Guangzhou Getaway? Wanna Hear It From a Local?
-
Hi everyone, my friends who are visiting Guangzhou! Recently, I have seen a lot of posts complaining about Guangzhou's tourism. As an old-timer "Old Guang" who grew up in Xiuguan (a representative old town district), I'm happy to offer you some genuine tips.
-
Regarding food and drink ("Food in Guangzhou" is not just for show!)
- There are plenty of good eats here - rarely will they disappoint you (I won't be overly optimistic in case I'll get slapped, hahaha!).
- I sincerely advise against spending several hours waiting in line at popular Instagram spots like ***-Sheng, ***-Deng, ***-Ju, etc. Not that they’re not good, but there are many places with comparable taste levels all over the city!
- So feel free to find a place near where you're staying, or playing around, even if you get stuck in traffic and want to get out for some breathing room.
- If you're really unsure which restaurant to choose, open the Dazhong Dianping app (similar to Yelp or Google Maps' restaurant reviews in your area) and browse nearby maps for highly rated options. Trust me, their flavors usually don't disappoint.
- For the street-lined Civility Road and Xihua Road, along with trendy small food shops that suddenly become popular, it's ok to explore them if you're passing by, otherwise, there's really no need to go out of the way to visit them especially.
-
About Canton Tower (also known as "Little Waist!")
- Want to capture a panoramic view of Canton Tower? Lots of spots can do the trick! No need to head to Haisisha Island (a small island in the middle of a river) or Huacheng Square (a large public square - I used to work nearby and enjoyed its beautiful night scenery every day).
- My recommended photography spots include Hutuo Bridge, Ersha Island (an environmentally friendly inner-island of river), Canton Tower Bridge, and Haini Bridge (a footbridge - reservation might be required now, check yourself).
- Attention: Around the Canton Tower, especially during holidays and evenings, you've got to bear with the massive traffic jams. Should you insist on going, it's strongly recommended that you take the subway instead. The tram is also a good alternative - great scenic views along the way too.
-
About Yongqing Ferry/Litchi Bay/Ening Road (places to experience the local Guangzhou flavor)
- Ah, these were places I walked around as a kid. They are indeed very true to Guangzhou’s old-time atmosphere, but precisely because they represent Guangzhou’s oldest districts, their streets are quite narrow.
- It’s simply impossible for them to accommodate a huge number of tourists.
- My best time tip: very early in the morning, when there’s barely anyone around! Then the stone pavement will show its original charm, just like how I saw it back then as a child on my way to school.
- So if you complain a place is overcrowded and cluttered, there's really nothing that can be done... once they get crowded, that’s that.
-
About Shamian Island and White Swan Hotel (another historical place)
- This was also a place I’d stroll after a meal in my childhood. Similar to those above mentioned Yongqing Ferry, it's another old district.
- Tip: Early mornings are best for walks! Otherwise, you’re dealing with an overwhelming crowd.
- Those wanting to “splurge” – you could stay at the White Swan Hotel (the first Sino-foreign joint venture hotel in Guangzhou, widely renowned!), or the nearby Shamian Victory Hotel (not sure about its accommodation quality however).
-
About Shamian Cathedral (a very magnificent church)
- This fully-stone-built Gothic church belongs in the league with Notre-Dame de Paris, Westminster Abbey in the UK, and Cologne Cathedral in Germany. Definitely worth the visit.
- Important reminder: this church is not managed as a tourist site, it’s mainly for religious activities such as Christian worshippers' services.
- Hence its operating hours are very limited.
- Also be prepared for big crowds.
-
About Baiyun Mountain (Guangzhou's "city lung")
- Baiyun Mountain and Chimelong Wildlife World are the only two AAAAA-level national tourist areas in Guangzhou (this being China's top grade in tourist areas). Baiyun Mountain may well be the least expensive one of all national AAAAA-level scenic spots!
- Fun tip:
- Don’t crowd into the Nantai Garden entrance to take the cable car! There are other convenient entrances and hiking trails to Baiyun Mountain, where you will see way fewer people.
