As two of the biggest cities in China (Guangzhou having more than 13 million people and Beijing with a whopping 21 million people), these cities share many similarities, but they also offer two different experiences! Everything from the culture, traditions, weather, people, and expat life will vary.

After I lived in a small Chinese city for two years, I lived in Guangzhou for one year and now currently live in Beijing, so I wanted to share some of my personal experiences as an expat living in Beijing and Guangzhou.

A few different aspects comparing Beijing to Guangzhou:

• Location/Weather
• Cost of Living
• Culture
• Things To Do
• Expat Life
  

Location/Weather in Beijing VS Guangzhou.

Geographically, Beijing and Guangzhou are in opposite parts of China. Beijing is in the northern area and has hot summers but freezing winters. It doesn’t rain often and isn’t very humid. It’s close to other big cities in China by high speed train like Tianjin (30 min), Shanghai (4 hours), and it’s easy to get international flights anywhere in the world.

Weather-wise, Guangzhou is the complete opposite of Beijing with hot, humid summers and mild winters. It rains quite a bit more, too.  Guangzhou is really close to Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and it is very easy to catch a high speed train to both. I took weekend trips to both frequently – check out my weekend trip to Hong Kong here. It’s also close to other great southern destinations like Yunnan, Guangxi, and Vietnam.

Cost of Living in Beijing vs. Guangzhou

As both Beijing and Guangzhou are Tier 1 International cities, they’re a bit more expensive than other Chinese cities, but still affordable. You’ll find food and transportation are pretty cheap, though, and rent will be what you pay the most for. If you live close to the center of Beijing or Guangzhou you’ll pay much more for an apartment.

I live in the Chaoyang area of Beijing near line 2, so I’m in the center of Beijing and very close to many things. It’s very convenient and I love it, but it does make the cost of living much more expensive.

In Guangzhou I lived a little outside the city in a district called Panyu, which definitely affected my experience in Guangzhou and the cost of living. I could afford an apartment by myself in Guangzhou for the same price I paid to rent a single room in a shared apartment in the center of Beijing.

You can read more about how I rented an apartment in Beijing and also in Guangzhou.

Transportation in Beijing vs. Guangzhou

Both Beijing and Guangzhou have very fast and convenient public transportation around the city including:

• Great metro systems
• Buses (download Baidu Maps to help with buses)
• Public bikes  – Mobike and Ofo are two of the biggest bike sharing apps
• Taxi or Didi (Chinese uber)

Because of the 2008 Olympics hosted in Beijing, transportation has rapidly improved, making it easier to navigate, especially for foreigners. There’s an express metro line straight to the airport from Dongzhimen, too, which is very convenient. If you’re in the city center it takes longer to order a Didi though, and I find it quicker to grab a taxi if I’m going somewhere.

Guangzhou’s metro system is very new and modern and feels even easier to me to use than Beijing’s metro. There are far more options for paying with either cash or Wechat, and line transfers take way less time. Didi’s are also great in Guangzhou, and I found it easier to get Didi in Guangzhou than Beijing (aside from big holidays like New Year’s).

Whether you’re moving to Beijing or Guangzhou, you should download Didi, MoBike or Ofo, and metro maps for the city to make it easy to navigate! Both cities are also very walkable and public transportation is a breeze. I also feel safe doing things on my own.

Culture and Food in Beijing vs. Guangzhou

Culture and food is where you’ll notice one of the biggest differences between Beijing and Guangzhou!

As the capital city of China, Beijing represents the very traditional side of Chinese life. People speak Putonghua, the most proper form of the Chinese language. People here are very proud to be from the capital city of China. The food is more filling, featuring dishes like Peking Duck, traditional dumplings, chuan’r (lamb roasted on a skewer), and lots of noodles. Donkey burgers are also quite famous here.

