Around Guangzhou

ATTRACTIONS

Guangzhou Cultural Park 广州文化公园

Guangzhou Cultural Park is a multifunctional park that combines entertainment, sightseeing and exhibitions. Covering 83,000 square meters on the banks of the Pearl River, it boasts as its major attraction a traditional southern China garden design with 18 courtyards adorned with statues and relief sculptures, many depicting Chinese legends and modern city scenes. Another highlight of the park is the Han City, a mini-replica of a Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) city. The gharries (horse-drawn carriages), costumes, etiquette, sculptures and furniture show the lifestyle and culture of Han people in China. Life-like wax figures and bas-reliefs of famous Han Dynasty figures can also be admired in the park.

Hours: 6:30 am-9:30 pm

Address: 37 Xidi Er Ma Lu, Liwan district

Tel: (020) 81010628

Dongshan Lake Park 东山湖公园

This park is an artificial lake named after a mountain in Xiaodongyuan, north of Guangzhou City. Before 1958, the lake was not well maintained, but in 1959, efforts were made to rehabilitate the lake in order to open it to the public. The park's beauty emerges from its simple and natural decoration. In the middle of the lake, there are two islands that can be reached by five bridges. Tickets are 3 yuan.

Hours: 9 am-9 pm

Address: 123 Donghu Lu, Yuexiu district

Tel: (020) 87609086/87775672

Hakka Enclosed Houses 客家围屋

Lying in northeast Guangdong, Meizhou city is considered the most important dwelling place of the Hakka people. It is famous for the Hakka enclosed houses, which accommodate dozens, even hundreds of families. Each house has its own style, including the enclosed dragon-style house - one of the five major Chinese dwelling styles.

Transportation: Take a bus to Meizhou and then a sightseeing bus to the attractions. The complete trip will take less than five hours. Then do a cycling tour from one village to another.

Accommodation: You can stay in hotels or hostels. Some Hakka enclosed houses offer accommodation.

Kaiping Diaolou 开平碉楼

Kaiping in south-central Guangdong is famous for its diaolou, or castle-like multiple-storey towers, which were built in the 1920s and 1930s by returned Chinese immigrants. The unique architectural style of the 3,000-plus diaolou has earned them a World Heritage Site designation. Diaolou somewhat resembles medieval castles and served as housing and protection against bandits in times of upheaval.

Transportation: Take a bus to Kaiping and then a sightseeing bus to the attractions. The trip takes about three hours.

Accommodation: There is food and accommodation in every county and town. Or you can stay with local families.

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 圣心石室大教堂

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most impressive Gothic churches in China. Its construction began in 1863 and was completed by 1888. Located across from the so-called "bar street" near the river, this cathedral has towers rising almost 60 meters into the sky. It offers a beautiful example of Gothic architecture, resembling the Notre Dame in Paris, and it stands out in comparison to the neighboring buildings.

Hours: 7 am-10 am on Sundays

Address: 56 Jiu Bu Qian, Yide Lu, Yuexiu district

Admission free

RESTAURANTS

Red Square Restaurant 红方

The Russians know how to party, and you can do it here to the strains of Russian pop as you chase your pickled herrings with shots of good quality vodka. A solid Russian menu keeps customers coming back.

Hours: 11am-2:30 pm, 5 pm-10:45 pm

Address: 2/F, Cathay Hotel, 376 Huanshi Dong Lu, Yuexiu district

Tel: (020) 83819557

Da Jia Le Restaurant 大家乐酸菜鱼

This restaurant offers an authentic taste of boiled fish with pickled cabbage and chili. Its fish meat is soft and tender, and it's spicy enough.

Address: 367 Jiangnan Dadao Nan, Haizhu district

Tel: (020) 84478773

Delhi Darbar Restaurant 德里宫餐厅

This pleasant upscale restaurant serves up great meals for a good price. It serves standards like tandoori chicken, kebabs, and vegetarian options like puri bread and lentil curries. It's not the Indian food of highest quality you'll find in Guangzhou, but it's very good for the price.

Hours: 11 am-10 pm

Address: 40-2 Guang Ya Li, Shangxiajiu Lu, Liwan district

Tel: (020) 81390528

Transportation: Metro Line 1, Changshou Lu station

Qing Wa Ju 青瓦居

This restaurant offers Korean cuisine of great value. It smooths the way for expats with a basic picture menu and friendly service with a number of little touches that win friends.

