Canton or better said Guangzhou is not only one of the larges cities in China but also one of the largest in the world. Naturally this means, that Guangzhou has a lot of different neighbourhoods and walking streets, which each come with different perks. Old-Town areas like Beijing Road Cultural Zone offer small alleys, areas like Jiangnanxi come with great cafe and food options and Pearl River New Town, the fancy area of Guangzhou has a lot to offer as well.
Want to spend one day exploring? Try these Areas!
Jiangnanxi (江南西)
Jiangnanxi is a locally well known area for not only young but anyone who likes a laidback lifestyle or a huge choices of food, either street food or restaurants. All thinkable food can be found on the main road, while a stroll through these back alleys of Guangzhou’s jiangnanxi will surprise you with small coffee shops, bars boutiques and more.
10 Fragrances Garden (十香园纪念馆)
Ten Fragrances Garden is a historic site and gallery for Lingnan art paintings in Guangzhou. Surrounded by beautiful garden and architecture.
Min Kee Clay Pot Rice (民记煲仔饭)
Clay Pot Rice in Guangzhou with meat, sauce and some veggies cooked in a clay pot over fire. providing a crispy layer of rice on bottom.
Livin’ Room – Open Working Space (来我家做客)
Come to my home and learn. This small learning or co-working space in Haizhu district of Guangzhou feels like home.
Luxi Peach Cake (泸溪河桃酥)
Chinese or Cantonese pastry has lots to offer and Luxi is our personal favourite. Their pineapple cakes are top notch and worth trying.
Baker Talent (贝克达人)
Baker talent is a small local bakery chain with several stores in Guangzhou. Most of their bread is not special, however one option tops all.
Underground Mall (地下商城)
Enormous underground mall stretching below jiangnanxi road of haizhu district. The perfect place for shopping in Guangzhou on a hot summer day
R&F Haizhu Plaza (富力海珠城)
R&F Haizhu square is a modern shopping center directly at jiangnanxi station in haizhu district of guangzhou including many food stalls.
Xiao Lai Yuan (小荔园)
Xiao Lai Yuan is a michelin recommend Cantonese restaurant in haizhu district of Guangzhou. Great food located in R&F Haizhu Square.
Beijing Road Cultural Zone (北京路步行街)
Beijing Road is one of the major attractions and the main pedestrian street. However we are talking about the historical area of Guangzhou, which has its name from this old road. In fact the area used to be the old town canton within its original borders and you can find many historical sights side to side with many restaurants and brand shops.
Tower Top Cafe (塔顶Cafe)
Tower Top Cafe in Yuexiu is a hidden Cafe on top of an old tower. Inside the cafe offers various board games, outside a stunning view.
Beijing Road (北京路)
Beijing Road is a famous pedestrian street in Guangzhou that offers various shops and restaurants, while being in the historic old-town.
Nanyue Kingdom Palace (南越王博物館)
Nanyue Kingdom Palace is a museum build on the ruins of the Nanyue kingdom temple that ruled over Guangzhou.
Tiyu Xilu (体育西路)
Calld “Tiyu Xilu” and central part of Tianhe, just north of Zhujiang New Town. This areas is where you can find all the big malls, from luxury to recreational. If you are looking for something specific, Tiyu Xilu is your place! But do not oversee the neighborhoods just south of the malls, you will find many coffee shops and food vendors there.
Grandview Mall (正佳广场)
Grandview Mall is a modern shopping center in Guangzhou offerring many leisure and recreational spaces. Including controversial indoor zoo.
Tianhe Sports Center (体育中心)
Tianhe Sports Center is a multisport complex in the middle of Tianhe district in Guangzhou. It is home to many sport facilities in Guangzhou.
Tianhe Stadium (体育中心)
Tianhe stadium central in Guangzhou tianhe district hosts music events as well as hundreds of people running circles every night.
Fashion Tianhe Plaza (时尚天河商业广场)
This underground mall located in the heart of Guangzhou offers a unique shopping experience with historical wax figures and decoration.
Joyment Running Store (健牧)
Joyment Running Store is a small shop on the outer ring of the tianhe stadium in Guangzhou. The store offers free training sessions.
Dongshankou (东山口)
Fashion and Hipster area of Guangzhou filled with many small boutique stores for young Chinese fashion. Also filled with many young people, influencer, models and interesting small food vendors, bars and galleries. Not to forget the unique styled brick stone buildings, which provide a photographic scenery.
Kuiyuan Gallery (逵园)
One of the many great places to visit in Dongshankou Guangzhou. Great artsy small gallery for local art, located in a beautiful old villa.
Guizhou Huaxi Beef Noodles (贵州花溪牛肉粉)
Simple and good rice noodles in Guangzhou. Perfect before to strengthen after or before strolling through Dongshankou.
Five Mate
Five Mate is, as the name says a small local growing Mate Tea drink chain in Guangzhou. Chinese Milk Tea Culture meets Brazilian Mate Tea.
