Yuexiu Park is the largest comprehensive park in Guangzhou city, which is considered one of eight sights since the Yuan dynasty. The park features the style of the Lingnan area, the natural landscapes and cultural heritage perfectly coexist. A lot of visitors will come to the park to exercise daily, have a leisurely walk in the verdant forest, or join the hilarious flower show held in each spring and autumn.

What’s to see

Five Rams Statue

In the legendary story, five Fairies riding the rams to Guangzhou and give grain to starved people to plant, however, the five rams turned into stones. Five Rams Statue is the symbol of Guangzhou city. It was built in 1959 and carved by over 130 pieces of granite with 11 meters high, showing different expressions on the face. In the middle, the goat looks forward and holds the grain in the mouth, surrounded by two small goats snuggled up to two mature goats, reflecting love and peace and making people touched by the statue. Now we called Guangzhou as Ram City because of this beautiful legend.

Zhenhai Tower

Zhenhai Tower, also called Five Storey Tower, was praised at No. 1 beautiful landscapes in the Lingnan area. Built in 1380 during the Ming dynasty, it’s 28 meters high and 31 meters wide, boasting as the imposing and ethnic ancient building. You can climb to the top of Zhenhai Tower to have a bird’s view of the whole Guangzhou city and Pearl River. Now it changed its name to Guangzhou Museum which uses for storing historical relics and holding exhibitions.

Sun Yat-sen Monument

Located on the top of Guanyin Mountain, Sun Yat-sen Monument is built in 1929 by famous architect Lv Yanzhi, in honor of democratic revolutionist Mr. Sun. You need to climb 498 steps to reach the top to enjoy the monument which is made by granite, with 37 meters high, carving the last will of Sun Yat-sen, encouraging Chinese people to fight for the right of freedom and equality. On the base, it carved 26 stone rams to represent the Ram City-Guangzhou.

Ancient City Wall of Ming Dynasty

On the back of Sun Yat-sen Monument, there is an 1100-meter-long ancient city wall hiding in the forest, the only city wall section of Ming dynasty in Guangzhou. It is considered as one of three ground monuments in the early Ming dynasty with a history for more than 600 years, as well as Zhenhai Tower and Bell Tower.

Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King, located on the Jiefang North Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou city, is the tomb for the second king of Nanyue Kingdom of Western Han dynasty-Zhaomo, who ruled from 137 BC to 122 BC. The tomb was discovered in 1983 by accident, after being excavated, the owner of this tomb was confirmed. It is regarded as the largest and oldest color-painted stone chamber with more than 10,000 pieces of relics, reflecting the political and economic development of Nanyue Kingdom before 2000 years ago, which is the historical heritage of the Lingnan area and one of the major archaeological discoveries in China. If you are Chinese history and culture fan, don’t miss it when you travel to Guangzhou.

What to see

The Treasure of the Tomb-Golden Seal

The Golden Seal is the first imperial seal excavated in China. Many imperial seals were described as a white jade seal with tiger decoration and graved imperial seal on the bottom in the ancient document, while this seal we discovered in Nanyue King Tombs is made by golden, curving as a dragon with the graved imperial seal. It’s a special imperial seal made by a craftsman of Nanyue Kingdom independently.

Besides, the golden seal decorated with turtle graved Taizi and Youfurenxi were discovered. While Taizi golden seal is the only one excavated in China and no one never seen it in Chinese history.

Well-preserved Color-painted Stone Tomb

The tomb covers around 100 square meters, making by 750 gigantic sandstone. The inside walls were painted beautiful colorful murals decorating with clouds which is the symbol of royal court. It is the earliest painted murals of Stone Tomb found in China. 

