Must-see Attractions

You can’t go to Guangzhou and not see these 4 must see Guangzhou attractions
Formerly known as Canton, Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong Province. It is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. With a history dating back roughly 2,200 years, Guangzhou has been a springboard for trading, cultural exchanges, many revolutions and reforms, making it an unavoidable stopover to understand what shapes the modern China. If you’re planning a trip to Guangzhou, no matter the length, there are some sights you just need to see. To help you plan your trip to Guangzhou, we’ve created a list of the 4 must see Guangzhou attractions for your reference. Use this as a checklist if you want to make the most out of your Guangzhou trip.

Here are 4 stunning Guangzhou tourist attractions you have to visit when you are in the city!

1. Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is an academic temple built by the 72 Chen clans for their juniors' accommodation and preparation for the imperial examinations in 1894 in Qing Dynasty. Later it was changed to be the Chen Clan's Industry College, and then middle schools afterward. Now it houses the Guangdong Folk Art Museum. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is a symmetric complex consist of 19 buildings with nine halls and six courtyards. Facing south, the complex forms around a north-south axis. A large collection of southern China art pieces, for example, wood carvings and pottery, can be found in the structure. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall complex exemplifies traditional Chinese architecture and decoration style, and has influenced cultural and architectural developments worldwide. Get more about Chen Clan Ancestral Hall.

2. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is an octagon-shaped building constructed with funds raised by local and overseas Chinese people in memory of Sun Yat-sen. Considered to be the "Father of Modern China", Sun Yat-sen fought against the imperial Qing government and after the 1911 revolution ended the monarchy, and founded the Republic of China. Construction work of the hall commenced in 1929 and completed in 1931. The hall is a large octagonal structure with a span of 71 meters without pillars, housing a large stage and seats 3,240 people. Get more about Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.

3. Canton Tower
The Canton Tower, formally Guangzhou TV Astronomical and Sightseeing Tower, is a 604-meter (1,982 ft)-tall multipurpose observation tower. The tower was topped out in 2009 and it became operational on 29 September 2010 for the 2010 Asian Games. The tower briefly held the title of tallest tower in the world, replacing the CN Tower, before being surpassed by the Tokyo Skytree. It was the tallest structure in China prior to the topping out of the Shanghai Tower on 3 August 2013, and is now the second tallest tower and the fourth-tallest freestanding structure in the world. Get more about Canton Tower.

4. Pearl River Night Cruise
When night falls, Guangzhou is shrouded in glaring light. Luxury cruise ships depart from Xiti Pier near Remin Bridge and sail eastwards, passing through Jiefang Bridge, Haizhu Bridge, Jiangwan Bridge, Guangzhou Bridge, Hedong Bridge. In the two-hour journey, tourists are exposed to an array of natural and man-made scenic spots, including White Swan Lake, White Swan Lake Bar Street, Western-style houses in Shamian, Shadow Tower, Aiqun Building and Er'sha Island. Get more about Pearl River Night Cruise.