Guangzhou interesting places. Sights of Guangzhou with descriptions, excursion map and photos. Old town of Guangzhou

Mention of the ancient Silk Road usually imagines caravans of camels and horses laden with precious goods, wandering west across the sand-strewn deserts of China, Persia and Central Asia. But few people know that in ancient times there was an alternative Silk Road - a maritime one, and it began from the port of Guangzhou at the mouth of the Pearl River. River pearls have been mined here since ancient times, which gave the river its name. This fishery has not become scarce to this day.

According to ancient Chinese chronicles, the city was founded in the 9th century BC. e. It was named Panyue after the names of the mountains located in the vicinity - Pan and Yu. Today, one of the historical districts of the city is called Panyu.

Recent archaeological excavations on the east bank of the Pearl River, carried out to prepare foundation pits for new buildings, have uncovered the remains of an even older settlement, dating back to 1100 BC. e. In 226 BC. e. The city was captured by the troops of the Han Empire, it became the center of the coastal province of Guan, and at the same time its modern name appeared - Guangzhou. The ancient Book of Tang describes the city as an important trading port receiving ships from Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf.

The Portuguese, who appeared here at the beginning of the 16th century, during the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries, called the city Canton. This name is still used in the West to define local culture, dialect, cuisine and other features, being synonymous with the name Guangzhou.

For several centuries, the port of Guangzhou was the only harbor in the Celestial Empire where merchant ships from Western countries were allowed to enter. Already in the 17th century, its port was crowded with ships flying the flags of Great Britain, India, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy and many other countries, bringing their goods to China and taking away silk, porcelain, tea, and pearls. Since then, Guangzhou has become famous as one of the richest trading cities in the world. At that time, it was surrounded by a 10-kilometer-long brick wall; the city's tallest building was a five-story guard pagoda built in 1380. Now this pagoda houses the Guangzhou Museum, surrounded by the huge Yuexiu Park.

At the beginning of the last century, a revolution occurred in China that overthrew the last emperor of the Qin dynasty and created a new China with republican rule. Guangzhou was at the center of historical events. Since 1921, power here belonged to the nationalist Kuomintang party, which three years later merged with the Communist Party. The Institute for Training the Peasant Movement was founded in the city; at one time it was headed by Mao Zedong. Soon, a conflict arose between the leadership of the Kuomintang and the communists, who were actively supported by the Soviet Union, which escalated into a civil war. It lasted from the mid-1920s until the communist victory under Mao in 1949.

The impetus for the new rapid development of Guangzhou was the “Open China” policy, initiated by Premier Deng Xiaoping in 1984. The city grew rapidly, annexing surrounding lands and villages. Today, Guangzhou covers an area of ​​7,434 km², and the metropolis almost merges with the neighboring large cities of Foshan, Dongguan and Chenzhen, forming one of the largest urban agglomerations on the planet, with more than 24 million inhabitants.

For 60 years now, Guangzhou has hosted the world-famous International Canton Fair, The Canton Fair, twice a year, in spring and autumn, a global showcase of Chinese industry and achievements in the field of science and technology. For the fair's expositions, the city has built a colossal Pazhou exhibition center, where 150,000 different products are displayed on 60 thousand stands.

Climate

Guangzhou is located in the subtropical zone. The climate in the city is warm and humid; winter, as northerners understand it, does not exist here. The average daytime air temperature from May to October is +28...+32 °C, at night +18...+21 °C, but abnormal temperature readings are not uncommon. The hottest months are July and August. It happens that the thermometer approaches +40 °C.

In June there is a threat of tropical cyclones, and in August thunderstorms rage almost every day in the late afternoon. The rainiest month in Guangzhou is May.

Two months are considered winter here - December and January. In December it is usually from +10 to +22 °C, rain is rare. In January it is cooler: from +3 to +15 °C. There may be a slight frost, and snow is possible. In February it is often rainy here, but it is already warm. On sunny days the air warms up to +20 °C.

The peak tourist season is October-November. At this time the weather is clear and there is almost no precipitation. Air temperature from +21 to +29 °C. By the end of November, the evenings become cool: about +15 °C.

National currency

Interestingly, the world's first paper bills appeared in China, around the 7th-8th centuries AD. At first, these were receipts by which merchants could purchase any goods, and the seller exchanged the receipt for metal money kept by trusted persons - the first bankers. Then the receipts turned into banknotes with a certain denomination; they were printed on special presses, long before the invention of printing in Europe.

The Chinese currency is called the yuan, the international symbol is ¥. In banks in Guangzhou, as throughout the country, other than US dollars, no other currencies are accepted or exchanged, including Russian rubles and euros. So on your trip you should take either dollars or yuan bought in Russia. There is no need to look for where it is more profitable to exchange money; the national currency rate here is uniform, it is strictly controlled by the state. Buying dollars in China is dangerous - there are many high-quality, almost indistinguishable fakes on the market.

Sights of Guangzhou

Guides to Guangzhou mention more than 700 attractions that are worth visiting. Among them are the Opera House, amazing with its futuristic architecture, a stadium reminiscent of a fantastic space cruiser, and the 140-meter skyscraper “Guangzhou Circle”, built in the form of a colossal golden wheel with a round hole in the middle. It clearly resembles a flying saucer that fell vertically from space, but good-natured townspeople nicknamed this architectural masterpiece the Golden Donut. The architecture of the city library, which looks like a lopsided stack of books, and the design of many other buildings are surprising.

The undisputed leader of sightseeing is the tallest Canton TV Tower in China, which from a distance resembles an elegant mesh pin made of flexible bamboo stems. But take a closer look, and the “bamboo” turns into vast, curved steel pipes stretching 600 meters into the sky. The tower was erected in a park on the river embankment for the 2010 Asian Games, of which Guangzhou became the capital. The TV tower was built from 100,000 tons of steel, concrete and glass. There are observation decks, revolving restaurants and shops at different levels, to which high-speed elevators take 10 thousand tourists every day. The tower even has a cinema and a post office, from where you can send a beautiful postcard to your friends. The highest observation platform is located at 488 m.

