Guangzhou

Downwtown Guanzhou
Photo by: jaaron, Creative Commons
Guangzhou is the provincial capital of Guangdong, found along the southern shores of China. It is one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in southern China. Guangzhou offers tourists easy access to Macau and Hong Kong and serves as a port from the Pearl River to the South China Sea.
Guangzhou is touted as the haven of Cantonese cuisine. Cantonese cuisine is one of the eight most popular dishes in China. And many foreigners can attest to the exquisite and palatable flavor of Cantonese food served in Guangzhou. When you dine in one of the restaurants in Guangzhou, don’t forget to order Cantonese specialties such as taiye ji (taiye chicken), kao ru zhu (roasted suckling pig), and long hu dou (dragon fighting against the tiger). Cantonese dim sum such as steamed shao mai, and shrimp dumpling are among the best in China. Street foods sold along East Huifu Road and Panfu Road are a must-try for tourists who want to experience the local eating traditions like drinking tea and sipping a variety of soup dishes.
The shopping streets in Guangzhou offer plenty of choices for visitors, ranging from clothes and cosmetic products to appliances, furniture, and electronic gadgets. Fashionable clothes are found in the World Trade Mall and Baima Clothes Market; dried food and seafood are available along Yide Road; and souvenir items abound Wende Road. The most famous local products you may want to buy include jade jewelry items like bracelets and rings, jade jars, Cantonese embroidery, and the therapeutic Wang Laoji herbal tea.
When it comes to nightlife, Guangzhou caters to partygoers who are seeking places to hang out and parties to enjoy. The three bar streets in the city that are most preferred by tourists include the Yanjiang Road along the Pearl River, the Huanshi Road, and Baietan area. But if you want to spend a peaceful night alone or with a loved one, the most recommended nighttime activities in Guangzhou are enjoying the scenic view of the Pearl river and the entire city from the White Cloud Mountain as well as night cruising on the lovely Pearl River, the third longest river in the country. Pearl River looks splendid as well during daytime. You can stroll down the Scenery Corridor along the riverbank and relax while watching the water scenes on the river.
Guangzhou is indeed a perfect destination for tourists who want to make the most out of their holiday getaway.