There is plenty to do in Guangzhou. This modern metropolis is filled with many religious buildings, shopping markets, parks and beautiful recreational and historical sites. Regardless of your fancy, you will be able to find something of interest in Guangzhou.
Places of Religious Interest:
Some places of religious interest include;
- The Scared Heart Church
Located on Yide Lu, this church was renamed the Catholic Patriotic Association (CPA) church. this gothic styled cathedral was built in 1888 and has a 190 foot tower with a large copper bell imported from France. It is only open on Sundays.
- Huaisheng Mosque
Also known as the Light Tower Mosque, it is thought to be the oldest mosque in China. It was founded around 627 AD by Arab traders and is located on Guangta Road. With a 120 foot minaret, this mosque calls its faithful to prayer five times a day in Arabic and Chinese.
- Temples
Sanyuan Temple, the largest and oldest Taoist temple in Guangzhou, is located on Yingyuan Road. This temple is a must see for its ancient architecture. The Taoist Temple of Five Immortals was built during the Ming Dynasty and dedicated to the Taoist gods of good harvest. The Temple of Southern Sea God was built in 594 AD and is located in Huangpu district.
Shopping
Besides Guangzhou’s many temples, this exciting city is a great place for shopping. From huge department stores and boutiques to small traditional shops, this city is a shopper’s delight. Qingping Market is perhaps Guangzhou’s most famous market. Here everything from domestic animals to tiger balm and other herbal concoctions are sold.
The best shopping is found in the various alleys and market streets. Beijing Lu has a number of trendy little shops with fashions from Hong Kong. In Yide Lu wholesale stores sell everything from children's toys to women’s wear. The fabric market of Hai Yin is one of the largest markets in China. The best night markets are on Xinhu Road and Jiaoyue Road.
Aside from these bustling markets, there are many department stores in Guangzhou such as Guangzhou Donshan Department Store, Nangfang Department Store, Yong'an Company, Friendship Store, South Mansion Department Store and Xindaxin Company and Liwan Plaza in Liwan district as well (the biggest shopping complex in the city).
Amusement Parks, Gardens, Museums and Zoos
Guangzhou has many parks, gardens, and museums around the city. The zoo in Guangzhou is the biggest in Southern China. Located on Xianlie Road, this zoo has over 2,000 animals and endangered species including the giant panda, golden-haired monkey and red-crowned crane. The largest park in the city is Yue Xiu Park which is famous for the Zhenhai Tower and the Sculpture of the Five Rams on its premises.
Orchid Garden is another beautiful park to visit. It is spread over 20 acres and has over 10,000 orchids using 2,000 different species of orchids which are a spectacular sight to see when they are in full bloom. You can also sit here and enjoy a cup of tea amidst the orchids in the Garden’s many tea houses. People's Park is a popular place for outdoor Cantonese Opera performances, and Culture Park also has an open air theatre, with performances by Guangzhou's School of Acrobats. Liu Hua Park located near the China and Dong Fang hotels is the perfect place to relax in the middle of the city and soak up the native culture.
The Guangzhou Museum is located in Zhenhai Tower. On the first floor of the museum is a huge anchor from the Ming era. Pottery, bronze-ware and early trading goods are some of the many artifacts also housed here. The third floor of this museum is dedicated to the city’s rich cultural heritage, such as models of the first railway car and first plane used in Guangzhou.
Located in Dongfang Amusement Park is Oriental Studio 2000 that is loosely based on Hollywood's Universal Studios. This complex has two movie sets which depict kung fu movies and traditional movies, both of which are well known film genres in China. There are three stunt shows preformed every day that are nothing short of amazing. This amusement park is an exciting place to take the whole family but it is not the only park in Guangzhou. The White Cloud Amusement Park is another great place for family fun, with water slides, cable car rides and a golf course.
Eating Out
The city of Guangzhou is known for its culinary arts and delicious food. Here everything from chicken to snakes, mice and cats are eaten. Known for its tasty and appetizing cuisine, Cantonese food is world-renowned. Sai kung Street, is home to an amazing variety of restaurants that sell an incredible variety of food.