- For non-accompanying elderly or children, a cable car ride is really unnecessary. Just use about an extra hour of walking instead.
-
About Chimelong Tourism Recreation Area (fit for kids and thrill-seeking friends)
- Undoubtedly a very worthwhile location indeed! But please...
- Holiday warning: so overwhelming that you won’t believe! Yet if you must, be wise to pay some extra money on express pass bands, so you skip lengthy lines.
- In fact, weekends are okay for attendance as far as crowd control goes. For those living within the province, it’d be better to avoid holidays when you want to see the fun.
-
-
Wondering if your itinerary is reasonable, how to plan it, or need to check maps and subway routes? Please take a look at my other posts on my homepage first! Same goes for questions about the weather and what to wear – you'll likely find answers in my other posts. As for specific weather forecasts, honestly, your guess is as good as mine.
-
Hi there! How many days would you recommend for a trip to Guangzhou? I'm not looking for a super rushed, 'special forces' style itinerary.
-
It really depends on how in-depth you want to explore. For a general tour hitting the main spots, 2-3 days should be enough without feeling too rushed. Day 1: Explore the old city areas like Yongqing Fang, Lizhiwan Bay, Shamian Island, the Guangdong Customs House (the 'Big Bell Tower'), and People's Bridge, and the Sacred Heart Cathedral (check its opening hours!). In the evening, enjoy a Pearl River night cruise. Day 2: Visit the area around Canton Tower (choose a convenient spot from the recommendations above; I personally suggest Ersha Island), then head to Yuexiu Park to see the Five Rams Sculpture and Zhenhai Tower (Five-Story Pagoda). After that, it depends if you plan to visit Baiyun Mountain or Chimelong Resort, which would add another 1-2 days.
-
I'll follow you first. Once I've done my homework (researched my trip), I'll trouble you to take a look at my plan.
-
That's the best way! Only after doing your own research will you have a good sense of whether someone else's recommendations are a good fit for you.
-
Hello, fellow local! I'm a Beijing local visiting Guangzhou for the first time. Could you offer some advice to help me avoid tourist traps? I've seen posts on Xiaohongshu from people visiting Beijing, and their experiences were full of pitfalls – I felt bad for them! I'd like to visit museums, the zoo, and a temple. Other than that, I just want to wander around and eat. Thanks!
-
Hahaha, I've also seen so many posts on Xiaohongshu saying Guangzhou is full of tourist traps! Let me work on putting together some categorized itineraries.
-
+1 from a local with 40 years here! Luckily, none of the tea houses I go to were in your recommended list, otherwise I'd have to wait in line even longer next time.
-
Haha, some of the places often flagged in 'avoid this' posts are actually spots I frequent. I always think, 'Great, you all stay away!' Honestly, there isn't that much difference, and even if there is, tourists probably wouldn't notice. Waiting in long lines is really unnecessary.
-
Where would be a convenient area to stay for easy access to food, attractions, and transportation, without anything being too far?
-
Check out my other notes on my homepage. Plan your itinerary based on your interests, and then decide on your accommodation based on your itinerary and the map.
-
I'm thinking of trying the 7.7km tram ride. Is it recommended? I arrive at Guangzhou high-speed railway station in the afternoon and plan to go to Chimelong the next day. Where would you suggest I stay?
-
The tram ride is nice if the weather's good, otherwise it's just okay. Which high-speed railway station are you arriving at? There are several... If it's Guangzhou South Station, it's very close to Chimelong, so staying nearby would be fine. Figure out your accommodation based on your itinerary and a map.
-
For food recommendations, weather advice, and itinerary suggestions, please browse my other notes on my homepage. I'll write about accommodation over the weekend. It's fate that you stumbled upon my notes! Hope you all have a great time.
-
Thinking of visiting for a few days around March 8th.
-
Hey sis, would you recommend the South China Botanical Garden right now?
-
It's nice in spring, but it can get quite congested around April (it's near a cemetery).
-
Is it going to be cold tomorrow? Where's a good place to buy clothes?
-
Cold! 🥶 A damp kind of cold.