The highlights of the Canton Tower are two attractions listed in the Guinness Book of Records. This is the world’s tallest horizontal Ferris wheel “Bubble Tram”, offering to explore the city from transparent spherical cabins rotating along the axis of the tower, and the highest extreme attraction on the planet “The Sky Drop”: free fall in a chair.

At night, the tower is illuminated by thousands of multi-colored spotlights, constantly changing the lighting pattern, and making it look like an elegant New Year's toy. Climb the Canton Tower in good weather in the late afternoon and you will be treated to a stunning view of the city lit up and stretching to the horizon. Entrance fees range from ¥150 to ¥398 depending on the height of the ride and attractions.

Guangzhou is home to one of the oldest Taoist temples in China - the Temple of the Five Spirits, built in 1377. It stands on the spot where, according to legend, in ancient times five deities descended from heaven riding on magic goats. They presented the inhabitants of the city, suffering from hunger, with miraculous ears of rice. People planted rice grains in the soil and, having reaped a bountiful harvest, were saved from hunger, and the city itself began to prosper from then on. From the outside, the sanctuary looks intimate and modest, but the interior is richly decorated. The pride of the temple is a giant bell weighing 5 tons. The bell has no tongue, and, as legend has it, it will ring only when Guangzhou is in danger of destruction.

Another important sanctuary for the city residents is the Buddhist Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, which dates back to the 6th century. This graceful pagoda with tiered porticoes and curved ridged roof houses ancient Buddhist relics brought here from India. At the temple, admire the rich wood carvings, miniatures and sculptures of deities.

Guangzhou is also home to one of the oldest mosques in the world, Huaisheng. According to legend, the mosque was founded by the companion and uncle of the Prophet Muhammad himself, who visited China in 630 on a preaching mission. The landmark of the mosque is its 35-meter minaret, also called the Tower of Light. It once served as a landmark for ships entering the city port.

One of the most important architectural and cultural historical attractions of Guangzhou is the Cheng Clan Academy. This is an impressive complex of buildings erected at the end of the 19th century, covering an area of ​​more than 13,000 m². One day, several wealthy Chinese from the United States, belonging to the extensive Cheng clan, decided to create a memorial in honor of their ancestors in their homeland, Guangzhou. Thousands of families belonging to this ancient family donated funds. They donated family heirlooms to the memorial - priceless works of art created hundreds of years ago. At the beginning of the last century, the memorial turned into an educational academy, where the young scions of the Cheng families prepared for public service. Today there is a Folk Art Museum with a rich exhibition. You can get to the museum by metro; the station is named “Chen Clan Academy”. The cost of visiting is ¥10. On one day every month admission is free.

One of the hundred best archaeological museums in the world includes the museum-mausoleum of the ruler of Nanyue, who ruled in Guangzhou in the 2nd century BC. e. Its exhibition includes a carefully transported tomb with hundreds of unique artifacts. The ruler’s mummy is covered with a “suit” of plates of sacred stone – jade. The building is located a hundred meters from Yuexiu Park metro station. The museum is open from 09:00 to 17:30, the ticket office closes at 16:45. The cost of visiting is 12 ¥, a guided tour is 50 ¥.

Another interesting cultural site is the Guangdong Provincial Art Museum. It is located on a picturesque island in the New Town area, next to the Xinghai Hall. The exhibition includes paintings, graphics, sculpture by Chinese and foreign artists, and charming performances. There are often traveling exhibitions here, arriving from museums in many countries. Some of the sculptures are displayed in the garden. Entrance to the museum is free, but don't forget your passport - you need to show it to security.

Entertainment

Guangzhou has many beautiful tropical parks. They look especially magical in the evenings, when the paths are illuminated, as if on a runway. Trees, lawns and flower beds are illuminated. But there is no more pleasant place for a walk in nature than the Yuexiu Gongyuan Landscape Park, which translates to “The Most Beautiful Park.” It is located in the central area, close to the train station. It is convenient to get here by taking metro line 2 to Yuexiu Park station.

Entrance to Yuexiu Park is free. The humid air is filled with the aromas of tropical flowers and trees. Paths in green thickets will lead you to bridges over streams, bamboo groves, cozy gazebos, children's playgrounds, and small cafes where you can have a tasty meal. In the depths of the park, look for an alley with blooming orchids. The air here is especially fragrant. If you wish, take a ride around the area in an open train car - ¥10. It’s nice to ride on the calm surface of a large park lake on an electric or pedal double catamaran. Several streams flow into the lake, one of them forms a picturesque waterfall from the rocks. In another lake, springs gush from the bottom, forming bubbling geysers on the surface. The park contains two historical attractions: the monument to the guardian spirits of the city and the Five Goats monument.

Be sure to visit the Xiang Jiang Safari Park. It is convenient to get to the park by metro. Take the Orange Line to Hanxi Changlong Station, there is a free bus from Exit E. Walking to the park from the metro takes 15-20 minutes. When you enter, don’t forget to take the brochure with the schedule of performances and animal feedings; here you will also find a map of the park; without it, it’s very easy to get lost in the labyrinth of alleys – the territory is huge. Plan your visit for the whole day. However, you can sit in a cable car cabin (ticket – 40 ¥) and view the animals from above. Free “trains” depart from the northern entrance, taking tourists around the park, but there is always a long queue.

