Cantonese cultural heritage is huge. From opera to paintings and trade history. Not only to be found in Guangzhou museums but all over the city. And as a metropolis, Guangzhou culture does not stop in the past. Modern art and architecture in Guangzhou are stunning as well. A city well worth exploring.
Guangzhou culture and historical sites
Museum
From the Guangdong museum to small art galleries in Dongshankou or Jiangnanxi. Guangzhou has many small and large museum or mausoleum all over the city. The large Guangzhou museum of art being our personal highlight this year. So if you are visiting Guangzhou for culture, these are your places to see in Guangzhou.
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.
Live Music & Performances
Large events by world-stars, chinese opera classics or punk rock concerts. What we love about Guangzhou is, that you can find anything you want here. Guangzhou culture is a very open minded culture towards art.
Xinghai Concert Hall (星海音乐厅)
Xinghai Concert Hall, hosting many international artist, is located on beautiful er sha island, next to the pearl river in Guangzhou.
Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院)
The Guangzhou Opera House opened in 2010. This Chinese Opera House was designed by Iraqi Architect Zaha Hadid.
SD Livehouse
SD Livehouse is a medium sized concert venue in Guangzhou China that often hosts alternative music festivals, Punk and Indie Music.
Historic Buildings & Religious Sites
Historical streets around Beijing Road, ancient city walls and old temples. There are thousands of years of Guangzhou historical sites, with rich history to offer and explore. But it does not stop in the past. Modern architecture in Guangzhou has anything to offer. For this category we found some of the best Guangzhou culture from the past for you. Great buildings to look at and into.
Guangxiao Temple (光孝寺-菩提树)
Guangxiao Temple in Yuexiu district has played a crucial role for Buddhism, making it a important cultural landmark in Guangzhou to visit.
Hualinsi Historical Neighbourhood (华林寺历史文化街区)
Huanlinsi Neighbourhood contains Huanlin Jade Street as well as Huanlinsi Temple. This historical site in Liwan district is worth a visit.
Dafo Temple (大佛寺)
Dafo Temple or 大佛寺 in Chinese is a Buddhist temple located right in the heart of beijing road culutural zone, the old canton town China.
Sacred Heart Cathedral (石室圣心大教堂)
The Sacred Heart Cathedral is a Romanic Catholic Church in Guangzhou China. It was built in 1863 in Gothic Revival Architecture.
Temple of the Six Banyan Trees (六榕寺)
The Temple of six Banyan Trees or Liurong Temple is a Buddhist temple build in 537 AD and is located in Yuexiu district of Guangzhou China.
Huaisheng Mosque (怀圣清真寺)
Huaisheng Mosque in Guangzhou is the oldest mosque not only in Guangzhou but also in China. This Guangzhou historical site is worth a visit.
Galleries
There are small Chinese lingnan art galleries in beautiful garden or Guangzhou historical sites. But there are also modern and bright art installation in hidden corners, cafes or old industrial zones. There are many places to go in Guangzhou for the art scene in Guangzhou where you can find and talk to artists and go through their works and other Guangzhou culture.
Guangzhou Museum of Art (广州艺术博物院)
Guangzhou Museum of art is one of the major art museum in south China. Travel to Guangzhou and visit it, it’s just next to the Canton tower.
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.
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.
Walk on the path of Old Canton China!
If you go through the Wikipedia article of Guangzhou you will be amazed about the long history this city has to offer. If you then walk through Guangzhou old town, you will feel and see this rich history.
Guangzhou has been a rich trading city for such a long time that it could maintain its history well and even dig up archaeological highlights from time to time. Walk with us through old canton China and its surrounding historical sites and villages. Visit several large and small museum and galleries where you can learn from the rich History but also learn about modern Guangzhou culture.
Learn about the mix of religions in Guangzhou and see Mosques, churches and of course temples.