Attractions · Guangzhou

Canton Tower is 600 metres high, China's tallest tower, nicknamed the "slim waist" for its slender, twisting profile. It houses one of the world's highest Ferris wheels. Highlights include the top observation deck, the skywalk and the Pearl River night view. The tower's steel structure is formed of 24 twisted steel tubes, like a cinched waist, with striking modern beauty. The top gives a 360-degree panorama of Guangzhou, the Pearl River like a ribbon and the city like a chessboard. It houses one of the world's highest Ferris wheels, a drop tower and a skywalk, making it Guangzhou's new landmark for thrills and romance. Tip: go up in the evening to see both sunset and the panorama as the city lights come on. Practical info: located at 222 Yuejiang West Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou; observation ticket from ¥150; opening hours 09:30–22:30. Best season: autumn (October–December) and early winter are cool and dry, best for eating and exploring; spring is rather humid.

Tip: Go up in the evening to see both sunset and the panorama as the city lights come on.

• Address: 222 Yuejiang West Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou
• Ticket: Observation ticket from ¥150
• Opening: 09:30–22:30

Chen Clan Academy was first built in 1888 and brings together the decorative arts of Lingnan architecture; the "seven excellences" of brick carving, wood carving and the rest are executed with consummate skill. Highlights include the brick carving "Heroes of Liangshan", the wood carving "Birthday of the Queen Mother", the ceramic ridge ornaments and the Guangdong Folk Art Museum. It was built in 1888, the fourteenth year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing, as a clan ancestral hall and academy funded by the Chen clans of Guangdong. The architecture brings together the decorative arts of Lingnan, with the "seven excellences" of brick carving, wood carving, stone carving, ceramic sculpture, grey stucco, copper-iron casting and painted decoration executed with consummate skill — every detail is astonishing. It now houses the Guangdong Folk Art Museum and is the best window onto Lingnan architecture and folk culture. Tip: hiring a guide to explain the stories behind the decorative crafts is recommended, otherwise it is easy to skim without really seeing it. Practical info: located on Zhongshan 7th Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou; admission ¥10; opening hours 08:30–17:30. Best season: autumn (October–December) and early winter are cool and dry, best for eating and exploring; spring is rather humid.

Tip: Hiring a guide to explain the stories behind the decorative crafts is recommended, otherwise it is easy to ski…

• Address: Zhongshan 7th Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou
• Ticket: ¥10
• Opening: 08:30–17:30

The tomb of Zhao Mo, second king of the Western Han Nanyue Kingdom, was discovered on Xiangang Hill in 1983. It is the largest, best-preserved painted stone-chamber tomb in the Lingnan region, with more than 1,000 artefacts (sets) unearthed. Highlights include the original tomb site, the jade burial suit sewn with silk thread, the dragon-pommel gold seal of Emperor Wen and the unearthed artefact displays. More than 1,000 artefacts (sets) were unearthed, among them the jade burial suit and the dragon-pommel gold seal of Emperor Wen, which give concrete evidence of Lingnan's political, economic and cultural life more than two thousand years ago. The museum is built over the original tomb site, linking the tomb passage, chambers and artefact displays into one visit — the best window onto Nanyue history and Lingnan culture. Tip: see the artefact displays first and then enter the tomb chambers, which makes the story clearer; the lower level requires advance booking, one ticket per person. Practical info: located at 867 Jiefang North Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou; full ticket ¥10 (the lower level of the tomb chamber requires a separate reservation; subject to the museum's notices for the day); opening hours 09:00–17:30 (ticket sales and entry stop at 17:00); closed Mondays, open on national public holidays.

Tip: See the artefact displays first and then enter the tomb chambers, which makes the story clearer; the lower lev…

• Address: 867 Jiefang North Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
• Ticket: ¥10 full ticket (the lower level of the tomb chamber requires a separate reservation; subject to the museum's notices for the day)
• Opening: 09:00–17:30 (ticket sales and entry stop at 17:00); closed Mondays, open on national public holidays

Shamian Island preserves more than 150 European-style buildings from its time as a British and French concession and is known as a "museum of European architecture"; it is now a district of art and slow living. Highlights include the European-style building group, Shamian Church, the Notre-Dame de Lourdes Chapel and Shamian Park. Shamian Island was a British and French concession after the Opium War and preserves more than 150 European-style buildings, including Neo-Baroque, Neo-Gothic and arcade styles, and is known as a "museum of European architecture." These old buildings are now galleries, cafés, boutique hotels and consulates; the tree-lined streets are quiet and elegant, making it Guangzhou's most exotic slow-living district, where walking through feels like being in a European town. Tip: it suits unhurried strolling and photography, and there are many distinctive cafés on the island for a rest. Practical info: located at Shamian, Liwan District, Guangzhou; admission free; open all day. Best season: autumn (October–December) and early winter are cool and dry, best for eating and exploring; spring is rather humid.

Tip: It suits unhurried strolling and photography, and there are many distinctive cafés on the island for a rest.

• Address: Shamian, Liwan District, Guangzhou
• Ticket: Free
• Opening: All day

Chimelong Safari Park covers more than 2,000 mu and holds over 500 species and 20,000 rare animals, making it one of Asia's large wildlife theme parks. Highlights include the drive-through safari area, the white tiger exhibit, Panda Paradise and the grand circus show. Chimelong Safari Park is one of Asia's large wildlife theme parks, covering more than 2,000 mu with over 500 species and 20,000 rare animals. It has a drive-through safari area and a walking area; driving through the five-continent exhibits brings you close to white tigers, African elephants, giraffes and other animals living at ease in semi-natural surroundings. The grand circus show is spectacular and thrilling, making the park one of the top family destinations in China. Tip: enter early in the morning, when the animals are most active. Practical info: located on Hanxi Avenue, Panyu District, Guangzhou; admission ¥300 weekdays / ¥350 weekends; opening hours 09:30–18:00. Best season: autumn (October–December) and early winter are cool and dry, best for eating and exploring; spring is rather humid.

Tip: Enter early in the morning, when the animals are most active.

• Address: Hanxi Avenue, Panyu District, Guangzhou
• Ticket: ¥300 weekdays / ¥350 weekends
• Opening: 09:30–18:00

Baiyun Mountain consists of more than 30 peaks, with the main peak, Moxingling, at 382 metres; it is known as "the finest scenery of Yangcheng" and is Guangzhou's urban green lung. Highlights include Mingzhu Tower, Peach Blossom Ravine and Nengren Temple. Baiyun Mountain is called "the finest scenery of Yangcheng" and consists of more than 30 peaks, with the main peak, Moxingling, at 382 metres. The summit looks over the city of Guangzhou and the winding Pearl River, making it a quiet retreat amid the bustle. The mountain has fresh air and dense vegetation, with sights such as Mingzhu Tower, Peach Blossom Ravine and Nengren Temple. Every Double Ninth Festival, tens of thousands of residents climb the mountain to pray for good fortune, a folk tradition that has continued in Guangzhou for a thousand years. Tip: climb at dawn to see the sunrise, or in the evening to enjoy Guangzhou's night view. Practical info: located at Tonghe, Baiyun District, Guangzhou; admission ¥5; opening hours 06:00–22:00. Best season: autumn (October–December) and early winter are cool and dry, best for eating and exploring; spring is rather humid. Pair it with Canton Tower, Chen Clan Academy and the Nanyue King Museum (Tomb Site) for a half- or full-day itinerary.

Tip: Climb at dawn to see the sunrise, or in the evening to enjoy Guangzhou's night view.

• Address: Tonghe, Baiyun District, Guangzhou
• Ticket: ¥5
• Opening: 06:00–22:00