Guangzhou Travelogue | A Spontaneous Journey Away from the Crowds

📍 Guangzhou · 👁 1 reads · ❤️ 67 likes

Due to the pandemic, the original plan to hike Wugong Mountain over the Qingming holiday had to be swapped for a quick jaunt to Guangzhou. Just because everyone is gradually returning to work doesn’t mean we can let our guard down. If you’re feeling like you’re growing mushrooms from staying home too long, you could do as I did and take a short near-home trip — but do make sure to take proper precautions. Safety first.

In April, Guangzhou already gives off a hint that summer is coming. The city really only has two seasons: summer, and more or less summer. If you’re travelling here around now, don’t forget sunscreen and a sun jacket!

Because I used to travel to Guangzhou and Shunde often for work, I joined this hotel’s membership programme. Ever since, whether for business or leisure, I’ve stayed here.

This Guangzhou hotel is located in Zhujiang New Town, right at a key transport hub in the city. It’s handy whether you’re sightseeing or meeting people.

The hotel has a modern Chinese style, with a warm, natural wood palette carried throughout. I really like this Japanese-inspired aesthetic.

As the pandemic prevention and control period continues, all the hotel’s public areas are thoroughly sanitised and cleaned. That feels reassuring.

At check-in, the fresh air system had already been switched on in the room. The air was crisp, though with a faint whiff of disinfectant — and at times like this, that smell is the most comforting scent you can ask for.

The soundproofing in the room was decent, but my bestie is a very light sleeper — the kind who cannot drift off again if someone so much as turns over with a little too much rustle. In the middle of the night, she mentioned this to the front desk. Within five minutes, a young lady from reception brought up a pair of earplugs. Thoughtful!

Shamian served as a vital commercial port and scenic spot for both Chinese and foreign trade during the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. After the Opium War, in the 11th year of Emperor Xianfeng’s reign (1861), it became a concession area for Britain and France. A significant treaty port over the past century, Shamian once hosted consulates from over ten countries, nine foreign banks, and more than forty foreign firms. Institutions like the Canton Customs House and the Guangzhou Club were established there. Today, Shamian stands as a microcosm of China’s modern history and its concession era, and the European-style buildings on the island form a unique open-air ‘museum’ of architecture.

Shamian, once called Shicuizhou, got its current name because it is a sandbank formed by the Pearl River’s alluvial deposits. Its overall vibe is quite similar to that of Tianjin’s Italian Style Town.

I’ve been to Shamian a few times before, and it was usually packed. This time, apart from a few elderly locals doing exercises, there were hardly any other tourists. It was so peaceful and lovely. In spring, the island was already abloom with flowers, and you could hear birdsong along the streets. If the pandemic had faded away completely by now, Shamian would surely be bustling again.

After wandering around Shamian, it was past noon. We headed to the nearest – and one of the most famous Cantonese restaurants in Guangzhou – Dian Du De, to hunt down some good food.

If I had to choose between Tao Tao Ju and Dian Du De, I’d pick Dian Du De without a second thought. I remember as a little girl going to Dian Du De for breakfast with my family and craving the chicken feet so much, but they wouldn’t let me have any. The reason? Eating chicken feet meant my handwriting would become messy. Young and innocent as I was, I believed them, and never ate chicken feet until I reached high school. Perhaps because of that childhood regret, I developed an unbreakable bond with Dian Du De and its chicken feet as I grew older. For morning tea, I always go to Dian Du De. And at Dian Du De, I always order the chicken feet. (It’s not that Tao Tao Ju isn’t good.)

Lily-bud steamed chicken feet

Golden-sand red rice rolls with prawns

Dian Du De is a famous local institution. Even though it was past two in the afternoon, we still had to queue for what felt like ages before we could savour authentic Cantonese dim sum treats. So, be sure to make a reservation in advance through the ‘Meiwei Buyongdeng’ mini-programme!!!

After a meal that good, our mood was positively sunny. We decided to head to Taigucang Wharf to catch the sunset at the old dock.

Over time, Taigucang Wharf has gradually lost its original purpose and become increasingly commercialised. There are a number of good restaurants here, making it perfect for couples to explore together.

I really like this place; I find it warm and romantic. The style here just lifts the spirits. Being able to watch the sunset with someone you love — I think that would be a truly beautiful experience.

But the temperature in Guangzhou was indeed sweltering, so we quickly decided to escape the heat indoors. That meant heading to Wanguo Outlets, a massive outlet mall in the city.

Wanguo Outlets, originally named Wanguo Plaza, is a large shopping centre in Guangzhou with over a hundred international brand factory and discount stores, spread across eight floors.