Guangzhou is in the Guangdong Province, where Cantonese culture and influence are found. People speak Cantonese in addition to Mandarin. Cantonese food is quite different than other regions in China – it tends to be lighter and sweeter, featuring dim sum and lots of soups.

There is the famous phrase in Chinese about Guangzhou food: “You live in Hangzhou because of its beautiful lakes, you wear clothes from Suzhou because it produces the finest silk, and you eat in Guangzhou because it has the best food.”

The great thing about Guangzhou and Beijing is that you can also find food from all regions of Chinese in Beijing and Guangzhou – Sichuan hotpot, Hunan spice, Shanghai sweetness.

You’ll also find every kind of international cuisine – Vietnamese, Mexican, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Thai, and on and on. Beijing and Guangzhou might both have their own unique cultures and traditions, but they are still two of the biggest cities in the world with people of all nationalities, and that is strongly reflected in the food!

Things To Do In Beijing vs. Guangzhou

Beijing and Guangzhou both have a number of attractions to visit, whether it be temples and historical sites or modern museums and famous landmarks.

Beijing is definitely the bigger tourist draw, boasting world famous sites like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, and famous streets like Wangfujing and Qianmen. There also many local Chinese experiences to try, like hutong tours and markets.

Some of my favorite places/things to do in Beijing:

• Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall
• The Beijing Panjiayuan Flea Market
• The Best Instagram Spots in Beijing
• Hiking The Badaling Section of The Great Wall of China

It’s hard to compete with the Great Wall, but Guangzhou still has a lot to see and do! The Canton Tower (my favorite), Pearl River Cruises, Baiyun Mountain, Temple of the Six Baiyun Trees, and Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street are all popular to do, and Guangzhou also has the Chimelong Circus.

Some of my favorite places/things to do in Guangzhou: 

• 20 Things You Must Do In Guangzhou
• Rooftopping in Guangzhou
• The Guangzhou Lotus Hill
• 5 Awesome Temples To Visit in Guangzhou

As a bonus, Guangzhou is super close to Hong Kong, so you have the added benefit of easily taking a weekend trip there when you feel like it!

Expat Life in Beijing vs. Guangzhou

This is the biggest topic people moving to China are curious about. Where do you hang out? How do you meet people? Are there organizations to join? Both big cities have plenty of ways to enjoy life in China and meet other expats.

Beijing:

Beijing has it all, from dance clubs, live music scenes, local breweries, trivia nights, book clubs, sport teams, food festivals, and more. You can find every kind of food imaginable. Sanlitun is one of the most popular area for expats to hang out in: you can shop, eat, drink, and go clubbing all in this area. Wudaokou is the university area and is also a popular area for expats.

• Popular Expat Bars and Restaurants: Paddy O’Shea’s, Cafe de la Poste, The Local, Jing A Brew Pub, Slow Boat Brewery, Sidestreet, Q Mex, Tiki Bar, Great Leap Brewing
• Popular Clubs and Music Venues: Mixx, One Third, Salsa Caribe, Temple, Modernista, School Live Bar, Dada, Destination

There are always lots of Wechat groups and official pages to follow to learn more about city events and parties. If you’re looking for more ways to get involved in Beijing, check out these pages:

• The Beijinger
• That’s Beijing

Guangzhou:

Guangzhou also has a lively expat scene with many similar events to Beijing and two big areas for going out: Party Pier and Zhujiang New Town.

• Popular Expat Bars and Hangouts: The Brew, Hooley’s, Fei Bar, Zapata’s, Morgan’s, The Tavern
• Popular Clubs: Suns, Woo Bar, Revolucion, True Colors,

If you’re looking for more ways to get involved in Guangzhou, check out these pages:

• That’s Guangzhou 

Skyline/Architecture in Beijing vs. Guangzhou

While I love living in Beijing and rave about it all the time, I do think the Guangzhou skyline is prettier and I miss the Canton Tower!

At the same time, I love the Beijing hutongs and the street style.

