March Brings Another Flower Appreciation Season: Step into Guangzhou's Dreamy Bauhinia Sea and Meet the Beauty of Spring
March is the prime month for flower viewing. It was only after arriving in Guangzhou this time that I realized spring here is a scene of blooming flowers everywhere. Usually, my impression of Guangzhou is mainly about its gourmet food and skyscrapers, but this trip revealed the beauty of Guangzhou's spring to me. Spring in Guangzhou is a season of beauty and dreamlike scenery! During this season, flowers bloom across the land and everything comes back to life. All of this brings joy. When I stepped into Haizhu Wetland Park and saw the romantic, dreamy pink bauhinia flower sea filling the garden, I knew this was Guangzhou blooming with spring flowers. When I visited Shamian Island, often called 'Little Europe,' I felt as if I had truly stepped into Europe, with European-style buildings lining the streets. In spring, flowers bloom in Guangzhou, reaching for the sun.
Guangzhou Haizhu Wetland Park's Dreamy Bauhinia in Full Bloom
My first stop on this Guangzhou trip was Haizhu Wetland Park to see the bauhinia flowers, which is arguably the hottest flower-viewing spot in Guangzhou right now. The bauhinia trees in Haizhu National Wetland Park are bursting into bloom all at once, with romantic swaths of pink and white stretching for three kilometers, seemingly endless. Walking along paths lined with pink bauhinia flowers feels like stepping into a dreamy floral scene—the real view is even more beautiful than the photos.
The flower path is dominated by pink bauhinia, but there are also white ones—both are exquisitely beautiful. This sea of flowers creates a pink dream world. Now is the best time to appreciate the bauhinia in full bloom. So take your friends on a weekend, go on a spring date, or you'll have to wait another year.
The bauhinia flowers are mainly concentrated around Guanlan Bridge. I suggest heading straight there after entering the park, as it offers the best views. From the bridge, both banks of Shiliugang River are lined with a spectacular 3.2-kilometer strip of bauhinia, instantly transforming the riversides into a pink flower sea.
Recently, there have been many visitors, so I recommend going early in the morning for the most beautiful photos. If mornings are not possible, try late afternoon when it's less crowded. On a day with a sunset, after 5 p.m., visitor numbers drop, and you can capture some stunning sunset shots. Here is some useful information: Admission: 20 RMB (adults), children free. Tickets can be purchased by scanning a QR code at the gate. Opening hours: 9:00-19:00 (ticketing stops at 18:00), closed on Mondays. How to get there: Take Metro Line 18 to Longtan Station, Exit D, then walk 5 minutes to the North Gate of Haizhu Wetland Park.
[Travel Tips] 1. The pink bauhinia path is along the Shiliugang River bank at Guanlan Bridge. From the North Gate of Haizhu Wetland Park, it's about a 15-minute walk; after crossing Feilong Bridge, you're almost there. 2. Haizhu Wetland Park has been crowded lately, especially on weekends. If you want fewer people in your shots, arrive right at 9 a.m. when the park opens. 3. Normal photography is fine, but drones are not allowed—security will intervene, so be mindful of that.
Step into Guangzhou's Shamian Island, like walking into a romantic European town
A must-visit spot in Guangzhou is Shamian Island. Known as Guangzhou's 'Little Europe,' Shamian Island is filled with photogenic European-style buildings. Ancient trees stand tall, and along Garden Avenue, over 150 European-style historic buildings line the way. The most beautiful moment is when the afternoon sun filters through the trees and spills onto the ground. Strolling the streets, you'll encounter Baroque and Neoclassical architecture everywhere, making you feel like you're in Europe.
Separated only by a small river, it's a world apart from the bustling traffic outside. It's like a hidden paradise, tranquil and serene—I love the peace here. The island isn't large; when you get tired, just order a coffee, sit on a small stool in a courtyard, and bask in the afternoon sun. You could while away a whole afternoon here. Pick a nice day to wander around Shamian and enjoy a romantic, leisurely time.
