The colorful Guangzhou, located in southern China, is one of the most ancient cities in the world. The capital of the Guangdong province gained fame thanks to its airport - an intermediate stop for international flights. In recent decades, the vibrant metropolis has become a popular tourist destination, striking the imagination of vacationers.
Famous tv tower
Local residents will always tell guests of the city where to go to Guangzhou. They recommend to get acquainted with his business card - an ultra-modern TV tower, the construction of which was timed to coincide with the opening of the Asian Games in 2010. A giant building with a height of 610 meters, daily receiving about 10 thousand visitors, it is impossible not to notice, because it can be seen from any part of the metropolis.
Unusual design
The Dutch architects involved in the construction created a unique tower, which is different from the rest of the buildings in the world. For its innovative design, it was called Xiao Man Yao, which translates as “slim-waisted girl”.
The skyscraper with a 150-meter spire is a design with sophisticated shapes, enclosed in a metal mesh, which consists of vertical and horizontal steel pipes.
A place to relax
The tower, located in the Haizhu district, not far from the Pearl River, is designed not only for receiving television and radio signals. Conditionally divided into several zones, it attracts tourists who want to spend time with benefit. Vacationers who are thinking about where to go to Guangzhou should visit an amazing attraction, equipped with modern cinemas, revolving restaurants, the Ferris Wheel attraction and a viewing platform with breathtaking panoramas.
You can come here both in the afternoon and in the evening, because closer to sunset the tower shines with myriads of colorful lights, and, according to tourists, everyone should see this unforgettable sight.
Antique city
Where can I go to Guangzhou yet? In the historical part of the city (Panyu district) is an ancient village that appeared more than 800 years ago. Shavan, which is the cultural heritage of Guangdong, will immerse tourists in the distant past, during the great Song Dynasty. The ancient city is an atmospheric place on the territory of which skillfully decorated old houses rise. On his example, it is clear that before the streets were arranged vertically and horizontally, and the inhabitants of the village decorated their homes with bright frescoes and beautiful carvings.
Every year fun festivals are held here, and then the cradle of Chinese folk art turns into a raging cauldron, in which traditional cultures of one of the most mysterious countries of the world are "boiled".
Paradise
Tourists who have already visited the metropolis know exactly where to go to Guangzhou in the afternoon. The metropolis is famous for its picturesque parks, surprising an abundance of exotic plants and tropical greenery. 20 kilometers from the colorful city is an amazing natural masterpiece - a real paradise, which was once an ordinary quarry for stone mining. Park "Lotus Mountains", according to travelers, is the most beautiful. You need to go here for the whole day, because there is something to see.
Looking at the mountains partially covered with forest, rising above the mouth of the Pearl River, you understand that only in the bosom of nature can one experience peace and no miracles of civilization will create it. The park, which got its name because of the similarity of one of the peaks with a flower, which is considered a symbol of Buddhism, has prepared many pleasant surprises for vacationers. Hiking trails are laid here, restaurants and cafes are built, but the main attraction is an excellent water amusement park.
Fans of interesting sights will also not be disappointed. They will see a gilded Buddha statue and a sculpture of a lotus fairy, visit an eight-sided ancient pagoda, wander among the ruins of an ancient city.
Most often they come here at dawn, when the mountains are lit up by the timid rays of the sun, which give them delicious shades of pink.
The most "non-Chinese" attraction
Those who appreciate the special atmosphere and want to take a break from the noise of the metropolis can answer the question of where to go to Guangzhou. The Shamyan Island, separated from the city by a bridge, is not just a piece of land, it is a tiny piece of European culture, where people come for new experiences.
An unusual attraction does not look at all in Chinese. Once the territory of the island belonged to Britain and France, and only at the end of the 40s of the last century it again came under the jurisdiction of China. A lot of time has passed since then, and the spirit of Europe reigns here until now. Tourists even compare the visit to Shamyan with teleportation to another world, where it is so nice to relax from the bustle of the city.
Do not be surprised that European style abounds in architecture, in which there is almost no place for elements of Chinese architecture. This is clear evidence of what Guangzhou looked like in the colonial era. White-stone mansions, Catholic churches, original bronze sculptures, wide boulevards make an indelible impression. This is the only island in the country with a pronounced European component, and its atmosphere attracts with a special surroundings.
