Holidays in China by the sea. By train to Guangzhou (Yuexiu Park, Guangzhou Museum) and further to Hainan. How to get from Guangzhou to the sea to Dameisha and Xiaomeisha Where to go from Guangzhou to the sea
At the same time, it serves as the administrative center of Guangdong province and a transport hub for the entire southern region. The city is located north of the Pearl River Delta, called Zhujiang by the Chinese. It carries its waters into the South China Sea. Guangzhou has a subtropical climate, and even in winter the air temperature does not drop below +10°C - +15°C. The sea water temperature reaches +20°C in February and +27°C in July.
A little geography
- The South China Sea, near the coast of which Guangzhou is located, belongs to the Pacific Ocean.
- Tropical cyclones, called typhoons by meteorologists, often form above its surface. The largest number of them appear at the end of summer and the first half of autumn. The safest time is from January to April. During this period, the sea near Guangzhou is usually calm and the wind force is minimal.
- A system of winds called monsoons causes northern incursions. This term is used to refer to cold air masses that spread at high speed in winter.
- Northern invasions most often occur in December-January and cause not only a decrease in air temperature, but also disturbances at sea. Strong waves appear off the coast of Guangzhou, with their height sometimes reaching 7 m.
The best time to travel to the capital of Guangdong province is spring and mid-autumn.
Pearl River Beach
The city has a long history and the date of its foundation is considered to be 862 BC. e. Foreigners fly to Guangzhou most often for excursions, shopping or treatment, but beach holidays in the capital of Guangdong province are not popular. There are clean seaside recreation areas equipped for swimming in the neighboring one.
If you find yourself in Guangzhou and still want to go for a swim, head to Zhujiang Beach. Local residents spend weekends and holidays here, and therefore there are often too many people on the river.
The beach on the Pearl River is equipped with everything you need. The infrastructure includes changing rooms, toilets and showers. Visitors can use sun loungers and parasols freely. There are lockers for storing valuables.
There is an entrance fee to Pearl River Beach. Ticket prices are 35 and 25 yuan for adults and children respectively.
Getting there: Zhong Shan Ba MRT Station, Line 5, Exit D.
Open: from 6.30 to 21.30.
Water park in Guangzhou
The largest water amusement park in Guangzhou can easily replace a holiday at sea. Even a whole day at Water World will not be enough to visit all its attractions, water slides and other entertainment.
For 400 thousand sq. m. up to 40 thousand people can relax at the same time. Among the most popular attractions are the world's largest Lazy River, which stretches for 5 km, the Mouth of the Hippo water slide, from a height of 20 meters, visitors fall into a giant bowl, and the roller coaster is one of the most extreme on the continent.
For kids, the sea will completely replace a children's playground built in a swimming pool. Adults will enjoy the fire show and dancers. Participants in the fire show will make spectators of any age freeze in admiration - they perform tricks with torches so masterfully.
Oceanarium and its inhabitants
You can get up close and personal with the world of the sea in Guangzhou at the aquarium. It is located on the territory of the city zoo and occupies an area of 13 thousand square meters. m. Immediately upon entering, visitors find themselves inside a glass tunnel laid through the water. Around the tunnel, a corner of the South China Sea with its plants and inhabitants is recreated. Among the coral reefs, colorful fish of all sizes flash, and hermits - mollusks of various species - hide in the caves.
The aquarium hosts a daily show of sea lions and dolphins, but visitors are equally interested in the section where the sharks are kept. Sea predators appear before guests in all their glory, and, if desired, you can dive into the pool with them. Experienced instructors guarantee absolute safety and a sea of extreme sensations for daredevils.
Getting there: Zoo metro station, line 5, exit B.
Open: from 9 to 18.
Guangzhou is located in the south of mainland China. This is one of the largest cities in the Middle Kingdom. The city is washed by the South China Sea and has a port, the third largest in the country. Guangzhou is an ultra-modern center of economy, culture, science and education for all of southern China.
