Guangzhou

Canton Tower

广州塔

It was the tallest structure in China prior to the topping out of Shanghai Tower. It is 595.7 m high, and it's now the third tallest tower and the fifth-tallest freestanding structure in the world. It has indoor public observatory at 433 m and outdoor observation deck at 450 m. In additions to the observation decks, the tower features various restaurants, a 4-D theater and other entertainment venues. At the top, the Bubble Tram consists of sixteen transparent passenger cars travelling on a track round the edge of the tower's roof, taking between 20 and 40 min to circumnavigate the rooftop.

Closed · opens 9:30 am·¥150 - ¥566

Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall

中山纪念堂 Zhōngshān Jìniàntáng

Dedicated to the founder of the Republic of China and local hero Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. It was constructed in 1931 and built on the original site of Sun Yat-sen's presidential office on Yuexiu Hill.

Closed · opens 8 am·Admission is free for the park and ¥10 to go inside the hall · Limited wheelchair access · Built 1931

Museum of the Western Han Dynasty Mausoleum of the Nanyue King

西汉南越王博物馆

This is a tomb for the king of ancient South China during the Western Han era.

Closed · opens 9 am·¥12 · Limited wheelchair access · Entry 10 CNY

Guangdong Museum

广东省博物馆新馆

The new museum is located in Zhujiang New Town, not to be confused with the old Guangdong Museum (in Yuexiu District near Metro 1 Peasant Movement Institute Station). This is the biggest museum in the city. It has exhibits Guangzhou's history, culture, science and nature.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00·Arrive early as admission is limited to 5,000 per day. Personal ID is required to obtain free tickets at ticket office · Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible

Yuexiu Park

越秀公园 Yuèxiù Gōngyuán

The largest urban park in China and is a lush green area that flows over acres of hills and includes several lakes. It includes the Ming Dynasty Zhenhai Tower (镇海楼) zhènhǎilóu, now home to the Guangzhou Museum with relics on five floors dating back 5,000 years ago and an up-to-date miniature of modern Guangzhou. ¥10. 09:00 - 11:30, 13:00 - 17:00. Also check out the Stone Statue of the Five Rams (五羊石像), the symbol of Guangzhou (See Understand).

Closed · opens 6 am·Free · 72 m high

Guangzhou Opera House

广州大剧院

Opened in 2010, this venue was designed by Zaha Hadid and is known for its architecture.

Chen Clan Ancestral Hall

陈家祠 Chén jiā cí

This is very well preserved architecture from the 19th century, and one of the finest surviving examples of traditional Cantonese architecture. It used to belong to a wealthy family with the surname Chen and now is a museum that houses many articles including ivory sculptures and artistic statues. Watch for the beautiful rocks in the backyard and the incredibly intricate roof carvings.

Daily 08:30–17:30·¥10 for adults; ¥5 for seniors 60-65 and students; free for children under 18 and seniors over 65. Foreigners need to present their passport to buy tickets · Entry 10 CNY

Guangdong Revolutions History Museum

广东革命历史博物馆

Sun Yat-Sen was sworn in here in 1921 as the president of Republic of China. The museum tells stories from the Opium War to the founding of the new China.

Closed · opens 9 am·Free · Free entry

Shishi Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral

石室圣心大教堂 Shíshì Shèngxīn Jiàotáng

Built in the 1860s, it is one of the oldest church structures in the city, and the largest of its kind of Southern China. It is used for worship.

Mon-Fri 08:30-11:30 and 14:30-17:30; Sat Sun 08:30-17:00·Free

Yuntai Garden

云台花园 Yún-tái-huā-yuán

Situated at the foot of Baiyun (White Cloud) Mountain and is famous for its wide variety of rare flowers and trees. There are also seasonal exhibits (additional admission).

Closed · opens 8 am·¥10 · Entry 10 CNY

Baiyun Mountain (White Cloud Mountain)

白云山 Bái-yún-shān

Is a great place to relax and enjoy a day among lush, rolling hills. It also offers great views over the city. The road to the top in most of the daytime is restricted to park trams and pedestrians. To get to the top lookout point, you can use the main roads or trails. There are many places to rest and refreshments are available along the way. It is a great place to see people enjoying nature and playing games, such as shuttlecock, badminton, football and even bungee jumping. There are many bus routes to and from different parts of the city, as well as taxis usually available near the park gate.

Open 24 hours·Park entrance ¥5; Cable car round trip ¥40; tram from ¥20; other attractions ¥5–10; packages available from ¥25

Dafo Temple (大佛寺)

Big Buddha Temple Dàfó Sì

An impressive and large Chan temple with a history of over one thousand years (though it has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times). It is one of the five largest temples in Guangzhou.

Ersha Island

二沙岛 Èrshādǎo

Ersha Island is an attractive upscale area with lots of green open space. Towards its east end are the Museum of Art and the Concert Hall, see listings.

