Where to fly from Guangzhou to the sea. Holidays in China by the sea. By train to Guangzhou (Yuexiu Park, Guangzhou Museum) and further to Hainan. Beach holiday in Guangzhou

Every year China becomes more open and attractive to the whole world, it reveals its mysteries and attracts with a culture and traditions that are unusual for many countries. Economic growth and the development of industry and trade are creating entire metropolises from little-known towns recently, which happily welcome new business partners as well as lovers of tourism and recreation. One of such cities can be called Guangzhou, which we will get acquainted with in this article.

Getting to know the huge port city

Modern Guangzhou is one of the three most major cities China (together with Beijing and Shanghai) with a population of more than 10 million inhabitants. This main city Guangdong Province, which is the transportation gateway of southern China. Political and cultural life, is an educational, scientific and technical center of the southern region with a powerful economy.

The city is located on land and sea, its area is 7434 km² and 744 km² respectively. Guangzhou has an ancient history, having been founded back in 862 BC. e. It was here that the famous Silk Road began. It is often referred to as the city of rice ears Sui Chen or the city of goats Yang Chen, which is associated with legends about a blessing descending from heaven on the inhabitants of this settlement.

In Europe it was previously known as Canton, and its modern name translated as "city center of Guangdong Province." The ancient city has become a technologically advanced and modern center of global industry and trade, continuing to develop and grow.

Where is

Geographical position Guangzhou is extremely profitable. The city is located on the continent in its southern part and has access to the South China Sea. The port complex is the third largest in the country. The proximity of Hong Kong and Macau is also a significant economic factor influencing its strength and prosperity. The Pearl River crosses Guangzhou and, joining three tributaries of the eastern, western and northern rivers, flows into the sea.

Guangzhou Map

A little history

Historical finds found on the site of modern Guangzhou indicate that the first human settlement was here more than 2 thousand years ago. The geographical location became the reason for the emergence of a trading port, which is confirmed by the relict remains of a shipyard dating back to the Qin and Han dynasties. They demonstrate the level of development of shipbuilding and the scale of trade relations. The great Silk Road began here.

History shows the moments of the city's prosperity and its decline. For example, it was a developed trading center until the Tang Dynasty. There was a period in the life of the city when it was plundered by the Persians and Arabs, who burned many warehouses and sailed away by sea. The reign of the Southern Song Dynasty influenced the life of Guangzhou in such a way that it ceased to be the center of political events, but concentrated industry.

Although often many political figures, being opponents of the current government, found refuge here and then organized rebellions, protesting against Beijing. For a long time, only this port was open for foreign economic cooperation, and until 1840, ships from Europe went only to Guangzhou.

How to get there

Since the city is a very large global industrial and commercial center, getting to it from most major cities and capitals of the world is not difficult.

Video: how to get from Moscow to Guangzhou

Let's look at the most popular options for how to get to China's southern sea gate:

From Moscow. It is possible to book a ticket for a direct Aeroflot flight or use the services of " Turkish Airlines", "Emirates", but with a transfer. The flight will cost about 220 USD and more. The entire flight lasts just under 10 hours.
From Saint-Petersburg. A direct flight will cost from 19 thousand rubles. or 330 USD.
From Kyiv. A direct connection to Baiyun Airport, located just 28 km from the metropolis itself, will allow you to quickly reach your desired destination. The trip will cost about 14.5 thousand UAH, which is 550 USD.

Moscow is one of the largest transport hubs, through which transfers to Asian countries are carried out. Thanks to this, the number of flights from here is much greater, and the ticket prices are comparatively lower. Air traffic is also often carried out through Almaty, Astana, Doha, and Dubai.

While in China, you can get to the southern port either by train or by bus. For example, in Hong Kong you can take high-speed train and be there in 2 hours. And such a trip will cost 190 HKD or 24 USD. A longer trip will be by bus or ferry, which will cost 220 HKD and 350 HKD respectively. You can fly from Beijing and Shanghai by plane, which will cost about 800 CNY or 127 USD.

There are several ways to get to the city from the airport:

Metro. The airport is 28 km from Guangzhou, but metro line 3 will take you to the center in 50 minutes. Trains run every 5–10 minutes. The fare costs 12 CNY or 1.9 USD.
Bus. The fare will be 20 CNY (3.18 USD). However, frequent and long traffic jams can keep you on the road for a long time.
Taxi. A comfortable transfer will cost 120–150 CNY or 19–24 USD. But the risk of getting into a traffic jam is quite high due to the large number of cars.

Districts

Geographically, the city is divided into 10 districts and 2 counties; we will describe the most popular among tourists below:

Yuexiu. Popular area among traveling foreigners. Here you can get acquainted with the statue of 5 goats, which has a very important symbolic meaning in the legend of the creation of the city, as well as see a garden with orchids, ancient and beautiful temples. Most 4 and 5 star hotels are located in this area.
Lebanon. It attracts tourists with a garden of lakes and the Cheng Clan Academy, a castle where a folk art museum is located and where ancient Chinese rulers lived. Hostels and hotels with 3 stars can accommodate travelers visiting Lebanon.
Tianhe. The place is a paradise for shopaholics all over the world. An abundance of shops, shopping centers and markets attract shopping lovers. Here you can also see the Guangding Provincial Museum and go to the Opera House.
Haizhu. It is famous for being the location of the Guangzhou TV Tower. The view from the upper floors of this building can charm even the most experienced travelers.

