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District in Guangdong, China
Photo: Uuongkinghe, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Yuexiu (越秀, Yuht sau in Cantonese, Yuèxiù in Mandarin) is a central district in Guangzhou. The old walled city of Guangzhou was here, though it has been mostly redeveloped. Yuexiu is now the political and cultural center of Guangzhou, with many museums, holy sites, and urban parks.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
中山纪念堂 Zhōngshān Jìniàntáng
Dedicated to the founder of the Republic of China and local hero Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. It was constructed in 1931 and built on the original site of Sun Yat-sen's presidential office on Yuexiu Hill.
小北 Xiǎoběi / "Little Africa"
Likely Guangzhou's most diverse neighborhood, with banners here written in at least 4 languages: Chinese, English, French and Arabic. You'll find delicious Middle Eastern and Uyghur restaurants on the main street Baohan Zhijie (宝汉直街), before you meander into side streets full of Africans. Even the Chinese salespeople here have thick African accents when they speak English. You may feel like you're in Africa, but this is Guangzhou.
Built in 1380, the city wall used to surround the entire city. But in the early 20th century it was torn down for redevelopment, except for a 1-km long section in Yuexiu Park. The wall reaches up to 10-m high. In some parts, there are trees growing from the top of the wall with their roots spreading picturesquely down the wall.
Guangzhou’s first pedestrian-only bridge over the Pearl River, linking Ersha Island with Tianhe. Opened in 2022, its sleek white curves and sweeping river views make it as much a photo spot as a shortcut.
越秀公园 Yuèxiù Gōngyuán
The largest urban park in China and is a lush green area that flows over acres of hills and includes several lakes. It includes the Ming Dynasty Zhenhai Tower (镇海楼) zhènhǎilóu, now home to the Guangzhou Museum with relics on five floors dating back 5,000 years ago and an up-to-date miniature of modern Guangzhou. ¥10. 09:00 - 11:30, 13:00 - 17:00. Also check out the Stone Statue of the Five Rams (五羊石像), the symbol of Guangzhou (See Understand).
广州起义烈士陵园 Guǎngzhōu Qǐyìlièshì Língyuán
This park is dedicated to those who fought and died in the Communist Uprising in 1927.
东濠涌, Green Walk
This small river flowing through Yuexiu has been cleaned up, and is now home to a walking path. It is under the Donghaoyong Elevated Road motorway.
黄花岗公园 Huánghuāgǎng Gōngyuán
This is a park that will set you in a poignant mood. The main attraction is the monument built to commemorate the 72 martyrs who died during the 1911 uprising.
二沙岛 Èrshādǎo
Ersha Island is an attractive upscale area with lots of green open space. Towards its east end are the Museum of Art and the Concert Hall, see listings.
Big Buddha Temple Dàfó Sì
An impressive and large Chan temple with a history of over one thousand years (though it has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times). It is one of the five largest temples in Guangzhou.
Bright Filial Piety Temple Gwonghaau Si)
As the sixth patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Hui Neng, trained at this temple in the 7th century, it is a popular pilgrimage site for Zen Buddhists. The temple has been destroyed several times by fire, and the current buildings date back to the mid-19th century.
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六榕寺 Liùróngsì
The Temple of Six Banyan Trees, which includes the 17-story, eight-sided Hua Ta, or Flowering Pagoda, is one of the most popular attractions in Guangzhou. The temple dates back to the 6th century, while the pagoda predates it by about 300 years.
三元宫 Sānyuángōng
This is the largest and oldest Taoist temple in the city.
石室圣心大教堂 Shíshì Shèngxīn Jiàotáng
Built in the 1860s, it is one of the oldest church structures in the city, and the largest of its kind of Southern China. It is used for worship.
Five Fairy Taoist temple is in Hui Fu Xi Lu of the center of Guangzhou. It is the historical markers of that Guangzhou has been founded 2000 years.
五仙观 Wǔxiānguān
A historic temple built to commemorate the folk legend of the “Five Immortals,” preserving Guangzhou’s rich history and cultural heritage.
广州美术馆 Guǎngzhōu Měishùguǎn
This impressive gallery has more than 10,000 pieces of art work, including calligraphy, traditional Chinese paintings, sculptures and Tibetan Buddhist art (Thangka).
广东美术馆 Guǎngdōng Měishùguǎn
It focuses on contemporary Chinese art with particular emphasis on Guangdong artists. Personal ID is required to obtain free tickets at ticket office. Visitors are limited to 3000 a day. Admission fee for special exhibits.
西汉南越王博物馆
This is a tomb for the king of ancient South China during the Western Han era.
广州雕塑公园 Guǎngzhōu Diāosù Gōngyuán
广州起义旧址纪念馆
The Museum is at the site of the first Communist government building.
Extensive zoo, seems well-run. It incorporates Guangzhou Ocean World 广州海洋馆, with over 200 kinds of fish and other rare ocean creatures.
广东革命历史博物馆
Sun Yat-Sen was sworn in here in 1921 as the president of Republic of China. The museum tells stories from the Opium War to the founding of the new China.
