DAY ONE
7:30 a.m.
Spending Leisurely Time
in Yuexiu Park
Start off your day as early as possible, so you can view the newly fashionable life of Guangzhou locals, that is, the rising fitness craze. It is said within the city more than half of the residents take an active part in physical exercise. Yuexiu Park, the landmark of Guangzhou, is the perfect place to spend some time away from the din and bustle and witness the physical and mental state of the local population.
Thanks to its picturesque scenery, serene environment and unique cultural atmosphere, Yuexiu Park attracts streams of citizens to participate in various physical fitness activities, including ball games, aerobics, jogging, dancing, and more. Among them, Chinese martial arts such as tai chi as well as sword and staff dancing are the most fascinating scenes to foreigners.
Besides the natural landscapes of beautiful hills, pavilions and waters, the park also provides many famous scenic sites of different historical periods, such as the well-known “Statue of the Five Goats” (the city’s symbol), Zhenhai Tower, and the Ancient City Wall of the Ming Dynasty. Climbing the mountains around the park, renting a paddle or electric boat to cruise the lake, or even taking a rest under the exuberant shaded trees, a nice, peaceful day begins.

12:00 p.m.
Shopping at Beijing Road
A walk down Beijing Road is a rare pleasure. It is the central axis of ancient Guangzhou city historically. Ruins of a 1,000-year-old road are found within it, presenting a rare scene in a modern city. Beijing Road, the most prosperous commercial distributing center, is the place you can’t miss to enjoy the pleasure of shopping in a typical Chinese environment. Along with boutique shops and brand name retail outlets there’s also several large malls including Grandbuy, Xindaxin and Mayflower. You can find almost every famous brand, either domestic or international, at good prices there. This area is also packed with shops selling a large variety of goods: apparel, jewellery, souvenirs, toys, leather goods, shoes, bags, snacks, drinks, you name it. Prepare to jostle for space with large numbers of people and countless garish neon signs, which may be considered an attraction to many people.

7:00 p.m.
Enjoying Culinary Feasts at XiGuan nearby Shangxiajiu
Continue a dazzling day with an appetizing evening at Shangxiajiu Street, which is also home to various authentic Cantonese cuisines like the Sampan Congee, Rice Noodle Roll, Chinese Pudding, Sauteed Rice Noodles and so on. When your shopping bags are full, stop by a time-honored restaurant or a snack stall along the road. Braised Goose Paw in Abalone Sauce is a delicious dish you must taste. Covered with the tasty specially-made abalone sauce, the paw appears an amber and lustrous color. It sends out a mellow fragrance, definitely stimulating your appetite. Gently cut a piece and put it into your mouth. The gelatinous meat tastes smooth and resilient, coupled with a strong and thick abalone flavor. The green broccoli gives visual appeal and offers a fresh taste, making the dish better. More pleasingly, the aroma still lingers in the mouth after tasting.

DAY TWO
8:00 a.m.
Eating Morning Tea
in Taotaoju Restaurant
In Guangdong, one thing you cannot miss is tasting the authentic morning tea, which is an important part of daily life for most Cantonese.
Taotaoju Restaurant is one of the most famous tea restaurants in Guangzhou and has a history of more than 100 years. The four-story building is usually filled with customers every morning and sharing a table with strangers is common for those who arrive late. The local Cantonese often come here after their morning exercise, in which they tend to start a new day by discussing current affairs, sharing neighborhood anecdotes, and exchanging information and views over a pot of morning tea.
Don’t be surprised to see all of the tables filled with plenty of steamers, each of which is about the same size as the palm of an adult hand, containing various kinds of Dim Sums. Among them, highly recommended are the Crispy Durian Cakes, Chicken Claws, Steamed Creamy Custard Buns, Stewed Milk Bean curd, and Beef Meatballs. Actually morning tea refers to Dim Sum accompanied by tea, so having morning tea is also called “eating morning tea” in Guangdong.
3:00 p.m.
Approaching Islamic Culture in Huaisheng Mosque
Guangzhou is not only a place of immense scenic beauty, but also a place where you can witness religious diversity. Located at No. 56, Guangta Road, the Huaisheng Mosque, also known as the Guangta Mosque (Light Tower Mosque), bears proof of that. Built in 627 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it is one of the four most well-known ancient mosques in China and was established for remembering the prophet of Islam, Muhammad. Thus it is an excellent place to visit if you want to learn about Islamic culture in China.
The mosque blends Arabic architectural flavor into a typical architectural style of the Tang Dynasty, including six important buildings, the Imam Hall, the Wangyue Attic, the Covered Corridor, the Storehouse of Islamic Scripture, the Stone Steles Pavilion and the Light Tower. The most unusual feature of the mosque is its “calling tower” (Light Tower). From the main gate, a narrow courtyard enclosed with high brick walls passes by the old light tower to its left and leads to an inner gateway. The tower is 36 meters tall with a pointed tip, which served as a beacon for guiding boats on the Pearl River. More importantly, the minaret balcony is used for the call to prayer. The Adhan is called from the minaret at the time of prayer, wafting through the mosque and can be heard by Muslims and non-Muslims alike on boats from afar.
Today, Huaisheng Mosque still plays a very important role in Muslim life in Guanzhou, welcoming Muslims from all over the world to worship. In its vicinity there still flourishes many Halal food stores and shops.
8:00 p.m.
Experiencing the Night View on Pearl River Cruise
Try an evening cruise on the Pearl River, the largest river in Guangzhou and the third largest one in China, at 2,214 kilometers long. Flanked on two sides are row after row of star-graded hotels, commercial buildings and towering skyscrapers. Night bestows the old river with a thriving vitality, and adorns it with blazing illuminations and neon lights. Everything seems to be brighter than during daytime. The twinkling stars in the night sky and the bright moon reflecting on the water create a magical atmosphere. The beauty of the Pearl River at night can be compared with that of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor. Prepare to be intoxicated with charming views along the river, historical sights and unique places with such romantic names as “Night Moon over the Goose Pool”, “Misty Rain over the Twin Bridge”, “Red Heart of the Pearl River”, and many more. You need not to worry about skipping dinner thanks to buffet dining on the luxurious sight-seeing ship, where you can take a break and enjoy a meal.
The interesting and compact two-day trip definitely cannot introduce you to a full-scale Guangzhou where you need plenty of time to experience. Leave that opportunity for the next trip and Guangzhou will give you a different surprise.

Main Page	Page Up
عربي