The main “characters” here are pandas, koalas, funny tiger cubs, leopard cubs and baby orangutans. For a fee of 10-30 ¥ you can feed tigers with meat, give food to kangaroos and baby elephants, ostriches, giraffes and other animals. The “dinosaur trail” is impressive, along which giant robotic lizards roam, an elephant and hippo show, and a crocodile farm. The park has a 4D cinema where films about the animal world of China and cartoons are shown, and performances with animals are held in enclosures. During the walk, children can ride on carousels and other attractions, ride a pony and feed a horse (¥10). Along the alleys there are cafes, souvenir shops, kiosks with soft drinks, sweets, and ice cream. Please note that all this here is noticeably more expensive than outside the park. The Safari Park is open from 10:00 to 18:00. Entrance fee is ¥300, children under 5 years old are free. The ticket office closes at 16:00.

Not far from the safari park is the Guangzhou Water Park. The prospectuses claim that it is the largest in Asia. Perhaps this is true: on a vast territory planted with palm trees, ornamental trees and flowering shrubs, many water attractions are built. However, not all of them will be available to tourists: each attraction has height and weight restrictions dictated by safety requirements. Before travelers are allowed onto extreme slides, their parameters are measured by park employees. On many attractions, height must be at least 140 cm and weight no more than 80 kg. Each attraction is served by several lifeguards; children are not allowed into the water without inflatable vests. However, there are many attractions without any restrictions, for example, the extreme wavebreaker. Near this pool there is an extensive sandy beach; there are many toys for children. You can cool off in one of the Jacuzzi pools scattered throughout the area.

At every step there are kiosks selling beautiful towels and other beach accessories, toys, and Chinese fast food. Outside food and drinks are not permitted into the park. You can have lunch at any of the many cafes. We recommend visiting the water park on a weekday. On weekends, a lot of townspeople come to the soda, and there are queues for about forty minutes at the attractions. The water park's opening hours are from 10:00 to 18:00. Entrance fee: ¥200. But that's not all the costs. If you don't want to carry your clothes with you, leave your items in the locker for ¥35 and you will be given a free neck wallet for money, watches and jewelry. You can float along the long “lazy river” on an inflatable boat; it costs ¥50.

In the same area of ​​Guangzhou is the Chimelong Paradise Park. There are about a hundred attractions and a large 4D cinema. The park has the steepest 40-meter-high roller coaster in the country, where carts accelerate to 110 km/h; for extreme sports enthusiasts, there are free-fall towers, flip swings, and a rail track with racing motorcycles. A stunt show with incredible stunts takes place here several times a day; visitors are entertained by animators. You will find the schedule of performances in the prospectus that you will receive with your ticket. Most of the attractions are intended for children. There are several cafes and toy stores. The cost of visiting the park is 250 ¥.

You can have a great time at the Chang Long International Circus, where magicians, clowns, acrobats and other artists from all over the world demonstrate their skills. The design of the colorful costumes and scenery is simply magnificent, the show, accompanied by lighting effects, is dynamic, an hour and a half flies by like one minute. Tickets to the circus cost ¥300. To get good seats, you should arrive early - the seats are not numbered. However, for an additional 50 ¥ you will be given a ticket to the VIP area, from where the performance can be seen from the most advantageous angle, and no one will claim your seat.

Excursions

All three- to five-star hotels have tour desks that offer all kinds of educational travel options around the metropolis and its environs. On the first day, after taking a break from the flight, you can get to know the huge city by going on an 8-hour bus ride with a guide. The cost of this trip to Guangzhou does not exceed $125. This includes lunch in a restaurant.

Local historians who speak good Russian offer individual excursions around the city by car or minibus. Business cards of private owners will certainly be handed to you near the hotel. The duration of the trip is 4-6 hours, the cost is $100-250. After sightseeing, you will be treated to a sumptuous lunch in a restaurant, where the whole group will be treated as if they were friends of the Chinese Emperor himself.

In the evening, embark on a 4-hour excursion boat cruise on the Pearl River. A minibus will take you from the hotel to the pier. It’s hard to take your eyes off the panorama of the giant city at sunset. You will see giant bridges linking the banks of the Pearl River within the city. The largest of them is the eight-lane Huangpu cable-stayed bridge, which became part of the Guangzhou-Macau Expressway. The total length of the passage exceeds 7 km, and three pylons rise 226 m above the water. A rich buffet awaits you in the ship's restaurant. The cost of the trip is $99.

Eight kilometers north of the city rise the peaks of Mount Baiyun. They are sheltered by dense forests, transformed into a landscaped mountain park with observation decks on the slopes facing Guangzhou. Take a taxi to the southern entrance of the park; there are no metro stations nearby. From here there is a cable car leading to one of the viewing terraces. The carriages operate from 09:00 to 18:00. The fare up is 25 ¥, down is 20 ¥. During the 10-minute climb, you'll get a good look at the city, and then see its skyscrapers from other angles as you walk along the observation decks. Baiyun Mountain Park is open from 09:00 to 20:00. The entrance ticket costs ¥5.

One of the most interesting country excursions is a trip to Hong Kong, located 120 kilometers southeast of Guangzhou. For China this means: very close. You need to take care in advance to comply with visa formalities, because Hong Kong has the status of a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China, living according to the principle, incredible for a communist state: “one country, two systems.” Trips are organized by train or bus. If you want to go on your own, go to South Station. High-speed trains from Guangzhou and in the opposite direction from Hong Kong depart every hour from 07:00 to 20:30.

If you want to take a short sea cruise, check the schedule of the TurboJET ferry. This fast ship departs from the port of Guangzhou to Hong Kong three times a week. Travel time is about 1 hour, ticket price is ¥350.

Cantonese cuisine

Thanks to the fact that Guangzhou has always been open to merchants and travelers from all over the world, the cuisine of this region is represented on all continents. It can be said that all restaurants that offer a "Chinese menu" are actually serving Cantonese dishes. Hot spices are rarely used in the recipe; the taste of the dishes is sweetish. However, true Cantonese delicacies can only be tasted in restaurants in Guangzhou and other cities in the coastal province of Guangdong. Their main feature is the incredible exoticism of the ingredients. In addition to seafood and meat, local chefs masterfully prepare snakes, worms, scorpions, insects, slugs, frogs - there are no prohibitions, except one: in Guangzhou they do not eat goats, these animals are sacred.

