Before visiting Guangzhou, I always thought that it was just a city for suppliers. However, this trip showed me that though Guangzhou is filled with high-rise buildings, you can still find historical streets, scenic mountain views, and iconic landmarks. Here’s a two-day Guangzhou itinerary that includes a mountain visit that’s rarely talked about in other itineraries.
Day 1: Yong Qing Fang, Beijing Road
Yong Qing Fang (永庆坊）
Yong Qing Fang, is a neighbourhood filled with trinket shops, cafes, and preserved traditional architecture that captures the spirit of old Guangzhou. Stroll through the alleys, admire the old houses, and if you’re a fan of stamp collecting, there are many shops in Yong Qing Fang that have stamps for you to add to your collection!
This district is a fantastic spot to immerse yourself in local culture, take some Instagram-worthy photos, and browse boutique shops for unique souvenirs.
Beijing Road (北京路)
Beijing Road is a bustling shopping street is packed with retail stores, local vendors, and historical landmarks. Embedded within the area is a display with explainers that showcase ancient road remnants from the Song and Yuan Dynasties, a testament to Guangzhou’s long history.
Da Fo Temple (大佛寺)
In the midst of the bustle, Da Fo Temple (Temple of the Big Buddha) is a thousand-year-old temple that houses a large Buddha statue. The temple is rather large and is quite a peaceful break wandering through its courtyards before heading back into the busy streets of Beijing Road.
Guangzhou Cultural Centre
If you have time, be sure to stop by the Guangzhou Cultural Centre. The architecture alone is stunning, and has become a popular spot for photography. It is also one of the most popular spots in the city for hanfu photoshoots.
Inside, you’ll find exhibitions of traditional Chinese art, local history, and contemporary pieces. It’s a fantastic way to experience Guangzhou’s vibrant cultural scene and gain insight into both its historical and modern influences.
Although free, it’s best to make a reservation before visiting. You can make a reservation through WeChat. Just search 广州文化馆 > Services > 参观预约. You’ll be redirected to select your preferred date and time. You’ll get a QR code needed for the entry. Each QR code is good for 1 pax.
Opening hours: 9am – 5.30pm, last entry at 4.30pm
Address: 广东省广州市海珠区新滘中路288号
Day 2: Baiyun Mountain and Canton Tower
Baiyun Mountain (白云山)
Baiyun Mountain (White Cloud Mountain) is one of Guangzhou’s most famous natural attractions. Known for its lush greenery and panoramic views of the city, it’s a great place to escape the urban hustle. There are multiple trails and entrances but I recommend taking the cable car up as it would save you lots of time, since this is, after all, a 2-day itinerary.
To get to the cable car, head to the South entrance (南门), or you can simply type 白云索道 in your Didi app to get to the cable car ticketing office at the base of the mountain. The ride up costs ¥25 and the ride down costs ¥20. The cable car ride is around 10 minutes each way.
Canton Tower
Standing at 604 metres, the Canton Tower has become a symbol of modern Guangzhou and offers spectacular views of the city. There are sky-high attractions like the Bubble Tram, which takes you on a ride around the top of the tower in a glass cabin and you can walk on the glass Skywalk for an exhilarating experience. Even if heights aren’t your thing, the tower’s observation deck provides incredible 360-degree views of the Pearl River and the sprawling city below.
Tickets for Canton Tower are charged differently based on the level you want to visit, starting at ¥150 for 433 metres.
Pre-trip Essentials
Downloading Apps
China is not the most foreigner-friendly country and being so technologically-advanced, they have their own version of payment apps and map apps. The most important app is definitely Wechat, a super-app that allows you to make payments, book taxis and also get food delivery.
Read: Wechat Guide
Read: 4 Apps To Download Before Your Next Trip To China
Getting An eSIM Or VPN
Many apps we use outside of China are blocked within the country, including Google and Whatsapp. If getting a VPN is too troublesome, you can also get around this with eSIMs. Airalo is a reliable eSIM brand and we’ve used them quite a number of times. You can get $3 off with code JIAXUA4798 when you sign up for a new account.
Read: Airalo Review