Living in Beijing vs. Guangzhou

Ultimately, your experience in Beijing and Guangzhou will vary depending on where you live and work, what you enjoy doing, the people you meet , and what kind of lifestyle you want.

Whether you’re moving to Beijing or Guangzhou, I recommend joining Facebook groups, Wechat groups, and other sites with expats to get more information about living in China and to connect with others. These are two of the biggest cities in China, and you’ll find it much easier to find other expats and foreign shops and restaurants in these cities than other ones.

Have you lived in Beijing or Guangzhou? How was your experience? What did you like/dislike about that city?

Or maybe you’re considering moving to a small Chinese city! If so, check out my post comparing big and small cities in China: Living in China: Big City VS. Small City

I lived in Guangzhou for a year and made a list of the best things to do if you visit! With plenty of shopping, eating, historical sites, and night-life to experience, you won’t be bored.

1. CANTON TOWER

The second tallest tower in the world, the Canton Tower is probably the #1 attraction in Guangzhou! It’s unique shape has given it the nickname “小蛮腰” in Chinese, which means “slim waist.” You can see the tower from Zhujiang New Town or the Canton Tower metro stop.

2. BUBBLE TRAM

If you have time, you should go to the top of the Canton Tower and check out the view from the  Bubble Tram!

3. SHANGXIAJIU PEDESTRIAN STREET

The best place to shop and get street food in Guangzhou.

4. BAIYUN MOUNTAIN

You can hike or take the cable car up to the top of Guangzhou’s famous mountain (called Baiyun because it means “white clouds” in Chinese). You’ll get a nice view of the Guangzhou skyline and get to experience Guangzhou outside of the big city. If you’re feeling really adventurous you can also go bungee jumping here!

5. BIKE AROUND THE CITY

Hop on a Mobike or an Oppo and bike around! The Pearl River is a popular place to bike nearby, but there are many great parks to bike around, too.

6. PEARL RIVER CRUISE

This is one of the most popular things for visitors to do in Guangzhou, especially at night! The Pearl River runs straight through the heart of Guangzhou and you’ll get great views on both sides of the boat, not to mention the many colorfully lit bridges you’ll pass!

7. CANTONESE FOOD

There is a well known saying in China:  “You live in Hangzhou because of its beautiful lakes, you wear clothes from Suzhou because it produces the finest silk, and you eat in Guangzhou because it has the best food.”

My Cantonese friends introduced me to lots of great dimsum, as well as other great foods in Guangzhou!

8. LOTUS HILL

A beautiful quarry and park that is a bit of a trek outside the city center of Guangzhou, but well worth a visit. See more photos here.

9. CHINESE TEMPLES

Guangzhou has so many temples! The Dafo Temple near Beijing Road is especially popular, but there are many other temples to choose from. Check out some of my favorites here: 5 Awesome Temples To Visit in Guangzhou

10. MORE THAN MEOW CAT CAFE

This cat cafe has almost 30 cats along with a few dogs hanging out inside! It’s fun place to relax for an afternoon and get some pet therapy.

11. SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL

Located near Haizhu Square, this is a famous old Cathedral in Guangzhou that draws lots of local people and foreigners alike because of the European-style architecture.

12. CHIMELONG PARADISE

The popular Chimelong brand has an amusement park, circus, and water park in Guangzhou that are fun to visit!

13. LYCHEE BAY PARK IN LIWAN

If you want to stroll around a lake and see some Chinese architecture, this is the perfect place. See more about it: A Saturday at Guangzhou Lychee Bay

14. SHAMIAN ISLAND

Shamian Island was originally a small island in Guangzhou where many foreigners lived in the 1900s. The buildings all reflect old European-styles and there’s a really fancy Starbucks here that is a popular destination to visit!

15. HANG AT CENTRAL PERK FRIENDS THEMED CAFE

Guangzhou is no NYC, but there is a Central Perk here! It’s a cute cafe in Zhujiang New Town where you can order different Friend’s themed drinks and food.