Night Guangzhou

Climate and weather

Guangzhou is located in the subtropical zone and its climate is significantly influenced by the proximity of the warm sea. It is always humid and warm here - the average annual temperature is about +21 °C. When planning a trip, it is worth considering that best time for travel - this is winter and autumn. Between October and December the weather is sunny, dry, with warm, heated air. But in January or February you should take a sweater or even a jacket with you.

At this time, the temperature outside the window can drop to a maximum of +4 °C; there is no frost here. Given such a warm climate, most institutions and homes are not equipped with a heating system, and if the humidity level is high, it can feel uncomfortable and cold. The rainy season lasts from April until the beginning of the summer season. In summer the city is very hot and the air can warm up to +40 °C. The peak of heat occurs in August-September. Typhoons often occur at this time. Then the weather stabilizes, becomes dry and moderately warm.

Interesting places and attractions

Guangzhou is a place where ancient history and modernity meet scientific achievements and technology. Here you can see a huge number of temples, unique architectural structures, historical attractions side by side with incredible and modern aquatic and zoos, and entertainment venues. One thing is certain: no one will be bored in this city, since everyone will find relaxation and entertainment to their liking.

First of all, I would like to talk about the most outstanding and unique objects that make this metropolis so attractive:

- business card cities. It is located in a huge natural park"Yuexiu", where the chrysanthemum exhibition and fair is held annually.
One of the highest in the world, the top of which is located at a distance of 600 m from the ground. It was opened in 2010. It has 4 observation platforms at an altitude of 33, 116, 168 and 449 m. Interesting entertainment You can call visiting revolving restaurants at an altitude of 418 and 428 m.
Built in 2011 in futurism style by architect Zaha Hadid. The façade looks like two large pebbles on the banks of the Pearl River. An ultra-modern approach to the construction of such structures made it possible to create unique acoustics inside the theater and equip it with the latest stage equipment. The ceiling inside the room has several tiers and represents a starry sky.
Mount Baiyun or White Cloud Mountain. It has 30 peaks and is located just 7 km from the city center. Here you can entertain yourself by visiting the Yuntai Botanical Garden with a huge number of rare species of plants and flowers, thanks to which Guangzhou is sometimes called the city of flowers. Here you can see the most beautiful Mountain Lake and visit the Art Nouveau sculpture park, as well as look into the largest poultry house.
Shamian Island- a place that was a colony of England and Great Britain even before the mid-20th century. Over time, it became part of mainland Guangzhou, and a modern 900 m long bridge was built to it. All the streets and buildings on the island have the appearance of a small European town and are protected as an architectural monument.
- the oldest Buddhist temple in the province. The age of the building is more than one and a half thousand years. It was the residence of the Nanye king and ruler of Guangdong. This is a complex of pavilions in traditional Chinese style with carved wooden elements.
Huaisheng Mosque or Tower of Light- one of the oldest in the world, built by the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad. It has a 35-meter minaret, thanks to which it was considered the most tall building Guangzhou until the middle of the 20th century.
This iconic place for all of southern China. The building has the appearance of a flower pagoda 57 m high, topped with a five-ton bronze column. Inside the temple you can see the oldest and world-famous Buddha statues. The architectural structure was erected back in 537, but was rebuilt several times and in 1099 received its current name, thanks to the charm of the banyan trees that grew nearby.
A unique collection of orchids, grown by the skillful hands of Chinese gardeners, will certainly delight you with its unusual and exquisite beauty. Visitors can stroll along winding paths through the vast territory of the garden, covering about 8 hectares of land, and relax in comfort, enjoying the beauty and fragrance of flowers. You can also attend a tea ceremony here.
- largest christian temple China. It is entirely built of granite, which was brought from Hong Kong along the Pearl River by ship. Its appearance with amazing stained glass windows and white columns is very reminiscent of the Basilica of Saint Clotilde in Paris.
Kingping Market. A place where you can not only observe, but also buy live turtles and scorpions. Here you can also purchase various medicinal herbs to treat many ailments.
The exhibition complex of Guangdong Province is ready to introduce the “local history” collection. There is also an exhibition here, by visiting which you will learn a lot of interesting things about the culture of tea drinking and the types of tea.

Important! When visiting temples, there are several unspoken rules according to which you cannot take pictures of the interior decoration or stand on high thresholds. In Guangzhou, tourists are also not recommended to take photographs of government institutions and strategic sites, bridges, and dams.

Best beaches

There are no sea beaches in Guangzhou, although the city has access to the coast of the South China Sea. But the Pearl River can offer a river beach as an option for urban recreation. It is located near the Zhong Shan Ba metro station, in the Liwan district. The river beach is ready to welcome its visitors with comfortable sun loungers, showers, and changing cabins.

Entrance to this territory is paid and will be 10 CNY or 1.6 USD. However, local residents are not very fond of this place, especially during the rainy season, when the river becomes very muddy. Seaside holidays can be found not far from Guangzhou, in Shenzhen, which is 3 hours away.

The following places are popular here:

Dameisha. The sandy beach with fine golden sand is located in Dapengwan Bay. The sea here is sky blue, there are almost no waves. This place is well organized comfortable stay, there are offers for fans active rest who can test themselves with water skiing and motor boating.
Xiaomeisha is located just north of Dameisha. The number of visitors to this corner of nature is smaller, perhaps due to the fact that the sea here is rougher and waves often rise, which please only surfers. The entrance fee to the beach is 15 CNY or 2.40 USD.

