Guangzhou, City of Sweet Delicacies: A Leisurely Weekend with My Bestie
Anyone who has been to Guangzhou knows the beauty of its skyscrapers, with landmarks like Zhongxin Square and the TV Tower. At sunrise, the TV Tower looks like a bathing Sleeping Beauty, earning it the nickname 'Slim Waist.' When evening lights begin to glow, the tower emits dazzling brilliance. It's a city of vintage charm and leisure, where time seems to restore its original colors despite the passage of years. Amid the bustling crowds, everything moves unhurriedly, following its own rules and pace. Guangzhou is not the carefree prosperous city I had imagined, but a place full of diligence and aspiration. Here, everyone, rich or poor, has their own work and life. On weekends, I'd invite my bestie to stroll and unwind.
At dusk, when the lights begin to shine, an aerial view of the Pearl River's banks reveals dazzling lights and bustling streets.
The Shishi Sacred Heart Cathedral in Guangzhou, with its Gothic architecture, draws many visitors to check in.
Guangzhou is a culinary capital, most famous for its morning tea. Leaving Guangzhou without experiencing morning tea feels like never having been here.
In Guangzhou, find a quiet spot to surprise my bestie.
My bestie and I work in different cities. This time, we arranged in advance to meet in Guangzhou for a weekend. I booked Xian Hotel online beforehand. This hotel is different from ordinary ones, full of surprises everywhere. To give my bestie, who flew in from afar, a relaxing weekend, I decided it would be nice to let her stay here for a night. I chose a hotel not far from the airport—a very new, special, and surprising hotel, hoping she would like it.
This hotel has just opened not long ago, so all facilities are very new. I arrived early and waited for my bestie. Due to the pandemic, check-in was done contactlessly, which was convenient and fast, saving a lot of time. We arranged to arrive at about the same time. After checking in, I was deeply drawn by the cosmetics displayed in the lobby. This is a trendy hotel completely unlike ordinary ones. Have you ever seen a hotel front desk selling face masks, slippers, and cosmetics? Very rare, right? That's what makes this hotel so special.
I couldn't wait to look at the cosmetics, face masks, and more. They're all brand-name products. For young women who work overtime and stay up late, if they forget to bring a face mask, they can buy one right at the front desk—truly without leaving the hotel. Browsing the face masks in the lobby felt like shopping in a store.
After a short wait, my bestie arrived at the hotel. We hadn't seen each other in a long time, and meeting again was wonderfully surprising. When checking in, I noticed the front desk was equipped with sanitizing supplies, and the check-in process was meticulous. Staying in such a hotel made me feel safe and reassured.
The black-and-white flooring and light blue lobby decor made my girly heart fall in love with this place instantly. The modern style, with pushcarts selling face masks and cosmetics, also attracted my bestie. The lobby is also great for photos. My bestie said it was her first time staying in such a hotel, and she really liked it—it was a surprise that exceeded my expectations.
On one side, there's a bookshelf and sofas—an even better spot for photos. The shelves hold various books; book lovers could sit here all morning. With a desk lamp, sofa cushions, it's as comfortable as the sofa in your own living room.
Elegant Space Art, Serene and Cozy Comfort
I stayed in a double bed room. When I pushed open the door, I was immediately captivated—the room was spacious, bright, with a large area, and very quiet. The gentle lighting felt soothing, and the comfortable big bed was soft to lie on, even equipped with wellness pillows. Whether for business travelers or families with kids, it's a great choice. The overall design style is warm and cozy, with a French-inspired style that feels comfortable.
There is also a king-bed room type. Upon entering, you see a small living area with a coffee table, a light blue sofa, and an ultra-clear large-screen LCD internet TV. Sitting there watching videos while sipping tea is such a delight. A long desk is my favorite—it feels tailor-made for someone like me who often works on the go. Placing my laptop on the desk and sitting in the comfortable chair immediately boosts my work efficiency. This is one of the reasons I love this hotel.
The room is divided by a partition, creating a separate dynamic and quiet space that you don't want to disturb. My favorite part is the soft wall behind the bed—if you bring children, they won't bump their heads, making it a top choice for families. The hotel offers free parking and a free self-service laundry. All rooms are equipped with smart control systems, independent WiFi, and 24-hour refreshing showers.
Now, look at the bathroom—one word: big. Did you see the two sinks? Two people can brush their teeth and wash their faces at the same time without disturbing each other. There's also a large bathtub, my bestie's favorite. The bathroom has a wet and dry separation; you can listen to music while showering, instantly relaxing your mood. All disposable toiletries are provided. My bestie couldn't wait to try the big bathtub first.
Exquisite Afternoon Tea Adds Sweetness to This Weekend
The hotel also provided an exquisite afternoon tea. When we saw it, the plating was beautiful, with a variety of colors and fruit desserts—my bestie's favorite. The afternoon tea was a surprise for her; she had never had such a treat before. When we entered the restaurant and saw the lovely, delicate afternoon tea sweets, my long-missed bestie accompanied me to enjoy tea time together. Chatting while eating, that satisfying and fulfilling moment was a small piece of happiness.
Come on, Have a Colorful Cocktail
The hotel also has a bar offering various drinks and cocktails. When my bestie arrived, I invited her for a pretty cocktail, paired with some desserts to satisfy her taste buds, adding sweetness to life. The bar is also great for photos, and the friendly staff helped us snap a few shots.