Hours: 11:30 am-10 pm

Address: 117-14 Shuiyin Lu, Yuexiu district

Tel: (020) 87257573

SHOPPING

Tianhe Book Center 天河书城

Tianhe Book Center, a seven-story complex, houses a multitude of book and electronics shops, as well as a sporting goods store and a Yamaha music store in the basement, not to mention a seldom seen Apple store right next door. Many of the bookstores on the 4th, 5th, and 6th floors feature large art books in English and bilingual books about Chinese culture and cuisine that are fun if you are looking to browse.

Address: 123 Tianhe Lu

Transportation: Metro Lines 1 or 2 to the Tiyu Xi Lu stop and leave through exit D

Ming Jiang Japanese Food and Bookstore 名将书店/日本食品店

One part for Japanese books and one part for Japanese food, Ming Jiang offers an assortment of cooking sauces and candies as well as fine cakes and tea. It is quite proud of its array of chocolates and also offers popular snacks and sweets in traditional decorative packages.

Hours: 10 am-9:30 pm

Address: Booth 244, 2/F, CITIC Plaza, 233 Tianhe Bei Lu, Tianhe district

Tel: (020) 38770677

Transportation: Take Metro Line 3B, and get off at Linhe Xi Lu metro station leaving by the D exit. You'll find you are already at CITIC Plaza. Take the elevator to the 2nd floor.

Corner's Deli Grocery 每一角落

Corner's Deli has three locations in Guangzhou and the central one in CITIC Plaza is the largest by far, carrying items not sold at the others. Its imported food selection is heavily European, with pasta from Italy and olive oil from Italy, Greece and Spain. It also carries several items from the United States, Japan and Korea. Corner's Deli offers free city-wide delivery when your order is more than 8,000 yuan.

Hours: 9 am-9:30 pm

Address: Booth 6, SC-01, basement CITIC Plaza, 233 Tianhe Bei Lu, Tianhe district

WHAT'S ON

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

This is a computer animated fantasy/adventure film directed by Zach Snyder and starring the voices of Emily Barclay, Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish and Ryan Kwanten. A young owl is abducted by an evil Owl army. Together with his new-found friends he must escape and seek out the legendary Guardians to stop the evil.

When: Until Dec11

Address: Jinyi International Cinemas, 3/F, Weijiasi Plaza, Pearl River New City, 188 Huangpu Dadao,Tianhe district

Tel: (020) 87588855

Unstoppable

Denzel Washington and Chris Pine star in Tony Scott's newest release, Unstoppable. An unmanned, half-mile long runaway train carrying toxic chemicals is rushing towards the city. A veteran engineer and a young conductor race against the clock in an attempt to stop the train and avoid a catastrophe.

When: until Dec12

Address: Jinyi International Cinemas

Tel: (020) 87588855

Daydream: Exhibition by Mee Wong “白日梦”：黄薇个展

Mee Wong, born in 1981 in Guangzhou, graduated in 2005 from the Guangzhou Academic of Fine Arts, majoring in multimedia. Now she is a commercial illustrator. Her paintings embrace a sense of desire and allure, while, in life, she is crazy about the giant panda.

When: until Nov 30

Address: Tangning Gallery, No.3 BM Backstreet, CITIC Plaza, 223 Tianhe Bei Lu

Tel: (020)38773457

Chimelong International Circus 长隆国际马戏大剧院

If you want to sit back and enjoy a show rather than walk around a park, head to the Chimelong International Circus. The show features award-winning performers from the United States, Russia, Africa, Columbia, Kazakhstan and China. The set design, lighting and costumes are all incredible, and the performances are breathtaking.

Hours: 7:30 pm-9 pm

Address: Yingbin Lu, Panyu district

Tel: (020) 84796600

NIGHTLIFE

Golf Club

This club is best known for its tranquil surroundings and beautiful garden area where you can enjoy the breeze and stars. Its DJs cater to all kinds of tastes.

Hours: 7 pm-2 am

Address: North Gate of Yuexiu Park, Huanshi Zhong Lu, Yuexiu district

Tel: (020) 86666708

Transportation: Take Metro Line 2 to Yuexiu Park Station

Baby Face

Part of a family of nightclubs in Zhuhai, Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai, Guangzhou's Baby Face has set a new level for local nightlife chic. Located on a booming strip of clubs along Changdi Da Ma Lu, all trying hard to out-do each other with ever-increasing levels of opulence and outlandishness, Baby Face seems to have them all beaten. The dance floor moves like none other in Guangzhou. And the DJs know how to set the groove and keep it there.

Address: 83 Changdi Da Ma Lu, Yuexiu district

Tel: (020) 83355771