Guangzhou 5-Day Panoramic & Ancient Town Tour
360° Guangzhou: CBD Skyline + Historic Xiguan + Panyu Ancient Villages & Gardens
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall → Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street → Yongqingfang → 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.
Yongqing Fang
Yongqing Fang, located on Enning Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, is a revitalized cultural block in Guangzhou's Liwan District, known as 'Guangzhou's Most Beautiful Arcade Street'. It not only preserves the characteristics of traditional Lingnan architecture but also integrates modern cultural and creative and commercial elements, making it an excellent place to experience Xiguan charm and feel Guangzhou's historical culture. Yongqing Fang boasts unique arcade buildings, stone-paved alleys, and numerous time-honored brands and creative shops, attracting a large number of tourists to visit and explore.
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
Canton Tower → Huacheng Square → Guangdong Museum → Haixinsha Asian Games Park
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.
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.
Haixinsha Asian Games Park
Haixinsha Asian Games Park is located in the core area of Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou, and was the main venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. As an important node on Guangzhou's new central axis, it is an open park integrating sightseeing, leisure, and cultural activities. With its unique geographical location and iconic buildings, the park has become an excellent spot for citizens and tourists to enjoy the scenery on both banks of the Pearl River and the night view of Canton Tower.
3
Yuexiu Park → Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall → Nanyue King Museum (Tomb Exhibition) → Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
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.
Nanyue King Museum (Tomb Exhibition Area)
The Nanyue King Museum is a large archaeological museum located in Guangzhou, China. It was established on September 8, 2021, formed by the merger of the former Museum of the Western Han Nanyue King Mausoleum and the former Nanyue Kingdom Palace Site Museum. The museum primarily showcases archaeological discoveries and cultural relics from the Nanyue Kingdom (204 BC - 111 BC). It comprises two main sections: the Tomb Exhibition Area and the Palace Site Exhibition Area. The Tomb Exhibition Area is the burial site of Zhao Mo, the second king of the Nanyue Kingdom. Both sites are national key cultural relic protection units. The museum covers a total area of approximately 40,000 square meters and is a famous tourist destination in Guangzhou.
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.
4
Shawang Ancient Town → Baomo Garden
Shawan Ancient Town
Shawan Ancient Town is an ancient town with a history of 800 years, located in Panyu District, Guangzhou City, and was founded in the Song Dynasty. It has traditional ties with Lingnan history and folk culture. The ancient town covers an area of 153 hectares and is divided into East Village, West Village, and North Village. The Cantonese dessert Ginger Milk Curd originated in Shawan.
Baomo Garden
Baomo Garden is a Lingnan-style garden in Guangzhou, adjacent to its sister garden, Nanyue Garden, where joint tickets are available. The garden was originally built in the late Qing Dynasty in memory of Bao Zheng, an official renowned for his integrity during the Northern Song Dynasty, who is said to have lived here. The garden was destroyed in 1957 and rebuilt in 1995. It incorporates common elements of Chinese garden architecture, such as ponds, bridges, pavilions, and rockeries.
5
Morning option: Climb Baiyun Mountain or visit Ersha Island (Guangdong Museum of Art / Xinghai Concert Hall exterior). Afternoon departure according to schedule.
Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area, Guangzhou City
Baiyun Mountain, also known as White Cloud Mountain, is located a few miles north of Guangzhou, China. It has an elevation of 427 meters (1,401 feet). It gets its name from the fact that its peaks are often shrouded in clouds and mist in late spring or after rain. Due to its lush greenery, Baiyun Mountain is informally known as the 'Lung of the City'. It is also praised as the 'Foremost Scenic Spot of Yangcheng' or the 'Premier Mountain of Lingnan'. Its highest point, Moxing Ridge, is sometimes called the 'Foremost Peak South of the Heavens'. Baiyun Mountain has been a famous scenic spot since ancient times. As early as before the establishment of Panyu (present-day Guangzhou) in 214 BC, visitors came here, and many famous figures from the Warring States period traveled through it. During the Jin Dynasty (3rd-5th century) and Tang Dynasty (7th-9th century), the beauty of Baiyun Mountain was once again celebrated. Since the Song Dynasty, various scenic views of Baiyun Mountain have been included in the 'Eight Sights of Yangcheng', making it one of Guangzhou's most beautiful attractions. However, few historical relics remain, and other attractions—such as the view of Guangzhou's ancient city wall at dusk—have undergone significant changes as the city expanded and enveloped the mountain.
Ersha Island
Ersha Island is a river island in the Pearl River, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou City, originally named Nabo Island. It is located west of Zhujiang New Town and borders Yuexiu District to the north. Ersha Island is positioned as a Central Business District (CBD) between northern Tianhe District, Zhujiang New Town, and Pazhou (the venue for the Canton Fair). The island boasts cultural and artistic facilities such as Xinghai Concert Hall, Guangdong Museum of Art, and Guangdong Overseas Chinese Museum, as well as large green spaces and sports parks. It is an important venue for Guangzhou citizens' leisure and entertainment, cultural and artistic exchanges, and an ideal place to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Pearl River.
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