More than 10,000 pieces of precious relics

These precious relics are the most important relics to discover the history of the Nanyue Kingdom, ranging from politics, economy, culture, lifestyle, art, etc. They are displayed in the exhibition hall, such as silverware, copperware, musical instruments, weapons, ironware, jade, pottery, etc. The incredible silk-jade garment shouldn’t be missed. It was made by more than 2,300 pieces of superior jade, connecting by red silk threads and looking so gorgeous. Most of jade garments were connected by gold, silver or copper threads, but this one used exquisite and fragile silk thread! It’s the only silk-jade garment discovered in China and you can imagine how difficult to make and well-preserved until now. Besides, you’ll have a glimpse of Maritime Silk Road history by viewing exotic relics such as silver-box, large ivory etc. Apart from that, there are ceramic pillows that were filled with natural pearls which is the first one discovered in China. It is said that pearls have the function of being calm and beautiful, even keeping evil spirits away.

History

Temple of Six Banyan Trees is situated at Liurong Road of Guangzhou city. It was built in the year of 420-479 of the Song dynasty, got rebuilt and rename frequently. The current name of Temple of Six Banyan Trees comes from Sushi, one of the reputed Chinese poets who wrote an inscription when he saw six verdant banyan trees in the temple. The temple was listed in the "Four Buddhist Sites of Guangzhou" with Guangxiao Temple, Hualin Temple and Hoi Tong Monastery. In 1997, the temple was listed as one of the ten tourist attractions of Guangzhou.

Main Attractions:

Flowery Pagoda

In the beginning, it was a quadrilateral wooden pagoda then transformed into the octangular brick-wood pagoda in order to make it stronger. The flowery pagoda with 57.6 meters high is the outstanding building in the temple. It has 9 layers when you look from the outside, while inside there are 17 storeys. You will enjoy the bird's eye view of the whole city from the top. The appearance of the pagoda is so gorgeous dotted with bells hanging on the eaves angle, which looks like a blooming bud and stamen will be the tower top. There are solemn wooden carving and bronze pillars engraved thousand Buddhist figures on the top.

Main Hall

Main Hall is on the west of flowery pagoda, with 14 meters high and covers an area of 300 square meters. There are 3 sets of bronze Buddha statues cast in 1663, each of them standing 6 meters high and weighing 10 tons with kind face and postures, now they are the biggest copper statues in Guangdong province.

Friendship Hall

Friendship Hall is on the left of Main Hall, placing a bronze statue of Sakyamuni sent by the Thai Ministry of Education in 1985, with 2.6 meters high and weighing 1 ton.

Guanyin Temple

Guanyin Temple is on the front right side of Main Hall, placing a bronze statue of Guanyin with 5 meters high and weighing 5 tons.

Other Sites

There are Hall of Heavenly Kings, Maitreya Hall, Weitou Hall, Lecture Hall, Scripture Library, Portrait of Sushi, and more than 10 sets of ancient monuments, etc.

History

The building was supported to build by 48 Chen family members, providing accommodation for the sons of the clan for preparing imperial examination or dealing with personal affairs, and placing the ancestral tablets if Chen family member is willing to pay for it. It started to built in 1888 and finished in 1894. Afterwards, it also served as middle school, Guangdong Folk Arts Museum, printing factory. In 1986, it was promulgated by the State Council as a national key cultural relics protection unit. In 2002 and 2011, it was chosen as one of the top Eight Scenes of Guangzhou.

Layout

It situated on the No.7 Zhongshan Road in Guangzhou city covering 8,000 square meters, consisting of 9 halls, 6 yards, 10 adjacent accommodation and long corridors. The hall in the center is the main building where the Chen clan member held sacrifices or meetings in spring and autumn. Continue entering, ancestral tablet of Chen family and sacrifice hall has appeared. The side of the rooms is slightly low which was used for class in ancient time.  

Things to do in Chen Clan Academy

Wood Carving

Almost all of the wooden part was engraved numerous historical stories and auspicious patterns, main craftmanship are embossment and carving. The first beam above the front door described with Heaven Queen Birthday and Romance of the Three Kingdoms etc. In the middle of the hall, placing 20 double-sided carved screens featuring historical stories and folk tales, which was praised as the historical story corridor by folk artists by wood and steel knife. 11 gigantic carved wooden cages with 8 meters height on the rear part, engraving countless images of dragons, phenixes, flowers, characters and stories, which is the largest wood carving masterpiece of the Qing dynasty in Guangdong province.