It’s not for nothing that this city is called many-sided - it even has several names. For example, Sui Chen, which means “city of rice ears,” or Yang Chen, “city of goats.” These names, by the way, are not accidental. According to legend, once upon a time the inhabitants of the village, on the site of which Guangzhou later grew up, were dying of hunger. And then five gods descended from the sky on five goats to save people. The gods gave the inhabitants five ears of rice, with which they quenched their hunger and sowed the fields. So the village began to prosper and turned into a city. In Europe it was known as Canton. But the modern name Guangzhou is far from poetry and extremely functional: it only means “the city-center of Guangdong province.”
Guangzhou is an ancient city that has preserved its rich history and unique flavor to this day. It was from here that the famous Silk Road. And today Guangzhou is known throughout the world as a major center of light industry.
In addition, this historically cosmopolitan city attracts more and more tourists every year. Here travelers will find traditional Chinese hospitality, excellent service and a variety of recreational activities.
Climate
The climate in Guangzhou is influenced by its southern location and the proximity of the warm sea: it is warm and humid here all year round, as it should be in the subtropics. The average annual temperature is +21 °C.
In summer it is very hot in Guangzhou, the air temperature on some days reaches +40 °C! The hottest months are August and September, and typhoons are common during this time.
There is no frost in winter; the temperature does not drop below +4 °C. But it should be borne in mind that there is almost no heating in the rooms, and due to the high humidity it can be quite cold.
The rainy season lasts from April to June. But in October - December the weather is ideal for travel: warm, sunny and dry.
Nature
The natural beauty of the surrounding area of Guangzhou has impressed more than one traveler. There are all the components of an ideal landscape: sea, mountains, rivers and forests. South China Sea, Pearl River(“pearl”) and its tributaries - Beijiang("northern river") Xijiang("western river") and Dongjiang(“eastern river”) is the city’s water wealth. The highest mountain in Guangzhou is Bai Yun Shan(“mountain of white clouds”), which offers a unique view of the city. The mountain got its name thanks to the snow-white clouds that fall like wreaths on it after the rain. The places in the area are also very picturesque Lotus Mountains. All the beauty of the region's flora can be appreciated in Botanical Garden Southern China, which is broken up on the slopes of Bai-yun-Shan. More than four thousand species of plants grow here.
Guangzhou itself is surrounded by greenery and exotic flowers all year round, for which it is deservedly called the City of Flowers.
Attractions
Guangzhou is pleased to offer tourists 123 historical monuments that are protected by the state and more than forty popular attractions.
Acquaintance with the city usually begins with a visit to the famous Five Goats statues, which is located in a huge picturesque Yuexiu Park. The statue is a symbol of Guangzhou. In the park you can also climb a five-story Zhenhai Tower and enjoy a beautiful view of the park. The park itself occupies 860 thousand square meters, and you can endlessly wander along its alleys, admiring the artificial lakes, greenhouses and tea houses. If you love nature, be sure to visit the exquisite Orchid Park And Botanical Garden. IN Haichuan Park, in addition to beautiful flowers, you can see the ancient Monastery of the Ocean Banner. In Guangzhou, by the way, there are many ancient temples that still amaze with their majesty: this and Temple of the Five Spirits, And Huaisheng Mosque, And Temple of Filial Piety, And Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, And Luronsa Temple, built back in 537 and to this day remains the tallest building in the old part of the city.
A walk through Guangzhou is incomplete without visiting Beijing Street. It was once the center of commercial Guangzhou, with manufactories that supplied goods throughout Europe. Traditionally, foreigners settled here, which is reflected in the architecture. In the center of the street, fragments of a sidewalk that is more than 500 years old are immortalized under glass.
Nutrition
An old Chinese proverb says: “Any animal whose back faces the sky can be eaten.” This maxim perfectly conveys the peculiarity of Cantonese cuisine, where food is almost elevated to a cult. Do not be surprised if in a restaurant you are offered dishes made from snakes, frogs, worms, cats, dogs, snails or ants.
The main rule of Guangzhou cuisine is that all products must be fresh. Therefore, near many restaurants you will see cages with still living inhabitants, each of which you can choose for lunch. The most popular dishes in Guangzhou are Tiger-Dragon Battle (roast snake and cat meat), braised wild dog, salt-baked chicken and roasted pig with fruit. Many travelers admire Cantonese soups, to which, according to local chefs, medicinal herbs are always added.
