During Thai New Year (Songkran Festival), 12th – 15th April 2025, I had decided to escape from Thailand to have 4 days trip in China. The purpose was to see the development and hi-tech of China as I did not visit there almost 10 years. Guangzhou and Shenzhen were the answer. For this short period, I planned to spend 3 days in Guangzhou and a day in Shenzhen. I could get the nice airfare from China Southern Airlines for this trip, it made this trip affordable for me. 😀

First day, I arrived at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport at 4.30PM. Then, I took Guangzhou Metro to my hotel at Zhongshan 6th Road, Xinwang hotel to check in and keep my belonging. I select the hotel in this area because it is easy to connect with tourist places and public transports. Metro system do cover all areas in Guangzhou. The fare was started from 2 RMB (about 0.35 USD) and increased by the distance. The maximum fare what I paid was only 8 RMB (about 1.40 USD) from Airport to Hotel which is about 35 km.

The first things I could detect in this trip are following:

1. China is COMPLETELY CASHLESS SOCIETY. Cash is able to accept but difficult to use because some shop may have no change for customer. So, I downloaded Alipay app (Chinese : 支付宝) and linked with credit card in advance. It can be used to pay every train, metro, bus, convenient store, street food or service (even beggar also has Alipay QR code to receive the money 🤣). This link is how to setup and use Alipay in China.

https://www.registrationchina.com/articles/how-to-use-alipay-app-to-help-foreigner-visiting-china/

.

2. I booked the hotel through Trip.com. It has wider choices than western website like Agoda or Booking.com. Furthermore, Google map is not accurate. The best map app what I used in English version is AMap.

3. English language is not widely used and understood in China. Google Translate is the best friend to communicate with local people. However, China is blocking many websites and apps like Google, Facebook, etc. Apply the data roaming is the best idea to use those things in China.

.

After I checked-in at the hotel, it was about 6.30PM. I started to spend my evening time in first day by walking to Da Fo Temple (大佛寺) which is 1.20 km away. I arrived there at 7PM. It was just after sunset and the tourist was crowded in front of the temple. Da Fo Temple is a grand temple with a history of more than one thousand years and was built by Emperor Liu Yan in the Southern Han dynasty. It was destroyed and re-built many times. This Temple has been put on the list as a Municipality Protected Historic Site by the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government, it stands as a symbol of spiritual resilience and cultural heritage in modern China. Da Fo Temple is open daily, 8AM – 9AM with free admission. The highlights of the temple are impressive statue of the Buddha and traditional Chinese architecture with intricate carvings and vibrant colors.

.

.

.

.

.

I admired Da Fo Temple and grabbed some souvenir for my mom until 8PM. Then, I walked to Beijing Pedestrian Street (北京路步行街) where is just next to the temple. This street is one of the most famous walking street in Guangzhou. Along 1,500 meters, the visitors could see many shopping malls and restaurants from high-end to local. The vibrant atmosphere, rich history and endless shopping options make I have truly immersive experience that blends modern excitement with historical charm.

.

.

.

.

I walked back to the hotel around 9PM. Before reaching the hotel, I did not forget to grab some snack and milk at 7-Eleven for my breakfast as my hotel is just budget hotel, it has no meal service. The first day, as I arrive late evening and had only few hours for “Warming Up“. It was time for resting. Tomorrow would be the starting day to explore true Guangzhou. 💤💤💤😴

…

..

.

Second day, I woke up at 8.45AM, took shower and had prepared quick breakfast. I left the hotel around 9.30AM to continue my Guangzhou trip. The first place for today was Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (陈家祠). I reached there by Metro Line-1 at Chen Clan Academy Station which is just one station away from my hotel. Chen Clan Ancestor Hall is the site where the clansmen worship their ancestors. It was built at the end of Qing Dynasty (1616-1911) and known as Chen Clan Temple. Nowadays, this academy is the house of Guangdong Folk Art Museum. It was open daily, 8.30AM – 5.00PM. The ticket cost is 10 RMB/person (1.40 USD). Visitor can buy the ticket in front of the entrance and pay by Alipay.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I took an hour to walk around the temple site and art museum before saying goodbye and moving to another place of the day, Shamian Island (沙面岛) which is able to reach by Metro Line-1, Huang Sha Station (2 stations away).

Shamian Island is located in the middle of Zhui River. It is an old French-British concession of the 19th century. This island is one of the peaceful place in Guangzhou. Visitor can see many buildings dating from the European colonial period that have become hotels, souvenir shops and restaurants. Shamian Island is open 24/7 for the tourist who love the romantic atmosphere to stroll around.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I spent time until noon in Shamian Island. Honestly, it has a lot of lovely spots to take the photo, but I could not capture everything as I had limited time. I had lunch at fast food restaurant and coffee nearby that area as well as taken some rest. Then, in the afternoon, I continued my Guangzhou trip to visit Temple of the Six Banyan Trees (六榕寺) which is just nearby my hotel. I took metro back to Ximenkou station and walked around 800 meters to get there. 🛕

Temple of the Six Banyan Trees is a Buddhist temple which was built in 537, almost 1,500 years ago, under the orders from Emperor Wu of the Liang dynasty. The highlight of this temple is Flower Pagoda. In 1997, it was listed in the record of ”Top Ten Tourist Attractions in Guangzhou“. Temple of the Six Banyan Trees is open daily, 8AM – 5PM with free admission.

