Guangzhou 3-Day Classic Tour
Guangzhou Tower + Chen Clan Academy + Shamian Island + Pearl River Night Cruise
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall → Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street → Shamian Island
Chen Clan Ancestral Temple
Chen Clan Ancestral Temple, also known as Chen Clan Academy, is an academic ancestral temple located in Guangzhou, China. It was built in 1894 (the 20th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign in the Qing Dynasty) with funds raised by 72 Chen clans, aiming to provide accommodation for clan members' children coming to the provincial capital to prepare for imperial examinations, take tests, handle lawsuits, and conduct discussions. It was later transformed into the Chen Clan Industrial School and is now the Guangdong Folk Art Museum. The architectural complex is renowned for its exquisite Lingnan traditional architectural decorations, including wood carvings, stone carvings, brick carvings, pottery sculptures, plaster sculptures, and copper-iron castings, and is hailed as the 'Pearl of Lingnan Architectural Art'. Chen Clan Ancestral Temple is a prime example of typical Chinese traditional architectural and decorative styles, and has influenced global culture and architectural development. In 1988, it was listed as a 'Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level'.
Shangxiajiu Commercial Pedestrian Street
Shangxiajiu Commercial Pedestrian Street is located in the old Xiguan district of Liwan District, Guangzhou City. It is Guangzhou's first commercial pedestrian street, opened in September 1995. It stretches approximately 1200 meters, starting from Shangjiu Road and Xiajiu Road in the east and extending to Dishifu Road in the west, housing over 300 shops. The pedestrian street is characterized by its unique Qilou (arcade buildings) and tea houses, blending European and Chinese architectural styles. It is home to renowned old restaurants like Guangzhou Restaurant and Tao Tao Ju, as well as time-honored shops such as Guangzhou Department Store, Heming Shoe and Hat Store, and Datong Watch Store, making it an excellent destination to experience the Xiguan charm of Guangzhou.
Shamian Island
Shamian Island is an important historical and cultural district in Guangzhou. The European-style architectural complex on the island is well preserved, making it a national 5A-level tourist attraction. It was once a British and French concession, thus leaving behind numerous unique Western-style buildings such as consulates, churches, banks, and foreign firms, making it one of Guangzhou's most exotic tourist destinations.
2
Yuexiu Park (Five Rams Statue) → Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall → Canton Tower (Ascend for Views) → Pearl River Night Cruise (Optional)
Yuexiu Park
Yuexiu Park is Guangzhou's largest comprehensive park and one of its iconic parks, named after Yuexiu Mountain within its grounds. The park is famous for its beautiful natural scenery and rich historical and cultural attractions, including the Five-Ram Sculpture, Zhenhai Tower (Guangzhou Museum), and Yuexiu Mountain Stadium. With lush trees, picturesque lakes, and mountains, it is a great place for citizens to relax and entertain.
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
Guangzhou Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is a magnificent building constructed in memory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the pioneer of China's democratic revolution. Designed by the renowned architect Lu Yanzhi, construction began in 1929 and was completed in 1931. It blends traditional Chinese architectural style with modern construction techniques, featuring an octagonal shape overall. It uses no reinforced concrete columns, relying entirely on steel frames and steel trusses, showcasing superb architectural artistry. The Memorial Hall is one of Guangzhou's iconic landmarks, a national key cultural relic protection unit, and an important patriotic education base, possessing immense historical and cultural value.
Canton Tower
The Canton Tower, nicknamed "Slim Waist", officially known as the Guangzhou TV Astronomical and Sightseeing Tower, is a 600-meter (1,969-foot) multi-purpose observation tower located in Haizhu District, Guangzhou. The tower was topped out in 2009 and officially opened on September 29, 2010, to welcome the 2010 Asian Games. The Canton Tower briefly became the world's tallest tower, surpassing the CN Tower, and was later surpassed by Tokyo Skytree. Before the topping out of Shanghai Tower on August 3, 2013, it was the tallest building in China, and is now the world's second tallest tower and fifth tallest freestanding structure.
3
Huacheng Square → Guangdong Museum → Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
Huacheng Square
Huacheng Square is Guangzhou's largest urban square, located in the heart of Zhujiang New Town CBD, covering an area of 56 hectares. The square is bordered by Haixinsha Island to the south and Huangpu Avenue to the north. Important cultural facilities such as Guangzhou Opera House, Guangdong Museum, and Guangzhou Library surround the square. Beneath the square are the Guangzhou APM line (with 4 stations) and the 'Huacheng Hui' shopping mall, which connects multiple shopping centers, BRT stations, and metro stations. The ground level of the square is a car-free and bicycle-free pedestrian zone, featuring parks, ponds, and fountains. It is a popular destination for local residents and tourists, especially at night when the illuminated Guangzhou Tower and other buildings in Zhujiang New Town CBD offer a spectacular view. Huacheng Square opened to the public in October 2010, prior to the opening of the 2010 Asian Games. Since 2011, the Guangzhou International Light Festival, held here every November, was selected by UNESCO as one of the major cultural events in 2015. In May 2024, it was designated as one of Guangzhou's first permanent protected green spaces.
Guangdong Provincial Museum
The Guangdong Provincial Museum is a comprehensive museum located in Guangzhou, covering art, nature, culture, and history. It showcases both local Guangdong art and artifacts, as well as general Chinese artworks. The museum's design is inspired by traditional Guangdong ivory balls, presenting a multi-layered, transparent spatial structure. The main circulation space is a spiral staircase that leads from the first floor to the top floor, connecting different exhibition areas on each level. Separated by transparent glass and metal screens, the corridors on each floor guide visitors from the outside into a four-story atrium, providing an overall view of the interior space. The ivory ball symbolizes the exquisite craftsmanship native to Guangdong.
Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
Beijing Road Pedestrian Street is a commercial pedestrian street with a long history and rich cultural heritage in the heart of Guangzhou, and also one of Guangzhou's most prosperous commercial and trade centers. It not only features a wide variety of shops and restaurants but also preserves the ruins of a thousand-year-old ancient road, integrating multiple functions such as shopping, dining, leisure, culture, and entertainment, making it an excellent place to experience the urban charm of Guangzhou.
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