There are about 20 thousand food establishments in the city, so finding a decent restaurant is not difficult. In addition to Cantonese delights, in the city you can try cuisines from different parts of the world: Indian, European, Japanese, Malaysian, Korean, Arabic and many others. There are countless fast food restaurants here with very reasonable prices.
We advise you not to miss Datong restaurant(Datong Restaurant) on Yanjiangsilu Road. This is one of the oldest Cantonese restaurants and perhaps the most favorite place among locals. The restaurant occupies as many as 8 floors of an ancient building overlooking Pearl River.
If you are planning to dine at a restaurant, we recommend making reservations in advance.
Accommodation
Guangzhou has a huge selection of hotels. As elsewhere in China, the level of service in hotels is very decent and in no way inferior to European standards. True, Guangzhou has one significant difference from other Chinese cities: the choice of affordable housing such as youth hostels is very limited. We also add that most operating hostels do not have licenses and operate underground at your own peril and risk. Therefore, we recommend that you still use the services of official hotels and hotels, no matter how great your desire to save money.
Keep in mind that the time from mid-April to May and early November is always marked by a sharp increase in hotel prices in Guangzhou. This is due to the fact that at this time the Canton Fair is taking place in the city, which attracts businessmen from all over the world. If you are not going to attend the fair, it is better to choose another time to travel to Guangzhou and not overpay for a hotel.
Entertainment and relaxation
In Guangzhou, travelers will find entertainment with a special flavor. Firstly, the city cannot be imagined without a variety of festivals that fascinate with colorful action. This includes the Flower Festival at the end of January, the dragon boat rowing festival in May, and the International Food Festival, where you can try real culinary masterpieces.
Fans of active entertainment will also find something to their liking in Guangzhou. You can visit Chimelong Water Park- the largest water park in Asia. It is visited by more than 40 thousand people a day. There are several hundred water attractions with artificial waves, waterfalls, bridges and various obstacles (there is even an ice room). This is an ideal place to relax with children. It is also interesting to take a bus ride around Chime-Long Safari Park Xiangjiang. About 300 species of animals live here in their natural environment, including such rare animals as the black antelope, white tiger, Thai alligator and white lion. Don't ignore and amusement park Chime-Long Paradise with a 40-meter-high roller coaster, racing tracks and other fun (more than a hundred attractions in total).
If you want an unforgettable experience, be sure to visit the circus in Guangzhou. This is the largest international circus in the world with troupes from different parts of the planet. Spectators are made to freeze in amazement by exotic animals, space acrobats, and female horsemen. Amazing mass performances are accompanied by high-tech lighting and music special effects.
Nightlife in Guangzhou is very vibrant. They even say that at night the city only wakes up. It's worth strolling down Guangzhou's three famous bar streets - Huanshi, Binjiang and Baiye Tan - to get an idea of the city's nightlife scene. And if you are not a fan of bars and clubs, you will certainly enjoy a night cruise on the Pearl River: the view of Guangzhou in the evening under multi-colored lights is truly incomparable.
Purchases
Shopping in Guangzhou will be remembered for a long time: the abundance of goods and relatively low prices cannot but please the buyer. Guangdong Province has a particularly developed clothing and electronics industry, making it a good place to buy clothes and appliances. Local souvenirs include Cantonese embroidery, jade items, colored ceramics and Wang Laoji herbal tea, which is considered an excellent remedy for colds and also quenches thirst in the heat.
As elsewhere in China, street markets in Guangzhou are worth visiting, among which the seafood market on Yide Street and the Qingping Market stand out for their color - a very unique place where the most exotic animals are sold. We remind you that bargaining at markets is an indispensable part of the shopping ritual.
When going shopping, you can’t help but stroll along Shangxiajiu Street, as well as Beijing Street, where there are many boutiques and shops for every taste. For lovers of antiquities, we advise you to walk along Xiguan Antiques Street, and for connoisseurs of elegant items - along Jade Street.
If you want to buy excellent quality shoes, the best place to do this is at the International Shoe Trade Center (Shoe City) on Zhangxi Road. The prices and assortment here will pleasantly surprise you.
By the way, local residents are very fond of night shopping: there are many shopping centers in the city that are open almost until the morning.
Cash is accepted for payment in markets, and you can use a bank card in shopping centers and supermarkets.