Tourists, thinking about where to go to Guangzhou, can wander around the streets of Shamyan all day, enjoying wonderful views of the water surface. In the evening, a tiny island, which is very easy to get around on foot, is illuminated with artificial lights, becoming even more attractive.
Walk along the river embankment
The night metropolis, the buildings of which are shimmering with bright colors, is itself an interesting attraction. And tourists, thinking about where to go to Guangzhou in the evening, can safely go for a walk along the embankment of the Pearl River. With the onset of darkness, skyscrapers standing on both sides of the blue artery are illuminated with soft light, and rainbow lights flickering on its bridges flickering in its waters. The extraordinarily beautiful landscape is admirable.
The embankment, consisting of a roadway and a pedestrian part, stretches for 23 kilometers. This is a great place for an evening walk: life is always in full swing here, street musicians play, and numerous restaurants invite you to a delicious dinner in a cozy atmosphere.
Evening excursion
Tourists who do not like to walk can go on a 2-hour excursion on a cruise ship scurrying between the marinas. On board a ship decorated with an old Chinese boat, guests can enjoy a drink or light meal dinner. You can take a seat on the upper deck or in a separate cabin with panoramic windows.
Along the main artery of the city there are ancient buildings, the architecture of which will allow you to get acquainted with its unique culture.
Where to eat
In the culinary capital of the country they cook very tasty, and hungry tourists can visit more than 20 thousand cafes and restaurants in Guangzhou. Most city catering establishments offer Chinese cuisine, and those who are not strangers to exotic are happy to visit there. However, you can find many points with European cuisine, which is gaining popularity.
The list of the most famous restaurants is presented below:
- On the 72nd floor of the IFC Tower skyscraper (the building of the International Financial Center), the Mondo restaurant with Italian cuisine, recognized as one of the best in the city, is located. Here you can enjoy a variety of dishes and enjoy the breathtaking views.
- And on the 105th floor of the famous TV tower, at an altitude of 407 meters, there is an imperceptibly rotating restaurant Lutece, which allows you to view the city from different angles. French cuisine will delight you with its sophistication, but it is worth remembering that only an hour is given for lunch, so most often people come here for dinner when the time spent in the institution is unlimited.
- In the Tianhe district, Harbin Restaurant serves national dishes. According to visitors, this is Chinese cuisine, which is well known in Russia, with a minimum of spices and spices.
- In the same area appeared a restaurant of Russian cuisine Katusha. Jellied meat and borsch, hodgepodge and cabbage rolls will help to muffle homesickness.
Guangzhou: where to go and what to see?
The list of interesting places where you can enjoy your vacation can be continued indefinitely. The original city is a real find for travelers who find here the perfect balance of ancient history, architectural monuments and developed tourist infrastructure.
Where else should guests of a modern metropolis go? It is worth to visit the following attractions:
- the beautiful Huacheng Square, which is a 1.5-kilometer green alley and called the "flower city";
- Guangzhou-Yuan - a skyscraper with a round hole, which has no analogues in the world;
- opera house - a whimsical-looking building that evokes associations with a spaceship;
- the mausoleum of King Nanyue, included in the list of the best museums in the world;
- Beijing pedestrian street is the main trading artery of the city, where you can buy literally everything.
The heyday of exhibition activities
A large industrial and financial center is the corner in which the West first took root in China. Twice a year, in spring and autumn, the Chinese International Exhibition, which is the oldest in the country, is held here. Manufacturers from around the world present a huge range of products, and businessmen conclude contracts for fabulous amounts.
The Canton Exhibition in Guangzhou, whose history has more than 60 years, makes it possible to purchase all types of goods produced both in China and in other countries. The state authorities always provide tangible support to its organizers. The platform for export and import has been cultivating a galaxy of successful brands for many years.
The exhibition in Guangzhou is being held at the Pazhou Exhibition Complex with an area of over one million square meters. Entrepreneurs have to devote a lot of time to familiarize themselves with the range of products presented, and therefore it is carried out in 3 stages, which last 5 days.
The city, which focuses on foreign trade, demonstrates its openness to foreign investors. And each exhibition testifies to the prosperity of trade and the economy of the megalopolis, conducting a dialogue with the world community.