Open all day·Free

South China National Botanical Garden

华南国家植物园, previously known as the South China Botanical Garden 华南植物园

Large botanical garden affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

07ː30-17ː00·¥20 (general admission); ¥50 (greenhouse)

Cantonese Opera Art Museum

粤剧艺术博物馆

Cantonese Opera Art Museum is a museum dedicated to Cantonese opera. It features exhibition halls, a theatre and traditional Lingnan-style gardens, showcasing the history, culture and artistic traditions of Cantonese opera. The museum is located beside Lizhiwan Creek in the historic Liwan District.

Closed · opens 9 am·Free · Free entry · Limited wheelchair access

Peasant Movement Institute

农民运动讲习所 Nóngjiǎngsuǒ

This is the site of Communist training center founded by Mao Tse-tung in the 1920s. Now it is a museum covering China revolutionary history.

Tue-Sun 09:00-16:30·Free

Guangdong Museum of Art

广东美术馆 Guǎngdōng Měishùguǎn

It focuses on contemporary Chinese art with particular emphasis on Guangdong artists. Personal ID is required to obtain free tickets at ticket office. Visitors are limited to 3000 a day. Admission fee for special exhibits.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00·Free · Wheelchair accessible

Temple of the Five Immortals

五仙观 Wǔxiānguān

A historic temple built to commemorate the folk legend of the “Five Immortals,” preserving Guangzhou’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00·¥5

Former Site of Huangpu Military Academy

黄埔军校旧址 Huángpǔ Jūnxiào Jiùzhǐ, Huangpu is also spelled Whampoa

The original Military Academy was founded in 1924 by Sun Yat-sen, with support from the Chinese Communist Party and the Soviet Union. The mission of the Academy was to create an officer corps for the new Chinese Republic. Many famous Chinese war heroes were trained here. The original site was destroyed by the Japanese in 1938. Two exhibition halls on the Campus of the Academy cover the History of the Academy with English translations. Unfortunately the other exhibition halls, such as Heroes of the Academy, do not have English translations. The site is far from the city center.

09:00-18:00, no entry after 18:00, closed on Mondays·Free

Canton-Hong Kong Strike Memorial Museum

省港大罢工纪念馆

Museum dedicated to the Canton (Guangzhou)-Hong Kong Strike of 1925-1926, the largest and longest general strike in modern Chinese history. The museum is housed in the building where the strike committee was based.

09:00-17:30, no entry after 17:00, closed on Mondays·Free

Guangzhou Library

广州图书馆

Opened in 2013, this building is known for its architecture.

09:00-21:00, some sections close at 17:30; not open on Wed·Free · Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible

Shipai Village

The largest urban village in Guangzhou. An "urban village" in China is a village that has been swallowed up by the expanding city, while still retaining its village population and culture.

Liwan Museum

荔湾博物馆

Liwan Museum is a local museum documenting the history, culture and traditional lifestyle of Liwan and Xiguan, one of Guangzhou's historic areas. The museum is housed in a traditional Xiguan-style historic building and is a useful stop for learning about Guangzhou's local heritage.

Closed · opens 9 am·¥5

Guangzhou Railway Museum

广州铁路博物馆

The museum occupies what used to be the Guangzhou South Railway Station, a station on the old Guangdong-Hankou Railway, which used to be known as Huangsha Railway Station. It is the largest railway museum in South China.

09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:00, closed on Mondays·Free

Haixin Bridge

Guangzhou’s first pedestrian-only bridge over the Pearl River, linking Ersha Island with Tianhe. Opened in 2022, its sleek white curves and sweeping river views make it as much a photo spot as a shortcut.

Guangzhou Zoo

Extensive zoo, seems well-run. It incorporates Guangzhou Ocean World 广州海洋馆, with over 200 kinds of fish and other rare ocean creatures.

Guangzhou Martyrs' Memorial Garden

广州起义烈士陵园 Guǎngzhōu Qǐyìlièshì Língyuán

This park is dedicated to those who fought and died in the Communist Uprising in 1927.

Closed · opens 6 am·Free

Guangzhou City Art Museum

广州美术馆 Guǎngzhōu Měishùguǎn

This impressive gallery has more than 10,000 pieces of art work, including calligraphy, traditional Chinese paintings, sculptures and Tibetan Buddhist art (Thangka).

¥10 with visit to Guangzhou Museum (See Yuexiu Park)

Guangzhou Uprising Museum

广州起义旧址纪念馆

The Museum is at the site of the first Communist government building.

Tue-Fri 09:00-12:00 and 13:30–16:30; Sat Sun 10:00-16:30·Free

JinLun Guild Hall

锦纶会馆

A historic guild hall built in 1723 for Guangzhou's silk-weaving industry. It is located near Hualin Temple in Liwan District and preserves traditional Lingnan architecture and historical inscriptions.

Closed · opens 9:30 am·Free