The 7 things to do in Guangzhou

Visit Guangzhou (Canton): what are the best things to do and see in this city of southern China?

What to do in Guangzhou, otherwise called Canton? Here is a question that occupies your internet search since your flight for China is reserved! As you do not know what to visit in Canton, we have set up a selection of things to do in Guangzhou, the tentacular city of the south of the People's Republic of China. With nearly 12.7 million inhabitants, Canton is the third most populous conurbation in the country after Shanghai and Beijing. Extent from and from the Zhujiang River, Canton is a huge urban nucleus composed of multiple islands and islets making the size of the French department of Isère (7,434 km2). So much to say that with these huge dimensions, you will not miss things to do in Canton.

With Shenzen, Dongguan, Foshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou, Zhongshan and Zhuhai, Canton forms the megalopolis of the delta Pearl River and is a megalopolis abyssal of nearly 70 million inhabitants. Here are the must-sees to visit in Guangzhou!

1. Shamian Island

Shamian Island, formerly known as Chamine, is located west of the city centre and was a Franco-British concession from 1860 to half of the 20th century. A major commercial port on the Pearl River, the island was in the 3/5th English and the 2/5th French. The result is an out-of-pair shift, with Victorian-style European colonial architecture buildings. There is also the Notre-Dame-des-Lourdes chapel.

2. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial

Gigantesque museum dedicated to Sun Zhongshan – Sun Yat-Sen (1866-1925) -, revolutionary and "father of modern China", who helped to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and was the first president of the Republic of China (in 1912). Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall is located at Memorial Hall Metro Station and is an iconic monument to Guangzhou. The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial allows you to enjoy a beautiful flowered garden, a bronze statue representing the man concerned and paintings of the monument. Inside, a large conference room with a capacity of 5,000 people as well as a gallery where to observe photos and letters sent by Sun Yat-Sen of his living time.

3. Temple of the six Banians

Located in the Yuexiu district, the Temple of the six Banians is one of the most emblematic monuments in Canton. It is located west of People’s Park (Popular Park), and is a Buddhist temple dating from the 6th century (built in 537), destroyed and rebuilt in the 11th century. This imposing pagoda is, 1,500 years after its construction, still active. Inside, we visit the Tianwang room where sits a Riant Buddha, the pagoda and its nine floors, its red and white walls and its red roofs, the main prayer room – the Daxiong Baodian – where we can see copper statues representing the Sakyamuni Buddha and the Amitabha Buddha.

4. Zhujiang New Town

What to do in Guangzhou? Get out in the city centre at night! Zhujiang New Town is the beating heart of the new city, living in the time of a resolutely modern China. Located in the east of the historic quarter of the city – Liwan -, this area belongs to the Tianhe district and symbolizes a China open to capitalist free trade: a large business center with many skyscrapers and the East station from which the trains for Shenzen leave. Not far from Huaxai Road, find the Huacheng Square, where you can admire beautiful night illuminations.

5. Qingping Market

Located in the alleys of Liwan, this market close to Shamian Island is immersed in a traditional China. On the stalls, it makes the effluves of spices, medicinal plants, mushrooms – used in Chinese medicine – and dried insects good. So glean typical and local products to taste Chinese cuisine. The market is renowned for being one of the best in China. The spices evoke a strong odor and the cultural shock is then strengthened: guaranteed change. This is a popular atmosphere guaranteed! Stationing to sensitive Western souls, this market is not the best example of animal protection we know...

6. Yuexiu Park

What to do in Guangzhou when we did museums, historic buildings and pagodas? To the west of the city, a hill overlooking a large park is 72 metres high: Yuexiu Park. This is the main urban park in Canton. It allows you to make nice walks to the assault of the seven peaks that make it (pic Puits-de-Vietterre, pic Osmanthus, pic Coquille-en-Bois, peak Longue-Taille, peak Ascension, pic Dragon-des-Lacs, pic Carpe) and its three artificial lakes. The statue of the 5 goats, the city’s emblematic, is located there.

7. Mont Baiyun

Are there hiking enthusiasts among those who come to visit Guangzhou? Mount Baiyun consists of 30 peaks, the highest point permanently bored, is 382 metres above sea level. A stroll through the majestic peaks and their valleys is a must for things to do and to visit in Guangzhou. Lovers of greenery, complete your program of visits by South China Botanical Garden (Botanical Garden of South China) and you will be filled!

How to go to Guangzhou?

To get to Guangzhou, it will be easy: Canton is a neuralgic communications centre in the south of China and Canton-Baiyun International Airport, 28 kilometres from the city centre, is one of the largest in the world. To compare flights, do not hesitate to take a look at the flight comparison Ulysses , this is an essential reference. To get to the city centre, take the metro line 3 to Jiahe Wanggang, then line 2 to Yuexiu Park or Haizhu Square. We can also transfer airport by taxi, they are in abundance in Guangzhou.

Where to stay in Guangzhou?

To stay in Guangzhou, you must know that the city is gigantic. So it is necessary to know where one reserves his lodging where to sleep. Many neighbourhoods offer different atmospheres , you can find a cheap hotel in Guangzhou by doing a search on this Compare hotels . Instead, target the central areas, near the Pearl River, like Shamian Island, the historic town of Liwan, Haizhu District Island. Yuexiu and Baiyun will also be pleasant, if you wish to stay away from the city center tumult.