农民运动讲习所 Nóngjiǎngsuǒ
This is the site of Communist training center founded by Mao Tse-tung in the 1920s. Now it is a museum covering China revolutionary history.
广东华侨博物馆, Guangdong Museum of Chinese Nationals Living Abroad, Chinese Emigrant Museum
Documents China's diaspora principally in the Americas.
省港大罢工纪念馆
Museum dedicated to the Canton (Guangzhou)-Hong Kong Strike of 1925-1926, the largest and longest general strike in modern Chinese history. The museum is housed in the building where the strike committee was based.
星海音乐厅 Xīnghǎi Yīnyuètīng
On Ersha Island opposite the Museum of Art.
流花粥城
Excellent dim sum and Cantonese porridge in beautiful surroundings.
中国大酒店四季厅
Classic Cantonese cuisine using fresh, quality ingredients. Renowned for its roasted suckling pig and Peking duck. Dim sum is served during lunch hours.
中国大酒店食街
Serving local and regional cuisine, this casual restaurant resembles the open Kitchens of Old Canton. Try their famous wonton noodles, dim sum and fisherman's Congee.
莲香楼
Founded in 1889, Lian Xiang Lou is known for its tasty dim sum and pastries. There are now more than 20 bakery stores throughout the city.
菜根香
缘缘素食 Yuányuán Sùshí
Vegetarian buffet. If it looks crowded, don't worry—there's more seating upstairs.
蕉叶西餐厅
Banana Leaf is an established traditional Thai restaurant chain.
蕉叶西餐厅
Banana Leaf is an established traditional Thai restaurant chain.
雅仕度印度餐厅
This high end restaurant opened its door in 2008. It serves traditional Indian food with vegetarian dishes available.
One of the most famous Vegetarian Indian restaurants in Guangzhou. Founded in 2001, it serves vegetarian Indian buffet only, in the Indian ghetto in Guangzhou, near the Dong Yue Hotel. It is on the 4th floor of the Gitic Hotel. No meat or alcohol served.
One of Guangzhou's finest steakhouses, serving Australian and Japanese prime cuts, seafood, pasta and desserts.
Serves a lavish international buffet and also has à la carte menu. All Western and Asian delights can be found here and the breakfast buffet is simply excellent.
The European theme style cafe and bar serves great pizzas and traditional Italian home dishes with wine carte and draught beer.
There are two locations in GZ. Bosphorus Premium in ex Tang Club, and Bosphours Xiaobei in Zhaoqing Building. It has delicious and halal foods. The third location in Yiwu city. The Bosphorus premium has two floors, having lunch and dinner at 2nd floor, smoke and coffee at 3rd floor. The portions are large, price are acceptable according to food quality. This is a favorite for eating doner (one of famous Turkish food) and kebabs especially Iskender.
Buongiorno 意大利餐厅
The authentic Italian restaurant is Italian managed and prepared, serving pizza, pasta, meat and fish dishes.
小街风情意大利餐厅
Despite the unimaginative name, this place offers good pizzas, pasta and beer. Buffet is available.
K’S西方佳肴
They serve Western-style homemade kosher sandwiches, managed and prepared by Westerners. Delivery service is available.
British style pub serving Kilkenny, Guinness and a variety of bottled and draft beers. Prices are reasonable for the area, especially during Happy Hour.
Reasonable price for drinks and live band performances nightly.
On the 4th floor of China Hotel, Sapphire Lounge serves an extensive selection of classic and contemporary martinis, cocktails, wines, liquor and more in a chic and upbeat atmosphere. Perfect for after-work drinks or a night out.
Restaurant pub next to the old Holiday Inn City Centre. Serves western food and all kinds of alcoholic drinks. Bottled Tsingtao beer for ¥30. Nice and quiet place to unwind, especially in the open area. 2nd location along Pearl River.
喜窝
Great place to hear atypical live music like reggae or classic rock. Bar has both an indoor section consisting of a dance floor and couches and an outdoor section with patio seating and a basement. Wide beer selection and bartenders measure all drinks out in plain view. Early on the bar is populated mostly by locals, however as the night progresses the bar quickly fills with expats. Patrons tend to be very friendly open to meeting new people. There is usually at least one English speaking bartender at each station.
Packs a variety of music, well-known throughout Guangzhou for its wild parties, including a singles lock and key party, a secret costume party, and live hip-hop shows. The owners may be seen handing out free drinks. Beware of the tequila shots. Begins as a largely Chinese club but around 23:30, the shaking switches from dice to dancing and it becomes a mix of East and West.
High class bar with dance floor. Variety of sparkling wine ensures you can live it up with standards. The DJs blast the hottest music.
墨西哥餐厅酒吧
This is a favorite expat hangout. The resident DJ spins a wide range of music. The Cave features exotic dance performances, including live-python dances.
大篷车酒吧
Underground bar similar to the Cave. Many local "working" girls sashay around. There are individual dance performances at one corner of the bar, while group performances start on the main dance floor at 22:00.
