4 Beautiful Guangzhou Spots with Few Tourists, Perfect for a Family Road Trip

📍 Guangzhou · 👁 2 reads · ❤️ 58 likes

Since having kids, spontaneous trips are out of the question. Every outing requires packing a load of baby supplies, not to mention the stroller and suitcase. Traveling with kids, for me, is a real chore. The high-speed train might be fast, but getting to the station by taxi costs a fortune, and switching subway lines means lugging things up and down stairs. Often we'd arrive at our destination only to face more stairs—one of us carrying the baby, the other hauling luggage, both gasping for breath. Then we'd have to queue for a taxi outside the station. I was so over it!

Despite friends advising us against buying a car—citing pricey parking, maintenance, and fuel costs in Guangzhou—my husband and I weighed the pros and cons and bit the bullet. We bought a car just to make travel easier and stop being miserable luggage porters.

After some comparison, we chose the Buick Envision S. This mid-size SUV has a luxurious, spacious exterior, a large trunk, and a roomy interior—ideal for family road trips. Now we can head off on a trip anytime, without worrying about missing a train or dragging ourselves out of bed early to catch a ride.

Today Guangzhou blessed us with glorious weather—too good to miss a road trip. We drove our Envision S around the city, and it felt amazing! Here's a recommended one-day Guangzhou itinerary: riverside picnic in Panyu – Yuyin Shanfang – Huangpu Military Academy – Huangpu Ancient Port.

Picnics in parks are crowded and noisy—you can't enjoy a moment of peace. A friend told us about a spot by the Pearl River in Nancun Town, Panyu, with few people and lovely scenery, so we packed up without hesitation.

I always keep our outdoor gear in the trunk: a tent, picnic mat, camp stove and cookware, a car rice cooker, a portable water heater, plus camping lanterns, utensils, and other bits and bobs. That way, we're ready to go whenever the mood strikes. I'm really happy with the Envision S’s trunk—even after fitting all the outdoor equipment and the picnic basket, there's still room for the stroller.

With such perfect weather, we picnicked under the shade of trees. The Pearl River stretched out beautifully against a backdrop of blue sky and white clouds, with boats gliding back and forth on its wide waters. Our little one toddled around nearby while we nibbled on fruit and cake, savoring these precious, relaxing moments.

Riverside Picnic in Panyu

Address: By the Pearl River, Nancun Town, Panyu

Metro: Take Guangzhou Metro Line 7 to Banqiao Station, Exit D, and walk to the river.

We originally planned to visit Lingnan Harmony Garden, but when we realized Yuyin Shanfang was just a few minutes' drive away, we hopped back in the car and went there instead. I'm not too fussy about cars; with a child, I mainly want plenty of interior space. The Envision S not only has a heated steering wheel but also heated and ventilated leather seats, so the baby stays comfy and content.

Yuyin Shanfang is one of Guangdong's four famous classical gardens. Built during the Qing Dynasty, it has over 150 years of history and is also one of the Eight Sights of Panyu.

This Lingnan-style garden is compact enough to walk through in just a few hundred steps, yet it's ingeniously laid out. Through the use of winding corridors, lattice windows, and decorative screen walls that borrow scenery from beyond, it creates a garden-within-a-garden effect with vistas that unfold layer by layer.

Climb to the top of the rockery and you'll take in pavilions, terraces, halls, verandas, bridges, embankments, lotus ponds, and fascinating rock formations all at once. Must-see spots include Shenliu Hall, Lanhe Ting, Linchi Bieguan, the Peacock Pavilion, and the covered bridge. Shenliu Hall is the main building, housing poems by three literary talents of the late Qing, calligraphy by Grand Secretary Liu Yong from the Qianlong era, and a couplet by Qing-dynasty scholar Chen Yungong.

Yuyin Shanfang epitomizes the Lingnan garden style. Stepping inside feels like traveling back in time. Now and then, young women in traditional Hanfu drift by, searching for the perfect photo spot. Next time, I'd love to wear Hanfu and take pictures here too.

After leaving the garden, the baby was hungry and wanted milk, so I quickly mixed formula with warm water. I used to keep a diaper bag in the car, but this new vehicle has over 20 storage compartments—in the front seats, center armrest, and doors—so I can grab baby clothes, formula, or diapers anytime.

Address: North Street, Nancun Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou

Metro: Take Guangzhou Metro Line 7 to Banqiao Station, Exit A, then take a taxi to the site.

On the way to Huangpu Military Academy, we opened the enormous panoramic sunroof. At night it's perfect for stargazing; during the day, it floods the cabin with light, making the blue sky and white clouds feel within reach. It lifts your mood instantly.