16. CLIMB A ROOFTOP

There’s no better way to see a city’s skyline than from up on a rooftop! It’s really cool to watch the sun go down in Guangzhou and see the Canton Tower light up.

17. FEEL FANCY AT THE FOUR SEASONS

Insider Tip! You don’t have to be a guest to go to the 70th floor lounge of the Four Seasons Hotel in Guangzhou! Anyone can go in, order some coffee or food, and enjoy the view of the Canton Tower and feel super classy.

18. PARTY AT PARTY PIER

Aptly named, Party Pier is the place to go if you want to check out some of Guangzhou’s best bars and clubs! If you want Mexican food and a live band check out Zapata’s, or if you want more club music and dancing go to Revolucion and Suns. I went out with friends here many times for holiday parties!

19. DANCING AT W HOTEL

If you’re looking for other night life in Guangzhou, check out Zhujiang New Town and Liede, where many other bars are! The 2nd floor W hotel Fei Bar is especially cool and a great place for dancing.

20. SHOPPING AT GONGYUANQIAN OR TIYU XILU

Guangzhou has hundreds of malls and places to shop. Two popular areas to go are Gongyuanqian and Tiyu Xilu.

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN GUANGZHOU

• Visit The Million Sunflower Garden
• Sun Yat-sen Memorial
• Chen Clan Academy
• Explore The Most Beautiful Garden in Guangzhou: Bao Mo Garden

Have you visited Guangzhou? What was your favorite thing you did there?

I took the cable car up and revisited Moxing Summit and the beautiful little wish tunnel and love locks at the top!

More than taking photos, Baiyun Mountain is a great place for people watching! I really enjoyed seeing families laughing and playing together and hearing other people singing for a special show today.

Visiting a Chinese mountain is a unique experience quite different than visiting mountains in other places. It’s more of a whole family activity, centered less on the physical activity of hiking and being in nature and more on connecting with family and friends in a social environment.

You can take a cable car up the mountain, grab some morning tea, play at a park, eat at a restaurant, and and take lots of photos together. There’s singing and dancing and tai chi. There’s even a McDonald’s at the top! It definitely feels more like an outdoor fair.

It was a beautiful day to visit Baiyun Mountain again and see some Chinese activities! Does anyone else also like people watching when they travel somewhere?

Check out these other mountains I’ve visited:

• Lantau Peak in Hong Kong
• Emeishan in Chengdu
• Mount Heng in Hengyang

I thought I knew most of the big parks in Guangzhou, but I’d never heard of Lychee Bay until this week. It’s been awhile since I visited a new place in Guangzhou and after this popped up on my radar I wanted to check it out.

LYCHEE BAY

Lychee Bay is a popular scenic area in the Liwan area of Guangzhou. It’s a bit farther out of the Guangzhou city center in the Yuexiu District – to get here take Line 5 to Zhongshan Ba Metro Station and walk out Exit A.

There are many rivers and lakes in the park, as well as lots of bridges, towers, and ancestral halls. It’s a great place to see some Chinese architecture and also get a glimpse at some local Chinese hobbies!

WHAT TO DO HERE

I love visiting Chinese parks, especially on Saturdays, because there’s so much activity going on. There are ladies dancing, people practicing tai chi, and the traditional game of jianzi being played (which is basically hackey sack). Where I’ve been living in Guangzhou I don’t see these local Chinese traditions everyday, so it was fun to watch them today.

The food around this area is supposed to be really good, too. It is unique style called Guanxi cuisine and is mostly special kinds of snacks. I didn’t try anything this time but another time I hope to. You can also rent a boat here and ride around the little canals!

I had a lot of fun taking some pictures and bike riding for a bit – you can’t bike inside the park, but you can right outside of it.

I went a little later than I planned so it was pretty crowded today and hard to get some of those bridge shots without lots of people walking into them I really enjoyed the day here though and I’m glad I went!