Delicious desserts, paired with colorful cocktails, filled this weekend with surprises. The hotel's restaurant features a white background palette, complemented by the same 'Xian Blue' as the lobby, giving it a chic style. Dining in such a restaurant is truly an enjoyment.
Guangzhou, Capital of Cuisine, Satisfying the Taste Buds
When my bestie comes, I must treat her to Guangzhou's most famous snacks. Guangzhou morning tea is a representative of its cuisine. As a capital of sweet desserts, the streets aren't dominated by flashy milk tea and cake shops; instead, they remain loyal to traditional sweet soups. Names are like X-ji Sweet Soup Shop, with signature dishes like ginger milk curd, double-skin milk, and egg custard—these ancient flavors. Dim sum includes: BBQ pork buns, rice noodle rolls, thin-skin shrimp dumplings, century egg and lean meat congee, crystal shrimp dumplings, BBQ pork buns, durian puffs, steamed rice noodle rolls, chicken feet in black bean sauce, etc. Tea types include fermented tea and oolong tea. Expanding on Guangzhou morning tea: It is a Han Chinese folk culinary custom. Some locals have morning tea as breakfast, usually the whole family gathers around a table, enjoying family bonding. Others go to work right after morning tea.
【Red Rice Noodle Roll】Compared to other classic dim sum, it appeared later, but it's frequently ordered, almost a must at every table. The red rice roll always contains shrimp, chives, and crispy skin, offering a rich texture.
Rice noodle rolls are the most common breakfast in Guangdong, loved by most people. Now they have spread nationwide, and you can find them in nearly every city. This snack appeared as early as the Tang Dynasty, a genuine traditional delicacy. Cantonese-style rolls have a skin as white as snow, thin as cicada wings, translucent and crystal clear. They taste fresh, fragrant, smooth, and slightly chewy, making them unforgettable. Rice noodle rolls are rich in protein, trace elements, and vitamins, beneficial for strengthening the body and prolonging life, especially suitable for malnourished children and teenagers.
Double-skin milk is surely a dessert loved by many girls—not only irresistible in taste but also rich in nutrition. It's a famous Cantonese sweet, made primarily from fresh milk, egg white, sugar, vanilla extract, etc. Authentic double-skin milk is white and smooth, giving a dignified yet gentle impression. Its aroma is intense, milky and eggy, with a rich milky fragrance that evokes images of vast grasslands, gentle spring breezes, and simple pastoral life. The texture is silky and delicate, as smooth as a baby's skin, as tender as a mother's caress; every spoonful tastes of happiness. This delicacy has been rated one of the 'Chinese Famous Snacks.'
Visiting Guangzhou's Internet-Famous TV Tower: The Slim Waist
If you come to Guangzhou without visiting the Slim Waist, it feels like you haven't really been here. Canton Tower is the world's tallest TV tower, absolutely stunning. Standing at its base and looking up, the mast at the top stretches into the clouds like a sharp sword. When night falls, the tower becomes brilliantly colorful, unbelievably beautiful!
After exploring the 107th floor, we went to the currently open higher floor—the 108th floor at 433.2 meters. Its structure and facilities are very different from the 107th, entirely presented in black, every corner worth exploring. Looking down from the tower, the entire city of Guangzhou unfolds before your eyes. I could see every building clearly. Overlooking from such a height, watching pedestrians like ants, bustling streets seeking novelty—it's much more interesting than from the base. Truly, human imagination is rich, and the architecture built is magnificent.
Visiting the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Guangzhou: Beautiful Gothic Architecture
Although the Sacred Heart Cathedral is not the most famous among Guangzhou's many attractions, its grandeur, uniqueness, and the historical stories and religious influence behind it make it the most representative Western cultural symbol in Guangzhou.
The name 'Sacred Heart Cathedral' comes from the fact that its walls, pillars, and spires are all built of hard granite; construction began on August 26, 1861, the Feast of the Sacred Heart, hence the name Sacred Heart Church, also called 'Shishi Jesus Sacred Heart Church' or 'Shishi Catholic Church.' Locals in Guangzhou affectionately call it 'Shishi'. The church held a grand foundation ceremony on December 8, 1863, and was completed in 1888, taking 25 years.
In a Quiet Room, Enjoying a Wonderful World for Two
Shopping is a girl's nature. After a day out, we returned to our room to have our own wonderful world. We both brought cameras and took many photos today; we quickly lay on the comfy bed to check how they turned out. In such a cozy room, one on the bed, one at the desk handling emails, without disturbing each other.
My bestie fell in love with the sofa in the room—so comfortable to sit on, and she said she'd like to take one home. Staying in such a room for a few nights makes you not want to leave. It's both comfortable and quiet.
My dear bestie of many years took time out of her busy schedule to visit me, accompanying me through a wonderful and surprising weekend. Whenever night falls and I stroll along the Pearl River, I feel like I've entered a fairy-tale world. Bright lights glisten, colorful lights reflect the tall buildings on the riverbank in the water, cruise boats pass by, and bridges span the river like rainbows hanging in the sky. The endless stream of vehicles crossing the bridges feels like watching a beautiful painting. I love this Guangzhou city, full of memories.
