Cecelia ChangTravelling to Mainland China has always been on my bucket list. As a Malaysian Chinese, a fun fact that some foreigners might not know is that many Malaysian Chinese have ancestral roots from the Southern part of mainland China, specifically Guangdong and Fujian. My grandfather came from the Panyu district of Guangzhou, so naturally, I had always wanted to visit Guangzhou someday too.
Earlier last month, I finally embarked on a long-awaited trip to Guangzhou with my travel buddy, Linda. In this article, I’ll share our Guangzhou itinerary and some useful travel tips that I hope will serve as a helpful guide for anyone planning a trip to Guangzhou or mainland China!
Also read: Our One-Month China Itinerary: Beijing, Xi’an, Huashan & More
Our Guangzhou itinerary and travel tips
Day 1: Having supper in Guangzhou
Right after we arrived at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, we took the local taxi to our hotel — Tenwood Hotel on Xihua Road. The price for this two-star hotel is only about RM130 to RM200 (~S$28) per night, which I would consider pretty cheap. We chose this hotel mainly because of its proximity to Xihua Road, a food haven for both locals and tourists. What’s more, it’s also within walking distance to Caihongqiao Subway Station.
The moment I entered the hotel room, I was pleasantly surprised to find two gaming computers and gaming chairs set up for guests to play Esports! The computers were loaded with tons of online games, but unfortunately, I’m not so much of a PC gamer, so I didn’t use them at all.
It was around 11 p.m. when we settled in, so we headed out to Xihua Road to hunt for a late-night supper. Even close to midnight, some shops were still open. We stumbled upon a restaurant called “威邵鸡煲” specialising in chicken soup.
Indeed, the soup was not only delicious but packed with generous ingredients. I later found out that this place is actually a highly recommended spot among locals, with several outlets across Guangzhou! No wonder there were still customers coming in past midnight!
TripZilla tip: While we initially planned to use the subway, we ended up relying on Didi Taxi for our travels around Guangzhou. It was affordable, convenient, and easily booked through Alipay. Read more about tips and things to prepare when travelling to mainland China here.
Day 2: Exploring hidden gems and top attractions in the city
In China, there’s a saying that Guangzhou is best known for its food, and I can certainly say that it truly lived up to its reputation! Day 2 of our Guangzhou itinerary started with breakfast at 點都德 (Dian Dou De), a popular Cantonese teahouse.
Here, we indulge in dim sum such as siew mai (prawn dumplings), cheong fun (rolled rice noodles), and egg tarts. The egg tarts here are unlike any other I’ve tried in Malaysia. The crust is extremely soft and flaky, it was way beyond my expectations — so, so divine! I highly recommend trying the egg tarts here if you plan to visit Guangzhou.
We then strolled to the nearby Guangzhou Orchid Garden (广州兰圃), a peaceful oasis amidst the bustling city. This serene orchid garden is home to several ancient Chinese architecture, ponds, and a diverse collection of orchids. The rain was kind of a turnoff, but I had fun exploring and playing with the cute kittens here.
Next on our itinerary was one of Guangzhou’s most iconic landmarks — the Sacred Heart Cathedral. This Gothic Revival Roman Catholic church stands on the former residence of the Viceroy of Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces during the Qing dynasty.
Although the cathedral was closed when we arrived, we still managed to admire its grand architecture and take some beautiful exterior photos. Nearby, the area is full of dried seafood shops where you can find reasonably priced premium ingredients like abalone, sea cucumber, and mushrooms, perfect for preparing traditional soups.
Then, we proceeded to The Peasant Movement Training Institute (农讲所), a former temple where Mao Zedong held political and military workshops from 1923 to 1926. The institute now houses exhibits for visitors to take a glimpse of the workshops in the past, and it’s also a popular spot for Hanfu photo-taking.
If you’re a fan of comics or anime, Comic City (动漫星城广场) is a shopping paradise you can’t miss. It’s packed with everything anime-related — from keychains and plushies to outfits and figurines.
In the evening, we indulged in classic Chinese dishes at Green Tea Restaurant (绿茶餐厅) in May Flower Plaza (五月花广场). My personal favourite was the stir-fried pork!
In Guangzhou, the Dafo Temple (大佛寺) along Beijing Road is one of the few attractions that looks even more enchanting at night. The temple, a prominent Buddhist site, becomes a captivating spectacle after dark, with its lit lamps adding a magical and serene ambience. It’s a must-visit for anyone exploring the city at night!
TripZilla tip: For travellers who like shopping, I recommend heading to Beijing Road earlier, as there are many shops, eateries, and shopping malls around.
Day 3: Visiting top cultural sites in Guangzhou
Chen Clan Academy (陈家祠) was our first destination of the day, but before that, we stopped by an old-school dim sum restaurant called Rong Hua Lou (荣华楼) for morning tea. Having morning tea, also known as zao cha, is a typical daily activity for people in Guangzhou. After fulfilling our bellies, we finally arrived at Chen Clan Academy.
Originally built during the Qing Dynasty, this academic temple once provided a place of study and lodging for the Chen family’s descendants. Today, it stands as a must-visit attraction in Guangzhou, celebrated for its stunning traditional Chinese architecture, and is home to an array of Guangdong folk crafts and cultural exhibits.
We then headed to Tang Lee Food Art 唐荔园 for lunch. This restaurant is set amidst Liwanhu Park, offering a picturesque view of the lake and boats while you dine.
For those who want to immerse in the local culture, a brief car ride from the restaurant will take you to Pantang 泮塘, a quaint town with a thousand years of history.