Every year the International Cantonese Cuisine Festival is held in Guangzhou, which attracts chefs from the best restaurants from all over the world.

Before you sit down at the table of the restaurant you like, take a look at the menu. If the food list is only in Chinese, don't risk ordering something at random. Often what they bring you is unpleasantly surprising. The saving grace of good restaurants is that on the menu the hieroglyphs of the names of the dishes are duplicated in English and accompanied by photographs of the dishes. But here, too, a test awaits you - the tables are set only with wooden chopsticks, and you will have to eat with their help. Forks and knives are only served in hotels and Western restaurants. Start getting acquainted with local cuisine in the restaurants of your hotel, where you can consult with one of the English-speaking or Russian-speaking staff. Another option is to try a few Chinese dishes at the buffet, choose what you like and remember the names.

In the meantime, while your preferences in specific Cantonese food have not been determined, while walking around Guangzhou it is better to dine in restaurants with national cuisine that you are familiar with. The names of the establishments will help you find your way around. For example, excellent grilled lamb, kebabs, and hummus are prepared in the Turkish restaurant Antalia, and you will find familiar Russian dishes and compatriots among the staff in the Katyusha restaurant. Actually, Guangzhou presents the entire diversity of world cuisine. The estimated cost of first courses is from 25 ¥, appetizers and salads - from 30 ¥, meat and fish dishes for the main course - from 50 ¥.

Purchases

For shopping, head to the ancient Beijing Street, located in the center of Guangzhou, near the Gongyuanqian metro station. This pedestrian shopping area is one of the city's iconic landmarks. Thousands of shops are located in ancient buildings and modern shopping centers. Trade has flourished here for at least 700 years, as evidenced by part of the 13th-century cobblestone street. You can buy anything on Beijing Street - from a T-shirt for a couple of yuan to the latest iPhone model, antiques and jewelry.

In shopping malls you will see that most of the products of world famous brands of clothing, shoes, cosmetics and electronics are made in Chinese factories.

In addition to giant shopping centers, the city has no less impressive indoor markets with mountains of handicrafts, fruits, vegetables, all kinds of food, rows of herbs and ready-made medicines from traditional healers. Magic amulets, crystal balls for fortune-telling, fresh scorpions and snakes for the needs of local culinary specialists are also sold here.

In these endless rows you are sure to find original souvenirs. Buy a pair of river pearls and Taoist jade rosaries as souvenirs. An interesting souvenir is a folding board for the logical game “Go”, invented in China 5 thousand years ago. Playing stones, carved from bone or semi-precious minerals and hand-painted with hieroglyphs, are often works of art.

Where to stay

One of the most luxurious hotels in Guangzhou is the five-star chain Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou, which shares a huge skyscraper with a large international business center. It is located a five-minute walk from the opera house and a ten-minute walk from the TV tower. Five hundred meters away is the grand shopping complex “Mall of The World”, and there are two metro stations nearby.

The hotel's interiors are decorated in oriental style. On the upper floors of the skyscraper there are observation balconies, and the view of the city from here is no worse than from the observation decks of the TV tower. There are 6 restaurants, several bars and cafes, a tour desk and a car rental service in the lobby. There is a spa with hot tubs and an indoor pool. The spacious rooms have minibars, TVs with DVD players, electric kettles with a selection of tea and coffee bags. A double room with a river view will cost $408 per night, a club deluxe room will cost $744. Breakfast is a buffet with a good selection of dishes, paid in the morning in the restaurant and costs $37.

Opposite the TV tower, on the opposite bank of the Pearl River, a district of “high-rise buildings” has been built. One of the best hotels in the metropolis, the Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou, is located here. This skyscraper has 263 rooms with huge panoramic windows. The staff is multilingual. The rooms have free Wi-Fi, coffee machine, air conditioning, plasma TV, minibar. It offers a spa center, a beauty salon, a jacuzzi, and two swimming pools (one heated). Freshly squeezed juices are served for breakfast, and the restaurant offers European, Japanese and Chinese dishes. If necessary, a nanny will look after the children; there are rooms equipped for the disabled. The hotel has its own transport, guests are met at the airport. Accommodation rates range from $257 to $740.

Daily accommodation in four-star hotels in Guangzhou costs from $70 to $140. You can also stay in stylish apartments, for example, in the “Loft European Designer's Home” (Panyu district near the Chimelong Paradise amusement park). The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a refrigerator, and a washing machine in the bathroom. Cost of living - from $99 per month day.

Unassuming travelers can easily find hostels in the city that offer very inexpensive accommodation. For example, in Tianhe District, within a five-minute walk from the Pazhou Island International Exhibition Center, you will find Langba Hostel. Here, a double room with air conditioning, bath and toilet will cost only $11. You can use the shared kitchen on the floor.

In the same area there is a more comfortable June Hostel, surrounded by a garden. Some rooms have balconies or verandas. There is a cozy terrace in the garden where you can prepare your own barbecue by paying for the accessories and marinated fish or meat in the kitchen. Products can also be bought at the market. This hostel is non-smoking. Cost of living – from 13 $.

There are many inexpensive, neat hostels located in the Baiyun area. Among them are “Shunfeng Youth Hostel”, “Meiliwan Hostel”.

Transport

Public transport in Guangzhou is well developed. It is convenient to purchase a transport smart card for ¥30, it is suitable for paying for travel on all types of transport, and you can use it to pay for goods in a store. Top up your card at the metro station ticket office.

