Guangzhou is SO not what Xiaohongshu says it is...

[Sally Breitenberg]

Hello everyone! For friends who are planning to visit Guangzhou, let me give you some advice: there are actually some places you can avoid or experience in a different way for a better trip!

Regarding Canton Tower (Guangzhou Tower):

• Honestly, spending money to go up to the top of the tower is not necessary. Want to capture its majestic presence? Go to Huacheng Square, right across from it!
  • Huacheng Square is an enormous municipal park with open views and great photo angles.
  • You can also take a stroll after snapping photos and visit the nearby Guangzhou Library and Guangdong Museum, which are free!

Park Recommendations: Liwan Lake Park Versus Yongqing Fang
- If you want to experience a genuine "Lingnan style" (this unique region's distinctive charm, including traditional architecture and gardens), Liwan Lake Park is definitely a treasure!
- There are Cantonese opera performances held occasionally, a hallmark of Guangdong’s traditional culture and very characteristic.
- Personally, I think it’s more enjoyable than Yongqing Fang, which has somewhat heavy commercialization. It feels more human.

️ Important Food Shopping Tip!
- Eat early! Especially at some popular food spots, South Chinese are incredibly passionate about food!
- What should you do? Try going one hour earlier than your normal mealtime. Otherwise, you’ll queue for ages. Trust me, it's worth it!

Dongshankou Is Not Just One Street
- The Dongshankou area features many small Yangtze Town buildings from the Republican era, with fantastic flavor. But don't just stroll along Miaoqian West Street!
- Nearby routes, such as Xinhepu Road, Peizheng Road, and Si Bei Tong Jin , also offer great browsing. They're filled with interesting independent stores, where you might find surprises while slowly exploring.

The Beauty of Shamian Island
- Isn't Shamian Island everyone's first “must-stop and take-picture memory”when they come to Guangzhou? Haha! This place used to be a foreign concession, hence having lots of European-style old buildings.
- On sunny days, photos taken in this light are simply splendid. Recently, there were even tulips and hydrangeas blooming to make it prettier.

Experiencing Authentic Guangzhou Tastes
- Do you wish to feel Guangzhou’s “smoky atmosphere” (that everyday, lively, bustling vibe)?
- I would recommend visiting Ximenkou and Changshou Road these old neighborhoods.
- You don't necessarily have to just stay at tourist sites. Diving into residents' local communities offers a more authentic experience of this city.

#Celebrate New Year in Guangzhou #City Walks in New Year's Version #Every Frame is Love #Weekend Outings #Exploring Guangzhou CityWalks #Want to Come Again Next Time #Recording My City #Old Districts #Guangzhou

[Karen Zulauf]

I saw you posted a lot about parks before, and I absolutely loved those series. It's like I'm exploring Guangzhou right along with you!

[Karen Bruen]

Spot on!

[Theresa Sporer]

Canton Tower is definitely worth a visit. The main draw is the panoramic view of Zhujiang New Town from the top.

[Reginald Ziemann]

For towers, it really depends on the weather and luck. When my school took us up, it was an overcast day – just a gray, hazy mess, and we couldn't see a thing. If the weather's good, going around dusk to catch both the sunset and the night view would be incredible. (I've tried this in other countries, but always seemed to run into rainy or snowy weather there too!)

[Mattie Lockman]

Having lived in Guangzhou for ten years, my biggest takeaway is not to blindly trust any single opinion. Everyone has different preferences, and there's no right or wrong. Liwan Lake Park, Shamian Island, and the Botanical Garden are definitely worth visiting, but Dongshankou isn't actually that great for walking around. Huishijia's claypot dishes are oily and bland; Lei Garden's dim sum, though not often recommended, is actually much better than many trendy spots or street food stalls. As for Canton Tower, locals often skip it because they find it pricey, but the observation deck and the Ferris wheel at the top are truly worth experiencing. Don't just echo what others say; those who haven't been don't really have a right to judge. Just go and enjoy what you like.

[Andrea Hand]

This photo was taken from the Ferris wheel at the top of Canton Tower. I've worked in Zhujiang New Town for a long time, and I still think it's absolutely worth going up for the view.

[Miss Angela Cormier]

On Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), it seems like everyone's trashing Guangzhou, treating it like some backwater city.

[Dr. Mandy Walter-Reichert]

Every city gets its share of criticism; there are all sorts of people out there. Don't let it get to you!

[Theresa Sporer]

Honestly, Guangzhou isn't worth visiting as a tourist. Take it from me, folks.

[Zachary Hayes]

It's true. I came and found it incredibly boring. The only thing to do was look for food every day.