Museums & flavors | Discover "China Cool" in Guangdong ②

This summer, "China Cool" has become a viral buzzword online. While often known for its scorching summer heat, Guangdong offers plenty of ways to stay cool. Visitors can enjoy refreshing escapes in nature, inspiring museum visits, delicious local flavors, vibrant commercial hubs and cutting-edge experiences. In this three-part series, we will explore the cooler side of Guangdong.

Part 2: Museums & flavors

For a glimpse into Lingnan's history, Guangdong Museum (广东省博物馆) is a must-visit. Its collection of hundreds of thousands of cultural relics ranges from prehistoric fossils to ancient Lingnan architecture and Maritime Silk Road artifacts, offering an engaging, air-conditioned escape from the summer heat.

Art lovers can cool off at Guangdong Museum of Art (广东美术馆), which is presenting a rotating lineup of exhibitions this summer featuring oil paintings, ink-wash works and installations. A leisurely afternoon in the galleries offers a refreshing break from the heat.

Meanwhile, the newly opened Shenzhen Natural History Museum (深圳自然博物馆) takes visitors on an engaging journey through the natural world, making it an ideal indoor destination for family outings, casual visits or a quiet afternoon.

Then there is food, an essential part of the Guangdong summer experience. Cool down with a glass of refreshing cogon grass and sugar cane drink (茅根竹蔗水), with its gentle sweetness and refreshing finish, or a bowl of creamy mung bean soup (绿豆汤), smooth and comforting on a hot day.

Cogon grass and sugar cane drink

Mung bean soup

Mango pomelo sago (杨枝甘露) combines juicy mango and pomelo with chewy sago pearls for a refreshing tropical treat, while double-skin milk pudding (双皮奶) is rich and silky with a delicate milky aroma. For something lighter, try Chaoshan grass jelly (潮汕草粿), a beloved local dessert with gentle sweetness and herbal notes.