The Top 5 Guangzhou Attractions
- City: Guangzhou
- State: Guangdong Province
- Country: China
Formerly known as Canton, Guangzhou is the provincial capital of South China, as well as a major manufacturing and trade hub. This status has given Guangzhou / Canton a cosmopolitan and bustling vibe, and the large amount of trade and traffic through the city has led to numerous attractions and sights.
Here are the Top 5 Tourist Attractions to visit in Guangzhou, all of which hold important cultural or historical significance. All these are permanent locations which can be visited and viewed at any time throughout the year.
1. Canton Tower
As a symbol of the modernization of Guangzhou, the Canton Tower is the tallest structure in China, with its iconic twisting structure lit by controlled lights at night, allowing for a colourful spectacle.
The Canton Tower features 2 observation decks, with the indoor deck being 449 metres high and the outdoor rooftop deck being 488 metres high, with a rotating ‘ferris wheel’ system. Located nearby is the also iconic Pearl River, which flows through the city.
2. Yuexiu Park & Guangzhou Museum
Yuexiu Park is a large cultural park in Guangzhou, famed for its incredible scenic beauty of the 3 artificial lakes Beixiu, Dongxiu and Nanxiu, as well as the Five Rams Stone Statue, the symbol of Guangzhou.
The Guangzhou Museum is located here, with the Sea Guard Tower Gallery housing historical and cultural artifacts from across China and tracing the history of Canton, and the Art Gallery exhibiting both traditional and contemporary artwork and handicraft.
Also located here are the Haiyuan Pavilion, and the Sun-Yat-Sen Monument.
3. Guangdong Museum
The Guangdong Museum is the main public museum of Guangzhou, located along the north bank of the Pearl River, and housing over 130,000 exhibits from across China, including rare and priceless artifacts.
The iconic contemporary architecture of the Guangdong Museum is designed like a ancient Canton treasure box, and the exhibits are divided into 3 catergories of History, Art and Nature. The most prized items include the Black Dragon Handscroll by Chen Rong of the South Song Dynasty, and the Yuan Dynasty blue-white Jingdezheng porcelain bottle.
4. Baiyun Mountain (White Cloud Mountain)
Baiyun Mountain, also known as White Cloud Mountain, was named because its peak is shrouded by white clouds during spring. Baiyun Mountain has been famed since ancient times in China, for its abundance of scenic spots and historical sites, including views of the city of Guangzhou.
Sightseeing zones at Baiyun Mountain include Mingzhu Tower, Moxing Ridge, Santai Ridge, Mingchun Valley, Fei’e Ridge, Luhu Lake, Baiyun Cableway, Mingchun Valley, the Forest of Steles, Xinghai Garden, Yuntai Garden, the Sculpture Park and Baiyun Chute.
In particular, Yuntai Garden at the base of Baiyun Mountain is the largest landscaped garden in China, with many ornamental exotic flowers and plants.
5. Mausoleum Of The Nanyue King
The Mausoleum Of The Nanyue King was among the most significant discoveries in South China, a well preserved tomb with funeral antiques from the Han Dynasty, belonging to second king of Nanyue, Zhao Mo.
Discovered in the heart of Guangzhou, the Mausoleum Of The Nanyue King houses over 1,000 burial artifacts, including gold and silver vessels, musical instruments, sculptures, a chariot, and the silk-jade burial garment of Zhao Mo with 2,291 pieces of jade.