Another great place for a wander is Yongqing Fang Alleyways, a revitalised heritage neighbourhood that blends contemporary and Lingnan (or traditional southern Chinese) architecture.
You’ll find plenty of restaurants and teahouses, but also creative spaces and independent shops selling arts, pottery and jewellery, and can take in music performances at Cantonese Opera Art Museum.
Amid Guangzhou’s bedazzling modernity you’ll find several top historical sights. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, a complex of 19 buildings around several courtyards, beautifully preserves Cantonese folk art and traditional craftsmanship.
The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees has several Buddha statues including a towering bronze statue of Guanyin (Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva), the revered figure of compassion in Chinese Buddhism. The Flower Pagoda at the temple complex’s centre is the oldest and tallest pagoda in the city.
For a contrast, you can also ascend the 600-metre, super-modern Canton Tower, which has a spectacular, narrow-waisted design of two twisting ellipses. At night, LED lights give it ever-changing patterns and colours. The Twist Lounge outdoor deck, at 450 metres, is one of the world’s highest, offering a superb view of the pulsating city beneath.
Reach new heights at Canton Tower’s observation deck.Credit: iStock
Guangzhou has been a great trading city since the eighth century, and hosts a renowned international trade fair, so no surprise that it’s also one of China’s premier shopping cities.
Taikoo Hui and Parc Central are premier lifestyle and shopping venues for stopover visitors, while in wholesale markets you’ll get a huge range of wares from sporting goods to souvenirs. Taikoo Hui also has great dining options and hosts regular cultural events and art exhibitions.
If you’re after something fun for the whole family, take time out at Chimelong Tourist Resort, which comprises a world-class safari park with rare creatures, including several giant pandas, Asia’s largest water park, and spectacular live shows and circus acts.
You could also use Guangzhou as a convenient base to explore the surrounds. Foshan, an hour from the city, merits a full day’s exploration: it has a 5000-year history and is associated with Cantonese opera, ceramics production and martial arts.
The town’s old core Lingnan Tiandi has wonderfully preserved historical buildings now occupied by cafes, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries. Foshan Ancestral Temple has Ming and Qing dynasty architecture and houses a folk museum.
Other attractions in the Foshan area are Nanhia Guanyin Temple and Qinghui Garden, dotted with water features, pavilions and tranquil courtyards.
Meanwhile, Kaiping Diaolou and Villages is a UNESCO-listed site about 2.5 hours from Guangzhou which feature architecture that blends Chinese and Western elements. The multi-storey defensive houses rise out of emerald rice fields: another striking sight you’ll want to add to your bucket list.
With award-winning service and seamless connectivity, China Southern Airlines is your gateway to Guangzhou and beyond. Start your Cantonese adventure with China Southern Airlines. Book now at csair.com.
