Live Your Best Lives
Many parents often complain: "We want to take our kids out on weekends, but we don't know where to go." Weekends don't have the luxury of a long weekend, and we're always worried the places we go won't be fun enough. We've been to popular destinations like Yuexiu Park and Baiyun Mountain countless times. So, after six months of scouring Guangzhou's streets and alleys, we've painstakingly compiled over 15 fun and off-the-beaten-path destinations into five categories, hoping to save you from those "boring" weekends and help your children grow up happily.
Ersha Island, known as a hub for Guangzhou's wealthy, is a sandbar on the Pearl River, circling the island. From every corner, you can see Guangzhou's iconic Little Slender Waist. The island is abundant with open parks (Guangzhou Development Park, Trumpchi Park, and Hongcheng Park) and art galleries (Xinghai Concert Hall and Guangdong Museum of Art). The vast expanses of green space, meticulously arranged plantings and art sculptures dot the lawns, make it a perfect place for weekend picnics, recording sessions, and museum browsing.
Bringing washable paintbrushes and having an outdoor painting session with your children is also a good choice. The fresh air and the refreshing smell of the grass will definitely give you a different feeling from home.
Tips:
Tickets: Open parks do not require tickets, but art museum tickets must be booked online in advance
Public Transportation: There is no subway on Ersha Island. Fazhan Park - Xinghai Concert Hall (Ersha Branch of Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital) / Ersha West Bus Station; Chuanqi Park - Ersha East (Chuanqi Park)
Play time: 2-3 hours
Note: You can prepare tents, picnic mats, kites and other outdoor toys
If Chimelong Paradise is a paradise for brave adults, then Gengshan Xiaozhai is a rural and childlike version of Chimelong Paradise built for children. There are no motorized projects, but instead the children can have fun in the mountains.
In spring, you can create bamboo art, flower art, and walk through the jungle in the bamboo sea.
In the summer, we play by the river, walk on the single-plank bridge, catch small fish, and dig lotus roots.
Come here in autumn to harvest rice, grind soy milk, and dig sweet potatoes
It is less than 1.5 hours’ drive from Guangzhou, so there is no pressure to go back and forth in a day!
Tips:
Opening hours: Open all year round, 9:00-17:30
Driving time: No direct bus, driving time is less than 1.5 hours
Ticket price: 120 yuan per person for the whole game
Meals: Lunch is provided for 35 yuan per person, or you can bring your own dry food
Note: There are many plants in the park, so please be careful to prevent mosquitoes and sunburn.
If your children’s weekend time allows, you may want to come to Huizhou’s beach to play. Turtle Bay is an excellent student among Huizhou’s many islands with few people and beautiful scenery!
The last turtle nesting ground in mainland China, where groups of turtles migrate every summer and autumn to lay eggs and hatch (tourists are prohibited from landing in order to protect the ecological environment)
It also hides the popular Huixian Bridge, a popular tourist attraction. The warm yellow steps and the azure coastline create a perfect photo op, perfect for capturing family photos!
The most fun-loving people must experience is going out to sea by speedboat + trolling for seafood, enjoying the speed and passion in the blue sea and blue sky~
There is also an observation deck in Turtle Bay that overlooks the entire view of Shuangyue Bay. The two bays form an excellent natural scenery that only exists in two places in the world, one in Hokkaido, Japan, and the other in Huizhou.
Xitou Village has long been hailed by outdoor enthusiasts as Guangzhou's most beautiful hiking route, and the reputation is well-deserved. Lush greenery reigns year-round, with endless seas of bamboo, and spring itself seems to be a natural addition to this beautiful spot.
The scattered quaint houses also add just the right amount of cultural flavor to this place, and because of its low difficulty, it is also popular among outdoor beginners and parent-child families.
So what interesting things can parents and children do here?
Regular Edition: Crossing the Continuous Bamboo Forest. The perfect number of kilometers suits children's physical strength, preventing overexertion, while also strengthening their physical fitness and willpower. This outdoor hike cultivates the qualities of perseverance and mutual support.
Summer – Let’s have a water fight in the cool stream and unleash our children’s playful nature.
Bamboo Series - Digging bamboo shoots and making bamboo rice here in spring is the most fashionable parent-child activity!
Guangzhou’s natural orchards – each season has its own seasonal fruits, including bayberry and green plum in spring, longan and lychee in summer, and mandarin oranges in autumn. There are always different fruits all year round!
These experiences are hard to come by in the city, and Xingxi is very close to Guangzhou, so a round trip in one day is more than enough, making it a great place to relax on weekdays.