Festivals and holidays

The city is full of bright colors and vibrant life, which are reflected in numerous exhibitions and festivals:

flower festival- held in January, during this period the city is dressed in colorful decorations from all kinds of flower arrangements and captivates with its fragrance;
Chinese New Year - the main holiday of the year, which is usually celebrated for 2 weeks, traditionally it ends with a festival of fireworks and aerial lanterns;
dragon boat festival- takes place in May, and the tradition of this competition has very ancient roots;
International festival food- presents masterpieces of traditional cuisine and high modern culinary art;
wine and liquor festival- local producers of alcoholic beverages treat tourists and townspeople with strong rice wine and liqueur made from sorghum grains;
lovers of music, especially a unique culture that is gaining popularity Lingnan, can become participants or simply listeners of “glass” music in Guangzhou.

Other types of entertainment

In addition to visiting historical monuments and architectural structures, in Guangzhou you can have a fun and active time with your children or in the company of friends.

Leisure

For those who do not like to sit still and are ready to discover a lot of new and interesting things, Guangzhou has to offer:

Night life

Night rest is very varied. In Guangzhou they say that the city only wakes up at night. Many restaurants are happy to open their doors here, offering late dinner to their guests. And the three most famous “bar” streets - Binjiang, Baiye Tan and Huanshi - will leave only pleasant impressions of your vacation. A night cruise along the Pearl River will demonstrate the beauty of the shimmering lights of the night metropolis. A visit to the night zoo will be simply an unforgettable experience. Here you can watch the Changlong Night Animal World circus performance.

Did you know? Interior hotel rooms is created in accordance with the laws of the teachings of Feng Shui, and the most expensive apartments are considered to be those that have a view of the mountains or river from the window.

Holidays for children

In Guangzhou, children will definitely not be bored, because there is a lot of entertainment for them here:

This place is known not only in China, but also far beyond its borders. Here you can visit the modern amusement park Chime-Long Paradise with a record-breaking 40 m high roller coaster, racing tracks and hundreds of other attractions.
will give you a lot of positive emotions, thanks to a variety of water activities and fantastic slides, pools with artificial waves, waterfalls and bridges. More than 40 thousand people visit it per day.
In the Chimelong resort area you can visit a crocodile farm, where more than 100 thousand reptiles live.
Chime-Long Safari Park Xiangjiang offers an incredible opportunity to observe animals in natural habitats created specifically for 300 species of birds, animals and reptiles. Here you can see white tiger and lion, black antelope and many other rare animals.
famous all over the world. Don’t be surprised if you hear that this is the “Chinese Cirque du Soleil”, because the skill of the artists deserves such praise. Exotic animals, acrobats and dancers from all over the world take part in the performance, accompanied by musical and lighting special effects at the highest technological level.
Zoo in Guangzhou is home to more than 5 thousand animals and birds that live on an area of 430 m². Children can watch the animals being fed, take part in circus performances, ride a camel or take a photo with a beautiful parrot. Communicating with living nature always brings joy.
And for lovers relaxing holiday You might enjoy a quiet and interesting tram ride to the accompaniment of soothing music. During the trip, the conductor tells fairy tales to the children in a pleasant voice.

Where to stay

The tourism industry in Guangzhou is well developed, so the number of hotels and hostels with a high level of service is quite large.

Important! When planning a visit to Guangzhou, keep in mind the fact that hotel prices increase sharply during the Canton Fair period, when the city is crowded with businessmen from all over the world. Typically, this period is from mid-April to early May and from late October to early November.

Hostels

The choice of affordable housing in this metropolis is very limited. Unlike many other Chinese cities, there are practically no cheap hostels here, and those that operate successfully operate underground. Therefore, many guides recommend using the services of inexpensive but official hotels. The cost of a night in a hostel will cost 100–300 CNY or 15.9–47.7 USD.

Lazy Gaga Hostel in Guangzhou

Hotels

The city is always full of businessmen, visiting clerks and managers, as well as a large number of tourists. People with good financial condition have a large selection of 5* hotels, where a night's stay costs from 600 CNY or 95.5 USD. Rooms in a 4* hotel will cost its guests from 450–800 CNY or 70–130 USD. It is worth noting that large hotels add 5% city tax to the cost of accommodation.

Important! Hotels do not have central heating. Although the average air temperature does not fall below +10° C, Be sure to check to see if there is a heater in your room when traveling to Guangzhou during winter.

During the period of major fairs in the city and the Chinese New Year celebrations, available hotel rooms are very difficult to find, they are booked and purchased in advance. Upon completion, many hotels offer discounts and make attractive offers to their potential clients.

Public transport and car rental

Main types public transport You can call metro and buses. The metro appeared in the city relatively recently, in 1999, and today has 8 lines. Stops are announced at English language and two local dialects. The fare costs from 2–15 CNY or 0.3–2.3 USD, depending on the number of stops and travel distance.

Bus service allows you to get to any corner of the city. However, the large number of vehicles causes long-term traffic congestion. Bus stops in Guangzhou may seem unusual for a European tourist, since they are divided into “departments”, each of which accepts a bus of a certain route. You will hardly be able to find out the name of the stop in English. Daytime flights run from 6:00 to 23:00 and their cost is from 1 CNY (0.16 USD), night flights - from 23:00 to 3:00, where travel costs from 4 CNY (0.64 USD).

