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Top 5 things to do:
1. Shopping at Beijing Lu
Beijing Lu (Beijing Road) is a walking street in Guangzhou, which is famous for its shopping. You will find a variety of stores here selling bags, clothes, shoes, jewellery, beauty products as well as different food outlets. One of my favourite restaurants here – Tiger Prawn, although being a Vietnamese restaurant has plenty of traditional Chinese dishes, for example fried rice, sweet and sour dishes. Its 30+ page menu (with pictures!) will make your heart race with excitement of what to come. You will not regret dining here!
2. Yuexui Park
Right in the middle of the city you can find a little Oasis – Yuexui Park. It is a great place to get away from a busy city and relax by the lake. In the middle of the park there is the Five-Ram Sculpture, one of the most famous structures in Guangzhou. This park is easily accessible by metro and would be a great addition to your trip.
3. Chimelong Safari Park
The panda is a must see animal while visiting China! And Chimelong Safari Park has the largest amount of pandas kept in captivity than any other places in the world. It is not just pandas, you can find a huge variety of animals here and get quite close to some of them. Chimelong complex also has hotels, an amusement park and aqua park, all located next to each other.
4. Get a Chinese foot massage
After a long day of shopping and exploring there is no better remedy than a foot massage. You have a choice of either a private or common massage room, TV remote to occupy yourself and various herbs to soak your feet in prior to the massage. Feel like royalty in a big comfortable chair and you will feel better in no time, the price will surprise you, a 60 minute massage is just over $15! What a bargain.
5. Dinner at a seafood restaurant by the Pearl River
Fresh seafood is what it’s all about. One of the most popular seafood restaurants in Guangzhou is Yumin (Fisherman). Walking around a countless number of tanks with a large variety of seafood will make your head spin. Just follow 3 easy steps: choose what you like to eat, choose the way you want it to be cooked and enjoy. Fish, scallops, lobsters, even crocodile – the selection will surprise you (and might even shock you).
One of the best things about Chinese cuisine is the wide range of sauces. Full of fresh herbs, sourness and sweetness – it will make any meal stand out. If you are adventurous with food, try one of the Chinese favourites – pigeon.
Guangzhou is home to the largest trade fair in China – Canton Fair, held twice a year in spring and in autumn. During this time accommodation prices rise significantly and the city is full of business people from all over the world.
The Metro system in Guangzhou is fantastic, stations are clearly marked and all the announcements are made in English as well as in Chinese. It is the best way to get around this big city and visit as many places as possible.
This amazing city is full of life, that and everything else make it a perfect stop on your way to Europe or for a holiday on its own.
Have we missed your top activity to try while in Guangzhou? Feel free to share in the comment section.
