Here is a jam-packed itinerary suggestion for one amazing day in Guangzhou. With this, you can touch ancient history, culture, modern history, and the modern urban front of Guangzhou with shopping opportunities along the way. All the attractions are accessible by metro.
Recommended hotel and starting point: Hotel Landmark Canton at Haizhu Square Metro Station
Shamian Island
Metro Line 1 Huangsha Station or Culture Park Station. In the morning, take a stroll to Shamian Island, which is the most European style in Guangzhou. This was once a concession for England and France. You can enjoy the picturesque buildings like the Bund in Shanghai, and Shamian is also a hot spot for photography.
Time: 1-2 hours recommended
Opening hours: open all day
Chen Clan Academy
Take the metro line 1 from Huangsha Station to Chen Clan Academy Station. Chen Clan Academy is not only a famous Qing dynasty building, one can admire the beautifully decorated and magnificent Lingnan architecture; a museum of folk arts and crafts in Lingnan. There are exhibitions all year round, and there are old folk artists and artists who have special skills.
Time: 1 hour recommended
Opening hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Ticket Price: 20 RMB
Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King
Take the metro line 1 from Chen Clan Academy Station to Yuexiu Park Station on line 2. The Nanyue King Tomb Museum is located on the west side of Yuexiu Park. It is the tomb of the second generation of Wang Zhaoxi in the South Vietnamese country during the Western Han Dynasty. It is the largest Han Dynasty painted stone chamber tomb found. The treasures in the collection are the earliest silk and jade clothes in China.
Time: 1-2 hours recommended
Opening hours: 9:00 am – 5.30 pm
Ticket Price: 12 RMB
Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
Take the metro from Yuexiu Park Station to Gongyuanqian Station and a short walk along Zhongshan 5th Road. Beijing Road Pedestrian Street is one of the most prosperous commercial centers in Guangzhou. Apart from shopping, dining, and historical sites such as glass covered reveal of the ancient road that lies beneath today’s commercial road. Beijing Road has become a landmark attraction for Guangzhou tourism. There is also a Buddhist Temple off Xihu Road.
Time: 2 hours recommended
Opening hours: all day – Shops from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tianhe Road Commercial Area
Take the metro from Gongyuanqian Station to Tiyu West Road Station. Go shopping at Tianhe City Square shopping and foraging. The restaurants of the Tianhe shopping district mainly revolve around the large shopping malls of Tee Mall, Parc Central, and Grandview Mall. Here, there are restaurants of different tastes. There are Cantonese restaurants, as well as Western-style, Japanese-style, and other high-end restaurants.
Opening hours: open all day – shops open from 10 am to 10 pm.
Huacheng Square (Flower City Square)
Walk to Tianhe South Station (APM Line) and Huangpu Avenue Station. Huacheng Square is one of the most romantic places in Guangzhou with beautiful sunset vistas, colorful lights at night, views amongst the towering skyscrapers, and views of the Canton Tower. Locals flock here at night to socialize and relax. There are plenty of places for shopping and eating.
Time: 1 hour recommended
Opening hours: open all day – shops from 10 am to 10 pm
Canton Tower
Take the APM line to Canton Tower Station. At the last stop, visit Guangzhou’s landmark building, the Canton Tower, and take in spectacular night views of the city. It also boasts the world’s highest horizontal Ferris wheel (aka Bubble Tram), the 100ft Sky Drop, Engineering Marvel Hall Tour (inside the tech that makes the tower work), Star Observation Deck & Cloud Observation Deck, Spider Walk (glass spiral staircase), 4D and 3D cinema, and Outdoor Plaza with cafes and restaurants with amazing views.
Time: 2 hours recommended
Opening hours: 9:30 am – 10:30 pm
Notes: this is a fairly tight schedule and does involve quite a bit of walking. You could drop Beijing Road as a time and energy saver. Also, be mindful of the peak hour traffic times around 4.30 pm to 7.00 pm.