Great Family Getaway | Guangzhou Yi·Airport Cultural Tourism Town
It's been a while since my second baby was born. From pregnancy, postpartum confinement, to now when the little one has finally learned to walk, the burden on my shoulders has at last eased a little. My eldest has been doing great at school lately, which is such a comfort. I thought that since my husband is on annual leave, we might take the family on a getaway somewhere around Guangdong to relax. Browsing online, I found a spot near Guangzhou Baiyun Airport that's perfect for family trips, and it even has a youth aviation science base and Jun Tu outdoor development activities. It felt ideal for broadening the kids' horizons. So I arranged with two close friends to bring our families along for a holiday at Guangzhou Yi·Airport Cultural Tourism Town! Enough said, we quickly packed our bags and set off!
We left at 8 a.m., about a 90-minute drive from Foshan. As soon as we got out of the car, the fragrance of nature and the artistic architecture greeted us. All three families booked hotel rooms according to our own preferences, thinking it'd be fun to experience different hotel environments and drop by each other's rooms.
We stayed at Hepingli Hotel, which we'd booked online. The elegant décor caught my eye the moment we stepped in—designer furnishings, warm color schemes, and exquisite decorative displays. My husband and I were really pleased. The front desk young man was super welcoming, and most importantly, the butler service was incredibly attentive. He prepared lemonade, freshly baked cookies, and some small toys for the two kids, who had a wonderful time playing.
The butler showed us to our room, helped with the luggage, and introduced the hotel's features, room guidelines, and how to reach him. He was very conscientious, asking about our dining times, personal tastes, and thoughtfully provided milk powder, diapers, and other necessities for the children.
The next morning, we had breakfast in our room. The butler brought it up right on time and kindly asked if we'd slept well and if anything needed improving.
We were fortunate to meet the person in charge of Hepingli Hotel. He introduced the facilities and their customer-first philosophy. He said every room features AIYI brand memory foam mattresses, with various firmness options. This material automatically adjusts softness and firmness based on different body temperatures, and its slow-rebound properties help relieve body pressure.
I also loved their pillows—cervical-support pillows that not only promise a good night's sleep but also relax the body thoroughly!
Regarding the butler service, the manager explained that the butlers undergo professional training and are available around the clock. You can just tell them whatever you need. They're all-rounders, taking care of everything from meals, laundry, outings, to cleaning, looking after every aspect of your stay. I can't praise the butler service enough—so considerate.
Actually, the main reason we chose this hotel was my husband's online research: reviews praised the soundproofing. With two small kids, their running around could easily disturb others, a common headache when traveling with little ones. One wrong move and you get complaints. We asked the manager about this, and he said not to worry. For noise reduction, Hepingli uses a five-layer soundproof design: double-glazed floor-to-ceiling windows, triple-layer cross-noise-reducing curtains, thick walls coated with soundproof material, extra-thick flooring with underfloor heating, and high-thickness soundproof doors with a built-in bridge-plywood core. Since it's near the airport, the roar of planes could disturb guests, so they've done a lot to address that.
My friend Xiaxia's family stayed at Dayinyushi Homestay. As a classic hipster, she was drawn by the story behind it: the owner traveled abroad and domestically multiple times, visiting many guesthouses for inspiration. Fenghe Village's unique location and cultural advantages perfectly matched his vision for a homestay brand. With his artful renovation, the homestay became the most eye-catching scene in Fenghe Village.
I visited them on the second day. From the outside, it instantly caught the eye. Bamboo-clad walls give Dayinyushi a distinct character, with large stands of native bamboo hung on the walls and accented with greenery. Right from the entrance, every corner reveals the owner's care: an old stone mill turned into a walkway, traditional Chinese wooden doors serving as screens, a vintage horse cart... The interior is uniquely styled, brimming with folk song charm and Shangri-La hues.
Stepping inside, the guest rooms feature solid wood and stone elements. The whole room is steeped in antique flavor, with a big bed that looked soft and inviting, bathed in warm yellow light. Xiaxia's family had the family room. Unlike other rooms, it comes with a little tent for kids to play in and a floor-to-ceiling window, where morning sunlight pours in. But I heard from staff that some rooms also have small tatami platforms, large picture windows, massage bathtubs, and so on, so if you're planning to stay, be sure to ask about the facilities before booking. Xiaxia's family was quite happy with this homestay—it satisfied her literary vibe while the kids had a comfortable and fun time.
My other friend Wenwen's family stayed at Langhui Hotel. The guest rooms are spacious, so the kids could romp around freely. The moment you enter Langhui, words like style, texture, and avant-garde pop into your mind. It blends traditional Lingnan elements, perfectly merging Lingnan charm with modern business comfort. What's more, it has a unique dual-bathroom setup, so both kids and adults can enjoy bath time as they please!
The large vanity mirror really brightens your mood, and several people can freshen up at the same time without getting in each other's way, saving precious time. The three of us stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, sipping drinks and admiring the town's beautiful scenery—a picture-perfect moment.
On the first day, following our schedule, we took the kids to the youth aviation science base. At first, we learned online that Xiaoyi Science's independent group needs 20 kids, and we didn't have enough, so I thought the plan might fall through. But when we called, the staff told us a group was already having a class at the Xiaoyi Aviation Culture Museum that day. With their help, we smoothly joined that group for a one-day study program.
The Xiaoyi Aviation Culture Museum is Guangzhou's first comprehensive aviation science base. Here, kids can get up close and personal with the history of world aviation. Instructors share aviation knowledge through storytelling, letting young people absorb historical facts while having fun, satisfying their curiosity and sparking new dreams. The course includes a flight theory lecture, simulated flight practice, and more, balancing theory and hands-on training. The kids were thrilled and listened intently. My eldest came back that evening and even said he wants to be a pilot when he grows up—I admire such a grand ambition!
