Location: Guangzhou
Top Things to do in Guangzhou
Top Restaurants in Guangzhou
What to do and see in Guangzhou, Guangdong: The Best Sights & Landmarks
China’s third-largest city is the capital of Guangdong Province and a thriving commercial center. Its location on the Pearl River and proximity to Hong Kong has made Guangzhou a strategic port for centuries. Glimpse old temples and gleaming steel towers on an architectural tour. Visit one of four Chimelong theme parks for thrills and chills. Once called Canton, Guangzhou is considered the home of traditional (read Cantonese) “Chinese food.” Foodies will find more restaurants per capita here than anywhere else in China.
Restaurants in Guangzhou
1. IFC (Guangzhou International Finance Centre)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By jonascn - Singapore, Singapore
The area around the IFC looks futuristic. You will find tall skyscrapers surrounded by greenery and sci-fi concrete landmarks. The area is photo friendly and a great area to bring your friends and family to take photos and enjoy a good meal. The area is nicer at night with the great lighting. But the views during the day are photo scenic too.
2. Bright Filial Piety Temple (Guangxiao Si)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
A wooden Laughing Buddha greets you at the entrance of this 4th-century Buddhist temple, one of the oldest in Guangzhou.
Reviewed By KimLeng - Totnes, United Kingdom
I still have dreams of walking this temple; a wonderful place in the middle of the city, you’d expect the city noise to drown out the peace but surprisingly, it’s very quiet within the grounds. My partner and I visited here not knowing what to expect, we just wanted to make offerings and pray which we were welcome to do. There are several different Buddha halls you can visit, with the large Buddha hall in the centre where you can katow or walk around. Many locals visit here to pay their respects, with ancient artefacts kept for hundreds of years. Here, it is said that Bodhidarma came to stay, he used the temple’s well to wash out his bowl which you can see and pay respects to. We had a very special time here where the nuns invited my fiancé and I to pray with them in the sleeping Buddha hall. The temple thrives with practicing monks and nuns so be on the look out for this. There is an outdoor market kitchen to the right of the temple which you can access from within the grounds in case you wanted to grab something to eat. There are also public toilets for you to use.
3. Huaisheng Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By KodoDrummer - Yekaterinburg, Russia
Beautiful Chinese-architecture mosque. It is believed to be the oldest mosque site in China, dating back over 1,300 years. Nice and well-maintained buildings and gardens. Over the years, the buildings have been rebuilt, time and again.
4. Shamian Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,950 reviews
This lovely, tree-lined neighborhood bordering the Pearl River was once home to foreign merchants, and today is a laid-back area ideal for strolling or stopping for a meal or cup of tea.
Reviewed By TheUhlmen - Yakima, United States
We stopped by after hearing about this area of town from plenty of other folks. We took a cab over from our hotel- roughly 15 minutes - and walked around for about 2 hours. Even at 9 am in the summer, it’s hot! We went through plenty of water and even found a 7-11 where we got a slurpee! I hadn’t had one is about 20 years, but that cools to the core! The white swan hotel, the fingerprinting guy at Helen’s place and the fabled friendship garden statues were all on the agenda and made for a good morning. We got plenty of souvenirs at Michael’s place and worked up an appetite sweating the rest of the morning! Takeaways - the maps here are not helpful and things can be hard to find. If you can map things out s bit beforehand, it’s worth it...or just get on WiFi. A great half day excursion that can go, basically as long as you want it to! Worth checking out for sure!
5. Tinho Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By KodoDrummer - Yekaterinburg, Russia
The highest portion of the upscale hotels, malls, restaurants, and other commercial establishments are in this district. Especially nice to walk around in the evening when it is a little cooler. It has changed a lot since I first stayed in this district in 2006.
6. Moxing Summit Baiyun Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By Anyrubina - St. Petersburg, Russia
You can get a bus 24 from Yue Xue metro station, just 7-8 stops and you’re nearby the gate to the park (your stop is the lady one, so don’t worry to miss it). You can walk up, take a small bus or go by cable car. From the first view point you can keep walking or take another small bus. The park is free, but you have to pay for the transportation (10-25 rmb per time, depends on the route) and the entrance fee 5 rmb to the Moxing Summit - the highest peak. The great view is only possible if it’s sunny and not hazy, but it’s still worth it to go there if you are tired from big and hectic cities. There are also some restaurants on the first view point and the parrots paradise park (entrance fee is 15 rmb).
7. Baomo Scenery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 178 reviews
This area has magnificent gardens and beautiful sculptures.
Reviewed By zunaidbux - Guangzhou, China
Great day at these awesome gardens. Visited both Baomo and Nanyue Gardens for ¥80 (after discount). Outstanding and meticulously detailed building structures, walls, roof tops, arches, pillars and ceilings. The sculptures were expertly crafted, the colours are vibrant and rival elaborate structures found around he world. There are beautiful lakes with absolutely large Koi fish, several fountains, some expertly designed waterfalls through rocks, an awesome boat as the center piece of Baomo Garden and a beautiful waterfall as the main attraction in Nanyue Garden above a well designed and lit up cave with stalagmites and stalactites . Well worth a visit. Kids and seniors pay half price and seniors over 65 are free. Several restaurants and tea garden cafes inside but a bit on the expensive side, but still worth the price with with a decent atmosphere and good service. However, outside the gardens nestled between the two gardens are some cheaper outdoor restaurants. Baomo also has a swimming pool for families with kids, as well as some boat rides. You also get discount coupons for the boat rides. All in all well worth spending a few hours exploring...
8. Muslim Hero Tomb
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By afzal_j - Mumbai, India
Here lies the resting place of hazrat Saad Bin Abi Waqas (R.A.) uncle of Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) who was the first one to come to China to spread the message of Islam. The place is filled with peace and tranquility and you will find all walks of life coming here. Earlier there was a halal food street esp before Friday namaz but its shut down for some reasons. Have to be here if you happen to be in Guangzhou ,personally its my favorite place.
9. Archaeological Site Museum of Nanyue Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By K3397HDscottm
We really loved our visit here. Hard to believe it is in the middle of the city. You walk in and go back 2,000 years. Amazing to see the craftsmanship and how they engineered the city. Wells that used sand to filter water and dams to control water. We spent about 2 1/2 hours. Lots of English signs to read.
