While many cities slip into shades of grey in autumn and winter, Guangzhou, known as the "Flower City," bursts into color. From bougainvillea draping pedestrian bridges to canopies of silk floss trees, the city transforms the cooler months into a vibrant floral season. Here's your guide to discovering Guangzhou's most romantic blooms this autumn and winter.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea, blooming from autumn through spring, is one of Guangzhou's defining seasonal sights. Pedestrian bridges, overpasses, and streets become vibrant "flower corridors." At Wuyang New Town Pedestrian Bridge, blossoms cascade like a floral curtain; near Chigang Metro Station, orange-red blooms frame views of Canton Tower; and no miss of the rare pale-yellow variety at the exits of Caihong Bridge Metro Station!
(Photo: Guangzhou Yuexiu Fabu)
(Photo: Guangzhou Baiyun Fabu)
Recommended spots:
Dongfeng Middle Road Pedestrian Bridge (东风中路人行天桥): Opposite DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou, No.391 Dongfeng Middle Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou (广州越秀区东风中路391号, 广州希尔顿逸林酒店对面)
Xingang Middle Road and Chigang North Road Pedestrian Bridge (新港中路赤岗北路口人行天桥): Intersection of Xingang Middle Road and Chigang North Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (广州海珠区新港中路与赤岗北路交叉口)
Wuyang New Town Pedestrian Bridge (五羊新城人行天桥): Junction of Huacheng Avenue and Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou (广州市花城大道和广州大道交界处)
Caihong Bridge Metro Station Pedestrian Bridge (彩虹桥地铁口人行天桥): Exit G/F, Caihong Bridge Station, Metro Lines 8 & 11, Guangzhou (广州地铁8/11号线彩虹桥地铁站G/F出口处)
Maling Flower Botanical Garden (马岭观花植物园): No. 18 Maling Guanhua Avenue, Shiling Town, Huadu District, Guangzhou (广州市花都区狮岭镇马岭观花大街18号)
Silk floss tree
Across Guangzhou, silk floss trees burst into soft pink blooms that last into January. At Luhu Park, dense clusters form rosy clouds above shaded walkways. Along Tram Haizhu Line 1, blossoms drift past the windows like a moving dreamscape. For a rare sight, head to South China Normal University's Shipai Campus to see a white silk floss tree, its snow-like flowers bringing a serene touch to Guangzhou's warm winter.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
(Photo: Guangzhou Haizhu Fabu)
Recommended spots:
Jufang Garden, Luhu Park (麓湖公园聚芳园): No.11 Luhu Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou (广州越秀区麓湖路11号)
The platforms of Pazhou Bridge South and Canton Fair Complex East stations of Tram Haizhu Line 1 (THZ1) (有轨电车琶洲大桥南、会展东站站台)
Shipai Campus, South China Normal University (华南师范大学石牌校区): No. 55 Zhongshan Avenue West, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (广州天河区中山大道西55号)
Jiaomen Park (蕉门公园): No. 171 Haibin Road, Nansha District, Guangzhou (广州南沙区海滨路171号)
Fengyunling Forest Park (风云岭森林公园): Opposite Conghua Central Hospital, Congcheng Avenue, Conghua District, Guangzhou (广州从化区从城大道从化市中心医院对面)
Modiesha Park (磨碟沙公园): No. 73 Modiesha Street, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (广州海珠区磨碟沙大街73号)
Galsang flower
Fields of red, pink, and white galsang flowers sweep across several parks, forming a sea of soft color. Notably, at Longping Academician Port on Changzhou Island, the flowers bloom right beside expansive rice fields. During the Changzhou Rice Harvest Carnival (running until December 15), visitors can enjoy both golden paddies and vibrant blossoms in one trip.
(Photo: Guangzhou Conghua Fabu)
Recommended spots:
Longping Academician Port (隆平院士港): No. 330 Jinzhou North Road, Huangpu District, Guangzhou (广州黄埔区金洲北路330号)
Hongcheng Park (宏城公园): No. 72 Qinglan Road, Ersha Island, Guangzhou
(广州越秀区二沙岛晴澜路72号)
Under the Conghua Bridge (从化大桥下): Under Conghua Bridge, Hebin North Road, Conghua District, Guangzhou (广州从化区河滨北路从化大桥下)
Hydrangea
Shamian Island has recently transformed into a blue-purple hydrangea haven. Paired with its leafy boulevards and European-style architecture, the area feels like stepping into a pastel painting. Sunflowers, roses, and bougainvillea add even more charm.
(Photo: Guangzhou Liwan Fabu)
Recommended spots:
Shamian Historical and Cultural Blocks (沙面历史文化街区): No. 52 Shamian South Street, Liwan District, Guangzhou (广州荔湾区沙面南街52号)
Purple trumpet tree
Later, from December to January, comes the full-bloom period of the purple trumpet trees. Their layered petals and golden centers resemble tiny bells, creating enchanting "purple tunnels" along several roads. Whether driving or biking, passing through the blooms feels like drifting into a dream.
(Photo: Guangzhou Liwan Fabu)
(Photo: Guangzhou Haizhu Fabu)
Recommended spots:
Southwest Plaza, Guangzhou Culture Park (广州文化公园西南广场): No. 37 Xidi 2nd Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou (广州荔湾区西堤二马路37号)
Huandao Road (环岛路): 20 meters north of the Huandao Road–Xinmin Street intersection, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (广州海珠区环岛路与新民大街交叉口北20米)
Guangzhou Children's Park (广州市儿童公园): No. 61 Qixin Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou (广州白云区齐心路61号)
Garden art
Running until December 15, the 32nd Guangzhou Garden Expo (Autumn Session) showcases Guangzhou's creativity in landscape design and floral artistry. This year's expo features 38 themed gardens and 64 floral art installations across venues such as Huacheng Square, Linjiang Avenue, Haixinsha Asian Games Park, and Ersha Island. International landscape architects have crafted seven special gardens.
(Photo: Guangzhou Garden Expo)
To celebrate the National Games, a dedicated National Games Garden has been established at Haixinsha, where mascots from past editions are transformed into playful topiary artworks. Other highlights include a giant cascading floral bouquet on Linjiang Avenue, a "bow-knot skirt" installation in Hongcheng Park, and a towering kapok-themed structure at Huacheng Square.
(Photo: China Guangzhou Fabu)
Venues: Linjiang Avenue (临江大道), Haixinsha Asian Games Park (海心沙亚运公园), Ersha Island Art Park (二沙岛艺术公园), Hongcheng Park (宏城公园)
Read more:
Free admission! A city walk guide to Guangzhou Garden Expo
Author | Huang Xingying
Editor | Wei Shen, James Campion, Shen He