.

.

.

At 3PM, I moved from Temple of the Six Banyan Trees to another landmark of Guangzhou, Yuexiu Park (越秀公园). To get there, I walked to Gongyuanqian metro station and use line-2 to Yeuxiu Park station, only 2 stations away.

Yuexiu Park is the largest park in downtown Guangzhou, total area is 212 acres. It has three artificial lakes and seven hills of Yuexiu Mountain. The must-see thing in Yuexiu park is “Five rams statue” which is located near to west gate entrance. This park is open daily 6AM – 10PM with no entrance fee. Upon I got there, it was Sunday late afternoon. The people was going out with the family. The children was playing in the park with greenery scene. It made the enjoy moment like the wonderland.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I slowly strolled around the park to immerse myself into the relaxing atmosphere. But the park is too big to cover all areas by foot. About 5PM, I left the park with impression back to the hotel to rest for a while and wait for the sunset. Because I had another one mission to fulfill this day, visiting Canton Tower (广州塔) in the night. 🌠

At 7PM, I left the hotel to take Metro line-2 and changed to line-3 to Canton Tower station. Upon I exited from the metro station, the vibrant and colorful Canton tower was stading before my eyes. Canton Tower is a 600m tall landmark in Guangzhou. It stands at the intersection of Guangzhou New City Central Axis and the Pearl River. ​The best time to visit here is after sunset to enjoy the lighting at the tower and night skyscraper view of Guangzhou along with Pearl river. 🌃

.

.

.

.

.

I got back to the hotel at 9AM and did not forget to grab some snack and milk for next day breakfast. 😇 My second day in Guangzhou, I could say that it was the city walking exploration day. It had opened my point-of-view for China as I was developed a lot since my last visit. Next day would be my last day in Guangzhou, it had plenty of things to complete my trip. For today, good night and sleep tight. 😴

…

..

.

Third day, I woke up late, at 9AM. I planned my last day in Guangzhou as slow day to immerse myself into the real feeling of this city before leaving this historic city. The first place for my last day was Guangxiao Temple (光孝寺) which is only 750 meters from my hotel. I could get there by foot. 🚶🏻

Guangxiao Temple is one of the oldest temple in Guangzhou which was built around 1,700 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty as a private residence for the last Nanyue King Zhao Jiande. It was acted as a stopover point for Asian missionary monks in the past. The temple has many halls inside such as the Shanmen, Four Heavenly Kings Hall, Mahavira Hall, Hair Burying Pagoda, etc. Guangxiao Temple is open daily 6.30AM to 5PM. The admission fee was 5 RMB (about 0.70 USD) with free joss stick for praying.

.

.

.

.

.

I spent an hour at Guangxiao Temple to walk around and pray blessing for my family. 😇 About 11AM, I walked to Metro – Gongyuanqian station to take line-2 to one station away, Haizhu Square station. Then, I walked to Guangzhou Sacred Heart Cathedral (广州圣心大教堂) which is 600 meter away. This cathedral is magnificent roman catholic church which is the seat of the Archbishop of Guangzhou. The cathedral is built in 1888 with entirely of granite, including walls, pillars, and twin towers. Guangzhou Sacred Heart Cathedral is open daily, 8AM – 5.30PM with free admission. But the hours might be different depended on the day and its activity.

.

Next, I move from Guangzhou Sacred Heart Cathedral to another landmark of Guangzhou by taking Metro line-3 to Dr.Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall (中山纪念堂) which is 2 stations away. The metro station is the same name. This memorial place is a huge palace and park, dedicated to Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the Republic of China. The structure was completed in 1931. It is designed in a traditional Chinese architectural style with a grand auditorium that can accommodate over 3,200 people. Beside the hall, it has beautiful landscaped garden. Dr.Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall is open daily 9.30AM – 6.30PM. The ticket fee was 10 RMB/person (about 1.70 USD).

.

.

.

.

.

I spent time at Dr.Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall until 2PM before waving the farewell and finding the local fast food nearby Gongyuanqian station. It has Comic City, the anime and cartoon mall (aka Akihabara of Guangzhou). I could find fast food stores and coffee shops in this area to escape the strong sunlight during the afternoon. Then, I went back to my hotel to take a rest and wait for the sunset. In the evening, it was the last day in Guangzhou, I planned to visit one of the most famous walking street in this city, Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street (上下九步行街) which is able to reach by Metro Line-1, Changshou station.

Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street is a commercial pedestrian street and the first business street in Guangzhou since September 1995. it is stretching 1,200 meters with more than 300 shops in the historic old town of Xiguan. This street is decorated with a beautiful blend of European and Chinese architectural styles. This pedestrian street is open 24/7.

.

.

.

.

.

I had a night pleasure time at Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street for admiring the vibrant and lively atmosphere before finishing my Guangzhou trip at 9PM. Then, I took metro back to the hotel for resting from my last slow day in Guangzhou. Despite this is my short trip, but I could gain the happiness than my expected as China was much developed and diversified since my last visiting. I could see how hi-tech China is with my own eyes. Furthermore, I had written another one chapter in my life in South China. Guangzhou left me with lasting impressions—and a deep appreciation for its resilient spirit. ❤️🇨🇳

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Written by : Shipy Siwarit Tiasuwattiseth

https://www.facebook.com/shipyshipdotcom