Guangzhou is a massive city in Guangdong (Canton) province. It is a wealthy city by Chinese standards and its proximity to both Hong Kong and Macau makes it an obvious place for visitors to those to regions to get a taste of mainland China. Though it is relatively low on the must-visit list for many tourists headed to China, this city has a lot to offer and it one of the more tourist friendly places in the mainland.

Perhaps because of its economic success, Guangzhou seems unaffected by Beijing’s rule. Many “China Watchers” point to Guangzhou as one of the most liberal and outspoken cities under China’s control.

It is easy to get to Guangzhou from Hong Kong. A train makes the trip in under two hours. Flights from international destinations also come to the city. Once in Guangzhou, getting around is easy because of one of the best public transit systems in China.

Yuntai Garden offers a some beautiful scenery and rare plants. It sits at the foot of the famous White Cloud Mountains. Liurong Temple is a popular spot for tourists. The sheer age of the structure (nearing 2000 years old) makes it worth a visit. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall is a spectacular building with expansive grounds that commemorates one of the founders of modern China.

There are several impressive museums in the city. Guangzhou City Art Museum has a large collection of Chinese and Tibetan art. Guangdong Revolutions History Museum tells the story of the region from the time of its conflicts with the British (The Opium Wars) until present day. There’s a bit of propaganda here, but the exhibits are informative. Sun Yat-Sen University has a beautiful campus with some nice views of the surroundings.

Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street is a good place to find bargains. It is best at night. As with other Asian cities, certain types of shops can be found on a certain street. Toy street, for example, offers numerous shops hawking playthings, while culture street has a nearly infinite choice of antiques and artifacts.

Of course, Cantonese cuisine is famous in the west, as most chinese immigrants came from this region of China. Most visitors find Cantonese cuisine tasty and light. And, of course, this is a good place to experience Chinese Tea Culture. Though finding a good, local tea shop might take some leg work, most major hotels have one. Making friends with a local person or asking a tour guide might also lead to some great discoveries.

Guangzhou is a great city to visit. There are so many sights that it is hard to cover it in one article. So check out this one about Guangzhou’s entertainment.