Fantastic Guangzhou Travel Attractions To Visit
As traveling in China can be daunting for non-speakers, Guangzhou provides plenty of attractions that will keep you occupied if the language barrier becomes an issue for you. From museums and old architecture areas to unique local markets – there is something here for everyone!
City life in Guangzhou is marked by numerous rivers and canals, making it a wonderful place for exploration. An increasingly popular activity is taking a river cruise at night – be sure to do this for an unforgettable experience. The next time you visit Guangzhou with the flight from Cathay Pacific, remember these great spots.
Redtory Art District
The Redtory Art District in Guangzhou, China is a cultural hub with an original artistic focus. Established in 2009, this arts space revitalized a former red-brick canned food factory site. Renovated buildings were renovated with modern architecture in mind to offer artists space to express themselves through painting, sculpture, or installation art forms. If you love architecture, you absolutely need to visit this district or you would be missing out on a lot.
Redtory has quickly established itself as an integral part of Guangzhou’s creative scene in just 10 years, offering visitors a truly unforgettable experience and sense of community.
Redtory Art District is an essential destination for those who love art in an informal atmosphere, showcasing how an old industrial factory can be turned into a cultural hub. There are countless studios, galleries and restaurants spread out throughout this vibrant neighborhood with incredible shopping opportunities available too.
Redtory Art District is one of Guangzhou’s newest attractions, fast becoming a top attraction among tourists visiting Guangzhou. Offering an extensive art collection, scenic park setting and many shops and restaurants for patrons to experience the area is sure to please.
Photography enthusiasts will find this area an especially notable spot, featuring various buildings that once housed factories. Additionally, there’s also a museum and shop located here; making this stop worthwhile if you want to gain more knowledge about Guangzhou history.
Redtory stands out among China’s art districts by taking over and remodeling an old cannery facility to provide public access for arts and culture.
Redtory stands out among China’s recent urban development as an oasis of artistic freedom, offering a diversity of styles from across the world.
Art museums can make for a pleasant afternoon excursion if you’re visiting the area, and are easy to access. In addition, nearby are plenty of other museums and other attractions you should check out while there.
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall stands as an iconic building in Guangzhou and an essential venue for large gatherings and performances. Constructed to honour Chinese revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen in 1931, it has seen numerous historical moments unfold here over its 88 year history.
The main building is an impressive octagonal palace-style structure with strong ethnic characteristics. A central high-hanging blue-red lacquered gold plaque features Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s chirography “For the Public”, providing an introduction about his life.
Sun Yat-sen stands in front of the memorial hall in a bronze statue that weighs approximately 5.5 meters (18 feet). Crafted entirely out of bronze and inscribed with his written works.
Within the building, visitors can see exhibits that detail Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary role during the Xinhai Revolution and his achievements during his life. Of particular note is an octagonal palace-style hall renowned for its beauty among world architecture; many compare its architectural style with that of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanking.
There are multiple buildings within the complex. Of particular note is an impressive octagon-shaped main building designed by famed architect Lu Yanzhi featuring seating for 3,240. This impressive structure was given its strong aesthetic by Lu.
This memorial hall honors Dr. Sun Yat-sen, founder of republican China. Constructed on the southern slope of Yuexiu Hill, its construction seeks to commemorate and recognize his role as forerunner of China’s democratic revolution.
This octagonal hall was constructed using funds raised from local and overseas Chinese. Designed by Lu Yanzhi and completed in 1929, its construction covers an area of 71 metres without supporting columns allowing a stage to fit inside it.
Notable aspects of an octagonal memorial hall include its four decorative double eaves that can be found along its four walls: front, back, left and right sides. This feature not only adds visual interest but is a wonderful display of Chinese art and culture.
Temple of the Six Banyan Trees
Guangzhou’s Temple of Six Banyan Trees is one of four of the city’s four major Buddhist temple complexes and was first constructed during Liang Dynasty construction, in 537. Today it remains one of China’s best-known sites featuring majestic towers, dense trees and antiques from prominent figures who donated them.
Originaly known as Baozhuangyan Temple, this complex was originally created to store Cambodian Buddhist saint relics that Emperor Wu had brought from Panyu (modern Guangzhou). Later, during the Northern Song Dynasty it was rebuilt and renamed Liurong Temple after being immortalized by poet Su Dongpo in his poem of that same name.
Temple has a long and distinguished history and remains revered worldwide. Every year during Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival celebrations, many visitors stop by the temple to burn incense for good luck in the coming year, often waiting in long queues before burning their first joss stick.
Inside of the temple is a large Buddha Hall featuring three massive copper Buddhist statues: Sakyamuni Buddha in the center, Amitabha Buddha on either side and Maitreya Buddha to complete their ranks – these represent some of the biggest copper Buddhist statues found anywhere in Guangdong province.
Visitors can climb to the top of this 55-meter-tall octagonal Flower Pagoda, which appears to have nine stories but actually contains 17! It features blue glazed tiles and vermilion beams on its exterior while its interior boasts colorful carvings.
Another popular attraction is the statue of Kuan Yin. Believed to be a fertility goddess, many Chinese families bring their newborns for blessings at this temple where thousands come annually.
Temple of the Six Banyan Trees features an eye-catching 57-meter pagoda garden. Visitors to this striking structure can climb its steps for panoramic views over the city.