Recommended photo spots: 1. Catholic Church: Built in 1890, a Gothic-style building in light yellow with colorful stained glass at the entrance. 2. Christian Church (Shamian Church): Built in 1864, one of the few well-preserved century-old Christian buildings in Guangzhou; many couples take wedding photos here. 3. Renmin Bridge: A very photogenic European-style bridge with a great atmosphere for pictures. 4. Former HSBC Building: Packed with vintage charm, one of the larger structures in the Shamian complex, also popular for wedding shoots. 5. Central Garden: Filled with sculptures and exotic flair. 6. Guangdong Foreign Affairs Museum: A 1890 Baroque building with a deep yellow corridor, yellow walls, and green doors—very attractive. 7. Famous Shop: Shamian Starbucks, also known as the most beautiful Starbucks, its distinctive color catches your eye immediately. 8. McDonald's: The large yellow 'M' at the entrance makes for great posed shots.
Travel Guide: Address: Shamian Island, Liwan District, Guangzhou. Transport: Take Metro Line 1 to Huangsha Station, Exit F, cross the overpass and walk 8 minutes. Admission: Free all day. Time to spend: Shamian Island is small, so 2–4 hours is plenty; between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., sunlight filtering through leaves onto buildings makes every shot beautiful. Nearby recommendations: There are Xicheng Duhui Plaza, Huangsha Seafood Market, etc. Also, from Shamian, you can take a taxi directly to the nearby Yongqing Fang for a combined visit.
Yongqing Fang: Experience the Bustling Days and Nights of Xiguan
Yongqing Fang is located in a small alley off Enning Road. It's filled with many unique, Instagram-worthy shops. The décor blends modern and traditional elements, giving it a retro charm with a strong artistic vibe. There are various coffee shops, restaurants, handicraft stores, a Cantonese opera house, markets, and more. It's a must-visit destination in Guangzhou; camera in hand, you'll capture plenty of great shots. It's truly worth visiting, and best of all, admission is free. When the lights come on at night, it's even more beautiful.
I sincerely recommend this spot for a day trip; it suits all ages. You can leisurely spend a whole day here with everything you need for food, drink, and fun, and truly feel the Xiguan culture. Boats occasionally pass by the creek, and especially at night when lights reflect on the water, it has the charm of a Jiangnan garden, making you feel like you're walking through a painting.
There's so much to see and do in Yongqing Fang, and now it's bustling with visitors. Many small shops sell all kinds of art and trinkets, and there are plenty of food stalls. When you get tired, find a café, sit down with a cup of coffee, rest your feet, and unwind. I feel that Yongqing Fang has truly taken over from Shangxiajiu as the most popular cultural neighborhood in Xiguan. It offers not just a handicraft market, gourmet food, gardens, and boat rides, but also many more photogenic scenes and angles. Compared to traditional pedestrian streets, Yongqing Fang provides a richer travel experience. So it's no wonder that more and more foreign tourists choose to stay in Yongqing Fang to experience Xiguan culture. If you're traveling to Guangzhou, make sure to add this to your list.
Travel Guide: Yongqing Fang Address: Enning Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou (near the Cantonese Opera Museum). Admission: Free. Lights come on around 6 p.m. Metro: Line 1, Huangsha Station, Exit B (about an 8-minute walk).
Iconic Guangzhou Landmark – Canton Tower, Stroll by the Pearl River for Dazzling Night Views
If every city has its own landmark, then Canton Tower is Guangzhou's. Also nicknamed 'Xiaomanyao' (Little Waist), a trip to Guangzhou isn't complete without visiting it. This time, I walked from Liede Bridge at dusk to the Canton Tower on the other side. As the sun slowly set, I stood on Liede Bridge and watched the sunset, with panoramic views of the Pearl River and its banks.
As evening descended and the sky darkened, the lights of the skyscrapers along the Pearl River came on. Walking along the riverbank toward Canton Tower, I admired the city's most beautiful nightscape. Getting closer, I waited a bit, and then the tower's lights finally lit up, cloaking it in a colorful glow, as if dressed in new clothes—truly stunning.