Metro

Nine metro lines (in the diagrams they are indicated by color and numbers) stretch for 256 km, they connect all areas of Guangzhou, there is a line to the neighboring city of Foshan. By metro you can get to the airport (Baiyun Airport South station), bus station, South and East railway stations. The stations are named "Guangzhou South Railway Station" and "Guangzhou East Railway Station" respectively. Travel costs from 2 ¥ to 12 ¥, depending on the distance. Stations are announced in two dialects of Chinese - Cantonese and Mandarin, as well as in English. The metro operates from 06:00 to 23:00.

Buses

There are a lot of bus routes, the fare is 1-2 ¥. You can take the bus to any city block. But there are two problems: stops are announced only in Chinese (the same two dialects), and due to traffic jams, the trip can take an unpredictably long time. During peak hours, express buses operate on the routes, traveling from the center without stops. Travel – 2-4 ¥. Separate lanes are allocated for them, but only on main highways. City transport stops at 23:00, but there are night buses that take belated citizens home until 03:00. Travel there is more expensive – 5-6 ¥.

Taxi

Almost all taxi drivers do not understand either English or Russian, so the main problem that tourists have with taxis is explaining where to go. There are several options for solving it. The easiest way is to show the purpose of the trip on a city map, which you need to carry with you, or clearly name a landmark and make sure that the driver understands you. It is convenient to order a taxi at the hotel through the administrator who speaks Russian, or ask him to write the name of the object you are interested in in Chinese, and then show the note to the driver. On the way back, just show the taxi driver your hotel card with the name of the hotel.

Taxi fares in Guangzhou are as follows: for the first 2.6 km - 10 ¥, each additional kilometer - 2.5 ¥. If the trip is further than 35 km, 50% is added to the amount. Payment - in cash. Save the issued receipt: if you forgot something in the cabin, the receipt will help the administrator of your hotel contact the taxi manager, and the things will be returned to you.

River ferries

There are many ferry piers on the embankment. In the center, ferries depart every quarter hour from 06:00 to 22:00 from Guangsha Pier, located in the seafood market area. You can take a ferry to the islands located in the sea bay opposite the mouth of the Pearl River.

Car rent

Guangzhou has a car rental network of international companies Hertz and Avis. In large hotels they are located in the lobby or in kiosks in hotel parking lots. Check the rental price on site. If you are not familiar with the specifics of Chinese traffic rules and are unable to read the hieroglyphs on road signs, do not risk driving into the city on your own. It makes more sense to rent a car with a driver.

Bicycle rental

You can rent a regular or electric bicycle. The battery is charged through special sockets available at metro stations or bus stops. Please note that the passage of cyclists on many streets of the central district is prohibited; the violator will be immediately detained and fined by the police. It’s convenient to rent a folding bicycle; you can take it on the subway or by taxi to the nearest park and ride there to your heart’s content. The embankment of the Pearl River is equipped with bicycle paths. The cost of renting a bicycle is from ¥30 per day.

How to get there

Only Aeroflot airliners fly directly from Moscow to Baiyun Airport in Guangzhou. Ticket prices start at $696. The flight lasts 9.5 hours. Flights of other airlines include transfers in Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong and the selection of convenient connections. There are no direct flights from St. Petersburg either; the flight via Beijing will take more than 20 hours.

Planes also fly to Beijing from Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, and Vladivostok. Once you get to Beijing, you can easily find several flights to Guangzhou on the schedule.

If you wish to continue your journey by rail, high-speed trains depart from Beijing West Railway Station to Guangzhou daily from 05:00 to 20:30 at intervals of approximately 1 hour. They cover a distance of 2125 km in 8-10 hours. There is a subway between Beijing Airport and the train station.

Guangzhou is a city with a population of millions, also known as:

• flower city;
• city ​​of 5 sheep.

Thousands of tourists capture the sights of Guangzhou through photography. This city delights travelers every day, many of whom combine business trips with a stunning vacation.

Some interesting facts about the city

• Guangzhou has served as the Chinese capital three times;
• The Silk Sea Route ran through Guangzhou;
• This city is the only one in China that had external trade relations with the rest of the world in the 19th century;
• The Cantonese language and the cuisine of the same name originated here;
• Guangzhou has the largest number of restaurants in China.

When is the best time to go?

When planning, you should take into account climatic features. The climate in the city is quite mild, but if you like warmth, it is better to plan your trip in summer. Warm weather usually lasts from the beginning of March until the end of October. The rest of the time, the average daily air temperature drops to 15°C.

One more thing: Guangzhou usually has extremely high humidity levels in March. Therefore, if you find it difficult to tolerate high moisture content in the air, it is better to postpone your trip to a later period.

How to get to the city

Most tourists arrive in the metropolis by air. You can get to the city center from the main city by the following types of transport:

• metro;
• regular bus;
• Taxi.

How to get around Guangzhou

You can move around the city both by public transport and by taxi. The most convenient way to travel for most travelers is the city metro. There are not many branches - only eight directions. However, with their help it is easy to get to almost any city attraction. The Guangzhou metro map is shown in the photo below.

Hotels

Guangzhou has a huge number of amazing hotels. If you love exoticism and luxury, you can safely check into any of the 5* hotels located in the city.

One of the most luxurious hotels, the Four Seasons Hotel, is located on the upper floors of Guangzhou's tallest skyscraper. Many tourists visiting the city stay here for at least one night. A visit to this hotel allows you to admire the magnificent view of the city, get acquainted with the peculiarities of local cuisine, and also taste the delights of Japanese and Mediterranean dishes. The Four Seasons Hotel is located close to major attractions and has easy access to major shopping centers.

Other hotels that travelers suggest paying attention to are:

• Planet Wanted;
• Sofitel Sunright;
• Royal Tulip Luxor Hotel;
• Dongfrang Hotel;
• Hilton;
• Pullman.

Where to eat?