Stone Carving

The stones using in Chen Clan Academy are granite which is dampproof, mould proof and strong enough. The handrail and balcony are decorated with flowers, birds, and fruit carving, which is full of the atmosphere of the Lingnan area and sincere respect to ancestors and gods. Besides, stone carving can be seen at pillars,  beam, breast board, stone lion, base and wainscot etc with vivid storytelling.

Brick Carving

The main craftsmanship of brick carving is embossment, partly the use of pierced carving, three-dimensional carving etc. All the brick carvings were made by famous folk artists, enriching the boring walls and emphasizing the style of Guangdong brick carving. The 6 large brick carvings on the front wall of Chen Clan Academy are made of Dongguan black bricks with fine texture, which combines with paintings, calligraphy and poems perfectly.

Lime Carving

Lime carving is wildly used in the traditional architecture decoration amoung Pearl River Delta. Use lime and fermented straws to make the shape then painted with a variety of colors. The lime carving of Chan Clan Academy is the outstanding part of the Lingnan area with 2,562 meters long and covering 2,448 square meters, which is mainly used for roof base, gable vertical ridge, porch roof, wing rooms, courtyard gallery and roof ridge.

Pottery Carving

Pottery ridge carvings, also called colored ridge, which is made by calcining clay sculpture, is mainly decorated for large buildings like temples, ancestral halls, guild halls etc. The front ridge has 11 pieces of Foshan pottery sculptures, it reflects the economic power of the Chen clan in Guangdong province. With 27 meters long, 2.9 meters high and carving around 224 characters with classic topics.

Copper and Iron Casting

It's very rare in the traditional architecture of the Qing dynasty to use copper and iron casting. The folk artists skillfully put the iron casing board in the frame of the stone fence, which looks very beautiful and unique.

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.

Shamian Island is located in the Lizhi District of Guangzhou city and was an important port for foreign trade during the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, however it was given to France and the United Kingdom by the Qing Dynasty government after the failure of Second Opium War. Afterwards, many European companies and embassies built mansions on this small island. Now it’s a famous historical relics block and the colonial area which well preserved the atmosphere of British and French concession.

The famous western architecture are Catholic church in the French quarter, English church of Christ, Former Hong Kong and Shang Hai Banking Corporation and consulate etc. After being restored, these elegant buildings were put into commercial use now.

Although it only covers an area for 300 square meters, surrounded by beautiful river and flanked by towering trees, even more than 150 exotic elegant buildings with European, Baroque, Neoclassical style etc, which make this place so tranquil and worthy to have a leisurely walk. It always gives you a nostalgic and unique travel experience when roaming or riding a bike in this area by enjoying these exotic buildings. And this is a great place to take beautiful pictures and pick up some souvenirs.

Due to the transportation restriction on the island, there isn’t heavy traffic jams and air pollution. Just like small towns in Europe, there are many cafes, restaurants, and bars placing with elegant chairs and tables along the road. Take a short break and experience the charm of Shamian Island.

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.

Canton Tower

Brief Introduction

Location: Haizhu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province

Height: 600 meters (No.1 highest tower in China, No. 2 highest tower in the world after Burj Khalifa Tower)

Floor: 112

Completed in: 2009

Open in: 1st Oct 2010

Canton Tower is the landmark of Guangzhou city, surrounded by famous Pearl River, Zhujiang New Town, Huacheng Square and Haixinsha, covering an area of 115,000 square meters.

Guangzhou has been a port to foreigners and as the origin of Maritime Silk Road, the name was called Canton Tower instead of Guangzhou Tower.

The Canton Tower has five function areas and multiple entertain facilities.

1. Revolving Restaurant(423m)

Revolving restaurant located on 106 floors with hight 423 meters. The Xuanji Mediterranean Cafeteria is the highest revolving restaurant with a seating capacity of around 130-150 people, which has created the Guinness World Records. The restaurant is designed for an oval ring in order to enjoy the gorgeous city scenery of Guangzhou from all aspects, which lasts around 1.5 hours for a round moving. Apart from Xuanji Mediterranean Cafeteria, there are Lutes French Revolving Restaurant at 105 floors, Yue Jiao Xuan Chinese Restaurant at 103 floors and Kuai Zi Hui Restaurant.