Taxi services are popular among both locals and foreigners. You can use the service by catching a car on the street, calling it through a dispatcher by phone, or finding it in the parking lot. The disadvantage of many taxi drivers is their lack of knowledge of English. The cost of the trip is calculated depending on the distance of the trip: for example, for the first 2.5 km you will be charged 10 CNY or 1.6 USD, and then 2.5 CNY/km. If your trip was long, more than 35 km, then you will have to pay an additional payment of half the total amount.

The ferry crossing across the Pearl River is very popular among tourists. The ferry runs every 10–15 minutes from 6 am to 10 pm. The ticket price is 3 CNY. Cycling is prohibited in the central part of the city. The Haizhu region is perfect for this purpose, where there is a special bike path along the picturesque river. Renting a vehicle for a day will cost 30 CNY or almost 5 USD.

To pay for transport services you can use:

Car rental is not a very popular service in Guangzhou.

Important! International standard rights are not considered valid here. If you want to rent a car, you will have to pass a local test and obtain a temporary Chinese permit to drive a car.

Fans of comfortable personal transport often prefer to rent a car with the services of a local driver, which will cost from 500 CNY per day. International rental services such as Hertz and Avis are present in Guangzhou, along with local agencies. Due to the large number of personal vehicles among local residents, the number of traffic jams in the metropolis is very high. There is an acute shortage of parking, especially near business and shopping centers. The cost of paid parking is 10 CNY/hour.

Cuisine and restaurants

Guangzhou's culinary traditions are sure to leave lovers of traditional European cuisine in a state of shock, as the Chinese follow their saying that "Any animal whose back faces the sky can be eaten."

In the city's restaurants you can find treats made from snakes, worms, frogs, snails, ants, cats and dogs. The number of establishments where you can eat is off the charts - there are more than 20 thousand of them. These include traditional Chinese restaurants, as well as establishments representing cuisines from different countries of the world. Most of them are very affordable. They offer quick food for 50 CNY. You can taste more refined dishes in restaurants at expensive hotels. Here dinner can cost from 100–150 CNY.

Video: review of cafes and restaurants in Guangzhou

The basic rule of culinary experts in Guangzhou is that food must be fresh. For this reason, you can often see cages with live animals, reptiles and insects near restaurants. Visitors can independently choose the individuals they will eat.

Highlights local cuisine can be called:

dish “Battle of a tiger with a dragon” - cat and snake stew;
salt baked chicken - White Cut Chicken, which will be served with head and feet;
roasted pig with fruit;
wild dog stew;
Cantonese herbal soup;
"Dim sum" - snacks of shrimp and other ingredients in a thin rice dough, served with tea, and the meal can last several hours;
Xiu Mei is a Cantonese-style barbecue: pork or duck meat with sweet seasonings and sweet and sour sauce.

Did you know? Guangzhou has a list of products that are only sold in tourist areas and for very high price. Interestingly, it includes such traditional products for us as sour cream, kefir, beets, celery and dill.

Communications and Wi-Fi

mobile connection in Guangzhou is provided by three operators: China Telecom, China Unicom and China Mobile. The last company on this list has better coverage, and it often makes great offers and runs interesting promotions. It is worth noting that all mobile operators do not have the option of unlimited calls, and you must pay for incoming calls.

To purchase a local SIM card, a tourist must present a passport. Its cost is about 100 CNY or almost 16 USD, with half of the amount going to the subscriber’s account. The balance can be topped up with a scratch card in denominations of 30, 50, 100 CNY, which allows you to instantly deposit money into your account. You can purchase a card in mobile phone stores, shops, and press kiosks.

Mobile Internet available to all subscribers of the above operators. You can also get access to the World Wide Web by visiting an Internet cafe, where the cost of an hour of services will cost 5–10 CNY. Most restaurants, cafes and hotels have Wi-Fi Internet access; there are also access points in many parks and even at bus stops.

For shopping lovers

Guangzhou is a shopaholic's paradise. There are more than 10 shopping streets here, and each of them has its own characteristics and specifics. Fabrics, shoes, accessories, clothing from Chinese and international brands can be found walking along the streets of Shipulu and Beijing. You will find furniture made from precious wood and jade jewelry on the street of Hualinza. Dried sea life is sold on Ide Road, and antiques can be found next to books on Wendelu.

Shanxiajiulu Street is very popular among visitors, because here you can find souvenirs for every taste, from traditional Chinese to very unusual ones. When visiting the Kingping Market, you will be able to see many different animals. In addition to street retail outlets, Guangzhou has a large number of shopping malls.

Particularly popular are:

"Tianhe", which is located on the square with the same name;
"Plaza", in which all 18 floors of the building are occupied by shops, entertainment centers and restaurants;
"La Perle", named after the Pearl River, is an elite shopping center where only branded stores of world famous brands are located;
"Mopark"- a place where you can purchase goods at more affordable prices for every taste and budget.

Most stores and shopping centers hold annual sales in honor of the Chinese and traditional worldwide New Year, in honor of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, and also on May 1 - All Workers' Day. In addition to this, at the end of the season there are various promotions and sales. A visit to Guangzhou will certainly be an unforgettable event for you, since the city has a unique flavor, intertwined here ancient history and the achievements of modern science, in this place you can see Chinese traditions and the latest world trends.