Happy Saturday from Guangzhou!

The city of Guangzhou has a colorful and rich history marked by a number of beautiful temples that date back hundreds of years.

While these temples may not be world-wide famous, they each have their own unique history and special significance to Guangzhou, and all are worth a visit to see!

1. Guangxiao Temple

The Guangxiao Temple (Chinese: 光孝寺) is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Guangzhou. The temple was damaged during the Cultural Revolution and other movements, but in the 1980s it was rebuilt to some of its former beauty.

Getting There: Take the metro to Ximenkou Station Exit C and walk north to the end of the road

2. Temple of the Six Baiyun Trees

The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees or Liurong Temple is a Buddhist temple in Guangzhou, China, originally built in AD 537. There’s also a beautiful pagoda here, and just outside the temple area is an older and peaceful area to walk around Guangzhou (and eat some great local food).

Getting There: Take the metro to Gongyuanqian Station Exit I2 and walk west 5 minutes and then north

3. Dafo Temple

The Dafo Temple (Chinese: 大佛寺 meaning Grand Buddha Temple) is a Buddhist temple in Yuexiu District, right in the middle of the famous Beijing Street. It was built more than one thousand years by Emperor Liu Yan in the Southern Han dynasty (917–971). It has been praised as one of the “Five Largest Temples of Guangzhou” in history and is especially amazing at night when it lights up and looks like the whole building is glowing.

Getting There: Take the metro to Gongyuanqian Station Exit D and walk south towards Beijing Lu

4. Nansha Tian Hau Temple

The Tin Hau temple architecture combines the style of the Forbidden City in Beijing and Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum in Nanjing. While it’s farther outside the city than the others, it’s one of my favorites I’ve visited.

Getting There: Take Metro Line 4 to Jinzhou Station, then take bus 4 all the way to the temple (about 30 minutes).

Read more about my trip here: Explore Guangzhou: Tin Hau Temple

5. Clan Chen Academy

The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is an academic temple in Guangzhou that built by the 72 Chen clans in the Qing Dynansty. Students used to prepare for imperial examinations here, but now it is home to the Guangdong Folk Art Museum.

Getting there: Take the metro to the Chen Clan station

GO EXPLORING

Exploring temples is one of my favorite things to do in China. I especially love strolling around during the morning time, when there are just a few people bringing incense and fruits as offerings.

Even if you’ve seen lots of temples around China and Asia, you’ll still find something special at each place and have the chance to witness local Chinese customs and spiritual practices.

Read about some other temples I’ve visited around China and Asia:

• Sushi, Owls, and Temples in Tokyo
• Angkor Wat and other Temples in Cambodia
• Elephants, Temples, and More in Chiang Mai
• Heng Mountain and Temples in Hunan, China

Have you visited any temples in China or Asia? Which ones are your favorites?

Until the next temple!

I’ve recently been inspired by lots of photos I’ve seen in Guangzhou (and also other places) by people who are rooftopping experts. I think it’s such a fascinating idea, and it’s been on my Guangzhou Bucket List to try out for some time, slightly adjusted though. I’m not going to try hanging off a building or anything too crazy like that folks, but I am going to see where the best rooftop views in Guangzhou are.

The rules are simple:
1. Find a tall building
2. Walk inside (might need a resident’s help)
3. Ride to the top floor, go up the stairs leading to the exit – boom, you’re on the roof

In my mind I figured a problem might arise. You might encounter security guards, need a pass to get inside, or there could be alarms at the top. The last thing I wanted was to get in trouble! I also wasn’t sure where to start looking for buildings, but a photo I saw on Instagram that gave me a good idea of where to look.