Transport
Guangzhou, like every self-respecting metropolis, has a well-established public transport system. Residents and guests of Guangzhou travel by bus, subway, water bus and, of course, taxi.
The city has more than 450 bus routes, including more than 40 night ones, operating from 21:00 to 6:00. Most buses have air conditioning. The fare is low and amounts to $0.2-0.4 depending on the route.
The Guangzhou Metro consists of seven lines. The fare depends on the distance, but you won’t pay more than $2. Tourists mainly use lines 1 and 2, which pass through the city center.
There are 6 river buses running along the Zhemchuzhnaya River. The entire route takes 40 minutes and costs the passenger $0.3.
There are more than 16,000 taxis in Guangzhou, but catching one during rush hour is not easy. We advise you to immediately go to special taxi stops where freed cars arrive. Taxis come in different colors; the yellow and crimson ones owned by Baiyun Taxi Company and Guangzhou Transportation Group are highly trusted by the local population. The fare is calculated strictly according to the meter. The minimum rate is approximately $1.2 and includes landing and the first 2 kilometers of the journey. Then every kilometer costs $0.4. A fuel surcharge (approximately $0.2) will also be added to the total amount. The night fare is traditionally higher, but at this time you can bargain with taxi drivers.
Connection
There are no problems with Internet access in Guangzhou. Wi-Fi is provided in most hotels of 3* level and above, however, the service may not only be paid, but also more expensive than in a regular Internet cafe. Internet cafes are located everywhere in the city; an hour of work costs an average of $0.3-0.4.
Mobile connection works great. To save on roaming fees, we recommend purchasing a SIM card from a local operator (China Mobile or China Unicom).
You can use postal services in Guangzhou if you want to send a regular letter or postcard. But post offices are quite slow, and few of the employees speak English. If you need to send a parcel or valuable documents, it is definitely better to contact the offices of the delivery services DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT or EMS. In large hotels, you can arrange mail directly on site.
Safety
It is safe to say that security in Guangzhou is provided at the proper level. At least the lives of tourists are not in danger. But property must be protected from nimble pickpockets, who operate especially viciously in markets, train stations and shopping centers. Watch your wallets and phones, try not to wear expensive jewelry and hold your bag tightly - there are often cases when thugs on motorcycles snatch things from a unwary traveler right out of his hands.
A separate problem is scammers. Under no circumstances should you be persuaded by strangers who offer to help you buy cheap goods or exchange currency.
Store all your valuables not in your room, but in the hotel safe (if the rooms do not have safes).
It is better not to drink tap water, buy bottled water. And be careful on the roads: drivers do not allow pedestrians to pass, even if they are walking along a zebra crossing.
Business climate
Guangzhou is a city open to foreign investment. According to Forbes China magazine, Guangzhou, thanks to its well-developed infrastructure and favorable investment climate, is the best city in China for doing business. There are several important free economic zones with preferential taxation (export processing zone, 2 high technology development zones, a bonded zone and a technical and economic development zone).
In addition, Guangzhou is one of China's three financial centers and ranks second in the country in terms of the number of foreign banks.
Both local and foreign companies operate successfully here, developing a variety of areas and providing a wide range of services. Twice a year, Guangzhou hosts the famous Canton Fair, where export products from all over China are showcased. The exceptional significance of the event is evidenced by the fact that the exhibition ranks third in the world in terms of the volume of transactions concluded thanks to it.
Real estate
Today, the real estate market in Guangzhou is experiencing an investment boom. In 2011, investment in construction increased by 40% and the growth trend continues. Therefore, now buying a house, apartment or office in Guangzhou can be considered a very profitable investment.
Currently, the average cost of housing in Guangzhou is $2,000 per 1 m2. In the city center, real estate is especially popular: here luxury apartments cost around $3,500 per 1 m2. And the demand for real estate is only growing, even despite high prices.
Since 2006, the Chinese government has taken restrictive measures regarding the purchase of real estate by foreigners. Thus, only citizens who have lived in the country for at least 1 year can now buy houses or apartments as their own. In this case, you can buy no more than one object and only for your own use. But the undoubted advantage is that a foreigner can get a loan to purchase real estate from a Chinese bank with a repayment period of up to 30 years.
