GUANGZHOU A city with great culture alongside gourmet food
Location of Guangzhou
As a city of over 2,200 years old, Guangzhou is one of the first national historical and cultural cities in China, the starting point of China’s ancient Maritime Silk Road, and the birthplace and prosperity of Lingnan culture. Today, it is not only a merchant capital but also known as the “capital of gastronomy”. Guangzhou is one of the most economically developed regions in China and has a wealth of tourist resources that make it a popular destination. Apart from shopping and food-hunting, one can also get to know Guangzhou’s customs and architecture that demonstrate the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures.
What’s hot
Xiaozhoucun Village Built in the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasties, Xiaozhoucun village still retains the characteristics and lifestyle of the Lingnan water town that make it a summer sanctuary. This thousand-year-old village is like a folklore museum.The most distinctive buildings in the village are the well-ventilated and sturdy oyster shell houses which are 500 to 600 years old. These oyster shell houses are made of local oyster shells, two by two, side by side, and piled up with yellow clay. It’s a pity that there are only three oyster shell houses remain in the area as times change.
Xiaozhoucun Village, Haizhu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China (Opposite Yingzhou Ecological Park) Take Guangzhou Metro Line 8 and get off at Chigang Station, then take a bus at Chigang Bus Station from Exit C1 to Xiaozhou Terminus. All day Free, 10RMB administration fee will be charged if you drive in
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall Ancestral halls are important places in Chinese cultural heritage, where families can trace their roots, pass on their ancestral traditions and teach their descendants. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, originally known as the Chen Clan Academy, was a joint venture between the Chen clans from various counties in Guangdong during the Qing Dynasty, and is therefore a common ancestral hall for all the people of Guangdong with the surname Chen. It is also the largest, best- preserved and most beautifully decorated Chinese Qing Dynasty ancestral hall building in Guangdong.
34 Enlongli, Zhongshan 7 Road, Lizhiwan District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China Take Guangzhou Metro Line 1 and get off at Chenjiaci Station. Chen Clan Ancestral Hall will be reach from Exit D. +86 20 8181 4559/7371 8:30am-5:30pm, daily 10RMB
Liwan Museum Xiguan culture is the epitome of Guangzhou culture, and the Xiguan Mansion is the essence of Xiguan architectural culture. Converted from the Xiguan Mansion, the Liwan Museum is located in Lijiwan Park and is a district-level museum focusing on the collection, display and study of the history, culture and folklore of the Liwan District of Guangzhou. The museum displays the “five treasures” of Xiguan, including wood carving, jade carving, tooth carving, Cantonese porcelain and Cantonese embroidery, while the building recreates the typical pattern of a traditional Xiguan Mansion and the living conditions and cultural landscape of Xiguan families.
84 Fengyuan North Street, Longjin West Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China Take Guangzhou Metro Line 1 and get off at Changshoulu Station, then walk about 831 metres from Exit E. +86 20 8193 9917 8:30am-5:30pm, closed on Monday except public holidays 5RMB
Yongqing Fang Yongqingfang is located on Enning Road which is known as the most beautiful arcaded street in Guangzhou. This former Xiguan old district was refurbished as Guangzhou’s core historical style district and becomes a new historical and cultural calling card with both Xiguan charm and modern commercial art today. Surrounded by historical and cultural buildings such as the Cantonese Opera Art Museum and Cantonese Opera Academy, the street is also home to Bruce Lee’s ancestral home and a movable type printing experience gallery. One can see the element of Guangzhou’s culture from Shamian Island to Yong Qing Fang.
9 Enning Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China Take Guangzhou Metro Line 1 or 6 and get off at Huangsha Station, then walk about 724 metres from Exit B. All day Fees vary by attractions in the scenic area
Chaoxu - C.PARTY The “Chaoxu - C.PARTY” market has been in operation since August 8 last year, with a total area of about 6,000 square metres, covering intangible cultural heritage, cultural creativity, Guangfu cuisine and art bazaar, visitors can experience a one-stop Guangfu tourism here. The market features a variety of activities such as art and creative market, Guangfu snack market and themed carnival. Trendy elements such as the “Electric Wave Art and Creative Camp” and the “Sound Museum” can also be found here. The market would invite artists and new talents to hold exhibitions of their creative works from time to time.
Guangzhou International Meitigang, 218 Yuejiang West Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China Take Guangzhou Metro Line 3 or APM Line and get off at Guangzhouta Station, you will reach the main entrance of the market from Exit B. 4pm-11pm, daily Free
Shamian Island Situated on the bank of the Bai’e Pond in the Pearl River, Shamian Island is an important commercial port in Guangzhou, a famous foreign affairs area and a historical and cultural heritage reserve. It was an important ferry port for domestic and foreign trade during the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, and became a British-French concession after the Opium War. The European-style buildings such as Our Lady of Lourdes Church and Shamian Christian Church on the island are a microcosm of China’s modern history and the history of the concessions, which make it a unique open-air architectural “museum”.
