central Asia’s desert, South Asia’s rainforest, and Europe’s mountains—this area is fascinating, especially for animal lovers.

7. Temple of the Six Banyan Trees

Built in 537, the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees is one of Guangzhou’s four major temples, along with Hoi Tong Monastery, Hua Lin Temple, and Guangxiao Temple. At the center of the temple stands the "Thousand Buddha Pagoda," constructed in 1097 during the Shaosheng era. The pagoda is also called the "Flower Pagoda" because its exterior resembles overlapping petals and features vibrant colors. Climbing the pagoda is recommended as a memorable part of your visit.

On the east side of the pagoda are the Shanmen Gate, Maitreya Hall, Hall of Heavenly Kings, and Wei Tuo Hall. On the west side is the majestic Daxiong Baodian, housing three large brass Buddha statues from the Qing dynasty with serene expressions.

8. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

Built in 1931 with donations from Guangzhou citizens and overseas Chinese, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is an iconic building in Guangzhou. Its distinct octagonal shape is said to resemble a palace, with dark blue glazed tiles on the roof, and beneath it, a plaque with Sun Yat-sen's handwritten words, "天下為公" (The world is for the public).

Inside, you’ll find a spacious lobby that appears to be entirely without pillars. However, the eight columns supporting the octagon are cleverly hidden within the walls. The lobby, which is 30 meters high, is designed with superior acoustics that prevent echoes during speeches, using advanced mechanics and acoustics in its structure.

The large hall, which can hold up to 5,000 people, is used for city events and concerts. Built on the former governor’s residence, the surrounding area is filled with old trees, creating a quiet space perfect for a relaxing walk.

9. Shamian Island

Visitors to this area often feel like they’ve left China due to Shamian Island’s European-style architecture. After the Opium Wars, the area was occupied as a concession by Britain and France.

Covering an area of 220,000 square meters, the island stretches 900 meters from east to west and 300 meters from north to south. Originally a man-made island separated from the mainland by canals dug by Britain and France, today it is connected to the north bank of the Pearl River by a stone bridge on its eastern side.

From the 19th to early 20th centuries, public facilities were built on Shamian Island, including consulates, churches, banks, post offices, trading companies, hospitals, hotels, residences, clubs, bars, tennis courts, and pools. Today, it has a growing number of cafes and shops, making this exotic area a stylish tourist spot.

10. Beijing Road Pedestrian Street

Beijing Road Pedestrian Street is the busiest commercial street in Guangzhou. With fast food outlets, restaurants, shopping centers, and large department stores, it attracts an average of 400,000 visitors daily and 600,000 to 1 million during holidays. This pedestrian street is approximately 1,400 meters long.

Along the way, there are glass-covered areas where you can see remnants of ancient roads from the Song dynasty, discovered by chance during road construction. Enjoy mingling with the locals as you stroll along this vibrant street!

Conclusion: Recommended Tourist Spots in Guangzhou, China

Compared to other major cities in China, Guangzhou’s mild climate might be the reason why locals are known for their friendly manners, making it a pleasant place to stay. Guangzhou has a variety of tourist attractions, so it’s best to plan a multi-day stay for a more in-depth experience.

Direct flights from Manila to Guangzhou take about 2.5 hours. Interestingly, many travelers fly to Hong Kong with budget airline tickets and then take a 3-hour train ride to Guangzhou. For those with time, a two-city trip to Hong Kong and Guangzhou can be a wonderful experience.

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10 recommended tourist spots in Guangzhou, China: Experience its rich history!