While in Guangzhou, show respect for local traditions, in particular culinary ones: you should not joke about the gastronomic preferences of the local population, no matter how strange they may seem to you.
When visiting the many temples in Guangzhou, remember not to step on high thresholds or take photographs of the interior decoration of the temples. We also do not recommend filming bridges, dams, government institutions and strategic objects.
Keep in mind that smoking is prohibited in public places, and you will be subject to a large fine for violating this ban.
It is always a good idea to have a business card with you with your details (name, hotel, address) written in Chinese. Even if you get lost, a business card will help local residents (especially taxi drivers) figure out where you need to go.
Once a decrepit village
Now it's a blooming city.
Quite a bit of time has passed
And the garden of skyscrapers grew
Probably this quatrain will most fully characterize the entire history of this city. It’s difficult to say how, but the Chinese really amaze with the speed of the emergence and development of their cities. So, in front of you Guangzhou is one of the most important trading cities in the world , where all the traders from all over the world come once a year to attend the Canton Exhibition.
Real China in Guangzhou and holidays in China at sea with children.
We arrived in Guangzhou by train in the morning (about 7:00 am), and we had a train to Hainan in the evening (I don’t remember exactly, but something around 16:00) and with this in mind we decided to explore a little Guangzhou, as well as buy souvenirs (mainly magnets and plates, we somehow had no luck with that here).
By train to the train station in Guangzhou
After leaving the station, we handed over our things to the storage room, from where they were safely taken away in the evening (the price is 40 yuan) :) After we handed over our things, we went to explore the central park of the city and the place where the city symbol in the form of 5 goats is located, the park is called Park Yuexiu (越秀公园) :) When I first arrived in the city, I felt like I was in a sauna. I think the locals are already used to it, but for me it was difficult - being in such a humid environment and even when it’s +30 outside (or maybe more) :) But these are the little things in life, as they say, and things like that didn’t happen :))) And now about the city, or rather about the park, because... Of course, it was not possible to fully explore the city in such a short period of time :) It’s worth visiting: take a walk, enjoy the tropical nature, see the sights and just relax :) Well, in general, I would spend 1.5 days for the whole city and the route was I would have one like this:Sights of Guangzhou with addresses, descriptions and photographs:
- Yuexiu Park (Yuexiu, 越秀公园) (a detailed description of this park is in the report below: addresses, directions, opening hours, etc.)- zhenghai tower
- five goats statue in Guangzhou
How to get there:
by Yuexiu Park Subway (Line 2, Exit B1);
buses No. 5, 7, 8, 21, 22, 24, 40, 58, 87, 101, 127, 133, 182, 185, 187, 211, 244, 273.
- Chen Family Temple
(Temple of Chen Family or Chen Clan Academy / 陈家祠 / 陳家祠) (must visit, second most important attraction after Yuexi Park)
How to get there: Zhongshan 7th Road (中山七路) (Metro 1 Chan Clan Academy - Exit D)
- Guangzhou TV Tower
(Canton Tower/ 广州塔)
How to get there:
by metro, line 3, APM - Canton tower station,
by bus: number 508, 11, 291B, 291A, 231, 231, 663, 370 Canton tower west metro station,
Tourist tram from Canton Fair: to Canton Tower Station.
.
How to get there:
by metro line 1.2, station - Gongyuanqian, exit B);
by bus No. 12, 215 to the Liurong Road stop or by bus No. 74, 85, 88, 102, 104, 107, 193, 233, 250, 286 to the Zhongshan Liulu stop.
- Guangxiao Temple
(Guangxiao Temple/Temple of Bright Branch Piety or Kwong Hau Temple/
光孝寺 (if you have seen Chinese temples, you don’t have to look)
How to get there: 109 Guangxiao Road (光孝路) (Ximenkou Subway 1 - Exit C)
If you are vacationing in Guangzhou with children, then it is worth visiting:
- Chimelong Paradise
(amusement park for all ages + water park)
- Chimelong International Circus (Guangzhou circus - worth a visit, it will change your idea of circus)
How to get there: Subway Line 3, Hanxi Changlong Station
- Chimelong Safari Park
(I would recommend visiting the safari park in Guangzhou, not the zoo)
How to get there: there is a special bus from Chimelong Paradise
And finally, be sure to go to evening walk along the Pearl River . To imagine this walk, watch the following video.