Dining with kids is always a headache: nothing too heaty, yet they refuse anything too bland. Home-style dishes are the best bet. Coincidentally, during my research, I found several places here specializing in home-style cooking. With the kids in tow, we set off to explore.
First was Huixin Private Kitchen, a Cantonese restaurant. It's located in the town's most distinctive century-old blue-brick building attraction. The restaurant has large private rooms and cozy seating, and since our three families made a big group, we opted for a large room. On the wall hung a Chinese knot with the character "fu" (fortune) in the cutout, while classic rosewood tables and chairs added a refined touch. On the second floor, the private rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the roofs of the blue-brick houses—a different kind of flavor. The dishes came out one by one. I'll share a photo of my favorite, the chopped chili fish head. The heat was gentle, carrying the characteristic mildness of Cantonese cuisine. There was also fish head soup, white-cut chicken, pigeon, and more... The kids ate their fill, and we give this place a big thumbs up.
The second was Guanzhong Impression. Xiaxia's husband is from Shaanxi and has lived in Foshan for years. He said Shaanxi delicacies are worth trying. Guanzhong Impression is a Shaanxi-style snack shop, offering hulu chicken, liangpi (cold noodles), roujiamo (meat-filled buns), saozi noodles, and other specialties. Noodles dominate the menu; everything is cooked fresh to order, so no worries about cold or stale food. The kids clamored for roujiamo, while the adults each ordered a bowl of saozi noodles—long, slender strands of even thickness, with a smooth and springy texture.
After eating and drinking our fill, our party of ten decided to explore the surrounding cultural spots. We each searched on our phones and, after some discussion, settled on the 24-Hour Deep Night Bookstore. This is a free bookstore and stays open around the clock. It's housed in a century-old blue-brick building; you need to swipe your ID card to enter. Inside, there's a reading room, children's area, and lounge. The bookstore incorporates various elements of intangible cultural heritage, like lion heads, drums, clay sculptures... You can also see the influence of traditional Lingnan architecture. Outside, an ATM-style book borrowing machine lets you check out books in just a few steps. It's linked to the Guangzhou Library system, so you don't have to return the books to the Deep Night Bookstore. The kids browsed history books, idiom storybooks, and other children's titles in the children's section, while some adults chose reads in the reading room and others rested in the lounge. Anyone stopping by, remember to keep your voices down!
After the bookstore, we strolled over to Yi Space·Chunshui Art Garden. Wenwen's son was captivated by its exterior and kept pulling Wenwen, "Mom, I want to see this!" From afar, Yi Space looks like a unique "blue-brick box." Once inside, we found it's an art gallery. The entrance is a ceremonial time tunnel; at the doorway, several exquisitely styled Manzhou windows echo the carved wooden doors. I heard it was converted from an old ancestral hall—hardly believable!
Inside, many paintings were on display, all exquisite with enchanting artistic conception. Yi Space·Chunshui Art Garden has three floors, elegantly designed with graceful Lingnan garden archways, exuding charm.
Come afternoon tea time, the kids were tired, so we went into a tea shop called Ta Ning. Its sign read, "An addictive lemon tea." I decided to try their "Yashixiang" lemon tea. Yashixiang tea has a mellow, subtly elegant aroma, paired with lemon slices, it's refreshing without being greasy. The packaging design also won me over—a carry-handle cup, easy to hold. They also had lots of snacks: garlic sauce tofu, crispy chicken cutlet, etc. All in all, it was decent. Lemon tea lovers, I recommend this spot.
Xiaxia, meanwhile, was drawn to another tea shop called Dongxi, where she ordered her beloved fruit tea. The fruit was fresh, cut to order, and tasted crisp and refreshing.
After getting our drinks, the little snack fiends demanded dessert, and we zeroed in on Dimao Shan. This shop specializes in durian-based desserts and snacks. The smooth texture hit the spot—I'm a durian fan, so it was utterly satisfying!
Early on the third day, we arrived at the Jun Tu outdoor development base in Guangzhou Yi·Airport Cultural Tourism Town, all eager with anticipation. Since our group was small, and a school group of students and parents was about to start a parent-child team-building activity, the base manager split our three families to join separate classes. First, the emcee kicked things off, forming everyone into five teams. Each team had 20 minutes to decide on a name, slogan, and team song for ice-breaking. Then, each squad took turns introducing themselves to boost morale. Finally, the inter-team battle began: team members competed in a Planet War and a name-tag-ripping game. Everyone fiercely guarded their name tags, paranoid about surprise attacks from behind—it was pure joy! The most anticipated part was the live-action CS. Coaches were on hand to teach, making the experience realistic and boosting the kids' confidence and teamwork!
After the "battle," we had an outdoor barbecue. After a busy day, looking at the spread, we were all drooling! Next time, if you join the Jun Tu development activities, note that meals may be included when you go as a group.
The three-day mini-break ended like that. Upon departure, the butler had even prepared parting gifts. The kids still wanted more. Looking forward to the next trip! At Guangzhou Yi·Airport Cultural Tourism Town, all three families had a wonderfully relaxing time, and the kids broadened their horizons—a great experience! Getting here is also convenient, not far from Baiyun Airport, and hotels generally offer shuttle services, so friends from out of town needn't worry about arriving late without transport.
Location: Guangzhou Yi·Airport Cultural Tourism Town, Fenghe Village, Renhe Town, Baiyun District, Guangzhou
Transport: Guangzhou Metro Line 3/9 Gaozeng Station Exit D