2. Canton Tower Observation Deck (488m)

The Canton Tower Observation Deck is the highest outdoor observation deck, which has exceeded the 442-meter high observation deck of the Burj Khalifa Tower of Dubai and 447-meter high CN Tower of Canada. Covering an area of 177 square meters with accommodation around 20 persons.

3. Canton Tower Bubble Tram(450m)

Canton Tower Bubble Train, with a height of 450 meters, is the world’s highest Ferris wheel. Unlike other floating wheels but move the wheel around the reclined rail. The Ferris wheel has 16 transparent cabins taking around 20 minutes for a round, where travelers will have a special traveler experience of view the whole Guangzhou city. Every cabin has a diameter of 3.2 meters and can hold 4 to 6 passengers.

4. Canton Tower Spider Walk(168-334.4m)

1000-meter-long spider walk with 166.4-meter-high is the longest and highest sky walking in the world. With 1088 steps surrounded the tower inner side. In general, will take around 1 hour if climbing from the 33nd-floor starting point to the 60th-floor ending point. Have you ever seen the blockbuster “Spider-Man”? Challenge yourself and find out how difficult to be a true hero by climbing along with the cobweb-like steps!

5. Canton Tower Sky Drop(455m)

Canton Tower Sky Drop, with a height of 455 meters, is the highest sky drop project in the world, even higher than 300-meter sky drop at Las Vegas Carnie. There are two mega drop, one for traditional sitting jump and one for exciting free fall jumping, which is the most thrilling project for adventurers. Experience the incredible fast drop from the highest positions, enjoy the different beauty of Guangzhou city, or maybe fright just swallow your mind and body instantly at that time. Thus it was listed as the highest thrill ride on Guinness World Record and the only one who gets fame.

6. Science Hall

The Science Hall, located on the 109 and 110 floors, is the first vibration system control by initiative and passive theories, showing the six environmental protection science and technology system such as vibration control system, rainwater recycling system, wind turbine system, solar wall system, structural health inspection system and super double capsules high-speed elevator. For these functions, the Canton Tower can resist an 8-magnitude earthquake and 12-magnitude typhoons, with designed for using more than 100 years.

Guangdong Museum

Old Guangdong Museum built in 1957, finished and open to citizens on October 1st, 1959. In 2003, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province decided to build a new building for Guangdong Museum in Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou. It started to build in 2004 and completed in 2010.

The new Guangzhou Museum located in No. 2 Pearl River East Road, Tianhe District, and it’s a comprehensive and national first-class museum, covering an area of 67,000 square meters. Storing more than 160,000 sets of relics and 100,000 books, the new museum looks like a delicate ancient treasure box in which the inspiration comes from ivory ball, a traditional artifact in Guangdong province. It has one underground and five floors, dividing into four parts, such as History Hall, Nature Hall, Art Hall, and Temporary Hall.

Guangdong History Hall

This history hall covers an area more than 4000 square and displays over 1500 items, including precious relics, photos, oil paintings, sculptures, models, multimedia, which shows the historical changes of Guangdong province from Mapa men to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Enjoy the 40-meter-long dragon boat, have a glimpse of the popular wallpaper which sold to other countries in the ancient time, get to know the Guangdong local lifestyle and culture.

Nature Hall

The nature hall displays the geology and geomorphology, mineral, herb, terrestrial wildlife, marine and ancient creature fossil. An ideal place for the family to learn science, and get to know how some animals live for a long time while some are extinct.

Art Hall

Chaozhou Wooden Carving, one of the intangible world heritage lists and priceless cultural treasures. It boasts for its intricate, exquisite and splendid carvings. The exhibition reflect the local custom and culture from various items, such as the baldachine, furnace cover, box etc, as well as imitating the ancient rooms with delicate carving on the door, chair, table, bed etc, which make visitors enjoy the unique charm of Chaozhou Wooden Carving and experience the profound Chinese culture.