Let’s make a reservation right away – you won’t be able to find sea beaches in Guangzhou. However, here, within the capital of the Chinese province of Guangdan, there is a well-equipped river beach. It was installed on the banks of the Pearl River, about which, however, they say that after rainfalls the water in it leaves much to be desired - a lot of garbage ends up there. But in this case, there are swimming pools where you can splash around without fear for your health. Getting to the beach is easy and simple - the metro runs here. The area is called Liwan, and the station is Zhong Shan Ba, you need to get out through exit D. You can also get there by bus - there are nine routes that go here. The beach is paid, or rather, you will have to pay for entry, and on site you can take umbrellas and sun loungers freely, borrow lockers for things and use showers and changing rooms.

But for those who cannot imagine a beach holiday without the sea with its salt water and big waves, you will have to make a longer trip - to the beaches of Dameisha or Xiaomeisha, which are known to all residents of Guangdan. Residents of the province love to go to these beaches in Shenzhen on weekends in the summer. There are two ways to get from Guangzhou to the beaches:

By train and bus.
Two buses.

The voyage may take more than 3 hours, but as a result you will be greeted by the best sandy beaches of Guangzhou, or rather, not the city itself, but its surroundings.

Dameisha Beach

Dameisha Beach is located on the shores of Dapengwan Bay. The sand on this beach is fine and light golden in color. Near the sea, the color changes from light blue to dark blue, depending on the time of year. The beach is successfully surrounded by a chain of picturesque green hills. Its beach length exceeds 1800, which made it possible to divide it into several special zones: a swimming area, an entertainment area, a sports area and a barbecue area. On the beach you can see sculptural groups expressing thirst better life, which manifested itself among the youth of the so-called “drifting generation” (1940–1980s, then it was impossible to find a stable job, but about good conditions I couldn't even dream of it in my life).

In addition to simple swimming, here you can practice parachuting behind a boat, water skiing or motor boats. The best period for swimming is from May to October inclusive.

Xiaomeisha Beach

A quieter beach is Xiaomeisha. This place is only a kilometer north of Dameisha. It is not so crowded and crowded, although the beach is only 1 km long. The beach is close to Shenzhen, which attracts lovers water sports. In addition, you can rent motor boats or fishing rods here. Foreigners come here to surf, because after a typhoon you can catch very good waves. In the evenings, sometimes “Xiaomeisha Nights” are held on the beach. This free spectacle includes ethnic dances, magic performances and acrobatic shows. There is a dolphinarium not far from the beach.

If you have never been to China and are planning your first tourist trip, then most likely you are going to Beijing or Shanghai. These are undoubtedly the most famous Chinese cities. Considering the duration of the flight (Beijing - more than 7 hours, Shanghai - about 9 hours) and the time difference (5 hours from Moscow), it is not worth going for less than a week, since you will be recovering for the first day and are unlikely to want to leave the hotel .

If you have two weeks (or more) at your disposal, you want to see Hong Kong, or this is not your first time going to China, then I strongly recommend visiting the southern Chinese cities: Shenzhen and Guangzhou. I talked about Shenzhen here. Here I will tell you about Guangzhou: how to get there, where to stay and what to see.

Road to Guangzhou

A direct flight to Guangzhou takes 9 hours, the cost of a round-trip ticket is just over 49 thousand rubles. My colleagues and I flew directly, since the costs were paid by the company. This allowed us to spend a couple of days exploring the city after our work meetings ended.

For comparison, you can fly to Beijing for 30,700 rubles, and to Shanghai for 119 and a half thousand rubles, if we are talking about direct flights. At the same time, you can get from Beijing to Guangzhou by train: the minimum travel time is 8 hours, the minimum cost is $137. You can get there from Shanghai in at least 7 hours, and tickets start at $30. Typically, the sooner you want to arrive, the more expensive the tickets will be, but you can find very affordable prices if you book in advance and take seats on the 7-8 hour trains.

Accordingly, you can either fly to Guangzhou directly, if finances allow, or allow more time for the trip and see Beijing and southern China or Beijing, Shanghai (min 4 and a half hours by train, tickets from $25) and southern China.

If I were going to China now, I would definitely plan to visit several provinces and try to save money on the flight.

Where to stay

As with Shenzhen, the cost of hotels and apartments in Guangzhou often depends on the "newness" of the area in which they are located. In contrast to the European tradition of “the older, the more expensive,” in China, newly commissioned facilities are considered premium. Let's take it - 7 nights for two adults can cost from 156 euros to 2,817 euros (and this is within one block).

If, for example, in Paris such a price difference can be found between a bed in a hostel and a five-star hotel in the historical part of the city, then in Guangzhou for 156 euros you will get into a two-star hotel in the center, which is highly praised by tourists, including Russians. According to them, the staff speaks excellent English, the rooms are clean, there are shops and bus station, and restaurants, and a picturesque embankment. They will check in at any time, give a discount for early checkout, call a taxi, and so on. Here are some photos:

As for luxury for almost 3,000 euros, these are apartments of 100 square meters, located further from the embankment, but opposite a Buddhist temple. You will have to cook yourself, but you can enjoy the luxury: there is a green veranda, luxurious furniture and household appliances, as well as a stunning view from the window.

If we are talking about, an apartment for a week for two (a bedroom with 1 bed plus a bathroom) costs from 1227 rubles per night, a separate room with a shared bathroom - from 1 thousand rubles per night.

We stayed in the center at the Oakwood Premier Hotel on East Tiyu Road, where you can now rent a studio or apartment for two for 81 euros per night. The hotel was recommended to us by our Chinese partners, and the expenses were paid by the company. If I were traveling on my own money, I would not consider this accommodation option, since I always budget most of my budget for sightseeing, shopping and food. In addition, every time going down and up to the 20th floor to smoke is very tiring :).

