A Spontaneous, Relaxing Weekend Road Trip to Guangzhou

📍 Guangzhou · 👁 5 reads · ❤️ 66 likes

Recently had some free time, so over the two-day weekend I took a spontaneous road trip to Guangzhou. A while back, the mid-range hotel brand Xana Hotelle under Jin Jiang Group in China had a promotion for its 400th hotel opening, so I booked this Xana Hotelle in Guangzhou in advance. The location is very convenient, and the hotel has its own parking lot, which is especially easy for road trippers to find.

Since graduation, I've always been fond of Jin Jiang Group hotels. Over the years, every time I step into the lobby, there's a sense of familiarity that feels like home.

Because we're still in a special period, everyone is more cautious and mindful of hygiene when out and about. The front desk staff all wore masks and warmly served every guest.

There was also hand sanitizer at the front desk, so you could clean your hands the moment you arrived, and even wipe down your phone or ID. I really loved this thoughtful touch.

Before long, the guy at the front desk had prepared key cards for two rooms for our group. We booked a king room and a twin room. Over so many stays at Jin Jiang Group hotels, the check-in and check-out speed has always been satisfactory. No long waits—a thumbs-up to the efficient front desk team.

After the Spring Festival, due to the special period, we seldom went out, so it had been months since I'd visited their hotel. I discovered the lifestyle boutique had new changes. This season, there were many items I loved, like portable travel trio sets, slippers, face masks, etc. As a looks-obsessed person, my favorite is the hotel's Xana blue tone, and these little souvenir gifts perfectly match it. The aesthetics are off the charts!

Moreover, the lobby lounge area gets full marks for looks, comfort, and practicality. The clean white bookshelf is filled with various books. On a lazy weekend with nothing to do, picking a book and sitting down to read becomes the best way to pass the time.

When tired, you can brew a cup of floral tea in the lobby. In summer, if you're afraid of heat, grab a chilled drink from the fridge. It's just too refreshing.

Then, with key card in hand, I headed to the 8th floor. The entire guest floor is decorated in elegant light tones, the carpet is comfortable, and overall it has quite a business style. The corridor is very quiet, showing that soundproofing between rooms is well done.

Swipe the card and push open the door—those familiar elements are all there. Brown flooring with beige wall accents always helps one relax, whether for vacation or business travel. The room is about 40 square meters, with a semi-open living room outside and a 1.8-meter king bed inside. The natural light is great, and a writing desk by the side allows business travelers to work anytime—very convenient.

Thoughtfully, two bottles of mineral water and Xana's exclusive aromatic floral tea bags are prepared for guests, so you can brew tea right in the room. Whether after noon or a big meal, a cup of Pu'er tea is my favorite.

The 1.8-meter king bed is as comfortable as always, and the hotel can provide different types of pillows to help each guest sleep better and enjoy a more restful night.

The writing desk features dark brown striped elements, looking quite businesslike. An even more considerate design is the small facial steamer provided—keeping your skin moist anytime is just brilliant.

The bathroom is just as clean and tidy. In terms of space, facilities, and cleanliness, it's no less than a five-star hotel. Two parallel sinks, six clean mirrors on the wall, warm lighting making it feel homier and neater.

Besides disposable amenities, cups and towels are strictly disinfected, so you can use them with confidence. Another thumbs-up for the meticulous service during this special period.

We also booked a twin room, about 30 square meters, with good natural light. The overall design style is similar—beige wall accents with Xana blue bed runners, also very beautiful. A welcome card and little tips were thoughtfully placed.

The hotel restaurant design is very stylish. Afternoon time, sitting here having tea with my bestie, enjoying my own slow weekend time—no work worries, just fragrant black tea, soft tiramisu with fruit—it's so relaxing.

Despite the heat, I still love summer. Lemons, grapes, watermelon, peaches—all freshly in season, juicy and moderately sweet. With a cup of my favorite tea, chatting or daydreaming, this feeling is wonderful.

Evening time is joyful too. Don't forget to experience the hotel's "Dare Bar". Whether you drink alcohol or not (they have non-alcoholic options), sitting and listening to light music seems to melt away a day's fatigue. And the bartender is super good-looking.

Lately, I've had Jay Chou's new single "Mojito" on loop. So, let the bartender make a light mojito. This mood, this music, this drink—it's just perfect.

One most important thing in Guangzhou: yum cha! Delicate dim sum dishes—just thinking about them makes my mouth water. Once seated, first order fried milk. The crust is incredibly crispy, and the inside soft, sweet, milky—finishing two bites per piece is hardly satisfying.

Black bean chicken feet are a must-order. The moment it's in your mouth, the sweet-savory flavor seems to separate meat from bone. Tripe is also our favorite, not greasy at all.

Pan-fried dumplings, claypot rice, molten custard buns—each one we ordered so we could taste every main dish. All earned praises.

Over the weekend, we also drove to Guangxiao Temple. Guangxiao Temple is famous among Guangdong's historic building complexes.

The temple's architecture is structurally rigorous, halls grand and majestic, especially rich in historical relics. For example, the Mahavira Hall built in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Bowl-Washing Spring dug by Bodhidharma in the Southern Dynasties, the Hair-Burying Pagoda and Stone Sutra Pillar from the Tang Dynasty, the Thousand-Buddha Iron Pagoda from the Southern Han, the Sixth Patriarch Hall and Reclining Buddha Hall from Song and Ming periods, as well as inscriptions, Buddha statues, bodhi trees—all precious Buddhist relics.

We also visited the Guangzhou Museum, free with ID, a national first-class museum.

In addition to the Zhenhai Tower exhibition area, the Guangzhou Museum also has three sub-venues: Guangzhou Art Museum, Sanyuanli People's Anti-British Struggle Memorial Hall, and the March 29 Uprising Command Site Memorial Hall.

The Guangzhou Museum is a comprehensive historical museum with local characteristics, an important place for collecting and displaying Guangzhou's local historical artifacts. Wandering and observing helps you understand Guangzhou better.

Weekend joy is always short-lived.

Guangzhou's morning tea, its history,

and the impressive experience at Xana Hotelle—

an unforgettable two-day memory.

Guangzhou, my heart still lingers.

Travelogue Contents

1. Choice for a relaxing getaway

2. Only food cannot be missed

3. Must-see Guangzhou attractions

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