Looking for what to do in Guangzhou? If you’re planning a trip to China and want to include Guangzhou in your itinerary, you’ve come to the right place. This was our last stop on a 14-day trip across China in early 2025 during our second round-the-world journey. After exploring Chengdu and Chongqing, we arrived in Guangzhou with just the right energy: ready to soak up as much of the city as possible, but also in need of some more relaxed moments.
Guangzhou is huge and has an incredible cultural, culinary, and architectural scene. Since we only had two days (the maximum time allowed at the time under the visa waiver program), we had to choose wisely. Here’s what we did, what we recommend, and some essential tips to make the most of your visit.
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Safety in Guangzhou
We felt completely safe, both day and night. There are cameras throughout the city, and we were never approached by anyone. China has an extremely low crime rate against tourists, making exploring Guangzhou a very peaceful experience.
How many days to stay in Guangzhou?
If you want to see the main attractions, two days are enough. But if you plan to explore less touristy neighborhoods and immerse yourself in the city’s art and food scene, three or four days are ideal. Guangzhou has an excellent metro system, but the city is huge, so some trips can take a while.
Where to stay in Guangzhou
Guangzhou has many interesting neighborhoods, so it’s best to choose carefully. If you want to know more, check out our guide on the best areas to stay in Guangzhou.
What to do in Guangzhou
Guangzhou is full of surprises, with an incredible mix of tradition and modernity. In two days, we managed to explore a bit of everything: impressive shopping malls, historic neighborhoods, and chaotic markets. If you’re planning a visit, here’s what to do in Guangzhou.
Shop (and more) at TaiKoo Hui
Shopping is on many travelers’ lists of what to do in Guangzhou. One of the city’s most luxurious malls, where you’ll find international brands, great restaurants, and stunning interior architecture. But what drew us there was the Jang Suo Commune, a bookstore and community space inside that’s well worth a visit.
Explore Parc Central
Another massive shopping mall, but the highlight here is the outdoor square, which takes on a special atmosphere at night with the city lights.
Buy books and souvenirs at 1200 Bookshop
Guangzhou has several 1200 Bookshop branches, and we visited two:
- Tiyu East Road Branch
- Beijing Lu Tee Mall Branch
Both have a cozy atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing break in the city.
Experience the aromas at Liwan Dried Food Market
Right next to Shamian Island, this market is a true festival of colors and smells. Entire streets lined with small shops selling everything from dried fruits to dehydrated seahorses. It’s worth exploring and adding to your list of what to do in Guangzhou—you might even take home some unique snacks.
Explore colonial architecture on Shamian Island
An island that, in the 19th century, was ceded to Britain and France, becoming a European concession. Today, the tree-lined streets and well-preserved colonial buildings make this one of the most beautiful places to stroll, enjoy a coffee, and admire the view of the Pearl River.
Discover the Yongqingfang neighborhood
A renovated historic neighborhood that retains traditional charm with a modern twist, full of interesting shops.
Visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral
An impressive cathedral that suddenly appears amidst the skyscrapers. The surrounding square has a unique energy, located in a bustling commercial area. Don’t forget to include this spot in your list of what to do in Guangzhou.
Experience Temu in person at One Link International Plaza
If you’ve browsed Temu, this is the physical equivalent! A massive shopping mall where you can find everything imaginable.
Explore the Beijing Lu Pedestrian Area
One of the liveliest pedestrian streets in the city, packed with shops, restaurants, and contagious energy.
Discover a hidden bookstore in Liudeng – KEEP THE LIGHT Bookstore
A cute bookstore and café, but with few international book options.
Admire the architecture of Dafo Temple
A still-functioning Buddhist temple with impressive architecture.
Admire the giant Huacheng Square (花城广场)
The largest square in the city, located in the Zhujiang New Town district. Here you’ll find the Guangzhou Opera House, the Guangzhou Library, and the Guangdong Museum.
See a Futuristic Building at the Guangzhou Opera House
With a futuristic design, this building looks like it came from another planet. Even if you don’t watch a show, it’s worth including in your list of things to do in Guangzhou just to see it up close.
See the Canton Tower – View from Haixinsha 海心沙
The iconic Canton Tower is one of the city’s highlights. At night, it comes alive with colorful lights and a spectacular water and light show.
Explore the Guangzhou Library
For book and architecture lovers, this library impresses with its size and modern design.
Collecting Stamps
In China, just like in Japan, you can collect stamps from cafés, bookstores, and even post offices. A fun tradition for those who love unique souvenirs.
Enjoying Guangzhou’s Coffee Scene
The city is full of amazing cafés, with a modern vibe and delicious desserts. If, like us, you’re a coffee fan, you can’t miss the best spots – check out the best cafés we visited in Guangzhou.
Where to Eat in Guangzhou
Guangzhou has a rich food culture, and you can feel it on every corner. Cantonese cuisine is among the most appreciated in China, but the city also offers many international influences. Since we enjoy switching between traditional dishes and flavors from around the world, here are our recommendations on where to eat in Guangzhou.
Gold Medal Taotaoju (金牌陶陶居 – 太古汇店)
Experts in dim sum, this restaurant serves unmissable shrimp dumplings. For something different, try the crispy fried pork, served in a bowl with ice to keep its crunchy texture.
Shameen House (好时露天花园餐厅)
Cantonese restaurant on Shamian Island, with a lovely outdoor terrace and delicious food.
gaga Central (Taikoo Hui Flagship Store)
If you want a break from Chinese food, this restaurant offers great international options and a cool space with an outdoor terrace.
Muke Greenhouse (Beijing Road Branch)
Located on the 4th floor of a building, this restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and original decor. The food is good, and it’s a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of Beijing Road.
Extra tips for traveling in Guangzhou
- Payments: Forget cash! We always used Alipay to pay in stores, restaurants, and public transport. Even small street stalls accept digital payments.
- Metro and food delivery apps: The Guangzhou metro is excellent, easy to use, and super efficient. To order food at restaurants, you can often just point at the menu or use translation apps.
- Travel insurance: As always, we travel with Heymondo, which gives us peace of mind knowing we’re covered for any unexpected events.
- Translation: Apps like Google Translate are essential for communication, especially since menus and signs aren’t always in English.
- Unrestricted internet: With Holafly, we had unlimited internet without needing a VPN, allowing us to access blocked apps in China like Google and WhatsApp.
- Best time to visit: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal, with mild temperatures and less humidity. Summer can be unbearable due to extreme heat and heavy rain.
- Maps and navigation: Forget Google Maps! Many locations are incorrectly marked or don’t appear at all. The best options are Amap (Gaode Maps) or Apple Maps, which work much better in China.