If you're traveling to Guangzhou, I recommend visiting Canton Tower at dusk—after all, it's the city's icon. At night, there are river cruises on the Pearl River where you can enjoy the night views from the water. If you have time, definitely take a cruise and experience the dazzling night scenery along the Pearl River.
Guangzhou in Bloom, Reaching for the Sun
Guangzhou in Bloom, Reaching for the Sun. It's not just spring blossoming; in 2023, Guangzhou's cultural tourism industry is also blooming vibrantly. Through the past three years, an innovative cultural tourism brand—the 'Guangzhou Super Tourist Destination'—has borne rich fruits. On the second day, I had the honor of attending the opening ceremony of the event, which was lively and showcased the city's charm. At the entrance, a master of Guangzhou embroidery was demonstrating the craft live, with exquisite embroidered pieces on display nearby.
The liveliest part was the lion dance performance, with four troupes taking the stage and instantly electrifying the atmosphere. The final troupe climbed to the highest point and unfurled a couplet reading 'Guangzhou in Bloom, Reaching for the Sun.' March in Guangzhou sees flowers blooming everywhere, making it an ideal season for flower viewing. Guests on site also shared the top ten flower-viewing spots, including Haizhu National Wetland Park and South China National Botanical Garden. So, take advantage of this beautiful March and come to Guangzhou to enjoy the flowers.
Don't Miss Guangzhou Cuisine: Exquisite and Delicious Morning Tea
Guangdong has long been famous for its cuisine, and Cantonese morning tea (yum cha) holds an unshakable place. A pot of tea with a few dim sum dishes, shared among a few friends chatting around the table—this has become a social ritual for Cantonese people. At the heart of morning tea, dim sum is exquisitely crafted and incredibly diverse. To try them all would take most of a day. The people of Guangzhou are renowned for their love of good food and their connoisseurship; the city is hailed as a food paradise. To me, the most famous Guangzhou cuisine is its morning tea. As you travel around, you'll find that morning tea varies from place to place, but Guangzhou's Cantonese-style morning tea is truly representative. Har gow (crystal shrimp dumplings): When people think of Cantonese dim sum, shrimp dumplings often come to mind first. They are the most popular and most ordered item. With a paper-thin, translucent wrapper, you can faintly see the fresh pink shrimp filling inside. The skin is springy, and the shrimp is bouncy, smooth, and savory.
Steamed chicken feet with black bean sauce: This is also one of the most ordered dishes in restaurants. The Cantonese-style chicken feet are soft, tender, and deeply flavored, with bones so soft that you can suck the meat right off—absolutely delicious. It's one of my personal favorites.
Gon siu mai (dry-steamed siu mai): A signature dim sum in Cantonese tea houses, it is one of the 'Four Great Heavenly Kings' of Cantonese dim sum, alongside har gow. Cantonese-style siu mai uses an egg-based dough for the wrapper, and the filling consists of pork, mushroom, and shrimp—no glutinous rice. Shaped into a cylinder slightly thicker than a thumb and about two centimeters tall, the thin yet resilient egg wrapper partly encloses the filling, which is colorful, flavorful, and has a smooth, tender, savory taste. With one bite, you experience a burst of flavors. It remains a favorite among locals.
There are also cha siu bao (barbecue pork buns), lau sa bao (salted egg custard buns), cheong fun (rice noodle rolls), turnip cakes, and many more—all delicious and delicately made. This spring, get together with a few friends, come to Guangzhou to admire the beautiful flowers and savor the tasty Cantonese morning tea. Don't let the good times slip away.
In spring, Guangzhou's streets, alleys, and parks are abloom with flowers. The dreamy pink bauhinia sea at Haizhu Wetland Park fills the garden with romance and stirs the heart. By mid- to late March, flowers in all parks will be at their peak. March is a romantic season in Guangzhou. In this season of renewal, gather a few friends, filled with joy, to come enjoy the flowers and have a close encounter with spring. Amidst the sea of flowers, brush past blooms, let the sunshine, fragrance, and fresh grass embrace you, breathe in the fresh air, and revel in the tranquility of nature accompanied by the delicate scent of blossoms.
