China's 15th National Games, jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, will open in Guangzhou this November. As of August 1, the countdown to this nationwide sports celebration has reached 100 days, making it the perfect time to experience Guangzhou. Here are some must-visit landmarks. Ready to play beyond the games?
Unleash urban energy
Destinations: Canton Tower (廣州塔), Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort (長隆旅游度假區), Guangzhou Sunac Resort (廣州融創文旅城), Grandview Mall (正佳廣場), Pearl River Night Cruise (珠江夜游), Zhujiang Party Pier Beer Culture & Art Zone (珠江琶醍啤酒文化創意藝術區)
Visitors can kick off their adventure at the Canton Tower, enjoying panoramic skyline views from the world's highest horizontal Ferris wheel and experiencing the thrilling Sky Drop ride. Just across the city, Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort features roller coasters, water parks, and global circus shows. For snow sports lovers, Guangzhou Bonski, the indoor ski area in Guangzhou Sunac Resort, offers a variety of snow-based entertainment options, including frisbee, zip lining, and adventure trails.
In the evening, a Pearl River cruise reveals a different side of Guangzhou, where city lights shimmer across the water. Zhujiang Party Pier Beer Culture & Art Zone keeps the night alive with live music and stylish riverside bars, while Grandview Mall blends shopping with an indoor rainforest, aquarium, and many other entertainment venues.
Cultural soul of Lingnan
Destinations: Xiguang Yongqing Fang Tourist Area (西關永慶坊旅游區), Beijing Road Pedestrian Street (北京路文化旅游區), Guangdong Folk Art Museum (Chen Clan Ancestral Hall) (陳家祠), Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (中山紀念堂), Nansha Tianhou Palace (南沙天后宮)
Wandering through stone-paved lanes and old-style arcades in Yongqing Fang, you can see many passers-by in traditional Chinese costumes, comic exhibitions in the Xiguan Mansions, coffee shops, and bazaars. Don't miss a stroll down Beijing Road, where ancient pathways lie beneath your feet and street snacks tempt you at every corner.
Xiguang Yongqing Fang Tourist Area
Dafo Temple on Beijing Road
The ornate Chen Clan Ancestral Hall stuns with intricate carvings and vibrant folk art, while the stately Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall offers a glimpse into the city's history. Visitors can also explore the Nansha Tianhou Palace, which honors the sea goddess Mazu with Southeast Asia's largest temple complex and sweeping ocean views.
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
Chill in the city
Destinations: Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area (白云山風景名勝區), South China National Botanical Garden (華南國家植物園), Lotus Hill Tourism Area (蓮花山旅游區), Baomo Garden (寶墨園), Bishuiwan Hot Spring Resort (碧水灣溫泉度假村)
Visitors can hike Baiyun Mountain for skyline views and forest trails, or stroll through exotic plants and greenhouses at the South China National Botanical Garden.
Don't miss the red cliffs and ancient pagoda of Lotus Hill, or the elegant pavilions and koi ponds of Baomo Garden, a gem of Lingnan garden art. For a relaxing end to the day, you can also soak in the mineral-rich pools of Bishuiwan Hot Spring Resort, surrounded by quiet hills and fresh air.
Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area
Don't miss the red cliffs and ancient pagoda of Lotus Hill, or the elegant pavilions and koi ponds of Baomo Garden, a gem of Lingnan garden art. For a relaxing end to the day, you can also soak in the mineral-rich pools of Bishuiwan Hot Spring Resort, surrounded by quiet hills and fresh air.
Lotus Hill Tourism Area
Kid-friendly escapes
Destinations: Guangzhou Zoo (廣州動物園), Auswor (七彩澳游世界), SKOV River Wonderland (森林海旅游度假區)
Families can start their day at Guangzhou Zoo, home to over 450 species, including the beloved giant pandas. At Auswor, kids can meet kangaroos, ride beach buggies, and try horseback riding in an immersive Aussie-style setting.
Giant panda at Guangzhou Zoo
To unwind, make your way to SKOV River Wonderland. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant boat trip on the shimmering lake or soak in the hot spring while admiring the beautiful scenery.
SKOV River Wonderland
Where to find the attractions listed above:
Canton Tower (廣州塔): No. 222, Yuejiang West Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (廣州市海珠區閱江西路222號)
Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort (長隆旅游度假區): No.299, Hanxi Avenue East, Panyu District, Guangzhou (廣州市番禺區漢溪大道東299號)
Guangzhou Sunac Resort (廣州融創文旅城): Sunac Resort, No. 78 Fenghuang North Road, Huadu District, Guangzhou (廣州市花都區鳳凰北路78號廣州融創文旅城)
Grandview Mall (正佳廣場): No. 228 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (廣州市天河區天河中心天河路228號)
Pearl River Night Cruise (珠江夜游):
Canton Tower Fortune Pier: By the Pearl River Bank, at the northeast of Canton Tower, No. 222, Yuejiang West Road, Zhuhai District, Guangzhou (廣州市海珠區閱江西路222號廣州塔東北側珠江堤岸邊)
Haixinsha East Wharf (Haixinsha Red Boat Pier): Haixinsha East District, Linjiang Avenue, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (the pier to board Pearl River Red Boat) (廣州市天河區臨江大道海心沙東區紅船船說碼頭)
Zhujiang Party Pier Beer Culture & Art Zone (珠江琶醍啤酒文化創意藝術區):
No. 118, Modiesha Street, Yuejiang West Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou（廣州海珠區閱江西路磨碟沙大街118號）
Xiguang Yongqing Fang Tourist Area (西關永慶坊旅游區): No. 99, Enning Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou (廣州市荔灣區恩寧路99號)
Beijing Road Pedestrian Street (北京路文化旅游區): Beijing Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou（廣州越秀區北京路）
Guangdong Folk Art Museum (Chen Clan Ancestral Hall) (陳家祠): No. 34, Enlong Li, Zhongshan 7th Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou (廣州市荔灣區中山七路恩龍里34號)
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (中山紀念堂): No. 299, Dongfeng Middle Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou（廣州越秀區東風中路299號）
Nansha Tianhou Palace (南沙天后宮): No. 88, Tianhou Road, Gangwan Sub-district, Nansha District, Guangzhou （南沙區港灣街道天后路88號）
Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area (白云山風景名勝區): ?No.?801 Guangyuan Middle Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou (白云區廣園中路801號)
South China National Botanical Garden (華南國家植物園): No. 1190 Tianyuan Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (廣州市天河區天源路1190號)
Lotus Hill Tourism Area (蓮花山旅游區): No.?28?Ximen Road, Shilou Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou(廣州市番禺區石樓鎮西門路28號)
Baomo Garden (寶墨園): Dong'an Road, Zini Village, Shawan Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou (廣州市番禺區沙灣鎮紫坭村東安路)
Bishuiwan Hot Spring Resort (碧水灣溫泉度假村): No. 353 Yuquan Avenue, Conghua District, Guangzhou?(廣州市從化區御泉大道353號)
Guangzhou Zoo (廣州動物園): No. 120, Xianlie Middle Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou（越秀區先烈中路120號）
Auswor (七彩澳游世界): North Jinxing Road, Lianxing Village, Zhucun Sub-district, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou (增城區朱村街道聯興村金興路北)
SKOV River Wonderland (森林海旅游度假區): No.101 Baishuizhai Avenue, Paitan Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou (廣州市增城區派潭鎮白水寨大道101號)