In the evening, we ventured into Yongqingfang 永庆坊, a historic district teeming with shops and restaurants. We also had a memorable experience trying on traditional Chinese clothing, also known as hanfu. We had booked a hanfu photoshoot in advance through Xiaohongshu and WeChat, complete with makeup, hair styling, and a variety of costumes.
I chose a Zhan guo pao 战国袍, a stunning robe from the Warring States Period. The photoshoot even included a photo editing service, so you can perfect your images until you love them!
Yongqingfang itself also had attractions and photo spots worth visiting, such as the Ancestral home of popular martial artist Bruce Lee. But my personal favourite was the “Moon Bridge” 月亮桥, where a serene reflection resembling the moon casts gracefully on the water below. We had a simple dinner at one of the local noodle shops, and called it a day.
Day 4: Day trip to Shenzhen
Guangzhou is the perfect base for exploring nearby cities like Shenzhen, Macao, and Hong Kong, all reachable via a short high-speed rail ride. On our fourth day, we hopped on a high-speed train (高铁) and whisked away to Shenzhen for a fun-filled day trip.
We headed to Zhuanlai 转来 restaurant for brunch the moment we landed in Shenzhen. This place specialises in traditional roasted milk tea and Hakka noodles, which I found quite okay. The chili here was surprisingly not spicy at all, but rather sweet.
Before heading to our first attraction in Shenzhen, we stopped by Walmart Shenzhen for a brief shopping spree. It was my first time visiting a Walmart!
Then, we finally arrived at Nantou Ancient City. Judging by its name, I imagined it to be a relic of the past, but it turned out to be a fascinating blend of history and modernity. The ancient buildings, now filled with trendy shops and cosy cafes, offer a unique experience.
The next destination of the day is the Shenzhen Talent Park, a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. This is lowkey one of my favourite places — a huge lake, lush green fields, and a view of the China Resources Tower, an iconic landmark in the city. Here, you’ll enjoy people-watching as the locals jog and kids cycle.
We even witnessed the future unfold before our eyes as drones zipped through the sky, delivering food to parkgoers. It got me wonder how cool it would be if we had drone delivery in Malaysia, too!
Before catching our high-speed train back to Guangzhou, we made a final stop at the charming GanKeng Hakka Ancient Town 干坑古镇. This historic town, dating back to the Ming Dynasty, has been beautifully preserved and transformed into a vibrant hub of culture and commerce, filled with restaurants and souvenir shops.
As we wandered through the streets adorned with lanterns and umbrellas, we admired the traditional architecture and indulged in local delicacies. That wrapped up our day trip to Shenzhen!
Day 5: Day trip to Macao
Read about my day trip to Macao in detail here!
Day 6: Shopping in Guangzhou and checking out the Canton Tower
Is anyone like me? Whenever I travel, I can’t resist the urge to explore local markets and supermarkets. It’s my way of experiencing a country’s culture, and I find it fascinating to discover unique ingredients, local brands, and unusual snacks.
Therefore, Day 6 of our Guangzhou itinerary is almost all about shopping. But before we hit the stores, we fueled up with a scrumptious crab feast at 蟹叁宝（天河店）. This popular restaurant chain is famous for its mouthwatering crab dishes, from rich crab roe and meat with noodles or rice, to innovative crab-filled xiaolongbao! If you’re a seafood lover like me, it’s a must-try.
Then, as you might have guessed, it’s shopping time! We spent almost half a day at Shishang Tianhe 时尚天河, a massive underground mall connected to several buildings and subway stations. This shopping haven offers a plethora of retail options, from local delicacies and souvenirs to trendy fashion and adorable pet stores. Especially for those seeking affordable and stylish finds in Guangzhou, this is where to go!
Next up, it was time to indulge in grocery shopping! We headed to Guang Bai Department Store 广百百货 a local department store, to explore its diverse range of products. I picked up some unique Chinese seasonings and flower-scented detergent capsules, while Linda got herself some local snacks and dried soup ingredients to bring home.
TripZilla tip: We recommend walking to Guang Bai Department Store 广百百货 from Shishang Tianhe 时尚天河, it only took us about ten minutes!
As evening approached, we quickly took Didi Taxi to Haixinsha Asian Games Park 海心沙亚运公园 before the sun sets. We were greeted by a breathtaking sight: a field of vibrant sunflowers against the backdrop of the Canton Tower!
Fun fact: Did you know that the Canton Tower is nicknamed “Little Waist” (小蛮腰, Xiǎo Mányāo) because of its distinctive shape? The term 小蛮腰 is a Chinese expression describing a slender waist. The tower’s slender middle section resembles a woman’s slender waist, hence the nickname.
Trust me when I say this: While the Canton Tower looks good during daytime, it’s extra charming at night when the lights are on! We got to witness the tower in vibrant rainbow colours and only after taking pictures with it, I feel like this Guangzhou trip is truly complete!
Day 7: Enjoying local breakfast and flight back
It’s finally the last day of our Guangzhou trip. We started the morning early with a delicious breakfast at the famous 哥林多 on Xihua Road. For just 6 to 7 yuan (~S$1.11 to s$1.30), we enjoyed a classic egg sandwich and milk tea, a beloved local breakfast combo. With full stomachs and heavy hearts, we headed to the airport, marking the end of our trip.
Also read: Adrenaline-fueled Experiences in China You Wouldn’t Want to Miss!
And that concludes my unforgettable trip to Guangzhou, China! With seven days to spare, I had the luxury of exploring nearby cities like Shenzhen and Macao. For travellers with a shorter stay, feel free to take reference from our itinerary and tailor it accordingly to suit your schedule!
All images are credited to Cecelia Chang.