In reality it was actually quite easy. I found that security guards don’t pay much attention. Several called out to me, “Nihao meinu” as I entered apartment gates and they waved me inside – meinu means beautiful girl, but in Chinese this is a common way to address a girl you don’t know. Still it’s nice

At the top of one building there was a man sitting on the rooftop stairs and I thought I would have to explain something. But nope, he was just chilling there, too. Another guy was up there cooking dinner so it was like we were all at a little neighborhood BBQ (kinda).

Anyways, I visited several buildings in the Kecun area and was astounded with the views!

The first building I went to was closer to the Canton tower and had a nice glass railing to stand against (I got a little carried away with the hair flipping photos here).

I tried two others further away but they didn’t quite have the angle I wanted.

The last one I went to had the most amazing view. There’s a structure on the roof you can climb up to get an awesome unobstructed view of the tower – just be careful and don’t trip!

When I was up here another guy came along. He gestured up at me, asking if he could join me on top. I said yes and asked him some questions but be spoke no English. Aha! Someone to inflict my Chinese conversational skills on.

He was actually really happy to chat and show me other rooftop photos he’s taken and I was really happy we could communicate and he understood me! It’s fun to see that my lessons with my teacher are really helping improve my Chinese and things I didn’t know two months ago I can now apply in conversation.

He told me lots of people come to this building to take photos because of the location, and it was his second time here. He set up a big camera on the edge of the roof, waiting for the sun to go down and I asked if he would snap a few pics for me and he obliged.

He was really nice and told me he was university student and lived in Guangzhou. Look how cool he is with his camera.

“You inspire me!” I wanted to say to him. “Teach me your ways and be my rooftop guru master!” But I didn’t know how to say all that in Chinese so I just told him, “Hen piaoliang! Ni hen lihai!” (Very beautiful! You are really great!) We watched the sunset over Guangzhou together (so romantic!!! Jk)

So there’s my first rooftopping adventure and I’m looking forward to finding more and meeting more rooftoppers! 

I put together a little video showing some of these rooftops. Check it out here!

Also! If you’re going to try this just be respectful of the residents and the building, leave things the way you found it, and all those other Girl Scout rules.

Side note, I’ve just been using my iPhone for pics because there’s a problem with my DSLR! Anyone have good recommendations on lightweight, high quality cameras? I was looking at some Sonys and heard good things about them.

Until the next adventure.

The Bao Mo Garden is a gorgeous garden in the Panyu district of Guangzhou. It was built at the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911 AD) and designed to follow the traditional Chinese humanistic belief of the “harmonious union of God and man.”

Here you’ll find charming bridges, mazes of paths, gorgeous rose gardens, and little koi fish swimming everywhere. It perfectly reflects the best of Chinese beauty and culture – and to be honest, before I came to China this is pretty much what I expected China to look like, so it’s a bonus to see things like I imagined before!

BEFORE YOU GO

Entrance: 54 RMB
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Directions: Take Line 3 to Shiqiao Station. Take bus 12 or 67 to the last stop, 宝墨园 Bao Mo Garden. It’s about an hour on the bus.
Bring: A new selfie stick tripod your friend got you for your birthday (thanks Lauren you da best!)

When I arrived around 8:45 a.m. the garden was so quiet. Only a few other people wandered the paths and I was immediately excited by all the beautiful architecture I saw. Sometimes (all the time) when I visit a new place I get overwhelmed and antsy in anticipation of all the photos I can take.

I watched several Chinese couples walking together, holding hands or working their smartphones. A sweet old Chinese man walked into my shot and I was waiting (a little impatiently) for him to move, and then I had to tell myself RACHEL STOP. LOOK HOW CUTE HE IS. LET HIM ENJOY THE MOMENT YOU WILL HAVE YOURS. THIS GARDEN HAS BEEN HERE HUNDREDS OF YEARS IT’S NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

Coming here this morning was a fantastic reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment. And I still had plenty of time to take all the photos my heart desired.

I also put together just a little video of me hopping around the garden (well not literally hopping.)