In Guangzhou there is a huge number of restaurant complexes, cafes and small eateries offering to try the following dishes:

• Asian;
• European;
• Chinese;
• Arabic.

There are also gourmet restaurants in the city where you can taste Italian, French and American dishes.

What to see in one day

If you wish, you can see the main attractions of Guangzhou in China in one day.

Advice for tourists: if possible, do not rush to visit all the important city places in one day. It is best to allow at least three days for the inspection.

Central square of Guangzhou

First of all, you should go to the central square Huacheng Square. The name of this place translates as “Flower City”. Hua Chen Square is noted in the tourist guide as the main modern city attraction.

A long green alley with a length of more than 1,500 meters runs between numerous skyscrapers that soar upward in the very city core.

Tourists who decide to visit HuaChen Square will see the famous architectural buildings of Guangzhou:

• Opera building;
• city ​​Museum;
• library building;
• the two tallest skyscrapers in the city, towering 438 and 530 meters above the ground.

In the evening, from the Central Square, the magnificently illuminated Canton TV Tower appears to the eyes of vacationers. The beauty of this place can be easily judged from the photograph:

Hua Chen Square is popular among shopping enthusiasts, who can visit the Mall of the World, located under the city's modern landmark.

Tourists who are in doubt about which attractions of Guangzhou to see first should visit this unique historical monument.

Looking at the buildings in the English and French colonial style, erected in the 19th century, many travelers get the feeling that time passes much slower in this place than elsewhere on the globe.

Shamian is famous both among tourists and among Catholic pilgrims - the Church of Our Lady is located in this area. Another attraction of the island is the abandoned Soviet Consulate.

For travelers who want to experience beauty, the guide recommends going to the Chen Family Ancestral Temple, built in the 19th century. To enter the museum, which was previously owned by an influential family, you will have to pay 10 yuan. In the building tourists will see:

• works of art;
• elegant sculptures, for the manufacture of which the most valuable ivory was used;
• artistic statues.

Guangzhou Yuan

An amazing architectural structure that has no analogues in any city in the world. The architect's initial goal was the desire to move away from stereotypes and contrast his creation with numerous city skyscrapers.

The building is shaped like a ring, its 33 floors rise 138 meters above the ground, and the diameter of the central circular opening is 50 meters. The structure looks especially impressive in the evening, when its reflection in the river water is clearly visible.

The photograph clearly shows that the combination of the building itself and its reflection turns into a sign of infinity.

The Chinese residents themselves claim that the builders incorporated numerological symbolism into the high-rise building, since the infinity sign can be interpreted as the number “eight.” Chinese numerologists say that number eight brings happiness. The third symbolic meaning of the architectural landmark is that the words “eight” and “wealth” have very similar pronunciations. Therefore, a modern legend is associated with the building - Guangzhou will develop and prosper as long as this architectural structure stands.

The structure was erected on the site where the Chinese hero's presidential office once stood. Sun Yat-sen is the father of the Chinese revolution and founder of the Kuomintang. Anyone can visit the memorial; the entrance ticket will cost tourists 10 yuan.

Where to go on the second day

There are five famous Buddhist temples in Guangzhou, one of them is Dafo. The building was erected in the 7th century AD, when the Han Dynasty was in power. Visiting the temple is absolutely free.

After Dafo Temple, the next place you can see in Guangzhou is Xiguan Street. Here tourists can buy Chinese antiques. However, it should be remembered that most of the antiques sold on Xiguang Street are not genuine.

Guangzhou TV Tower

The television tower, also known as Canton Tower, surpasses in height all skyscrapers built in the People's Republic of China. The Canton Tower offers the following interesting attractions:

• indoor, outdoor and sky viewing platforms;
• restaurant complexes;
• Ferris Wheel attraction;
• extreme attraction “Free Fall”, located on a tower spire;
• modern 4D cinema.

Please note that there is a special tourist tram running between Canton Tower and the famous Canton Fair.

This is a place where crowds of tourists flock every year. The creations of human hands and natural beauty are harmoniously combined here.

• pagoda built in the 17th century;
• one of the world's tallest statues, which is made of gold and erected in honor of the Buddhist Goddess Guanyin. The beauty of this Guangzhou landmark is captured in the photo:

• the oldest sand quarry, which dates back two millennia.

The building was built in a style typical of Chinese architecture of the 19th century. The original building was erected much earlier. It is known that in the 7th century the temple was already functioning. It was at this time that one of the founders of Zen Buddhism, Hui Neng, studied here. Subsequently, the building was repeatedly damaged by fire, so its original appearance was not preserved.

There is a restaurant for pilgrims, but the food there is only vegetarian.

One of the most interesting places in the city. Initially, on the site of the temple there was only a pagoda built in the 3rd century. Three centuries later, the appearance of the pagoda has changed dramatically - it acquired a 55-meter octagonal tower, the top of which is crowned with a decorative copper staff. The weight of the rod is very impressive and equals five tons.

Banyan trees remained only in the name of the temple building; they have not grown in the modern territory of the Flower Pagoda for a long time.

The pagoda is the official residence of the Guangzhou Buddhist Association, but this is not an obstacle to visiting it - the temple is open to tourists and pilgrims.

Where to go on the third day

It is a historical landmark associated with the myth of the development of the city of Guangzhou and its prosperity.

Legend tells that during the time when the country was ruled by the Zhou dynasty, people did not know how to grow rice and suffered from hunger. Then five immortals descended from heaven - two women and three men. They brought ears of rice to the local residents and taught them how to cultivate it. Grateful people built a temple in their honor, and since then the city began to actively grow and develop.

The oldest of all mosques built on the territory of modern China. The building dates back to 627 AD, erected on the initiative of the uncle of the Great Prophet Muhammad. Only followers of the Muslim religion are allowed to enter the mosque during prayer. What to do if you want to examine an ancient architectural structure from the inside? You will have to wait until the end of the sermon, after which access to the mosque is open to everyone.

The Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, built from granite stone blocks, is a classic example of neo-Gothic architecture. Plays a significant role throughout Southern China. The cathedral is open to free visits.

The Taoist temple, built in 319 AD, is the oldest temple building of this religious movement.

A classic temple of followers of Buddhism, the second name is the Temple of Fifty Gods. The visit is free.

The age of the temple is approximately 1.4 thousand years. It is assumed that the teachings of Buddhism originated here when the preacher Bodhidharma arrived on a ship to spread his knowledge.

The religious building is located in the southwest of Guangzhou. The entrance to the ancient building is guarded by two stone lions.

The temple complex consists of three buildings:

• Sanking Hall;
• Taihe Hall;
• Yuanchen Hall.

To visit this architectural ensemble you will have to pay an entrance fee of 10 yuan.

Other interesting places

What should you do if your trip to Guangzhou is purely business in nature, and you don’t have time to visit all the city’s attractions?

The Pearl River (Pearjiang in Chinese) flows through Guangzhou. The ships that ply along it through the central part of the city host not only exciting excursions, but also business events. So, if you wish, you can combine business with pleasure.

Another equally attractive option is to visit the orchid garden in Guangzhou. The Orchid Garden covers an area of ​​eight hectares and boasts not only flower beds with popular flowers, but also other attractions, among which the most famous are:

• grave of Abu Waqqas;
• numerous teahouses hidden between paths and picturesque waterfalls.

Fans of extreme sports will enjoy other entertainment in Guangzhou - this is the safari park and the Chimelong amusement park.

The modern metropolis will delight its guests with a variety of colorful amusement parks, a decent selection of beautiful places for walking, stylish shopping centers and other entertainment venues. The Chimelong Paradise amusement park is popular among local residents and guests of the city; its vast territory is divided into several original thematic zones. There is an attractive safari park with exotic animals, a chic tropical garden, and a large water park, which is considered one of the best in the world. Young visitors will enjoy a decent selection of interesting attractions, while adults will have the opportunity to have a great day at a high-quality golf center. It is also worth noting that on the territory of the park there is a circus of the same name; it has the largest arena in the world.

For travelers who prefer to spend time outdoors, the picturesque White Cloud Mountain Park is in demand. This is an ideal place for hiking and admiring nature. The park has a very interesting botanical garden, as well as luxurious viewing platforms. If the weather does not allow you to spend time outdoors, you can take the whole family to the Taikoo Hui shopping and entertainment complex. It occupies a very beautiful modern skyscraper, shaped like a giant crystal; within the walls of this spectacular building lies a lot of interesting entertainment. Here you can find several specialized children's stores and interesting attractions, as well as cozy cafes with a huge selection of sweets.

Sunflower Garden Park can easily be called one of the most romantic vacation spots in Guangzhou. It introduces visitors to the variety of flowers; experts in the field of landscape art annually create a lot of incredible compositions from them. Visitors to the park will have the opportunity to stroll through vast fields of sunflowers, admire graceful flower arches and colorful compositions. Fans of extreme rides should visit the Nanhu Amusement Park entertainment complex - the selection of exciting carousels here is simply huge. Some of them are designed specifically for young guests, while others are aimed at visitors who experience a chronic lack of adrenaline. Copyright www.site

Guangzhou has several excellent zoos, one of the most attractive of which is Changlong Wild Zoo. Among its inhabitants are cute pandas and ostriches, agile lemurs, koalas and giraffes. There are spacious natural enclosures for the animals, in which they feel simply wonderful. For visitors to the zoo, interesting performances featuring tigers and panthers are organized daily, and young visitors to the zoo will have the opportunity to get to know its friendliest inhabitants.

Shopping lovers should definitely take a stroll through the colorful shopping centers; a lot of interesting goods can be purchased in the center of Tianhe city Mall. Not inferior to it in terms of variety of goods is the China Plaza shopping complex, which also has several very pleasant restaurants and cafes. Among the city's popular nightlife establishments, it is worth highlighting the Lorenzini wine bar

The city of Guangzhou is well known to tourists all over the world, primarily due to its airport, which is a stopover for international flights. Sometimes travelers have to wait six or even thirty-six hours for a transfer. And of course, few tourists can afford to sit at the airport all this time when they have the opportunity to get to know another city. When looking for information about what you can see in Guangzhou in one day, you read different opinions. To the point where there is nothing special to watch. This point of view looks at least strange, because Guangzhou is China, and China without sights is as possible as football without a ball.

Baiyun International Airport

The airport was opened in 2004 because the old Guangzhou airport could not cope with the increasing passenger traffic. Since the possibilities for expanding the airport located in the city center had been exhausted, the authorities decided to build a new air hub 28 km from the city. Therefore, when calculating your tourist route in Guangzhou, be sure to take into account the travel time from the airport and back.

Historical and architectural monuments

The ancient city of Shawan in Panyu. This ancient city attracts not only history buffs. Anyone who was fond of films about kung fu and Shaolin monks in the late 80s and early 90s will be pleased to plunge into the atmosphere of ancient China. The city itself was built 800 years ago, but many buildings date back to the 18th century. In particular, a school where paintings hang, from which one can understand how the educational process was organized in those days. Tourists look with interest and photograph the frescoes and carvings with which the city residents decorated their homes, as well as sculptures, which are also abundant in Chavannes.


And if you are lucky enough to attend one of the festivals that are periodically held in the ancient city, Chinese traditional culture will appear before you in all its diversity. However, it should be said right away that if you are thinking about what to see in Guangzhou, for example, in 5 hours, and have chosen Shawan, then you will have to take a taxi from the airport and back. In this case, the journey will take you about two and a half hours, while by metro and bus you will spend this time only on a one-way journey.