What to see

Within the city limits, in the district of the same name, there is Mount Baiyun, where you can walk, ride cable car(South Entrance, RMB 25 per person), bungee jumping and bird watching. Entrance to the territory costs 5 yuan, and you will have to pay the same amount to visit the temples located on the mountain. Be sure to check the location of the various entrances in advance and choose the route that suits you: it is very easy to get lost in the vast area.

In clear weather, you can enjoy the view of the city from the Canton Tower, and to feel peace and tranquility and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, look into Buddhist temple on Liurong Road. You can also ride on tourist bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus, a day ticket costs $5.63, the price includes an audio guide (unfortunately, only in English) and a map of the main attractions of Guangzhou.

If you want to combine sightseeing with shopping, take a stroll along Beijing Road. There is an ancient temple and many shops of local and foreign brands, where you will find products and prices that suit you. In the process, you can also have a snack by going to a cafe or buying fresh fruit from street vendors.

Be sure to attend Cantonese opera even if you don't like this genre, since Chinese opera traditions have nothing to do with European ones. It is impossible to describe the state of trance into which the incredibly high voices of the singers and their costumes introduce you; you need to see and hear it once, and believe me, you will not remain indifferent.

Since we only had two days, we were only able to visit Canton Tower, the Buddhist Temple on Liurong Road and walk along Beijing Road. A year before this business trip, my relatives went to Guangzhou, and from them I know about Cantonese opera and Baiyun Mountain. I still really regret that I didn’t get to hear the first one and see the last one.

Where to eat

If you're willing to drop $40 per person for steak and French cuisine in a restaurant inspired by an Agatha Christie mystery, head to Orient Express (No.1 North Shamian Street).

If you want to try traditional Chinese cuisine, check out Tao Tao Ju Cafe (DiShi Fu Road 22), located on the shopping street. It’s not cheap here (about 1,900 rubles per person, if you don’t deny yourself anything), but it’s very tasty and atmospheric. Here is an example of a traditional Cantonese dinner, which is usually divided among all those gathered using a rotating table in the center.

Inexpensive (main courses from 150 rubles) and very exotic you can eat at HeXiang Ju (FangCun Avenue ZhongDong QiShi Road), which is located near railway next to the central park and the city administration building.

I know from experience that the cheaper a Chinese establishment, the less likely it is that they speak English, but most menus have pictures. I highly recommend translating the dishes you are interested in into Mandarin and Cantonese (the dialect of the south of China) in advance and simply showing the text to the waiter. Otherwise, you risk ordering raw chicken legs, for example, as my colleagues did when we went to the restaurant located opposite the hotel :).

Guangzhou is located in the south of mainland China. This is one of the largest cities in the Middle Kingdom. The city is washed South China Sea and has a port, the third largest in the country. Guangzhou is an ultra-modern center of economy, culture, science and education for all of southern China.

It’s not for nothing that this city is called many-sided - it even has several names. For example, Sui Chen, which means “city of rice ears,” or Yang Chen, “city of goats.” These names, by the way, are not accidental. According to legend, once upon a time the inhabitants of the village, on the site of which Guangzhou later grew, were dying of hunger. And then five gods descended from the sky on five goats to save people. The gods gave the inhabitants five ears of rice, with which they quenched their hunger and sowed the fields. So the village began to prosper and turned into a city. In Europe it was known as Canton. But the modern name Guangzhou is far from poetry and extremely functional: it only means “the city-center of Guangdong province.”

Guangzhou - ancient city, which saved rich history and a unique flavor to this day. It was from here that the famous Silk Road. And today Guangzhou is known throughout the world as major center light industry.

In addition, this historically cosmopolitan city attracts everyone every year more tourists. Here travelers will find a traditional Chinese hospitality, excellent service and a variety of recreational activities.

Climate

Guangzhou's climate is influenced by its southern location and proximity warm sea: It is warm and humid here all year round, as expected in the subtropics. Average annual temperature— +21 °С.

In summer it is very hot in Guangzhou, the air temperature on some days reaches +40 °C! The hottest months are August and September, and typhoons are common during this time.

There is no frost in winter; the temperature does not drop below +4 °C. But it should be borne in mind that there is almost no heating in the rooms, and due to the high humidity it can be quite cold.

The rainy season lasts from April to June. But in October - December the weather is ideal for travel: warm, sunny and dry.

Nature

The natural beauty of the surrounding area of Guangzhou has impressed more than one traveler. There are all the components of an ideal landscape: sea, mountains, rivers and forests. South China Sea, Pearl River(“pearl”) and its tributaries - Beijiang("northern river") Xijiang("western river") and Dongjiang(“eastern river”) is the city’s water wealth. Most high mountain in Guangzhou is Bai Yun Shan(“mountain of white clouds”), which offers a unique view of the city. The mountain got its name thanks to the snow-white clouds that fall like wreaths on it after the rain. The places in the area are also very picturesque Lotus Mountains. All the beauty flora region can be estimated at Botanical Garden Southern China, which is divided on the slopes of Bai-yun-Shan. More than four thousand species of plants grow here.

Guangzhou itself is surrounded by greenery and exotic flowers all year round, for which it is deservedly called the City of Flowers.

Attractions

Guangzhou is pleased to offer tourists 123 historical monument, which are protected by the state, and more than forty popular attractions.

