My Epic Fail Guangzhou Weekend (A Warning Post!)
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Hello, everyone who loves traveling! Before I left, I went through a lot of posts and videos from Xiaohongshu and Douyin (TikTok), and diligently created a guide for eating, drinking, playing, and enjoying in Guangzhou. But some places were really... hard to describe!
About Attractions
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Sacred Heart Cathedral
- This place is probably the only attraction that didn't disappoint me during my journey in Guangzhou!
- No matter from the outside or the inside, it is extremely beautiful.
️ Important Tip: It's said that it will be closed for renovation after July 15th, so please pay attention to the time if you plan to visit!
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Yongqing Lane
- I strongly advise you not to go there; it is very unauthentic!
- Yongqing Lane is actually a commercial street similar to those found in many other cities throughout China, with replicas of old streets; the items sold there are quite similar and very boring, lack distinctive Guangdong flavor, and have nothing exciting to explore.
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Shangxiu 9th Pedestrian Street
- There's no need to go there either, as it is somewhat run down and dilapidated.
- Someone may say you can walk through it to look at crystal items, but I didn't find it particularly interesting.
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Shamian Island
- Huh? They call it "European-style architecture" and "European flavor"? Was it just beyond my appreciation?
- All things considered, the only somewhat bearable place on the island was walking along its river during a stroll.
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Canton Tower
- Although many people view the Canton Tower as an iconic landmark in Guangzhou, I personally think...
- Other than the tower's actual design being somewhat intriguing, I feel the nightlight lighting is somewhat tasteless.
- ️ Serious Warning: Crowdedness!
- When I went there, there were so many people in Xin Hui Sha (adjacent to the Canton Tower), that area, the train carriages of the APM line, and around the station entrance; even parents bringing their kids had tears in their eyes from the heat and the crowd.
- I expected the situation to improve after arriving at the station, but once out of the train, I realized there was only one entrance to the station, and we estimated a minimum of one hour in the queue to enter.
- I have to ask everyone, doesn't Guangzhou seem to implement simple crowd control measures during holidays at popular attractions like this, which would lead foreign visitors to possibly lose control?
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Beijing Street Pedestrian Mall
- It’s merely another pedestrian commercial street with similar ones appearing across the country; not recommended to visit on purpose here.
About Food Recommendations and Rants 🥩
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Ling Ji Restaurant
- I've seen everyone everywhere recommending Ling Ji; whether on Douyin, Xiaohongshu, or Bilibili (B-station), I can only ask them how much money they've spent on advertising!
- My experience with their "Pig Foot Noodles" made me less enthusiastic considering it appeared uncleaned, and the other noodle dishes were plain vanilla.
- How did they get so well-known?
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Ying Sis Fresh Milk
- I didn't even take a photo because it was somewhat hard to describe.
- Once I tried their milk, I don't believe there is much excitement when trying a drink similar to it by any other dairy producer; what's great about it? It tastes just like ordinary milk, I’m confused why anyone would say good things here!
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Rich Sis Restaurant
- This place is located in Haizhu District. It's a restaurant known for the unique and irresistible aroma of fast-frying Cantonese cuisine.
- Its appearance may not stand out, but its tasty food stands out!
- We ordered goose gut, stir-fried fish intestine with egg, yolk stuffed frog legs cooked in the pan, braised eel, bamboo intestine stir-fry, all very yummy.
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Fung Kee Restaurant
- Their "Yin-Yang Rice Roll" pairing with oil sticks is delicious to the extreme; highly recommended!
- (Rice Roll is a famous Guangdong delicacy, composed of rice dumplings filled with various ingredients.)
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Sheep Back
- We ordered the Whole Lamb Soup; the contents were plentiful.
- The soup was fragrantly good and well-prepared with no lamby smell. This restaurant was quite satisfactory as well!
