China's 15th National Games, jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, will open in Guangzhou this November. As of August 1, the countdown to this nationwide sports celebration has reached 100 days, making it the perfect time to experience Guangzhou. Here are some must-visit landmarks. Ready to play beyond the games?
Unleash urban energy
Destinations: Canton Tower (广州塔), Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort (长隆旅游度假区), Guangzhou Sunac Resort (广州融创文旅城), Grandview Mall (正佳广场), Pearl River Night Cruise (珠江夜游), Zhujiang Party Pier Beer Culture & Art Zone (珠江琶醍啤酒文化创意艺术区)
Visitors can kick off their adventure at the Canton Tower, enjoying panoramic skyline views from the world's highest horizontal Ferris wheel and experiencing the thrilling Sky Drop ride. Just across the city, Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort features roller coasters, water parks, and global circus shows. For snow sports lovers, Guangzhou Bonski, the indoor ski area in Guangzhou Sunac Resort, offers a variety of snow-based entertainment options, including frisbee, zip lining, and adventure trails.
(Photo: Official website of Canton Tower)
(Photo: Sunac Resort)
In the evening, a Pearl River cruise reveals a different side of Guangzhou, where city lights shimmer across the water. Zhujiang Party Pier Beer Culture & Art Zone keeps the night alive with live music and stylish riverside bars, while Grandview Mall blends shopping with an indoor rainforest, aquarium, and many other entertainment venues.
(Photo: Zhujiang Party Pier Beer Culture & Art Zone)
(Photo: Grandview Mall)
Cultural soul of Lingnan
Destinations: Xiguang Yongqing Fang Tourist Area (西关永庆坊旅游区), Beijing Road Pedestrian Street (北京路文化旅游区), Guangdong Folk Art Museum (Chen Clan Ancestral Hall) (陈家祠), Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (中山纪念堂), Nansha Tianhou Palace (南沙天后宫)
Wandering through stone-paved lanes and old-style arcades in Yongqing Fang, you can see many passers-by in traditional Chinese costumes, comic exhibitions in the Xiguan Mansions, coffee shops, and bazaars. Don't miss a stroll down Beijing Road, where ancient pathways lie beneath your feet and street snacks tempt you at every corner.
Xiguang Yongqing Fang Tourist Area (Photo: Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau)
Dafo Temple on Beijing Road (Photo: Guangzhou Yuexiu Fabu)
The ornate Chen Clan Ancestral Hall stuns with intricate carvings and vibrant folk art, while the stately Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall offers a glimpse into the city's history. Visitors can also explore the Nansha Tianhou Palace, which honors the sea goddess Mazu with Southeast Asia's largest temple complex and sweeping ocean views.
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (Photo: Guangzhou Yuexiu Fabu)
(Photo: Nansha Tianhou Palace Tourist Attraction)
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (Photo: Guangzhou Liwan Fabu)
Chill in the city
Destinations: Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area (白云山风景名胜区), South China National Botanical Garden (华南国家植物园), Lotus Hill Tourism Area (莲花山旅游区), Baomo Garden (宝墨园), Bishuiwan Hot Spring Resort (碧水湾温泉度假村)
Visitors can hike Baiyun Mountain for skyline views and forest trails, or stroll through exotic plants and greenhouses at the South China National Botanical Garden.
Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area (Photo: Guangzhou Liwan Fabu)
South China National Botanical Garden (Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Don't miss the red cliffs and ancient pagoda of Lotus Hill, or the elegant pavilions and koi ponds of Baomo Garden, a gem of Lingnan garden art. For a relaxing end to the day, you can also soak in the mineral-rich pools of Bishuiwan Hot Spring Resort, surrounded by quiet hills and fresh air.