Instead of photographs (you can find them on the map at the bottom of the report), I decided to post a video review of the sights of Guangzhou.
For greater convenience, at the end of the report you can find a map with all the attractions, addresses, descriptions and photographs.
Well, let's go back to our park...
Scheme of Yuexiu Park in Guangzhou (Yuexiu park, 越秀公园)
This is one of the largest and most beautiful parks in Guangzhou, with an area of 860 thousand square meters. It is located on seven hills and has three artificial lakes. Opened in 1952, it shows the history of Guangzhou's development from a small village to a giant metropolis.
How to get to Yuexiu Park:
- Guangzhou Metro Line 2. You need to get off at Yuexiu Park Station and go outside through Exit B1;
- Guangzhou buses No. 109, 110, 111, 201, 234, 269, 271, 278, 301, 543, 550 to Yuexiu Park Station.
Ulya, as always, is bawling. “Oh, these little predatory dogs are scary,” Ulka probably thought:)))
And here you can fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the film “Jurassic Park” (I hope everyone has watched this film about dinosaurs)
We also took a boat ride in the park, of course it was a bit expensive and there wasn’t much to go to, but we still enjoyed it. But not quite for Lukyan - he was bitten by sea flies so that all his legs were bitten, and all because of the negligence of a worker who had to fumigate water transport from these insects. Our catamaran was in the form of a military jeep, so despite everything everyone was happy :)
The symbol of Guangzhou is the statue of five goats
And this is a symbol of the city, a rather peculiar choice, but what is it :)
The old fortress wall, although I personally have doubts about its old age, but maybe I’m wrong. As an example: remember the bridge in Chengdu, you will not find any mention in any guidebook that it is a remake, but in the meantime it is so. Remember Jinli Street in the same city, all the buildings there are antique, maybe it’s the same here, I think so.
Guangzhou Museum in Zhenhai Tower
It’s worth visiting this museum in Guangzhou for several reasons: firstly, there’s a good view of the skyscrapers from the top floor, and secondly, it’s interesting in itself, I threw in some photos to make it clearer :)
View of skyscrapers...
The history of the development of the city of Guangzhou in pictures (this is all in the same Guangzhou museums) :)
And here's what it looks like inside...
Guangzhou from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Guangzhou.
- Last minute tours To China
Guangzhou, one of the largest cities in the Celestial Empire, is so diverse that it even has several names: Suicheng, which translates as “city of rice ears,” or Yangcheng, “city of goats.”
An old legend says that there was once a small village on this site, whose inhabitants were dying of hunger. To save them, five gods came down from the sky, sitting on five goats, and each animal had five ears of rice in its mouth. It was with these ears of corn that the residents not only satisfied their hunger, but also sowed their fields, which saved them from destruction and led to the prosperity of the settlement.
Guangzhou is the third most important city in China after Beijing and Shanghai, one of the oldest cities in the world, founded back in 862 BC. e., which has preserved its rich history and unique flavor to this day. At the same time, it is an ultra-modern center of trade and industry of global importance. In addition, the legendary Silk Road originated from the port of Guangzhou.
Shopping lovers will be interested in the Tianhe district, where large markets and shopping centers of the city are located. Main attractions: Guangdong Provincial Museum and Opera House.
Another tourist area is Haizhu. In this part of the city stands Guangzhou TV Tower, by climbing it you can admire the city from above.
The most suitable place for tourists to stay is Yuexiu, the greenest and cleanest area of Guangzhou. The best 4 and 5* hotels await travelers here. More modest options, three-star hotels and student hostels, are worth looking in the Livan area.
Transport
Residents of Guangzhou travel around the city by subway and buses. The Metro appeared here in 1999, and now 8 lines operate. It can take you to the railway station, airport, bus station, downtown Guangzhou and Foshan County, which is located in the suburbs. Stops are announced in English and 2 local dialects: Mandarin and Cantonese. The fare depends on the distance: from 2 CNY (no more than 3 stops) to 15 CNY.
Guangzhou Metro operates from 7:00 to 23:00, trains run every 3 minutes until 21:00 and every 7 minutes after.