Another important collection is Duan Inkstone, known as the top of the “Four Most Famous Inkstones in China” along with She Inkstone in Anhui province, Tao inkstone in Gansu province and Chengni Inkstone in Shanxi province. Besides, it also listed in the Four Treasures of the Study with writing brush produced in Huzhou, ink stick produced at Huizhou of Anhui province, Xuan paper at Xuan City of Anhui province. The museum preserves over 1000 pieces of Duan Inkstone and shows the culture of inkstone.

Apart from that, travelers can enjoy beautiful ceramics, jade, bronze, painting. Learn its history and development as browsing.

Temporary Hall

The temporary hall will display collections with other cultures and theme exhibitions. Pay attention to the official site if you’re interested.

Guangzhou Opera House

Introduction 

Located on Zhujiangxi Road in Zhujiang New Town of Tainhe District. Guangzhou Opera House covers an area of 42,000 square meters and it is one of China’s three biggest theaters with a capacity of 1800 people and 400 people in its multifunction hall used for operas, concerts and art performances. Its construction began in January 2005 and was finalized in May 2010 costing $202 million. The buildings of the opera were dynamically modeled in an omnidirectional format and in 3D with no concept of front, sides or back directions. 

It is Zaha Hadid’s, London based architect and the first female winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize most recent architectural realization. In collaboration with Sir. Harold Marshall a unique Australian acoustic designer who won the world top award - the Wallace Clement Sabine Medal. In 2014 the Guangzhou Opera House was rated as one of the 10 best opera houses around the world by the United States. The main building is made up of a freestanding concrete auditorium set up on audacious granite and glass clad steel frame. The exposed frame form giant spider like webs extending out in outrageous directions. There are numerous levels bringing out sight lines, canyons for free air circulation into the main atrium space, establishing a sense of connection and orientation within the opera house. Inside the Opera House everywhere you turn opens up to unexpected routes and the curves of the paths emulate a feeling of acceleration which propels you ahead.

Things to see and do on a visit 

Opera Hall

The larger pebble of the two pebble like structures houses the opera hall. The Opera Hall is home to the very latest acoustic technology for superior sound clarity and its contemporary interior draws inspiration from the form of river valleys transformed by erosion. The buildings take the form of a pair of asymmetric structures with what appears to form a dome and a curtain wall put together. The hall has the main stage, the rear stage and the left and right wings covering an area of 74 meters by 46 meters with a proscenium of 18 meters wide by 12 meters high.

The Experimental Theater

The Experimental Theater is housed in the smaller pebble and has a total of 443 seats with a movable audience seating and moveable stage to facilitate the specifications of the performances.

The Modern Gallery

The Guangzhou Opera House has a modern gallery located at the non-performance area of the opera house displaying artwork from famous artists from different parts of the world.

Beijing Road, a very popular shopping center in Guangzhou center, has a total length of 1450 meters planked with lots of stores offering all types of items, cafes, bakeries, fruit stalls, food outlets etc with great deals. The bustling shopping street attracts more than 0.6 million visitors daily, sometimes even more crowded. It’s walking street on foot only now.

Ancient Road

The ancient road was discovered in the north and south sections of Beijing road. In the north, it shows eleven stone layers from the Tang dynasty to the Republic of China, while the building base in the south dating back from Song to the Qing dynasty. Now they are well preserved and covered by transparent glass, travelers can trace the hidden history by viewing.

Shopping and entertainment

There are not only placing famous international brands but also local brands. It covers clothing and fashion outlets, footwear, jewelry, boutique shops, shopping malls, department stores etc. Besides, there are bookstores, cinemas, musical instrument store etc. From cheap to expensive items, everyone can test your bargain skills. All you need, you can find on this street at an affordable price!

Food paradise

If you a foodie, don’t hesitate to come to Beijing Road to taste all kinds of delicious street food, such as steamed vermicelli roll, noodles, sweet dumplings, fish skin, stinky tofu, beef offal, tasty soup and desserts etc. Even western food is available, spare a couple of hours to experience the most authentic Guangzhou.

Beautiful night view

The shopping road lit up all the neon lights in the evening, making this shopping street more charming and vibrant. Enjoy the shopping and delicious food, experience the fast development of Guangzhou.