Guangzhou is a city that blends the heritage of old Canton with the restless energy of a megacity that never quite slows down. For centuries it was China's single most important trading hub, and traces of the Canton Trade System are still everywhere — in the colonial buildings on Shamian Island, in the legend of the five rams at Yuexiu Park, and in the intricate carvings of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. Today Guangzhou holds its own as a leading megacity in China, grown up around the Canton Tower and a sharply modern new district, alongside traditional shopping streets that stay busy 24 hours a day.
#1 Canton Tower · Canton Tower
Guangzhou's tallest landmark, a 600-metre tower designed by a Dutch architect with its distinctive pinched-waist shape. It was finished in 2010 for the 16th Asian Games, and its 488-metre viewing platform is the highest outdoor observation deck in the world (Guinness World Records). Locals affectionately call it the "slim waist." There's a bubble lift running up the outside of the tower, plus the Sky Drop for anyone who likes a thrill.
- Buy tickets online in advance to skip long queues, especially on weekends and public holidays
- Come for the night view after 7.30 pm — Guangzhou's lights and the Pearl River look their best
- Pair it with a Pearl River cruise so you can photograph the tower from the water
#2 Shamian Island · Shamian Island
A small sandbank island of 0.3 square kilometres that was once a British and French concession in the 19th century. More than 150 European-style buildings still stand here, beautifully kept, and you can stroll easily under the shade of century-old trees the whole way along. The atmosphere is calm and quiet, a real contrast to the big city outside. Today it's home to luxury hotels, cafés and souvenir shops.
- Come early before 9.00 am for good light and fewer people — it's the best time to photograph the buildings
- Walk the main street, Shamian Avenue, to see the statues — there are sculptures telling stories of colonial-era life
- The cafés inside the old buildings have a lovely atmosphere, great for a break mid-walk
#3 Chen Clan Ancestral Hall · Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
A masterpiece of Cantonese architecture built in 1894 with donations from the Chen clan across all 72 counties of Guangdong. It originally served as an academy for the imperial examinations, and today it's the Guangdong Folk Art Museum. The complex has 19 buildings, 9 halls and 6 courtyards, decorated with intricate carvings in wood, stone, brick, ceramic and plaster, depicting scenes from opera and all kinds of flowers.
- Allow at least 2 hours to take in the carvings properly — there's a lot in the museum
- The colourful ceramic roof looks its best when the sunlight catches it; try mid-morning, 10.00 am–12.00 pm
- The souvenir shop selling Cantonese handicrafts is on site — a good place to pick up genuine Guangdong souvenirs
#4 Yuexiu Park and the Five Rams Statue · Yuexiu Park and Five Rams Statue
Guangzhou's largest public park, 86 hectares in the centre of the city. Its highlight is the granite Five Rams Statue, built in 1960 from 130 pieces, sitting on top of the hill — the symbol of the 2,000-year-old legend of celestial maidens riding rams who brought abundance to the city. Zhenhai Tower (the Five-Story Pagoda) has been the Guangzhou Museum since 1928. The hilltop has three lakes and a wide variety of trees.
- Go early to join the locals exercising — there are tai chi groups, fan-dance groups and workout groups
- Zhenhai Tower in the park has an exhibition on Guangzhou's history from ancient times to the present, worth a stop
- In spring (March–April) flowers bloom across the park, making for beautiful photos
#5 Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall · Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
A grand building constructed in 1931, designed by Lu Yanzhi to honour the father of modern China. The octagonal building with its bright blue roof blends traditional Chinese architecture with modern design. The main hall is 71 metres wide with no central columns and seats 3,240 people. It stands on the site of the former presidential palace from the era of the Constitutional Protection Movement, surrounded by gardens of pines and beautiful flowers.
- Photograph the hall head-on from a wide angle to capture the full proportions of the grand octagonal building
- The garden in front often hosts cultural events and music on weekend evenings
- Entry is free, but performances in the world-class concert hall require a ticket
#6 Baiyun Mountain (White Cloud Mountain) · Baiyun Mountain
A 427-metre mountain that locals call the "lungs of the city" and the "most beautiful mountain south of the Ling range." It's been famous since ancient times, 2,000 years ago. In the rainy season or after the rain stops, the summit is covered in beautiful white clouds, just as the name suggests. A cable car runs up to the top, and the best viewpoint is Moxing Ridge, which looks out over the whole of Guangzhou.
- Take the cable car to the summit — it saves your legs and the views on the way are excellent
- The post-rain season (May–October) has the most white clouds drifting over the summit, true to the name
- The park in the Baiyun Mountain area opens up wide space for relaxing outside the city
#7 Pearl River Night Cruise · Pearl River Night Cruise
The Pearl River, the third-longest river in China, flows right through the centre of Guangzhou. A 2-hour night cruise takes in the lights of the Canton Tower, the bridges, the colonial architecture of Shamian, and the skyline on both banks. The colours reflecting off the water create a romantic atmosphere that no viewpoint in the city can match. Tianzi Wharf is the most popular starting point.
- Buy tickets at Tianzi Wharf 30 minutes ahead on holidays — there are several departures
- Choose the open-air upper deck so the glass doesn't block your photos
- The highlight of the route is the view of the Canton Tower from the middle of the river, most beautiful around 8.00 pm
#8 Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street · Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street
The oldest commercial street in Guangzhou, more than 1,200 metres long, turned into a pedestrian street in 1995. The Tong Lau architecture, a distinctive European-Chinese mix, sets the scene. There are more than 300 shops here, from cheap clothing, shoes and cosmetics to souvenirs and all kinds of Cantonese food. The later it gets, the busier it is, with street-food stalls, dim sum and more Cantonese sweets than you can get through.
- Come from around 5.00 pm onwards, when the pedestrian street is at its liveliest
- Try traditional Cantonese food from the teahouses on the street, like Cantonese flaky pastries and hot tofu pudding
- The Wangfujing department store on the street has several well-known restaurants, handy for a break between shopping
Where to stay in Guangzhou for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in Guangzhou — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
China Hotel, A Marriott Hotel
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Hotel Landmark Canton
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Atour S Hotel Guangzhou Beijing Road Tianzi Wharf
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Mercure Guangzhou Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
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Tours, tickets & activities in Guangzhou
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Before You Pack
Guangzhou is a city where every corner has a story waiting to be told — these 8 places are just an opening chapter in discovering the Canton culture that's still very much alive in this great city of southern China.