In our old car, the GPS never updated automatically, so we always relied on our phones for navigation, scrambling to keep them charged. The Envision S's onboard navigation updates in real time, and the screen is angled toward the driver for easy map reading. All the center console buttons are within easy reach—very user-friendly.

We arrived at Huangpu Military Academy on Changzhou Island in Huangpu District, to relive the glory days when cadets studied and trained here.

Originally the site of a Qing-dynasty army primary school and naval academy, the school was later founded by Sun Yat-sen as a training institution for military officers—officially the "Republic of China Military Academy." There were many branch campuses, but the one on Changzhou Island served as the main campus.

The academy offered courses in infantry, artillery, engineering, logistics, military police, and political affairs, producing many outstanding generals. Notable figures like Zhou Enlai once taught here. The campus is a Lingnan-style ancestral-hall courtyard. If you want to experience military life, you can join the summer camps held on site.

Outside the academy gates, vendors sell all sorts of handicrafts—especially intricate aluminum wire sculptures shaped like dragons, peacocks, and robots. The mung bean popsicles were quite tasty; we bought one for 3 yuan and ate it as we strolled.

Huangpu Military Academy is closed on Mondays. It's an active military area, so you can't photograph or fly drones over the docked warships—serious consequences if you do.

Huangpu Military Academy Memorial

Opening hours: 9:00–17:00

Address: 170 Junxiao Road, Huangpu District, Guangzhou

Metro: Take Guangzhou Metro Line 5 to Yuzhu Station, Exit A, walk to Yuzhu Ferry Terminal, take the ferry to Changzhou Pier, then take a taxi.

Bus: Take bus 430 to Huangpu Military Academy (Terminal).

I'd assumed Huangpu Ancient Port was also in Huangpu District, but it's actually in Shiji Village, Haizhu District. We almost turned around and went home, but then we all craved ginger milk pudding, so we decided to press on.

The baby fell asleep on the way. If it were a long journey, I'd fold down the second-row seats to turn it into a bed so he could sleep soundly. Since it was only a 40-minute drive from the academy, I let him nap in his seat. I turned down the AC, and with the in-car negative ion air purification system, he snoozed peacefully, even snoring softly.

I'd worried about traffic noise, but the Envision S is incredibly quiet inside. The doors have sound-absorbing materials and triple seals, and the tailgate is extra sealed too. Even on the highway, the cabin remains serene.

The road to Huangpu Ancient Port was under construction, so the entrance was dusty and the road was full of potholes. It only improved once we turned into the narrow lanes.

Huangpu Ancient Port bears witness to the prosperity of the Maritime Silk Road. It's a significant historical and cultural site in Guangzhou, preserving relics like the old port, ancestral halls, temples, traditional houses, and former residences of famous figures.

When visiting, start with the Yuehai No.1 Customs Memorial Hall. The Huangpu Ancient Port History Museum and the "Ancient Port Legacy" archway are also right there and worth a look!

By the time we reached the old port ferry, the baby had just woken up. He sat with his dad on the jetty, watching the sunset. We could only imagine the bustling scenes of yesteryear—during the Qing Dynasty, countless foreign merchant ships docked here, as it was the sole port open to foreign trade.

Next to the ferry is a replica of the Götheborg, a ship built in 1738 by the Swedish East India Company. It made three voyages to Guangzhou, sailing the Maritime Silk Road.

A visit to Huangpu Ancient Port isn't complete without feasting. The lady's ginger milk pudding and Maoji's boat congee are must-try delicacies. The chicken biscuits, baked fresh daily, are also delicious—if you're worried about greasiness, go for the pricier kind.

Before leaving, we even bought vegetables at the old port area—fresh, homegrown produce from local elders. Our dinner that night was a treat!

Huangpu Ancient Port Scenic Area

Opening hours: Open all day

Address: Shiji Village, Haizhu District, Guangzhou

Metro: Take Guangzhou Metro Line 4 to Wanshengwei Station, Exit B, then take a taxi.

Bus: Take bus 229, Tourist Bus 3, or Express Bus 59 to Guangzhou Pazhou Shiji Village Terminal.

When we headed back, we hit rush hour. A 40-minute journey dragged into over an hour of stop-and-go traffic. I was worried about motion sickness, but luckily the Envision S has a great suspension system that adjusts in real time to road conditions and driving style, enhancing comfort and minimizing body roll when turning or starting, making the ride safe and smooth.

After this one-day Guangzhou trip, our Envision S has passed its break-in period. Next, we plan to visit Zengcheng in Guangzhou, and if time allows, we'll explore nearby cities like Shenzhen, Zhaoqing, and Huizhou.

Travel Diary Index: 1. Riverside Picnic in Panyu 2. Yuyin Shanfang 3. Huangpu Military Academy 4. Huangpu Ancient Port