I’m so glad I got there early for good pics! It’s the same as any other attraction in China – the earlier you go the less crowded it is. By 10:30 the place was crawling with big groups and families and it was hard to get pictures without other people. And since I went early it meant I left before everyone else and got a good seat on the bus ride back

Some of the most beautiful places I’ve been to in Guangzhou take a little time and effort to get to, but they’re well worth the trip. I love finding new places like this to explore and the reminder they give me to be still and soak in the moment.

I know I say this about every new place I visit in Guangzhou, but this is seriously one of the best places I’ve been to, especially when seeking Chinese architecture and an escape from the bustling city.

Until the next adventure.

THE LOTUS HILL FAIRYTALE

Once upon a time there was an evil dragon living the in the South China Sea. He always made giant winds and waves that flooded the Pearl River delta, causing lots of flooding and capsizing the boats there. The Goddess of Mercy was furious that the dragon caused the people to suffer, so she threw the lotus she was sitting on into the water, which stopped him. Many years later the lotus turned into stone, which is how the place came to be named The Lotus Hill.

BEFORE YOU GO

Entrance: 54 RMB
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Directions: Take Line 4 to Shiqi Station. Take bus 92 or 93 to 莲花山 station (about twenty minutes).
Bring: Good walking shoes

WHAT TO SEE

The park area has many paths that will take you to the temple, pagoda, and other great sites. There’s also some restaurants and shops to rest at if you need a break. It’s possible to see everything in just a couple hours (including time to take lots of photos!)

Swallow Cliffs

Lotus Pagoda

LOTUS FAIRYLAND

LOTUS TEMPLE

GODDESS OF MERCY

The largest statue of the Goddess of Mercy in the world.

Verdict: This has to be one of the best places I’ve visited in Guangzhou! If I’m grading on Chinese architecture, culture, and scenic views (plus photo opportunities) I’d give it a 10/10. I’d love to visit again during the famous Lotus Festival when the lotus are actually in bloom.

Check out these other cool places around Guangzhou!

• The Million Sunflower Garden 百万葵园
• Explore Guangzhou: Tin Hau Temple
• Baiyun Mountain 白云山

The Million Sunflower Garden isn’t exactly what you’d expect from a normal garden. If you’re thinking of a peaceful and quiet park – forget that. It feels more like an amusement park with games, rides, playgrounds, balloons, snacks, and a swimming pool. But hey, that’s China for you.

BEFORE YOU GO

Entrance: 150 RMB
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Directions: Take Line 4 to Jiaomen Station. Get on bus 1 or 2 and ride it to the end of the line to 百万葵园 station (about an hour).
Bring: Your camera, favorite Instagram poses, and snacks. (Bonus points if you bring Chinese snacks like spicy dried meat, chicken feet, tofu, bread, corn, and yogurt.)

Once you’re here you should definitely check out:

Sunflower Field

THIS GIANT COLORFUL BUILDING

I think this is a hotel. It’s a great photo backdrop and there’s a little train you can ride around it for free, too!

ALL THE PHOTO POSSIBILITIES

The park has limitless photo possibilities – winding little paths, bright arbors, colorful houses, and  interesting decor (like Marvel characters and Hello Kitty).

LAVENDER FLOWERS

Verdict: If you’re looking for a day outside, the Million Sunflower Garden is the perfect place to go. Even with lots of people there I had a great time and was able to take decent shots! It’s also perfect for kids because of all the games and activities they offer.

Who should come: Flower fiends, Instagram models, parents who want to throw their children in a pool or flower maze and leave them there, and those who don’t mind a few people bumping into them.

All jokes aside, this is one of my favorite places I’ve been to in Guangzhou! It’s definitely a unique spot, and after I posted on Wechat about this place I had lots of friends asking me about it!

It did take me two hours to get there and two hours back so it’s not really a place to go on a time crunch, but if you have a day free and time to stroll around and smell the flowers, you should do it.