53-54 Shamian North Street, Liwan District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China Take Guangzhou Metro Line 1 and get off at Huangsha Station, Shamian Island is just opposite the flyover at Exit D, or take Line 6 and get off at Huangsha Station (Exit F). All day Free
What to eat
Guangzhou Cuisine Originated in Guangzhou, Guangzhou cuisine is representative of Cantonese cuisine, which is light, tender and original in taste. Chinese food in Malaysia is partly influenced by Cantonese cuisine, so it is usual to see some familiar or similar dishes in Guangzhou. In addition to “Baiqieji” (White Cut Chicken), the white boiled shrimp and Baby Chinese Cabbage in soup are also common dishes.
Shrimp Wonton Noodle Soup As one of the “Top 10 Famous Noodles in China”, Cantonese-style wonton noodles were introduced to the region from Hunan in the Qing Dynasty and have since spread around the world. The most authentic taste can be found in the birthplace of Cantonese-style wonton noodles, which is also loved by the locals. Some halal restaurants in Guangzhou selling halal Shrimp Wonton Noodle Soup is worth trying.
Cantonese-style Steamed Rice Noodle Roll Cantonese-style Steamed Rice Noodle Roll is similar to Hong Kong- style Chee Cheong Fun that commonly found in Malaysia. The snack was popular in Guangzhou as early as the end of the Qing Dynasty. At that time, it was available in savoury and sweet flavours. Now halal Cantonese-style Steamed Rice Noodle Roll is available in Guangzhou, with a choice of fillings such as barbecue mutton in honey sauce, Angus beef, etc.
Cantonese-style Morning Tea Like Hong Kong people, it is a tradition for Guangzhou people to go for tea in the morning. As a Lingnan folk food custom, having morning tea allows locals to make a pot of tea with a few pieces of dim sum and sit around a table with family and friends to update one another on life events. The style of Cantonese dim sum is similar to that of Malaysia but more traditional in making process and flavour.
Where to go
By train/ subway By taxi By bus On foot
Day 1
Xiaozhoucun Village
Lunch: Guangzhou Cuisine
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
TIP Huaisheng Mosque 01
Dinner: Shrimp Wonton Noodle Soup
TIP Pearl River Night Tour 02
TIP The Huaisheng Mosque, also known as Lion 01 Mosque or Lighthouse Mosque, is one of the four ancient mosques in China. It is also the oldest existing mosque building in China.
TIP Join a Pearl River night tour at the Canton 02 Tower, the route takes about 60 minutes and allows one to enjoy the famous sights along both sides of the river, including Haixinsha Island and Bai’e Pond.
Day 2
Breakfast: Cantonese-style Steamed Rice Noodle Roll
Liwan Museum
TIP Yongqing Fang 03
TIP Guangzhou Tram Tour 04
Chaoxu - C.PARTY
TIP In summer, one can go for a Cantonese opera 03 performance at the Cantonese Opera Art Museum located in Yongqing Fang. In addition to learn more about the artistic characteristics of Cantonese opera, it is also a great way to escape the heat.
TIP Take a 7.7km tram along the river from the 04 Canton Tower to the Pazhou Convention and Exhibition Centre, various sceneries and prosperity of Guangzhou could be seen in one trip.
Day 3
Breakfast: Cantonese-style Morning Tea
Shamian Island
TIP Fuxue West Street 05
TIP Yuexiu Park 06
TIP Outside the old buildings on both sides of the road 05 in Fuxue West Street, there are several 3D murals in Guangfu style, including the morning tea culture and lion dances, perfect for a summer hit.
TIP The Yuexiu Park with Lingnan cultural 06 connotation and garden features has many cultural relics such as the Zhongshan Monument, the ancient city wall of Guangzhou, and the symbol of Guangzhou—Five-Ram Sculpture.
Halal choice
Chinese Cuisine The Hui People Hotel Famous dishes: Lamb Char Siu Bun, “small steamed bun” with chicken soup, steamed Fengzhua with Zijin sauce
325 Zhongshan 6 Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou city, Guangdong Province, China +86 20 8130 3991 7am-9pm, daily
Chinese Cuisine Xinyue Huimin Restaurant Famous dishes: Mutton kebab, roast lamb leg, Xinjiang rice roast lamb chop in west region style
3rd floor, Xinjiang Mansion, 76 Tianhe North Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China
+86 20 3878 2783/2872 10am-10pm, daily
Chinese Cuisine
Bazaar Delicacy (Tianhe North) Famous dishes: Cantonese dim sum, Balangzi Pit Roast Chicken, Chaiwoburg spicy chicken, cumin lamb chops
2nd-4th floor, Xinjiang Mansion, 76 Tianhe North Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China
+86 20 3878 2781 11am-2pm; 5pm-9:30pm, daily
Chinese Cuisine Muslim Cha Chaan Teng Famous dishes: White Cut Chicken, white boiled shrimp, baby Chinese cabbage in soup
24 Baohanzhi Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China +86 130 8626 3822 2pm-2am, daily
Accommodation Asia International Hotel Guangzhou 5-star hotel located nearby Baohanzhi Street
326-1 Huanshi East Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China +86 20 8600 9099 asiainternational-hotel.com
Accommodation Guangzhou Rongjin Hotel 3-star hotel that has halal restaurant in the same building
Xinjiang Mansion, 76 Tianhe North Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China +86 20 3878 2888 www.bostanhotelguangzhou.com