Good crowd, blend of locals and foreigners. Good music though a little pricy. It was reported that pickpocketing is rampant here.
本色
Club has dozens of tables on the floor for groups to drink and play local dice games. The DJ booth overlooks the floor and between it and the massive windows runs a strip that can rise up for live performances and for models to runway walk. There's a dance floor that's maybe 25 m² where locals and expats dance. DJs come from all over the world and play their own mix of house occasionally punctuated with hip-hop.
滨江青年旅舍
广州国际青年旅舍
Tiny single rooms and close to the train station but it does not provide the nicest environment.
广州通通酒店
A few blocks from the train station, the hotel is spacious but noisy. It is friendly to African travelers who are looking for lodging near Xiaobei and other wholesale trading markets.
丽都大酒店
On Beijing Road Shopping Street.
白云宾馆
Member of Best Western hotel chain.
流花宾馆
广州大厦
This was once a glorious hotel, but it is now a bit outdated. However, it is just north of the Beijing Lu Pedestrian Street.
华厦大酒店
亚洲国际大酒店
One of a handful of hotels that feature separate bath and shower areas in a standard room. Internet access is free but slow. It also features Guangzhou's highest revolving restaurant on the top level.
花园酒店
The hotel has standard hotel rooms as well as apartments and offices for rent. Deluxe rooms are clean but basic; elite rooms are newly renovated and attractive. The Carousel Restaurant offers excellent dinner buffet with panoramic views of Guangzhou on the top level. The hotel also has various Shops, HSBC and Bank of China branches and a bus station serving express buses to the Guangzhou airport, the Hong Kong airport and nearby cities such as Zhuhai.
广州中心皇冠假日酒店
Previously the Guangdong International Hotel (广东国际大酒店), this 63-storey building is now a Crown Plaza hotel under the Intercontinental Hotel Group. Rooms are adequately furnished and WiFi internet is provided for free. The hotel is in the middle of the city, right next to the Guangdong TV Station (广东电视台) and nearby Taojin Metro Station (Line 5). The French consulate shares the same address. From the airport, there is an airport-express bus (Line 2A) that can bring you directly to the hotel for ¥19.
广州希尔顿逸林酒店
A modern hotel featuring a ballroom, first-class meeting rooms, an outdoor terrace pool, five restaurants on-site, and a fitness center.
中国大酒店
The 5-Star Luxury Marriott Hotel is in the heart of central Guangzhou. It features 850 guestrooms, 8 Food and Beverage outlets, Executive Lounge and Shopping Arcade. An entrance to the Metro is just outside.
东方宾馆
Big clean comfy rooms, south-facing have river view. Staff have decent English. Unclear of this place's relation to HoJo brand, who don't list it on their website.
北京路步行街 Běijīng lù
This is the main shopping thoroughfare, a pedestrian street where most stores are open from 09:00-22:00. Avoid individuals who solicit pirated DVDs and imitation goods. Don't follow anyone into the small dark alleys in between buildings to see their goods. There's been a road here for many centuries, and enclosed in glass you can see the ruins of gates and brick roads from dynasties past, below the current street level.
中华广场 Zhōnghuá Guǎngchǎng
This is another large shopping mall with brand name department stores, clothing stores, electronics stores and restaurants.
广州友谊商店 Yǒuyí Shāngdiàn
It is one of the oldest department stores targeting foreigners in Guangzhou. You will also find its branches in Grandview Mall and Times Square on 28 Tianhe North Road (天河北路28号).
王府井百货 Wángfǔjǐng
This is a branch of the famous department store in Beijing, featuring mid to high-end products.
万菱广场 Wànlíng Guǎngchǎng
At first glance, this looks like a regular shopping mall but it is actually a wholesale market. Each shop usually carries specific products with many selections of varieties. You will find products such as arts and crafts, jewelry, sporting goods, toys, key chains, collectibles and gifts of all types. Many store and boutique owners from all over the world come here to buy their products. You will get the best prices if you buy in bulk (usually 20 or more). Most shop owners will not bargain unless you buy in bulk. However, if you only buy small quantities, the prices are usually cheaper than elsewhere. Not to be confused with Onelink Centre in Tianhe.
五月花广场 Wǔyuèhuā Guǎngchǎng
This is a place where young people hang out and shop.
地王广场
An underground shopping and entertainment complex known for its anime, pop-culture, fashion, and youth-oriented shops and events.
动漫星城 Dòngmàn Xīngchéng
An underground shopping center known for shops selling anime, manga, games and related ACG merchandise, as well as fashion and other goods.
日用百货街
The street has become a shopping center selling everyday goods.
古玩字画街 / 文化商业街
A good place to look for antiques and traditional Chinese artistic goods.
海印专业购物区
Selling appliances, sporting goods, cloth, fabrics, camera accessories and electronics.
By metro
Metro Line 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8 serve Yuexiu. Almost all the district is within walking distance of a metro station.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Guangzhou (Huadu) · International · CAN
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