Viola Coffee
Viola Coffee in dongshankou is a laid back cafe dedicated to classical music in Guangzhou. Relaxing back alley cafe with beautiful interior.
Tiff Cafe
Tiff Cafe call itself a vintage space in Guangzhou and their interior speaks for itself. Their cakes are unique, tasty and worth trying.
Yujian Noodles (遇见小面)
What to eat visiting China? Spicy Noodles! Yujian Noodles, a large chain that never disappoints when it comes to spicy food in Guangzhou
Liwan Yongqing Fang (永庆坊)
Historical area just outside of the old town center. The area is home to a major historic shopping street and surrounding temples, theaters and more. Today you can find many Cantonese specialties from thousands of street vendors, in even more back alleys in Liwan.
Baihua Dessert Shop (百花甜品店)
Baihua Dessert Store can be found near most major spots in Guangzhou. Behind Grandview Mall in Tianhe, on Beijing Road in Yuexiu and in Liwan
Liwan Lake (荔湾湖公园)
Liwan Lake is a large lake park in the middle of historic areas. A great place to relax in nature after a long day exploring Guangzhou.
Liwan Pantang (泮塘五约)
Pantang village is the place where modern Chinese culture meets Cantonese heritage. A walkable part of Liwan with many small businesses.
Renxin Old Shop (仁信老铺)
Traditional Cantonese Snacks and a great treat on your visit in Guangzhou. Pudding, Ice cream and fresh fruits served in traditional way.
Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street (上下九商业步行街)
Shangxiajiu peddestrian street connects Liwan Plaza with the beginning of Yongqingfang. The ideal place for culture and Shopping in Guangzhou
Cantonese Opera Museum (粤剧艺术博物馆)
The Cantonese Opera Art Museum is a open air museum for Cantonese opera, including live performances and classic costume displays inside.
Bruce Lee Ancestral Home (李小龙祖居)
Bruce Lee ancestry is from Guangzhou and in Liwan district you can find the home of his ancestors, made into a small museum.
Baiyun Mountain Range (白云山风景名胜区)
One of the two mountain ranges coming from the north that end up in the City of Guangzhou. With Baiyun Mountain as a major touristic attraction on the most southern part, the whole range offers anything a nature lovers can look for. Great views, jungle trails and lakes!
Luhu Park (麓湖公园)
Luhu is the name of a large lake besides baiyun mountain and honghulou a pagoda next to the lake, which offers a scenic view on Guangzhou.
Baiyun Mountain (白云山)
Baiyun mountain is the most iconic and famous moutain in Guangzhou. With 427 meter in height, directly located in the city of Guangzhou.
Six-Sided Mountain (六片山)
Liu Pian Shan in Guangzhou, the Six-Sided Mountain (六片山) is a small mountain in the same range as Baiyun mountain. It holds a beautiful small lake, suitable for swimming.
Pazhou Island & Canton Fair (琶洲岛)
Pazhou Island is not home to much apart from the Canton Fair and supporting infrastructure, but that is already quite a massive part of Guangzhou. Nearby the fair you can find a few malls with restaurants, the famous Party Pier and a business district with Hotels and Offices.
Poly World Trade Exhibition Hall (保利世贸博览馆)
A major event space hosting conventions, exhibitions, and cosplay events, offering plenty to explore near the Canton Fair.
Elements Mall (六元素·体验天地)
Elements Mall near Canton Fair is just a 5-10 minute walk from Pazhou station of line 8 or the canton fair complex. Note: You can
The Place (南丰汇)
A large mall near the Canton Fair, perfect for food lovers and casual hangouts. Great place for finding restaurants near the canton fair.
Supafama (农场西餐)
supafama is a western food restaurant near Pazhou, near the Canton fair. Beautiful decorated and comfort food for any westerner in Guangzhou.
Party Pier (琶醍码头广场)
Party Pier is the night out place for Guangzhou, clubs, bars and even restaurants. Ideal if you want to explore nightlife in Guangzhou.
THRAPPY
Thrappy is a bakery in Guangzhou, near the Canton fair complex, which offers great sourdough bread as well as Pizza, Coffee and Salads.
Tram Haizhu Line (黄埔有轨电车1号线)
Guangzhou’s first modern tram line, Tram Haizhu Line 1, began operation stretches 7.7 kilometers from east to west in Haizhu District.
Canton Fair Complex (中国进出口商品交易会展馆)
The canton fair is by far the most famous trade fair in the world and attracts millions of buyers and sellers to Guangzhou.
As you can see, there are many areas in Guangzhou where business and recreational spaces go side by side. New urban development is big in a bustling city like Guangzhou, old industrial parks become creative zones, old neighbourhoods become a mekka for coffee lovers and the new town a paradise for shopping queens. Above you can click through a few of these places, and see what they can offer for your visit or layover to Guangzhou.