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It feels like you went but didn't quite hit all the right spots. For example, on Shamian Island, you should go to Jade Garden at the White Swan Hotel for morning tea, and then have roast pigeon at Qiao Mei Shijia for lunch. At Yongqing Fang, definitely visit the Cantonese Opera Museum, and for food, try a charcoal chicken pot on Enning Road. Canton Tower is super crowded, so take the light rail two stops to Party Pier, find a second-floor open-air restaurant for dinner, and enjoy the night view of the tower. Skip Shangxiajiu. On Beijing Road, try Chaoji Claypot Rice or pick up some local souvenirs from Zanji. You likely won't be disappointed with these.
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Guangzhou really is all about the food, haha!
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As a local, I think the best two routes for tourists are: ① Yongqing Fang - Shamian Island - White Swan Pond/Yanjiang Road, and ② Zhujiang New Town - Canton Tower - Tram. One old route, one new route, that's pretty much enough, and you can do it all as a city walk. There's no real need to go to Beijing Road or Shangxiajiu (they're all pretty much the same and touristy). The food on Xihua Road is actually quite average; its main draw is that everything's concentrated in one place. Alternatively, after Shamian Island, you could head to Tongfu Road to eat.
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Guangzhou is best appreciated by those with some background in its history and culture. This May Day, I took a friend (we're both history MAs) around Guangzhou. From the Peasant Movement Institute, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Yongqing Fang, and museums to Shamian Island and Yuyin Garden, we had a really profound experience and learned so much. We both agreed that Guangzhou has a truly deep cultural heritage. At the same time, it has such a vibrant, down-to-earth atmosphere. Delicious food is everywhere, especially the tasty and cheap eats you find in small alleyways. You don't need to plan every meal meticulously; just try things as you stumble upon them. It's a great city for young people. That's how I think travel should be: do a bit of homework beforehand, adjust your mindset, and aim for a deeper appreciation rather than just a superficial look.
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Hi there! Can I be your friend? Take me with you on your next trip! I'm eager to learn and I love to listen.
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I hope there are more posts like this one. Maybe it'll mean fewer tourists, and we locals can finally get some peace and quiet.
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And then some comments say we locals are too 'Zen' or laid-back. Honestly, we just can't be bothered. We actually wish they'd all have terrible experiences so they won't come back. Seriously, please don't come! You just cause traffic jams and complain about everything.
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To be honest, the natural scenery in Guangzhou, and Guangdong province as a whole, is just okay—nothing compared to northern China. But it absolutely lives up to its reputation as a food paradise. Especially in Yuexiu and Liwan districts, you don't even need a guide or to be overly choosy; just walk into any restaurant that's been open for over 10 years, order their house specials, and you're almost guaranteed a great meal. If your budget allows, I highly recommend trying a proper, high-end Cantonese dinner (not just dim sum). Places like Lei Garden, He Yuan, Ah Yat Abalone, or Bingsheng are excellent choices. You'd struggle to find this quality in other cities, or it would be much pricier.
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Thanks for the recommendations! It's hard to know which ones are the well-established, older restaurants.
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Hiring a guide would make it much more interesting. Yongqing Fang has the Cantonese Opera Association and a Lion Dance Hall. Shamian Island was formerly the British and French concession, home to many consulates, and the site of significant historical events. They're all definitely worth seeing.
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Excuse me, where is the Lion Dance Hall located? Thanks!
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Sacred Heart Cathedral doesn't allow non-Christians inside the main church.
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Oh, I was able to go in when I visited. Maybe the rules change depending on the time or day!
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I love Shamian Island! The ancient trees are beautiful, it's perfect for a leisurely stroll, and it has such a unique, somewhat foreign charm. How could anyone find it disappointing?
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No, no, if visitors think it's a letdown, let them! It means fewer crowds and more peace for us locals. No need to advertise how great Guangzhou is; it's already far too crowded.
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People with that kind of attitude should probably just stay home. I travel to about ten cities every year, and this is my third visit to Guangzhou. I'm on day three here, and I've had a fantastic time everywhere I've gone, feeling a real sense of happiness.
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I was wondering, if it rains during a trip to Guangzhou, would it really spoil the experience at places like the Zoo, Shamian Island, or Yongqing Fang? Also, is it better to visit before or after the Qingming Festival?