Known as Guangzhou in the local language, there is much to see in Canton, the third largest city in all of China, the capital of its province and one of the most advanced cities you’ll find in the country. Canton has a combination of modern elements and an ancient cultural heritage that make it a must-see on any trip to China.
If you decide to wander through its streets, you’ll find skyscrapers that light up the city and all sorts of technological attractions, but also a special attention to its ancient tradition, with buildings such as the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees that defy the passage of time over centuries of history. We’ll tell you all about what to see and do in Canton below.
What are the best places to see in Canton?
1. The Tower of Canton
One of the most iconic (and practically unmissable if you walk around the city at night) buildings to see in Canton is the Canton Tower, a gigantic telecommunications tower that is also the tallest tower in all of China.
This Canton icon is located in the Zhuhai district and its 600-metre height takes the breath away from anyone who witnesses its majesty. And, as we mentioned, it is even more impressive at night, as it is fully illuminated, leaving a multicoloured trail that sticks in your memory.
And it’s no less impressive inside, with a range of entertainment options on the premises. One of the most striking and one that we definitely recommend you try if you like strong emotions is the SkyDrop, a free fall attraction over 400 metres high. It’s certainly not for everyone, but it’s one of the best things to do in Canton. And of course, don’t forget to climb the tower’s impressive observation deck, from where you can enjoy one of the best views in China.
2. The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees
In the middle of Liurong Street is one of the must-see monuments in Canton, a Buddhist temple that was built more than 1,400 years ago, during the Ling Dynasty. It has stood the test of time like no other monument in the city, making it a must-see on your tour of Canton.
It’s name comes after the six Banyan trees that once stood in its grounds and have appeared in Chinese cultural narrative and lyrics over the years. It is a very important part of the city’s cultural heritage, where the past and present come together to provide a sensory spectacle.
After more than a millennium of history, in 1907, another monument was built called the Flower Pagoda, a construction of Buddhist influence, like the rest of the site, which is undoubtedly one of the fundamental pieces of the whole enclave. Best of all, as majestic as the entire site is, admission is completely free, which makes this stop even more of a must on your list of things to see in Canton.
3. The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
Another historical point of interest to see on your tour of Canton is the splendorous Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. The building sits close to Yuexiu Hill and serves to honour the memory of one of the founding fathers of modern-era China.
The monument has the bearing that characterises the importance of the figure of Sun Yat-sen, a figure who embodies the revolution that took place in China in the early 20th century in this country. The space is gigantic and the gardens surrounding the memorial are a natural wonder to see.
There is a museum housed inside the main building, which explains in depth about the person who was Sun Yat-sen. It’s certainly a great way to learn more about the city and the country you’re in, as well as being able to revel in the process in a very beautiful space.
4. The Temple of the Chen family
Continuing on our route of museums and historical buildings to see in Canton, the Chen Family Temple is one of the must-see sites, as it is one of the largest and most historic in the city.
The Chen family is considered one of the most important in modern Chinese history and the temple was built over a century ago during the Qing dynasty by Emperor Gaungxu. Its style is frankly traditional, but the detail and care that goes into the building makes it difficult to miss on any visit.
The space that makes up the complex is enormous, with almost twenty thousand square metres, as well as a main building and several halls that complement it. Inside the main building you can visit the Museum of Folk Arts and Crafts, a museum that we recommend you visit if you happen to be on the premises.
5. The Isle of Shamian
If you long for Europe when you visit, don’t worry because in Canton there is a place that will transport you from East to West in a few moments. Shamian Island is a small island redoubt to see in Canton, where the European influence is in the air.
This white sand island is located in the Liwan district, where all manner of European-influenced monuments and architectural complexes are a striking contrast to the rest of the city of Canton.
For a time, the French and English inhabited the island, something that forever marked the essence of this island, leaving the beautiful and distinctive European buildings that can now be found on the streets of Shamian Island.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to See Around Canton?
Chimelong Paradise Amusement Park
A different place to enjoy on your trip to Canton and to admire the advances in technology that characterise the Guangzhou region and China’s development in general, this amusement park is a fantastic option for a day out in the Canton vicinity.
Located in the Panyu district, this gigantic amusement park is one of the largest and most comprehensive in China. There’s everything from breathtaking rollercoasters to water rides to enjoy in Canton’s hottest season.
What to see in 2 days in Canton?
There’s a huge amount to see in Canton, so 2 days is really not enough time to explore it all. Still, we’ve put together a few tips to make it easier for you to choose what to do.
Of course, we can’t recommend that you start your trip to Canton with a visit to the Canton Tower. We also recommend a visit to the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees and the Sun Yat-sen Memorial, two monuments with a lot of history to tell in Canton.
If you want to get away from the more typical, you can visit Shamian Island and the Sacred Heart Cathedral, two buildings that are closer to the European influence you’re more used to, but are certainly surprising to see in the middle of Canton.
Where and what to eat in Canton?
Canton’s cuisine is renowned in many parts of the world and is undoubtedly one of the main attractions of travelling to a region like this. That’s why we’ve prepared a recommendation of some places where you can enjoy it:
- Charlie’s: One of Canton’s best restaurants, where American and Chinese cuisines merge, to create something incredible. The price range is between €10 and €25.
- The Kitchen Table: One of the best options to enjoy Asian food, with a peculiar style that surprises even the most travelled. Prices are around €20 per head.
- Sultan Restaurant Guangzhou: If you want to try an excellent mix of Mediterranean cuisine, especially focusing on Turkish food, the Sultan is a wonderful experience. Prices are around €15.
Where to stay in Canton?
We know that sometimes planning everything that goes into a trip can be a bit of a hassle, so to make your stay much more enjoyable, we’ve put together a short list of some accommodation for your days in Canton:
- Sheraton Guangzhou Hotel: One of the most luxurious places to stay in Canton, with amazing views of the city and all kinds of luxuries: its five stars are not for nothing. The price for a weekend is around €244 for two people.
- Guangzhou Boyi Hotel: A centrally located three-star hotel with bright, spacious rooms and a buffet with plenty of choice. Prices are around €117 per weekend for two people.
- Guangzhou Baiyun Hotel: An incredibly refined five-star hotel, which is very close to the metro and has amazing facilities. The price is around €140 for a weekend in July for two people.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Canton?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat. You can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference.
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Canton in China.
If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Canton
There are a number of flights available from cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, with flights in June costing from €1000 and upwards for a return trip. Just bear in mind that you will have at least one stopover on your journey or more, depending on availability and what you pay.
Charlie’s, The Kitchen Table and Sultan Restaurant Guangzhou.
Sheraton Guangzhou Hotel, Guangzhou Boyi Hotel and the Guangzhou Baiyun Hotel.
Canton has a very efficient public transport system that will allow you to get around the city without any problems. There is a metro system as well as light rail, buses (usually crowded) and taxi services.
In general, we recommend that you take the metro for getting around the city, especially if your stay is not going to be particularly long.
Canton’s rainy season is particularly hot and clouds abound in the sky. The temperature is not particularly cold at any time of the year, averaging between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius.
The best months to travel to Canton are between May and September, when temperatures are mild and balanced. However, if you want to enjoy better weather and avoid the rain, travel between July and September.
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