The bus network covers the entire city. However, due to heavy traffic, the trip may take longer. Stops are usually divided into “sections”, each corresponding to a specific bus number. Unlike the metro, stops in ground transport are rarely announced in English. Daytime buses run from 6:00 to 23:00, night buses - until 3:00. The fare is from 1 CNY, at night - from 4 CNY.
Taxi is a popular mode of transport among both foreigners and locals. You can catch a car on the street, find it in a parking lot, or call it by phone. Please be aware that most drivers do not speak English. The cost is 12 CNY for the first 3 km plus 2.6 CNY for each subsequent one. For a long trip (more than 35 km), the taxi driver will charge an additional fee of half the total amount.
What to try
Guangzhou is the birthplace of Cantonese cuisine, the same cuisine that is commonly associated throughout the world with traditional Chinese cuisine. At the same time, all the oddities of Chinese cooking and exotic dishes like fried grasshoppers also come from Guangzhou. Local residents are proud of their “omnivores”: they eat insects and snakes, worms and snails, duck tongues and chicken feet. If you are brave enough, you can try all this in any food shop.
If you're not ready for such adventures yet, try the usual Cantonese-style White Cut Chicken. Here, too, there will be surprises: they will bring you the whole bird, with paws and head (even the comb is in place!) - such is the tradition.
Xiu Mei - Cantonese BBQ. Prepared from pork or duck with sweet seasonings, served with sweet and sour sauce. By the way, a sweetish taste is a distinctive feature of all Cantonese dishes; you will hardly find chili here.
“Dim sum” is a ceremonial dish and the calling card of Guangzhou. Guests are shown several carts of freshly prepared snacks in thin dough, the company chooses the ones they like and goes to the table. Each appetizer is a work of culinary art. Everything matters here: the transparency of the rice dough, the balance of ingredients, and the sweetness of the king prawns. Dim sum comes with a large pot of tea. The meal can last several hours. If you run out of tea, just put the lid of the teapot on its handle - the waiter will immediately top up the drink.
Cuisine and restaurants of Guangzhou
There are more restaurants in Guangzhou than anywhere else in China. In addition to traditional Cantonese cuisine, there are European, Japanese, Uzbek, Russian and even Ukrainian establishments. Look for the most sophisticated restaurants at hotels; dinner in such an establishment will cost 100-150 CNY, excluding alcohol. Simpler restaurants are ready to serve you food for 50 CNY. There are hundreds of eateries on the streets of Guangzhou, they are open 24 hours a day and usually specialize in Cantonese cuisine. The most popular street dishes are rice spring rolls, rich soups, noodles and Chinese dumplings. You can eat at one of these food pavilions for less than 10 CNY. Portions in eateries are such that they are enough for two.
For a unique flavor, go to one of the many restaurants located on the banks of the Pearl River, where they wash dishes with green tea right in front of visitors. The “restaurant with a tree” on Shamian Street is popular among tourists. It is easy to find; not every establishment has a powerful green crown peeking out from under the roof.
Guides in Guangzhou
Entertainment and attractions
Guangzhou is home to ancient pagodas and modern skyscrapers, green parks and laconic pedestrian areas, unique architectural, historical and natural attractions.
Among the attractions, first of all, it is worth seeing the famous statue of the Five Goats - the symbol of the city. It is located in one of the largest and most picturesque parks in Guangzhou - Yuexiu. One of the few five-story Zhenhai Towers that has survived to this day is also located here, offering stunning views of the park. Yuexiu Park is the largest in Guangzhou; a large fair and exhibition of chrysanthemums is held there every spring and autumn. In summer, the exquisite and sophisticated Orchid Park and South China Botanical Garden are worth a visit.
In Haichuan Park there is the ancient and once largest monastery of the Ocean Banner. In general, there are a lot of temples in the city that amaze with the majesty and beauty of their architecture - the ancient Temple of Filial Piety, the Temple of the Five Spirits, the Huaisheng Mosque, the Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.
There are many memorials and mausoleums in the city; there is even an imperial tomb, which preserves unique monuments with a centuries-old history. It is worth visiting the area of world architecture, where the best examples of world architecture are collected, the backdrop of which is unrivaled nature.
