A Flavorful Journey Through Guangzhou – A Three-Day Ram City Escape

📍 Guangzhou · 👁 1 reads · ❤️ 81 likes

D1: Nanyuan Restaurant, together with Panxi and Beiyuan, is celebrated as one of the ‘Three Great Garden Restaurants of Guangzhou’, featured in the Michelin Bib Gourmand, and the absolute favorite for old Guangzhouers to enjoy morning tea. The restaurant has plenty of tables and a spacious layout, with a large banquet hall and intimate private rooms, but you should still expect queues during peak hours. The dim sum here is exquisite – every piece I ordered looked, smelled and tasted wonderful. I especially recommend the Nanyuan King Prawn Dumplings, BBQ Pork Pastry, Swan-shaped Durian Puffs, Coconut Osmanthus Pudding, Braised Chicken Feet in Sauce, and Water Chestnut Cake. After your meal, take a stroll in the garden. Designed in the Lingnan style, it features winding paths that lead to secluded spots, revealing new vistas at every turn. It’s a tranquil oasis tucked away from the city’s hustle, a perfect place to relax and savor fine food.

For dinner I booked Lik Yuen Restaurant, known in Cantonese cuisine circles as the ‘Whampoa Military Academy’ – a reference to its reputation for training top culinary talent. Lik Yuen is a storied Hong Kong restaurant group with a long history, and its branches in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong have all been awarded one Michelin star. The restaurant replenishes its ingredients daily, so everything is fresh. I strongly recommend you make a reservation in advance, and you can pre-order selected dishes when you book – the restaurant may also call you back to confirm if you book through other channels. Over the past four decades, Lik Yuen has continually innovated; for instance, the well-known Hong Kong-style dessert Pomelo Sago was first created here. My top dish recommendations are: Crispy Three-Layer Roast Pork, Chicken Feet in Abalone Sauce, Glass Crispy Pigeon, Traditional Steamed Tiger Grouper in Pan-Dragon Style, Noble Consort Seafood Soup with Rice, and the Pomelo Sago paired with Jujube Cake.

After dinner, set off from Zhujiang New Town and cycle along the river. Zhujiang New Town is considered the most thoughtfully laid-out city central axis, with buildings positioned in near-perfect symmetry on both sides. The most striking are the Guangzhou International Finance Center and Guangzhou Chow Tai Fook Finance Centre, two soaring skyscrapers that face each other across the central axis. When you look down the axis, the two towers frame the Canton Tower – nicknamed ‘Little Waist’ – which stands across the Pearl River. Together, one river and two banks create the most beautiful urban skyline in Guangzhou.

Recommended: ★★★★

Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton Guangzhou Tianhe Sports Center. The hotel has new facilities, good hygiene, and prompt room service. There’s a free car park, making parking very convenient, though it’s a bit far from the metro station. The breakfast offers a rich variety.

Recommended: ★★★★

D2: Guangzhou Zoo charges very little for admission, and while it does show its age, the animal collection is varied, making it a great choice for a family outing. When I visited, the aviary area was undergoing major renovations and the oceanarium was still under construction, so unfortunately some animals were not on view. There are also some amusement rides in the park, perfect for children to enjoy.

Recommended: ★★★★

For lunch I chose Wui Sik Kee (Huishijia), which was featured on the documentary A Bite of China. Its Dongfeng branch received a Michelin Plate, the Haizhu branch was awarded one Michelin star, and its sub-brand Jue Ba has also been listed in the Michelin Bib Gourmand. Wui Sik Kee is best known for its sizzling claypot dishes, but other classic Cantonese fare is equally outstanding. I particularly recommend the Sizzling Yellow Eel Claypot, Sizzling Free-Range Chicken, Sizzling Ox Tongue, Octopus Claypot, Sizzling Oyster Omelette, Overnight Chicken with Scallion Oil, Crab Roe Tofu, Classic Baked Eel Rice, and Ginger Milk Ice Cream. This is a restaurant I never miss on every trip to Guangzhou.

In the afternoon, I drove from the hotel to Taikoo Warehouse Wharf. Located in Guangzhou’s Haizhu District (historically called Bai Xian Ke), the wharf was built between 1904 and 1908 by the British firm Butterfield & Swire for the China Navigation Company. In the 1920s, it was a relatively well-equipped storage and shipping terminal in Guangzhou. Today the wharf has been transformed into an art district filled with charming little shops, restaurants and bars, making it a trendy spot for culture and photography.

Recommended: ★★★

In the evening, I headed to Xiguan to explore old Guangzhou and hunt down traditional foods.

Before dinner I tried Huang Xiaolan Claypot Rice, which was recommended in other travel guides. I ordered the Silky Egg and Sliced Beef Claypot Rice. Perhaps because the heat control wasn’t perfect, when I broke the egg it didn’t have that runny, luscious center. The beef was indeed very tender, but the portion was a bit small. Overall, it’s decent value, but not particularly outstanding – it didn’t differ much from what you’d get at any random street-side claypot rice stall. I wouldn’t make a special trip for it, though it’s fine if you happen to be passing by.

Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street is one of Guangzhou’s two major pedestrian streets and a more down-to-earth shopping destination. The street is lined with many traditional Guangzhou eateries and time-honored brands. The one I most highly recommend is Nanxin Milk Dessert Specialist, whose Double-Skin Milk, Ginger Milk Pudding, and Snow Fungus Papaya Stewed with Water Buffalo Milk are all incredibly aromatic, rich and mellow without being cloyingly sweet. They offer a whole range of Cantonese sweet soups and snacks, and what’s more, this is the only shop in all of Guangzhou – no other branches exist. I make it a point to eat here every time I visit. Other recommendations include: the acclaimed Guangzhou Restaurant (Michelin Plate); the flagship store of Tao Tao Ju; Baohua Noodle Shop, famous for its shrimp wonton noodles; Chen Tian Ji, known for its Shunde-style slippery fish skin; Grandma Ngau Zap (offal stew); Yinji Rice Noodle Rolls; Man Kee Yixin Chicken (Michelin Bib Gourmand); Wu Zhan Ki Sampan Congee; Xiguan Bowl Pudding; and Pig Trotter in Ginger.

Recommended: ★★★★

After that, I cycled to Shamian Island to enjoy the night scenery. Shamian was an important commercial port in Guangzhou’s history. Over the past century, more than ten countries established consulates here, nine foreign banks and over forty foreign firms operated on the island, and institutions such as the Canton Customs Club and the Canton Club were set up successively. Shamian has witnessed the transformation of modern Guangzhou and retains the footprints of great figures like Dr. Sun Yat-sen and Premier Zhou Enlai. It is a microcosm of China’s modern history and the era of foreign concessions. The European-style architecture on the island forms a unique open-air ‘museum’. At night, illuminated by lights, Shamian exudes an even stronger exotic charm; walking through it, you could almost imagine yourself in another country.

Recommended: ★★★★★

Stroll east along Yanjiang Road and you can also admire the Old Canton Customs House, the Postal Museum, the New Asia Hotel and other famous buildings.

Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton Guangzhou Tianhe Sports Center.

D3: The Guangzhou Metro Museum features a life-size, 1:1 scaled replica of a real tunnel boring machine. Inside the 6.28-metre-diameter shield machine, you’ll find everything from the control cabin, screw conveyor, segment assembler, shield jacks, hydraulic drive motors, to the cutterhead and cutting tools. Videos and display panels vividly and comprehensively explain the history, functions, capabilities and types of TBMs. This not only satisfies the curiosity of metro enthusiasts but also allows citizens to learn about the transit system they use every day in the most intuitive way, uncovering the stories behind this familiar mode of transport. On the second floor, there’s a mock-up metro train you can actually ‘drive’ – a simulated driving cab that uses 3D projection technology to recreate a highly realistic metro driving experience. By using interactive technology to make science fun, the Guangzhou Metro Museum lets you learn while playing; it’s a must-visit for metro fans.

Recommended: ★★★★

After the museum, I went to IKEA and tried a Nordic-style meal there.

For dinner I dined at Bing Sheng Taste (Haiyin headquarters), a Michelin Plate restaurant. The Bing Sheng Group is Guangzhou’s premier restaurant group, with multiple sub-brands including Bing Sheng Private Kitchen, Bing Sheng Mansion, Bing Sheng Taste, and Little Bing Sheng. Among them, the Private Kitchen and Mansion have both earned one Michelin star. Bing Sheng boasts numerous signature creations and award-winning classic Cantonese dishes. Top recommendations: the first-of-its-kind Soup-filled Roast Goose, Secret Recipe Black Char Siu, Baked Coral Fish with Ginger and Fermented Bean Sauce, White-cut Litchi Chicken, Original Crystal Three-Flavor Tofu, and Pumpkin Pudding.

Guangzhou is the birthplace of Guangfu culture and has long served as the political, economic and cultural centre of the Lingnan region. During the Ming and Qing dynasties it was China’s sole major port for foreign trade, and it remains the only large port in the world that has flourished continuously for over two thousand years. This glorious past has bequeathed Guangzhou a profound historical legacy, most notably a strong mercantile atmosphere and a spirit of openness, inclusiveness, daring and endeavor – a spiritual wealth that still profoundly influences the people living on this land today, keeping the city bursting with boundless energy. Guangzhou is also a city that cherishes its memories, where history and modernity coexist. Pass through Liwan, and the Xiguan charm conjures the grace of the Tang and Song dynasties; stroll in Tianhe, and soaring towers proclaim the achievements of reform and opening up. Today, as a crucial engine for the development of Guangdong Province and the Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou still carries a heavy responsibility and has a long way to go.

Food Recommendations: Jiang by Chef Fei, Yutang Chunwan, Lik Yuen Restaurant, Hongtu Fu, Bing Sheng Mansion, Wui Sik Kee (Huishijia), Bing Sheng Taste, Guangzhou Restaurant, Man Kee Yixin Chicken, Ronghua Lou.

Chao Kee, Min Kee, Big Pigeon Rice, Baohua Noodle Shop, Qingyun Ju, Li’s Noodle House, Chen Tian Ji, Da Yang Original Double-Boiled Soups, Shun Kee Ice Room, Nanxin Milk Dessert Specialist.

Note: Attraction and hotel ratings from low to high are: Not Recommended, ★★★, ★★★★, ★★★★★.

Travelogue Contents

1. D1: Nanyuan Restaurant – Lik Yuen Restaurant – Zhujiang New Town

2. D2: Zoo – Wui Sik Kee – Taikoo Warehouse Wharf – Huang Xiaolan Claypot Rice – Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street – Nanxin Milk Dessert Specialist – Shamian

3. D3: Guangzhou Metro Museum – IKEA – Bing Sheng Taste

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