(Photo: Lotus Hill Tourism Area)
(Photo: Baomo Garden)
Kid-friendly escapes
Destinations: Guangzhou Zoo (广州动物园), Auswor (七彩澳游世界), SKOV River Wonderland (森林海旅游度假区)
Families can start their day at Guangzhou Zoo, home to over 450 species, including the beloved giant pandas. At Auswor, kids can meet kangaroos, ride beach buggies, and try horseback riding in an immersive Aussie-style setting.
Giant panda at Guangzhou Zoo (Photo: Nanfang Plus)
To unwind, make your way to SKOV River Wonderland. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant boat trip on the shimmering lake or soak in the hot spring while admiring the beautiful scenery.
(Photo: SKOV River Wonderland)
Where to find the attractions listed above:
Canton Tower (广州塔): No. 222, Yuejiang West Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (广州市海珠区阅江西路222号)
Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort (长隆旅游度假区): No.299, Hanxi Avenue East, Panyu District, Guangzhou (广州市番禺区汉溪大道东299号)
Guangzhou Sunac Resort (广州融创文旅城): Sunac Resort, No. 78 Fenghuang North Road, Huadu District, Guangzhou (广州市花都区凤凰北路78号广州融创文旅城)
Grandview Mall (正佳广场): No. 228 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (广州市天河区天河中心天河路228号)
Pearl River Night Cruise (珠江夜游):
Canton Tower Fortune Pier: By the Pearl River Bank, at the northeast of Canton Tower, No. 222, Yuejiang West Road, Zhuhai District, Guangzhou (广州市海珠区阅江西路222号广州塔东北侧珠江堤岸边)
Haixinsha East Wharf (Haixinsha Red Boat Pier): Haixinsha East District, Linjiang Avenue, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (the pier to board Pearl River Red Boat) (广州市天河区临江大道海心沙东区红船船说码头)
Zhujiang Party Pier Beer Culture & Art Zone (珠江琶醍啤酒文化创意艺术区):
No. 118, Modiesha Street, Yuejiang West Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou（广州海珠区阅江西路磨碟沙大街118号）
Xiguang Yongqing Fang Tourist Area (西关永庆坊旅游区): No. 99, Enning Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou (广州市荔湾区恩宁路99号)
Beijing Road Pedestrian Street (北京路文化旅游区): Beijing Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou（广州越秀区北京路）
Guangdong Folk Art Museum (Chen Clan Ancestral Hall) (陈家祠): No. 34, Enlong Li, Zhongshan 7th Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou (广州市荔湾区中山七路恩龙里34号)
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (中山纪念堂): No. 299, Dongfeng Middle Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou（广州越秀区东风中路299号）
Nansha Tianhou Palace (南沙天后宫): No. 88, Tianhou Road, Gangwan Sub-district, Nansha District, Guangzhou （南沙区港湾街道天后路88号）
Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area (白云山风景名胜区): ?No.?801 Guangyuan Middle Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou (白云区广园中路801号)
South China National Botanical Garden (华南国家植物园): No. 1190 Tianyuan Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (广州市天河区天源路1190号)
Lotus Hill Tourism Area (莲花山旅游区): No.?28?Ximen Road, Shilou Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou(广州市番禺区石楼镇西门路28号)
Baomo Garden (宝墨园): Dong'an Road, Zini Village, Shawan Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou (广州市番禺区沙湾镇紫坭村东安路)
Bishuiwan Hot Spring Resort (碧水湾温泉度假村): No. 353 Yuquan Avenue, Conghua District, Guangzhou?(广州市从化区御泉大道353号)
Guangzhou Zoo (广州动物园): No. 120, Xianlie Middle Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou（越秀区先烈中路120号）
Auswor (七彩澳游世界): North Jinxing Road, Lianxing Village, Zhucun Sub-district, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou (增城区朱村街道联兴村金兴路北)
SKOV River Wonderland (森林海旅游度假区): No.101 Baishuizhai Avenue, Paitan Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou (广州市增城区派潭镇白水寨大道101号)
Author | Huang Xinying
Poster | Cai Junru
Editor | Wei Shen, James, Shen He