Acquaintance with the city usually begins with a visit to the famous Five Goats statues, which is located in a huge picturesque Yuexiu Park. The statue is a symbol of Guangzhou. In the park you can also climb a five-story Zhenhai Tower and enjoy beautiful view to the park. The park itself occupies 860 thousand square meters, and you can endlessly wander through its alleys, admiring the artificial lakes, greenhouses and tea houses. If you love nature, be sure to visit the exquisite Orchid Park And Botanical Garden . IN Haichuan Park, in addition to beautiful flowers, you can see the ancient Monastery of the Ocean Banner. In Guangzhou, by the way, there are many ancient temples that still amaze with their majesty: this and Temple of the Five Spirits, And Huaisheng Mosque, And Temple of Filial Piety, And Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, And Luronsa Temple, built back in 537 and to this day remains the tallest building in the old part of the city.

A walk through Guangzhou is incomplete without visiting Beijing Street. It was once the center of commercial Guangzhou, with manufactories that supplied goods throughout Europe. Traditionally, foreigners settled here, which is reflected in the architecture. In the center of the street, fragments of a sidewalk that is more than 500 years old are immortalized under glass.

Nutrition

An old Chinese proverb says: “Any animal whose back faces the sky can be eaten.” This maxim perfectly conveys the peculiarity of Cantonese cuisine, where food is almost elevated to a cult. Do not be surprised if in a restaurant you are offered dishes made from snakes, frogs, worms, cats, dogs, snails or ants.

The main rule of Guangzhou cuisine is that all products must be fresh. Therefore, near many restaurants you will see cages with still living inhabitants, each of which you can choose for lunch. The most popular dishes in Guangzhou are Tiger-Dragon Battle (roast snake and cat meat), braised wild dog, salt-baked chicken and roasted pig with fruit. Many travelers admire Cantonese soups, to which, according to local chefs, medicinal herbs are always added.

There are about 20 thousand food establishments in the city, so finding a decent restaurant is not difficult. In addition to Cantonese delights, in the city you can try cuisines from different parts of the world: Indian, European, Japanese, Malaysian, Korean, Arabic and many others. There are countless fast food restaurants here with very reasonable prices.

We advise you not to miss Datong restaurant(Datong Restaurant) on Yanjiangsilu Road. This is one of oldest restaurants Cantonese cuisine and perhaps the most favorite place among local residents. The restaurant occupies as many as 8 floors of an ancient building overlooking Pearl River.

If you are planning to dine at a restaurant, we recommend making reservations in advance.

Accommodation

Guangzhou has a huge selection of hotels. As elsewhere in China, the level of service in hotels is very decent and in no way inferior to European standards. True, Guangzhou has one significant difference from other Chinese cities: the choice of affordable housing such as youth hostels is very limited. We also add that most operating hostels do not have licenses and operate underground at your own peril and risk. Therefore, we recommend that you still use the services of official hotels and hotels, no matter how great your desire to save money.

Keep in mind that the time from mid-April to May and early November is always marked by a sharp increase in hotel prices in Guangzhou. This is due to the fact that at this time the Canton Fair is taking place in the city, which attracts businessmen from all over the world. If you are not going to attend the fair, it is better to choose another time to travel to Guangzhou and not overpay for a hotel.

Entertainment and relaxation

In Guangzhou, travelers will find entertainment with a special flavor. Firstly, the city cannot be imagined without a variety of festivals that fascinate with colorful action. This includes the Flower Festival at the end of January, the dragon boat rowing festival in May, and the International Food Festival, where you can try real culinary masterpieces.

Followers active entertainment They will also find something to their liking in Guangzhou. You can visit Chimelong Water Park- most large water park in Asia . It is visited by more than 40 thousand people a day. Several hundred are concentrated here water attractions with artificial waves, waterfalls, bridges and various obstacles (there is even an ice room). This is an ideal place to relax with children. It is also interesting to take a bus ride around Chime-Long Safari Park Xiangjiang. Here, in natural environment There are about 300 species of animals, including such rare animals as the black antelope, white tiger, Thai alligator and white lion. Don't ignore and amusement park Chime-Long Paradise with a 40-meter-high roller coaster, racing tracks and other fun (more than a hundred attractions in total).

If you want an unforgettable experience, be sure to visit the circus in Guangzhou. This is the largest international circus in the world with troupes from different parts of the planet. Spectators are made to freeze in amazement by exotic animals, space acrobats, and female horsemen. Amazing mass performances are accompanied by high-tech lighting and music special effects.

Nightlife in Guangzhou is very vibrant. They even say that at night the city only wakes up. It's worth strolling down Guangzhou's three famous bar streets - Huanshi, Binjiang and Baiye Tan - to get an idea of the city's nightlife scene. And if you are not a fan of bars and clubs, you will certainly enjoy a night cruise on the Pearl River: the view of Guangzhou in the evening under multi-colored lights is truly incomparable.

Purchases

Shopping in Guangzhou will be remembered for a long time: the abundance of goods and relatively low prices cannot but please the buyer. Guangdong Province has a particularly developed clothing and electronics industry, making it a good place to buy clothes and appliances. Local souvenirs include Cantonese embroidery, jade items, colored ceramics and Wang Laoji herbal tea, which is considered an excellent remedy for colds and also quenches thirst in the heat.

As elsewhere in China, street markets in Guangzhou are worth visiting, among which the seafood market on Yide Street and the Qingping Market stand out for their color - a very unique place where the most exotic animals are sold. We remind you that bargaining at markets is an indispensable part of the shopping ritual.

