A Hipster-Style Trip in Guangzhou: High-Value Food, Lodging, Sightseeing, and Fun Done Right

China has a long history and vast territory, with many ethnic groups, and diverse urban, rural, and landscape styles. I remember years ago when I took my family on independent trips within the country, we would specifically choose places far from home. Now looking back, the southern city I have visited the most is Guangzhou, whether for dedicated travel, business, or transiting flights, I've been there many times. It's more interesting than Beijing, and it shares Shanghai's overlapping port-town vibe; it can be dynamic or tranquil, a place to stay or to pass through, and spending can be high or low, catering to everyone with both luxury and local flavor.

In this article, I'll record and summarize how to experience Guangzhou with high value for money.

High-Value Stay: Xian Hotel

The most fundamental booking for a trip is flight and hotel. Hotels play an extremely important role in travel, no longer just a place to sleep like in the old days where cleanliness was the only requirement. We select the ideal place to stay based on location, style, room size, price, service, facilities, transportation, and other dimensions.

I searched online and found this to be a hotel with excellent value. Xian Hotels are mostly situated at the most convenient transportation hubs like metro stations and airports, making it easy whether for travel or transit. Nearby there are also many shopping malls, stores, and restaurants, solving dining and shopping needs. There are branches at Shangxiajiu, Tianhe Park, Kecun, Baiyun Airport, etc., to suit all preferences.

The one we stayed at is the Xian Hotel beside Baiyun Airport, with 24-hour free shuttle service. Just call the front desk 20 minutes in advance to book – very convenient.

Check-in was quick and easy, and hand sanitizer was thoughtfully provided.

【Boutique Market – Attitude Living Aesthetics Shop】

In the past, even five-star hotels often had stiff sofa areas with dull, solemn colors. At Xian, I was captivated by the fresh and modern scene before my eyes, and I noticed more functional areas.

A vibrant, blue-green open-concept boutique – the Living Aesthetics Shop – with an array of goods displayed like street market stalls, allows guests to browse and pick up what they need right in the lobby.

Another function: it’s also a great spot for beautiful travel photos.

【Book Lounge Sofa Area】

The sofa area next to the front desk looks like this! It continues the fresh and modern style, bright and cozy, as warm as home. It's a great spot for newly arrived guests or for those who want to quietly read, like a book lounge.

Finally, we got to our room. It was a pleasant surprise – larger and better-looking than the online photos.

Stripping away the cookie-cutter style of typical business hotels, the modern furniture in vibrant colors and the artistic partition layout stand out. I really liked the Xian-blue accent sofa. The living room is spacious, and an especially thoughtful touch: the suite has two TVs, one opposite the bed and one in the living room, so two people won't fuss over what to watch.

There are various room types – twin rooms, king rooms, several suites – and even the most expensive ones are within an acceptable range; it's such great value. On the bed, a card for a worry-free stay with check marks for every sanitized item provides reassurance.

The bathroom is so spacious.

And it comes with a full set of toiletries, thoughtfully including a makeup mirror for ladies.

The in-room amenities are excellent: high-speed free WiFi, skin-nourishing flower tea, and even turndown service typical of high-star hotels.

Working, relaxing, hydrating, making a cup of tea, and enjoying quiet time in the room is an important part of being away. You need a good environment to recharge during the idle moments of travel so you can enjoy your outings even more.

If you're driving, you can park for free, and there's also a free self-service laundry room for dirty clothes.

The hotel has its own restaurant and bar, with a suitable spot for any time of day. There’s buffet dining for main meals, a hearty breakfast, and afternoon tea.

The restaurant is decorated in the same fresh and clean style, as cozy and comfortable as the Living Aesthetics Shop.

As night falls quietly, after dinner, step over to the bar called “Ganba” (Dare Bar) for a drink. Girls can enjoy pretty and tasty cocktails and juices, pouring out heartfelt feelings – isn’t that delightful?

Then planning where to go tomorrow – life like this is just too wonderful.

【Fun in Guangzhou】

Guangzhou has a lot of appeal for me. The reason I love it is that it's an international metropolis with character. Many Chinese cities are all too similar, lacking personality. Guangzhou shares similarities with Shanghai – both were once treaty ports, and due to history, many foreign-style buildings and streets remain well-preserved.

For instance, my favorite, Shamian Street, was an important domestic and international trade hub and tourist spot during the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. After the Opium Wars, it became British and French concessions. Through a century of history, over ten countries established consulates, nine foreign banks, and more than forty foreign firms operated there… Today, Shamian is a microcosm of modern Chinese history and the history of concessions. The European-style buildings on Shamian Island form a unique open-air “museum” of architecture.

Taking photos of old European-style buildings or portraits here has a special charm.

As a hipster/artsy young woman, I really like Guangzhou's creative parks. It’s a pity that the Redtory, originally a cannery, closed down last November – such a loss. So, artsy souls now head to 1850 Creative Park. Transformed from the former South China's largest Jinzhujiang Hydrogen Peroxide Factory, it preserves 76 well-proportioned factory buildings. Like other creative parks, it houses many art studios and exhibition spaces. Tourists will enjoy the old industrial relics, as well as Instagrammable restaurants and cafés with tasty food.

The 289 Creative Park next to Nanfang Daily is also good, and a little farther out you can visit Xiaozhou Village.

If you love amusement parks, head to the Cultural Tourism City to relive childhood thrills.

I prefer quiet and walking, so in the evening I choose to stroll in the urban park at Huacheng Square, enjoying the night view with Canton Tower right nearby. Many locals jog and exercise on the park paths. Blending into local life is what makes truly great travel.

【Eat and Drink in Guangzhou】

Guangzhou is a culinary capital. From morning dim sum to late-night snacks, the day is as full as the food is plentiful.

When in Guangzhou, you absolutely must try dim sum. Wake up naturally, head to a restaurant, and order rice noodle rolls, shrimp dumplings, honeycomb tripe, steamed chicken feet, sampan congee, wonton noodle soup… Brew a pot of tea, and leisurely chat and eat until lunchtime, turning breakfast into brunch. Morning tea is part of Cantonese culture. I once witnessed a family gathered around a table, chatting and laughing from morning, much like a formal family dinner in the north.

You should also have a Hong Kong-style hot pot (dabianlou) or beef hot pot to be truly local. Clay pot dishes (juejuebao), char siu, double-skin milk, and clay pot rice are not to be missed either.

To name a few restaurants: Bingsheng, Huishijia, Haojiuhaocai, Dage Restaurant, Guangzhou Jiujia, and Taotaoju are all famous local spots.

I’m particularly fond of snacks. I once queued up for the famous Da Yang Original Flavored Stew, with its original coconut chicken stew; the line was long but moved quickly. Also, Ayi Beef Offal is very popular. “净” means “just the pure stuff,” so “净牛杂” is purely beef offal – very satisfying and reasonably priced.

Then there’s Shawan ginger milk curd, or you can walk into any Cantonese dessert shop and order this authentic local sweet treat.

Guangzhou, a city you never tire of visiting. I hope that in the near future, everyone’s life returns to normal, and we can set off again to explore this charming metropolis.