Guangzhou travel journal

10 May 2026 – 15 May 2026

Guangzhou

Six days across Old Guangzhou, Chimelong, Baiyun Mountain, and Canton Tower.

Sunset over Guangzhou from the Canton Tower Bubble Tram
Sunday, 10 May

Day 1 - Arrival & Old Guangzhou

Route   Changi Airport → Guangzhou Baiyun Airport → Puji Hotel → Qiaomeishijia → Shamian Island → Pearl River → Onelink International Mall → Sacred Heart Cathedral → Tianzi Wharf → Haizhu Square

After an early flight from Singapore, we dropped our bags near Beijing Road and headed out for roasted pigeon and pork. We spent the afternoon around Shamian Island and Sacred Heart Cathedral, then ended the day on a Pearl River night cruise.

Twin spires of Guangzhou Sacred Heart Cathedral

Sacred Heart Cathedral

Guangzhou Sacred Heart Cathedral · 广州圣心大教堂

Orange cat resting at an outdoor table in Guangzhou

Shamian Island

A quiet pause among Shamian's tree-lined streets

Monday, 11 May

Day 2 - Xiguan & Yongqingfang

Route   Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street → Dongji Xintiandi → Lianxianglou → Yongqingfang → Cantonese Opera Museum → Comic City → Dagefan → Beijing Road → Dafo Temple

We spent the day around Xiguan, moving between traditional Cantonese food, restored lane houses, the Cantonese Opera Museum, and Yongqingfang's small design details. After dinner, Beijing Road and the illuminated Dafo Temple closed out the night.

Calligraphy covering a cylindrical installation in Yongqingfang

Yongqingfang

Calligraphy and neighbourhood stories

Guangzhou-shaped ice cream held outside a shop on Shangxiajiu

Shangxiajiu

A Guangzhou-shaped ice cream along the walk

Traditional courtyard building at the Cantonese Opera Museum

Cantonese Opera Museum

Traditional architecture inside the museum grounds

Wooden Wing Chun dummy in a traditional courtyard

Yongqingfang

Wing Chun heritage inside the restored Xiguan lanes

Colourful contemporary facade set against grey brick in Yongqingfang

Yongqingfang

New colour woven into old grey-brick architecture

Decorative relief climbing the side of a building in Yongqingfang

Yongqingfang

A sculpted streetscape detail

Tuesday, 12 May

Day 3 - Yuexiu & Chimelong

Route   Yuexiu Park → Five Rams Sculpture → Chimelong Safari Park → Chimelong International Circus

The morning began in Yuexiu Park before a full afternoon at Chimelong Safari Park. Cable-car views, close wildlife encounters, and the evening circus made this the most animated day of the trip.

Red Zhenhai Tower rising above Yuexiu Park

Yuexiu Park

Zhenhai Tower in Guangzhou's largest central park

White cat resting beside a path in Yuexiu Park

Yuexiu Park

A park regular taking it easy

Entrance to Chimelong Safari Park

Chimelong Safari Park

Starting the afternoon safari

Giraffes looking over a safari truck at Chimelong

Chimelong Safari Park

The Africa section of the safari route

Monkey sitting on a wooden platform at Chimelong Safari Park

Chimelong Safari Park

Along the forest trail

Toucan perched on a branch at Chimelong Safari Park

Chimelong Safari Park

Toucan along the walking route

White tiger walking beside the water at Chimelong Safari Park

Chimelong Safari Park

White tiger enclosure

Two tigers in a forested enclosure at Chimelong Safari Park

Chimelong Safari Park

Tigers along the shaded trail

Koala resting in a tree at Chimelong Safari Park

Chimelong Safari Park

Koala habitat

Giant panda walking through bamboo at Chimelong Safari Park

Chimelong Safari Park

Giant panda habitat

Giant panda eating bamboo at Chimelong Safari Park

Chimelong Safari Park

Panda feeding time

Illuminated stage display at Chimelong International Circus

Chimelong International Circus

Inside before the main acts

Performers and a hippopotamus on stage at Chimelong International Circus

Chimelong International Circus

The evening performance

Motorcyclists performing inside a steel globe at Chimelong International Circus

Chimelong International Circus

Motorcycle globe act

Wednesday, 13 May

Day 4 - Baiyun Mountain

Route   Baiyun Mountain → Moxing Summit → Massage stop → Wanguo Outlet → Grandview Mall

We took the cable car up Baiyun Mountain and continued on foot to Moxing Summit, the mountain's 382-metre high point. After the climb, we stopped for a massage before spending the rest of the day around Tianhe's outlets and malls.

Stone pavilion shaded by trees on Baiyun Mountain

Baiyun Mountain

A shaded rest point on the climb

Guangzhou skyline viewed from Baiyun Mountain

Moxing Summit

Guangzhou from 382 metres

Massage room in Tianhe

Massage stop

A quiet break after Baiyun Mountain

Thursday, 14 May

Day 5 - Science Centre & Canton Tower

Route   Guangdong Science Centre → Dongshankou → Canton Tower → Bubble Tram → Tianhe

Hands-on exhibits filled the morning at Guangdong Science Centre. We then wandered through Dongshankou's East-meets-West streets before heading up Canton Tower for the Bubble Tram and sunset over the Pearl River.

Curved silver facade of Guangdong Science Centre

Guangdong Science Centre

The science centre's sweeping entrance

Interactive driving simulator at Guangdong Science Centre

Guangdong Science Centre

Driving simulator exhibit

Arched wooden doorway on a quiet Dongshankou street

Dongshankou

Historic architecture among the neighbourhood's cafes and galleries

Steak served on a hot plate in Tianhe

Tianhe

Dinner on the hot plate

Cold tea from CHAGEE during a Guangzhou café stop

Tea break

A cold CHAGEE stop between plans

Couple seated by the windows near the top of Canton Tower

Canton Tower

Above Guangzhou before sunset

Aerial view of Guangzhou from Canton Tower

Canton Tower

Tianhe and the Pearl River from above

Pearl River curving through Guangzhou below Canton Tower

Canton Tower

The Pearl River below

Bubble Tram cabin beside a sunset view over Guangzhou

Canton Tower Bubble Tram

Sunset over the Pearl River

Canton Tower framed by a circular opening

Canton Tower

A final look back at the tower

Friday, 15 May

Day 6 - Departure

Route   ECHIC Hotel → Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Terminal 3 → Changi Airport

We left early for the airport and flew home, arriving back in Singapore by mid-afternoon.