Guangxiao Temple

Located on Guangxiao Road, Yuexiu District, Guangxiao Temple is one of the historical and top-rated temples in Guangzhou. The name of the temple has been changed several times. In 1961, it was listed as an important heritage site under state protection by the State Council.

What’s to see

Great Buddha’s Hall

The statues on the shrine are three respectful saints, Sakyamuni in the middle, Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva were placed along the side. Surprisingly, wooden arhats were found in the Buddha’s belly and proven to be relics of the Tang dynasty. Now they are stored in the Guangdong Museum.

East and West Iron Towers

East and West Iron Towers are on the side of Great Buddha’s Hall, built in the Southern Han dynasty. The east iron tower has seven layers with 7.69 meters high, while the west iron tower has collapsed, remaining three layers only. Thousands of small shrines were carved into the tower and gilded during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of Qing dynasty. On the base, it carved with dragons and lotus, looking elegant and historical. 

Sleeping Buddha Hall

The Sleeping Buddha Hall is on the west side of Great Buddha’s Hall. The sleeping Buddha is made by Myanmar white jade, with the total length for 4 meters, weighing 6 tons, carved the image after Sakyamuni finished nirvana.

The Hair-inhumed Pagoda

It’s an exquisite seven-storey octagonal pagoda with 7.8 meter high, where respectful master Hui Neng cut hair and hided it in the pagoda. It’s a rare pagoda built in Tang dynasty, carving vivid like shrines and statues on each side, a historical site to visit!

Sixth Ancestor Hall

Sixth Ancestor Hall, near the Hair-inhumed Pagoda, was built in the Northern Song dynasty in honor of Hui Neng, a famous master in Buddhist history. The statue carved with peaceful facial expression. Outside of the hall, a large Bodhi tree was planted by eminent monk Zhi Yue San Zang, verdant and charming tree which is award praised as one of the eight sights of Guangzhou.

Sacred Heart Cathedral

Located on Yide Road, Sacred Heart Cathedral is the most magnificent and distinctive Catholic cathedral in Guangzhou. It covers a total area of 2,754 square meters, 35 meters wide from east to west, 78.69 meters long from north to south, and 58.5 meters high from the ground to the spire. It is one of the four great Gothic stone Cathedral architectures in the world (the other three are Notre Dame de Paris, Westminster Cathedral, and Cologne Cathedral). As the majority of the materials of wall and pillar construction are granite stone, so it was called the stone house.

After the outbreak of the Second Opium War in 1856, Anglo-French allied troops took power in Guangzhou and ruined the Viceroy of Guangdong and Guangxi Governor of Liangguang. While the cleric Ming Jizhang took the advantage and occupied the place to build the church and got funds support from Emperor Napoleon III. Sacred Heart Cathedral started to build in 1861 and held Found Ceremony in 1863, buried carved stones on the west and east parts to represent Catholicism born in Jerusalem and develop in Rome. Designed by architects Vonutrin and Humbert, the whole church was imitated from St. Clotilde Cathedral in Paris. It was completed until 1888.

The cross-shaped church has three floors. The ground floor has three pointed arch doors with seven deep graved lines into the door which has a strong perspective effect when travelers looking into it. Beautiful and colorful round rose windows decorated on the front, east and west sides, used by dark red, dark blue, purple and yellow glasses, covered stone carving from outside, thus it looks like a blooming rose. On the glass, it painted famous Bible stories, worth a visit! Two octagonal steep towers can easily be noticed on the top, installed four copper clocks imported from France on each side of the church. Copper clock named by Blessed Virgin Mary hanging on the east and three Roman letter clocks were placed on the other sides.

When entering inside, the pillars in the hall divided it into two parts, atrium and corridor, with pointed ridges on the ceiling, which make the church more solemn and grand. The carefully carved stone inside and elegant chandelier, remind people of getting to Europe!

While you will surprisingly discover Chinese elements in the church. For example, the water outlet on the roof was decorated by the shape of a lion, and the ground paved with Guangdong brick for dame proof, even the door was decorated with traditional Cantonese woodcarving! 

Opening Time: 8:00-17:30

If you are a disciple, don't miss the Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Lychee Bay is divided into old and new parts. Old part location in Rainbow bridge, while new part stretches from Longjin Road to Duobao Road. Now Lychee Bay is the latter one. For a long time, it’s home of many celebrities and tycoon, now it is a famous waterway site in Guangzhou combining historic architecture with typical Lingnan style.

What’s to see and do

Liang Clan Academy

Liang Clan Academy, located in the north facing the south, is a typical grand ancestral architecture with Lingnan style. It built in the Ming dynasty with hard peak, sharp - shaped hermitage fire gable, regular gray cylinder tile, black brick stone foot. Now, this building is still well-preserved and uses for the tourist information service center, which displays the exhibition about the change of Lychee Bay.

Wenjing Antique Street

After investing 5.8 million dollars, a brand-new Wenjing Antique Street shows to all visitors. More than 400 stores selling different kinds of antique items such as porcelain, painting, furniture, jade, even local traditional craftsmanship items etc, besides, many famous masters also run their studio here. It’s the largest and professional antique street in Guangzhou.

Sai Kwan Mansion

Sai Kwan Mansion is a traditional folk residence with Lingnan characteristics in Lychee Bay, which was built by celebrities and tycoon in the late Qing dynasty. Experience a unique atmosphere and have a glimpse of the lifestyle of the old Guangzhou. Take a leisurely stroll in the mansion and trace the history from its relics.

Ren Wei Temple

Ren Wei Temple, covering an area of 2,200 square meters, is the temple serving for Zhenwu Emperor of Taoism. The painting and carving in the temple are quite magnificent. During the temple affair on 8 Feb of the Chinese lunar calendar, visitors will gather to worship and sing song to celebrate.  

Wen Tower

Wen Tower, also called Wenbi Tower or Wenchang Tower, is a historic tower built in the Ming dynasty. An ancient gigantic banyan tree grows at the side of the tower for more than 550 years. Many visitors will come here to pray for good grades.

Boat riding and flower

Enjoy a scenic boat and relax in the beautiful landscape, even purchase flowers on the boat on Spring Festival, listen to the melody and appreciate beautiful views along the way.

Folk activities

Or enjoy the vivid like festive lanterns on the trees or buildings decorated during Lantern Festival, make this place so stunning, besides, guess the lantern riddles, release floating river lanterns on the river, watch traditional wedding show etc, which brings unique travel experience to travelers and local citizens. On 3rd March of the Chinese lunar calendar, a serious of activities will be held, such as lion dancing, pray for good grades at Wen Tower, folk martial arts and acrobatics etc.