Guangzhou is a giant city well-known for its business and trade opportunities, like the Canton Fair. It’s also thought to be a foodie’s dream city, because you can find literally any kind of cuisine: Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Mexican, Korean – it’s all here.

It’s not the first place you think of visiting, however, when you’re looking to travel in China. But don’t let that stop you from coming here! There are so many things to do. From exploring historical places and hiking outside to experiencing Cantonese culture and seeing Guangzhou’s modern style, there’s something for everyone.

10 Things You Should Do In Guangzhou:

1. SHANGXIA JIE PEDESTRIAN STREET

What is it: A great place for shopping, souvenirs, and street food

How to get there: Take Guangzhou metro line 1 to Changshou Road and follow the signs to the Pedestrian street

2. BAIYUN MOUNTAIN

What is it: A famous mountain in Guangzhou – you can hike up in a few hours or take a cable car and spend time exploring the temples, tea shops, and great views up top

How to get there: Take metro Line 3 and get off at Meihuayuan Station.

Cost: 5 RMB to enter the park, 25 RMB for the cable car, and additional costs if you want to see certain sites on top of the mountain (5 – 15 RMB)

Check out more about the mountain: Explore Guangzhou: Baiyun Mountain白云山

3. NANSHA TIN HAU TEMPLE

What is it: A beautiful temple built for the Sea goddess during the Ming Dynasty. It’s farther outside of the city center of Guangzhou but well worth a trip to see! Read more about it here: Explore Guangzhou: Tin Hau Temple

How to get there: Take Line 4 to Jinzhou, then take bus 4 all the way to the temple (about 30 minutes).

Cost: 20 RMB

4. SHAWAN ANCIENT TOWN

What is it: Another site farther outside of Guangzhou, but an interesting place to see an ancient little town!

How to get there: Take the metro to Shiqiao on line 3. Take bus 67 for 20 – 30 minutes and get off when you start seeing signs for Shawan Ancient Town

5. TIYU XILU/ZHUJIANG NEW TOWN

What is it: The heart of downtown Guangzhou – you can go shopping and eat to your heart’s content at the many malls and restaurants around here

How to get there: Take Line 3 to either Zhujiang New Town or Tiyu Xilu

6. TEMPLE OF THE SIX BAIYUN TREES

What is it: A Buddhist temple built in AD 537 and one of the four best temples in Guangzhou

How to get there: Take metro Line 1 or metro Line 2 to Gongyuanqian Station, leave out exit B and walk 5 minutes

Cost: 5 RMB

8. SHAMIAN ISLAND

What is it: Shamian Island was an important port for Guangzhou’s foreign trade. It was where foreigners lived in the 18th and 19th century, so the architecture is very European. You won’t feel like you’re in China!

How to get there: Take line 1 on the metro to Huangsha Station and walk across the road
9. SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL

What is it: A beautiful and famous cathedral in Guangzhou. The inside and outside is gorgeous. They have services here every week in Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, and English.

How to get there: Take the Line 2 to Haizhu Square, use exit B2 and walk west
10. CANTON TOWER

What is it: The icon for the city of Guangzhou! You can see the tower at night from miles away because of it’s beautiful rainbow lights. Take photos of it outside or go to the top!

How to get there: Take the metro to Line 3 – you can get off at Zhujiang New Town and walk a little to get a view, or get off at the Canton Tower stop to go up inside the tower

MORE THINGS TO DO

This is just the tip of the iceberg for Guangzhou – if you’re looking for more entertainment, there’s a zoo, the Chimelong amusement park, and a circus.

If you like Chinese culture and history, there’s the Chen Clan Academy, SunYat-sen Memorial Hall, and more temples.

And, of course, don’t forget to eat Cantonese food.

There’s so much to see and do in Guangzhou! The longer I’m here I realize there’s still so much I haven’t done yet. Here’s to more adventures in Guangzhou, squinty smiles in the sun, and discovering new Chinese surprises.