When going shopping, you can’t help but stroll along Shangxiajiu Street, as well as Beijing Street, where there are many boutiques and shops for every taste. For lovers of antiquities, we advise you to walk along Xiguan Antiques Street, and for connoisseurs of elegant items - along Jade Street.

If you want to buy excellent quality shoes, the best place to do this is at the International Shoe Trade Center (Shoe City) on Zhangxi Road. The prices and assortment here will pleasantly surprise you.

By the way, local residents are very fond of night shopping: there are many shopping centers in the city that are open almost until the morning.

Cash is accepted for payment in the markets, and shopping centers and supermarkets you can use a bank card.

Transport

Guangzhou, like every self-respecting metropolis, has a well-established public transport system. Residents and guests of Guangzhou travel by bus, subway, water bus and, of course, taxi.

The city has more than 450 bus routes, including more than 40 night ones, working from 21:00 to 6:00. Most buses have air conditioning. The fare is low and amounts to $0.2-0.4 depending on the route.

The Guangzhou Metro consists of seven lines. The fare depends on the distance, but you won’t pay more than $2. Tourists mainly use lines 1 and 2, which pass through the city center.

There are 6 routes along the Pearl River water buses. The entire route takes 40 minutes and costs the passenger $0.3.

There are more than 16,000 taxis in Guangzhou, but catching one during rush hour is not easy. We advise you to immediately go to special taxi stops where freed cars arrive. Taxis come in different colors; yellow and crimson cars owned by Baiyun Taxi Company and Guangzhou Transportation Group are highly trusted by the local population. The fare is calculated strictly according to the meter. The minimum rate is approximately $1.2 and includes landing and the first 2 kilometers of the journey. Then every kilometer costs $0.4. A fuel surcharge (approximately $0.2) will also be added to the total amount. The night fare is traditionally higher, but at this time you can bargain with taxi drivers.

Connection

There are no problems with Internet access in Guangzhou. Wi-Fi is provided in most hotels of 3* level and above, however, the service may not only be paid, but also more expensive than in a regular Internet cafe. Internet cafes are located everywhere in the city; an hour of work costs an average of $0.3-0.4.

Mobile connection works great. To save on roaming fees, we recommend purchasing a SIM card from a local operator (China Mobile or China Unicom).

You can use postal services in Guangzhou if you want to send a regular letter or postcard. But post offices are quite slow, and few of the employees speak English. If you need to send a parcel or valuable documents, it is definitely better to contact the offices of the delivery services DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT or EMS. IN large hotels You can arrange postage right on the spot.

Safety

It is safe to say that security in Guangzhou is provided at the proper level. At least the lives of tourists are not in danger. But property must be protected from nimble pickpockets, who operate especially viciously in markets, train stations and shopping centers. Watch your wallets and phones, try not to wear expensive jewelry and hold your bag tightly - there are often cases when thugs on motorcycles snatch things from a unwary traveler right out of his hands.

A separate problem is scammers. Under no circumstances should you be persuaded by strangers who offer to help you buy cheap goods or exchange currency.

Store all your valuables not in your room, but in the hotel safe (if the rooms do not have safes).

It is better not to drink tap water, buy bottled water. And be careful on the roads: drivers do not allow pedestrians to pass, even if they are walking along a zebra crossing.

Business climate

Guangzhou is a city open to foreign investment. According to Forbes China magazine, Guangzhou, thanks to excellent developed infrastructure and a favorable investment climate, is the best city China for doing business. There are several important free economic zones with preferential taxation (export processing zone, 2 high technology development zones, a bonded zone and a technical and economic development zone).

In addition, Guangzhou is one of China's three financial centers and ranks second in the country in terms of the number of foreign banks.

Both local and foreign companies operate successfully here, developing the most different directions and providing a wide range of services. Twice a year, Guangzhou hosts the famous Canton Fair, where export products from all over China are showcased. The exceptional significance of the event is evidenced by the fact that the exhibition ranks third in the world in terms of the volume of transactions concluded thanks to it.

Real estate

Today, the real estate market in Guangzhou is experiencing an investment boom. In 2011, investment in construction increased by 40% and the growth trend continues. Therefore, now buying a house, apartment or office in Guangzhou can be considered a very profitable investment.

Currently, the average cost of housing in Guangzhou is $2,000 per 1 m2. In the city center, real estate is especially popular: here luxury apartments cost around $3,500 per 1 m2. And the demand for real estate is only growing, even despite high prices.

Since 2006, the Chinese government has taken restrictive measures regarding the purchase of real estate by foreigners. Thus, only citizens who have lived in the country for at least 1 year can now buy houses or apartments as their own. In this case, you can buy no more than one object and only for your own use. But the undoubted advantage is that a foreigner can get a loan to purchase real estate from a Chinese bank with a repayment period of up to 30 years.

While in Guangzhou, show respect for local traditions, in particular culinary ones: you should not joke about the gastronomic preferences of the local population, no matter how strange they may seem to you.

When visiting the many temples in Guangzhou, remember not to step on high thresholds or take photographs of the interior decoration of the temples. We also do not recommend filming bridges, dams, government agencies and strategic objects.

Keep in mind that smoking is prohibited in public places, and you will be subject to a large fine for violating this ban.

It is always a good idea to have a business card with you with your details (name, hotel, address) written in Chinese. Even if you get lost, a business card will help local residents(especially taxi drivers) understand where you need to go.

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