Don't forget to look at the city from the top of [Guangzhou TV Tower|Guangzhou TV Tower]], one of the tallest in the world. This youngest attraction of the city opened in 2010, and the observation deck on its top floor even later.
Today, the ancient city of Guangzhou is changing at a phenomenal rate: new blocks of expensive high-rise buildings are springing up along the Huangpu River every year. However, the most interesting thing for its guests is to delve into the old quarters on Shamian Island, walk along the narrow streets to the Qingping market with live scorpions and turtles, walk to the Liurong Temple, built back in 537 - and since then remaining the tallest building of the old cities.
For those who like to wander through museums, Guangzhou has the Gaundong Province Exhibition Complex with an impressive “local history” collection. A special pride of the museum is the exhibition dedicated to tea and tea culture (website with English version). You can get to know Chinese fine art better at the Guandong Museum of Art and Guangzhou Museum of Art.
8 things to do in Guangzhou
- Get lost in one of the many markets.
- Ride the scariest rides at Chimelong Paradise Park.
- View the city from the heights of the Guangzhou TV Tower.
- Eat something amazing, like raw snake or at least an assortment of dim sums with intricate toppings.
- Take a ride on an unusual tram, where soothing music plays inside, and a voice announcing stops tells tales. The tram runs from Canton Tower Station towards Wanshengwei Subway.
- Take a walk through the glowing and shimmering city at night. At the same time, have a hearty snack. Night is the time for a late dinner.
- Visit the Changlong Night Animal World. He also works during the day, but many animals sleep at this time - resting after the night show.
- Sing. Loudly and from the heart. In one of the crowded night karaoke clubs or, say, at the opera. Yes, people here are not shy about singing along with opera singers during the performance.
Guangzhou for children
"Chimelong" is the largest entertainment center in China and the calling card of Guangzhou. It will take more than one day to visit all the recreation areas. The local Xiang Jiang amusement park has the world's tallest roller coaster, the water park has dozens of water slides for children and adults, and the crocodile farm is home to more than 100 thousand crocodiles. Separately, it is worth mentioning the Chimalun Safari Park, where the conditions of wild nature are recreated. 300 species of animals, birds and reptiles live in their usual conditions. Chimalong International Circus is called the “Chinese Cirque du Soleil.” Performances take place in an arena with a diameter of 100 m, the hall is designed for 5,000 spectators (website with English version).
The pride of Guangzhou is the city zoo, the third most important and largest after Beijing and Shanghai. More than 5,000 animals and birds live on an area of 430 square meters. Children can watch them being fed, take part in theatrical and circus performances, go on excursions, ride a camel and take pictures with pythons or parrots. Website in Chinese and English: (website with English version)
Weather
Guangzhou has a subtropical climate: humid, warm, with monsoons. The most rain falls in the spring months, although summer cannot be called dry. The best time to travel to Guangzhou is winter and autumn. In September the weather stabilizes and there is practically no precipitation. In winter the city is cool and dry. When traveling to Guangzhou between November and February, be sure to take a warm sweater or jacket with you. At the beginning of autumn, a raincoat may come in handy.
Holidays and Events
Well, they know how to celebrate and celebrate here. Every year, bright and noisy celebrations attract spectators from all over the world. It is during the festival period that it is especially interesting to visit Guangzhou.
Every year, since the Qing Dynasty, in honor of the Spring Festival (Lunar New Year), the Flower Festival is held - on January 28, the streets are filled with flower arrangements, turning the entire city into a real garden. Chinese New Year is the main event for people throughout the country. The celebrations stretch over two weeks and end in the second half of February with the traditional fireworks and lantern festival. On the 15th day of the first lunar month, the whole of Guangzhou is filled with lights, and housewives prepare a special delicacy - rice balls filled with berries, fruits and chocolate. Lighting lanterns is believed to ward off spirits, and sweets bring good luck throughout the year.
On the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, a competition of the best Chinese dragon boat rowers takes place in Guangzhou. This one of the most ancient and vibrant Chinese festivals usually occurs at the end of May - beginning of June.
The end of July and the beginning of August is the time of the wine and liquor festival. At the festival you can try the best alcohol from local producers. No light drinks - only strong rice wine and a liqueur called "White Imp", made from sorghum grains.