Top 10 Things to Do in Guangzhou

As the third longest river in China, the Pearl River with a length of more than 2,000 kilometers (about 1,243 miles) is comprised of the Xi River, the Bei River, the Liuxi River and the Dong River. They finally converge in Guangzhou and become an attractive scene. Cruising on Pearl River undoubtedly is one of the best things to do in Guangzhou at night. Cruising along the river let you get a whole new take on the city. You can enjoy the Haizhu Square, the famous Canton Tower, as well as various towering skyscrapers. The beautiful night scene under the neon lights will be sure to leave you with a lasting impression.

 Recommended Tour:  Pearl River Tour by Night Cruise from $92

Canton Tower has become a landmark of the city, so it is also one of must-see places in Guangzhou. As the highest tower in China, Canton Tower has a height of 600 meters (1,968 feet). Ascending Canton Tower, you cannot only enjoy a wonderful bird’s view of the whole city but also have a chance to experience some extreme challenges. For instance, you can take the world's tallest horizontal sky wheel Bubble Tram to enjoy the panorama; the Spider Walk, a wholly transparent spiral aerial ladder will give you a unique experience; the Sky Drop, where you can experience 30-meter free fall at a height of 485 meters, has won the Guinness World Records of the highest vertical free fall in the world. Make sure you will not miss this interesting place.

 Recommended Tour:   3 Days Guangzhou City Tour from $279

One of the best places to visit in Guangzhou is the Shanmian Island, where you can take an architectural tour. The streets are strewn with statues, pavilions, wooden chairs and fountains. There are more than 150 buildings in European styles on the island, including 42 distinctive new baroque, pseudo-Gothic, neo-classical styles architecture and some buildings with the characteristics of China and Europe. Strolling around there, you can experience the exotic atmosphere easily and the beautiful scene will leave you a deep impression. What’s more, there are nice bars can offer you a thriving night life.

 Recommended Tour:   5 Days Guangzhou & Guilin Tour from $699

Strolling in Yuexiu Park is one of the free things to do in Guangzhou. As the largest park in Guangzhou, in addition to enjoying the natural landscape, you can view the Five Rams Sculpture in Yuexiu Park, which is one of the most famous sculptures and the symbol of the city. The vibrant trees, placid lakes, as well as green mountains offer a laid-back atmosphere to enjoy the leisure time. After visiting the picturesque scenes, you can visit the Guangzhou Museum and old city wall in the park. The museum needs a entrance ticket for CNY 10 per person. In addition, some entertainment projects are good options for those people who take children.

It’s a traditional custom for the local people to enjoy morning tea, more often known as Yum Cha with friends and families. This is a kind of lifestyle especially for elder people. Seeing as you are in Guangzhou, it must be one of the best 10 things to do. The Cantonese Morning Tea is more like a gorgeous breakfast which includes the tea and dim sums in more variation than you know. Surely you should try the classical ones like Shrimp Dumpling, Steamed Shaomai, and Steamed Vermicelli Roll. 

 Further Reading:  Guangzhou Food & Best Guangzhou Restaurants

Chimelong Tourist Resort is composed of a series theme parks including Chimelong Paradise, Safari Park, Water Park, International Circus, and Birds Park. Chimelong Paradise is a large amusement park with a lot of word-class amusement facilities. The Safari Park is the largest safari theme park in China with the most species of animals. Meanwhile, watching a fantastic circus performance is one of the best things to do in Guangzhou at night. As for the Water Park, it is a cool place to have a good time with friends or families in summer.

 Recommended Tour:  1 Day Guangzhou Chimelong Tour with Family from $196

Visiting the Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family is a must-do in Guangzhou, especially for history buffs. Built in 1888, the temple retains relatively complete and was built for providing accommodations for those students from all over the family to take part in the imperial examination. In addition to the ancient architecture, various delicate sculptures are the attractions you can’t miss. The wood carvings, stone carvings, brick carvings and pottery sculptures will definitely catch your eyes. What’s more, the colorful paintings with different styles and characteristics are worth of perusing.

 Recommended Tour:  Guangzhou Day Tour to Sun Yatsen's Hall & Temple of Chen Family from $111

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is one of the must-see places in Guangzhou because of its historical significance. It was built in commemoration of the Chinese great revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen (1866 -1925). A witness to so many historical events, the Memorial Hall now is an important venue for large gatherings and performances in Guangzhou. The main building is a magnificent octagonal palace with Chinese traditional characteristics. In the hall, you can see the introduction of Sun Yat-sen and his life experience. In addition, in the yard stands the oldest kapok tree and the two largest magnolia trees of the city.

Guangzhou owns a large quantity of wholesale markets and the best-known is the garment wholesale markets. Every day, numerous businessmen from all over the country gather in these markets to purchase all sorts of clothes. Shopping in these wholesale markets is really one of the top things to do in Guangzhou. You can find many fashionable garments with a much lower price. The recommended markets include Huimei Garment City, White Horse Clothing Market and Zhanxi Market.

 Further Reading:  Guangzhou Shopping   Guangzhou Wholesale Markets

As the most famous mountain of the city, White Cloud Mountain offers wonderful hiking routes. Spending a weekend there is one of the fun things to do in Guangzhou for the local people. It consists of more than 30 peaks and Moxing Ridge is the highest one among them. Standing on the peak, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the whole city. Especially after the rain, you can see the white clouds floating around the peaks and that’s why it has been called White Cloud Mountain. There are 7 scenic areas in total and electrical cars are available among the spots if you feel tired about hiking. The best time to visit the mountain is spring. The booming blossoms everywhere, the placid lakes, and fresh air provide a laid-back atmosphere to help you escape hustle-and-bustle of city life.