Important! Chinese taxi drivers mostly do not speak English. Therefore, in order to easily explain your route to the driver, it is better to first prepare cards with the Chinese names of attractions or show your destination on an electronic map on your smartphone.

History and architecture lovers who have a short layover in Guangzhou have something else to see:

• Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall. Temple-monument to Sun Yat-sen, called the “Father of the Nation” by the Chinese. Nearby is the picturesque Yuexiu Park (50 minutes by metro);
• Liu Rong Temple. Buddhist Temple of Six Banyan Trees. Picturesque Buddhist temple (40 minutes by metro);
• Guangzhou Opera House. A stunningly beautiful object of modern architecture, especially beautiful in the evening when the lights are on. Nearby is a park and an embankment (1 hour 15 minutes by metro).

Landscape parks

The southern Chinese canton of Guangzhou has a lot of natural attractions. The city has many parks with an abundance of flowers and tropical greenery. Lotus Mountains. 20 kilometers from Guangzhou lies the beautiful Lotus Park, which got its name because one of the mountains resembles this flower. Although there are also a lot of lotuses themselves, as well as other flowers, which are at every step here. Walking through the park, you begin to understand the true meaning of the word “harmony”: the Chinese have turned a former quarry into a paradise, so you won’t regret the 50 yuan you pay for the entrance.
To appreciate all the beauty of the park, climb the Swallow Rock, on which there is an observation deck.


But an even more breathtaking view of the park and the Pearl River opens from the top, on which stands the world's tallest 80-meter Buddha statue, Guanyin. It was erected relatively recently - in 1994, and 9 kg of gold was used to cover the statue! And be sure to visit one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in China to take a panoramic photo of the park. If, after thinking about what attractions to see in Guangzhou in 6 hours, you choose the Lotus Mountains, then it is better to take a taxi from the airport. Because a one-way journey by metro will take 3 hours, while a taxi will get you there in an hour. If you have more time at your disposal and you appreciate the level of Chinese masters of park art, we recommend that you visit the following parks:

• Zhujiang park. A quiet and cozy park in the center of the metropolis with a lake, bridges, jogging paths and restaurants (half an hour by taxi or 1 hour 20 minutes by metro);
• Southern China Botanical Garden. A beautiful park with an abundance of flowers and secluded corners for quiet relaxation and meditation (1 hour 15 minutes by metro);
• Shamian Island. A beautiful park with an abundance of tropical greenery, sculptures and architectural monuments. You can sit in cozy cafes in the shade of spreading trees (1 hour by metro and half an hour by taxi from the airport).

Amusement parks

If you come with the whole family and are wondering where to go to Guangzhou with children, be sure to visit Chimelong Paradise. This is a huge amusement park where everyone will find entertainment - from schoolchildren to old people. Be sure to take a ride on the roller coaster: there is a section where you ride through water, and it seems that you will come out of the ride wet from head to toe. But this is not so, and you can get wet voluntarily - on one of the water attractions (if, of course, you visit the park in the warm season).
In the same park there is Chimelong International Circus is a famous Chinese circus that completely changes the idea of ​​circus art. It is simply impossible to express in words all the delight from these bright and spectacular performances, so be sure to go.


A bus leaves from the amusement park every 10 minutes to Chimelong Safari Park, where children will especially enjoy it. You can travel around the entire park by train, feed giraffes, ponies and other animals and, of course, look at the pandas. If adult bears, as a rule, sleep or lazily walk around their property, then young pandas will cause indescribable delight in children with their funny games.
In short, if you have made a plan in advance for what to see in Guangzhou in 1 day, then most likely you will spend all your time in this park complex. Therefore, you are unlikely to have time to visit the Guangzhou Zoo, which you should definitely set aside a day to visit during your next visit to Guangzhou. The vast territory of the park allows you to show wild animals in conditions as close as possible to their natural habitat. You can be sure that your children here will not see unhappy animals and dirty, plucked birds darting around in cages. The animals are well-groomed and very friendly (especially the giraffes).

From the airport to the zoo you can get there by bus in 1 hour 20 minutes, by metro in about an hour or in 20 minutes by taxi.

Where to feel Guangzhou and what to see in 8 hours
To feel the spirit of this modern metropolis, you need to walk around it after sunset, when the illumination turns on. Guangzhou is one of those cities where the main attractions are concentrated in the city center, and their location is quite compact. For example, near the already mentioned Guangzhou Opera House there is the Guangzhou TV Tower Canton Tower where every tourist should go.
This building has three observation decks. The first one is located at an altitude of 428 meters, but few people dare to go out there, because both the walls and the floor are glass. But the view is stunning. On the second level (433 meters) the observation deck is open, but the main thing is that you can ride in an external glass cable car, literally feeling the whole city under your feet.


And on the third observation deck (488 meters) you can climb the spire in a special chair. But this is already for extreme sports enthusiasts, because you completely lose sight of the tower itself - only Guangzhou from a height of 600 meters is under your feet!
Then you can stroll around the square Hua Cheng Square and look at the modern architecture of the city in the night illumination. You will take photos that your friends will look at with genuine interest.
And nightlife lovers in Guangzhou flock to Zhujiang Party Pier. This is an entertainment street, where there are galleries of modern and traditional art, a lot of nightclubs, bars and restaurants with a stunning view of the river and the city at night.
Guangzhou at night is a stunning attraction in itself, so if you want colorful photos of the metropolis at night, take an evening stroll along the Pearl River.

Video review of the main attractions of Guangzhou

We have prepared a short video for you that will demonstrate the breathtaking views of Guangzhou.

Guangzhou is a gem, a stunning city where traditional culture and modernity merge into a harmonious whole. Therefore, during a long layover in Guangzhou, you will always have something to see. And every time you will regret that you have to leave the city and fly further. Until you dedicate your vacation to visiting Guangzhou.