The brand selection is huge, the scale is impressive, and the discounts are extremely good. Normally it’s packed with people — a real shopping paradise. It’s well worth a thorough browse. The discounts are so enticing, so, so good. I couldn’t help but think: people in Guangzhou are truly spoilt for happiness.

After picking out some favourite clothes at the outlets, darkness was creeping in. We took a short break at the Häagen-Dazs on the ground floor before continuing on to the one we were most excited about — the tiny waist!

Canton Tower stands 125 metres from the southern bank of the Pearl River. Its main body reaches 450 metres, the antenna mast adds another 150 metres, making the total height 600 metres.

Different colours, equally stunning. Canton Tower (aka ‘Xiaomanyao’) has become a true landmark for Guangzhou.

What surprised me the most about Canton Tower was its Ferris wheel, located at the tower’s 450-metre observation point.

Unlike ordinary vertical Ferris wheels, the Canton Tower Ferris wheel is not suspended from a track but moves along a tilted track. It’s the highest horizontal Ferris wheel in the world.

The wheel comprises 16 ‘crystal’ viewing capsules. Sitting inside, you can take in Guangzhou’s enchanting nightscape in all its glory. It really is a uniquely romantic experience, like something straight out of a fairy tale.

Day one in Guangzhou ended perfectly after taking in the city’s most gorgeous night views. We got back to the hotel close to midnight, yet the streets were still bustling. We chose to reward our day’s travels with a delicious Chaoshan-style beef hotpot, then bid the world goodnight.

Because I love animals, a visit to Chimelong naturally meant going to the Chimelong Safari Park.

Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park is the safari park with the largest animal population in the world, covering over 2,000 mu and preserving a vast area of pristine subtropical rainforest ecology in South China. It’s currently mainland China’s biggest original-ecology wildlife park.

Lots of baby pandas — making up for not getting to see a panda on my trip to Chengdu.

Flamingos! It was my first time seeing such a huge flock of flamingos. So artistic.

Chimelong Safari Park is vast, earning its reputation as ‘China’s most internationally advanced safari park’ and the world’s biggest wildlife-themed park. It had been so long since I’d seen so many animals; I was absolutely thrilled.

The Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is located in Zhuhai, so we set off from Guangzhou in the morning to head to Zhuhai.

After passing the Lovers’ Road and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge along the way, we finally arrived at Zhuhai Chimelong Ocean Kingdom.

The Ocean Kingdom is breathtaking, with its diverse architectural styles and bright, vivacious colours that directly stimulate your visual senses, leaving you feeling cheerful and refreshed.

Immersed in a blue kingdom.

The adorable, waddling baby penguins — super cute!

And the jellyfish gallery, so beautiful it takes your breath away.

Nature is just so wonderful.

Beyond all kinds of marine animals, the Ocean Kingdom also has plenty of thrilling rides for visitors. All my life, this was really the first time I’d dared to try a roller coaster. And I finally experienced what ‘being scared to death’ feels like. I was the one who went completely silent the entire ride, but it was also a breakthrough experience for me, really meaningful.

The world’s longest flying roller coaster — Flying Over the Rainforest — and the Parrot Coaster, which has the longest track globally, climbing nearly 20 storeys before hurtling down at breakneck speed.

By the time we got back to the hotel, it was nearly midnight. A full day’s itinerary had drained all our energy, so we ordered some fragrant grilled seafood for delivery. In Guangzhou and Zhuhai, you’ll find that even way past midnight, you can still get fantastic late-night snacks from restaurants or delivery services.

The next morning, we packed up early, enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, and then set off for our first stop —

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.

The interior ceiling is grand and imposing, yet finely detailed.

After leaving the memorial hall, we walked to nearby Yuexiu Park.

Why is Guangzhou also called the ‘City of Rams’?

Legend has it that during the Zhou dynasty, Guangzhou suffered from years of famine, leaving the people destitute. One day, the weather suddenly cleared, and sunshine bathed the land. Five immortals appeared in the sky above Guangzhou, each riding a celestial ram holding a rice ear in its mouth. These immortals gave the rice ears to the people, and from then on, Guangzhou enjoyed favourable weather, bountiful harvests, and peace and happiness year after year.

Coming to Yuexiu Park, my biggest goal was to see Guangzhou’s famous Five Rams sculpture.

We slowly strolled across this warm, humid, and romantic patch of Guangzhou, soaking up a moment of tranquillity and happiness, and then, fully content, we wrapped up our journey.

Travelogue Contents

1. Huaxuanli Hotel Guangzhou Zhujiang New Town

2. Shamian

3. Canton Tower

4. Colourful Chimelong

5. Ocean Kingdom

6. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

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