Tips:
Transportation: There is no direct bus, and it takes about 1 hour to drive
Dining: Bamboo rice and tofu pudding are must-try dishes here! Be sure to bring plenty of dry food and drinking water for your hike.
Note: There are few artificial signs on outdoor routes. It is recommended to find a good hiking route in advance or find a local guide and leader.
Recommendation index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jingxi Ecological Park, located at the foot of Xiniujiao Mountain in Guangzhou's Baiyun District, boasts a beautiful environment and natural beauty. Because it's relatively unknown, the ecological environment is well-preserved, with charming insects and the song of thrushes a common sight. For nearby residents, the sweet mountain spring water is their daily reason to visit the mountain.
There are no crowds of tourists, and the "complex environment" is just right, making it very suitable for carrying out simulated "wilderness survival" games. A simple rope can be of great use outdoors.
How to use a map when you are lost:
How to meet basic survival needs, picnic and camping skills are essential. These survival skills not only help us in emergencies, but also help children establish a sense of safety from an early age.
Tips:
Opening hours: Open all day
Admission: Free
Meals: None, you can bring some dry food
Note: The park is full of mosquitoes, so please take mosquito repellent measures in advance. Please be mindful of environmental protection.
Recommendation index: ⭐⭐⭐
Yingxi Peak Forest is known for its karst landforms and natural landscapes resembling those of Guilin, earning it the nickname "Little Guilin of Yingxi." This unique topography makes it a prime location for outdoor activities. So, what activities are suitable for families?
Hiking - the best way to experience the panoramic scenery of Yingxi
Rock climbing – a chance to defy gravity
Caving - Unlocking the Mysterious Underground World
Kayaking - Have a river race with your friends
The world's rare cave rafting
Tea Picking - Become a small tea farmer and contribute to Yingde black tea
Ever since watching the highly acclaimed documentary "Chinese Plants That Influence the World," I've developed a strong interest in plants. The South China Botanical Garden is a 5D version of that "encyclopedia of plants."
The South China Botanical Garden boasts lush greenery and beautiful scenery year-round, making it an ideal weekend getaway for families and enriching their knowledge. As the world's largest subtropical botanical garden, it boasts over 14,000 plant species and 38 distinctive plant gardens, including the Magnolia Garden, Ginger Garden, Bamboo Garden, and Palm Garden. Many of these rare and exotic plants are found here, making it a perfect place for parents to bring their children to broaden their horizons, increase their knowledge, and cultivate a love of nature.
The park's paths are named after the plants they host, a truly fascinating experience. As for the science, parents don't need to worry: the park is equipped with a comprehensive explanation system. Users can scan a QR code to listen to online explanations of plants they're interested in. The explanations are more scientific than entertaining, making them suitable for children aged seven and above with a keen sense of inquiry, as well as adults.
Image source: South China Botanical Garden official account
Medicinal Plants Section - Datura stramonium
Pineapple Area - Water Tower Flower
Sickle-shaped leaves - lemon eucalyptus
Relict plant area
If you're simply here to relax and unwind, it's a perfect spot. The abundant greenery brings joy, and every shot captures the romantic tropical atmosphere and garden scenery, making it a favorite spot for many photographers. For a family outing, you can head to the amusement center, barbecue area, or rent a bike. Furthermore, located in Guangzhou, known as the "City of Flowers," the South China Botanical Garden is a perfect place to enjoy flowers year-round. (See the image below for flowering season.)
Image source: South China Botanical Garden official website, Photo Network, compiled by the author
Tips:
Opening Hours:
The park is open from 7:30 to 17:30 (no entry after 17:30, only exit is allowed); it is open all year round.
Greenhouse opening hours: 8:00-17:30 (closed at 17:30); open all year round.
Tickets:
Full ticket: 20 yuan/person; half ticket: 10 yuan/person, applicable to minors aged 6-18, children 1.2-1.5 meters tall, full-time college students, and seniors aged 60-65 with valid ID
transportation:
Bus: Take bus No. B12, 28, 30, 39, 83, 84, 345, 346, 494, 534, 535, 564, or 775 and get off at the "Botanical Garden Main Gate" stop;
Subway: Get off at Botanical Garden Station on Line 6, and walk west for 370 meters to the main entrance.
FOOD:
There are barbecue areas, a canteen, Qilinxuan Restaurant, and Heyuan Restaurant
Note: There are many mosquitoes in the botanical garden, so you need to take mosquito repellent measures in advance. Pay attention to protecting the environment.
Recommendation index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Compared with the well-known South China Botanical Garden, the Guangdong Arboretum is much smaller, with less area and species than the South China Botanical Garden.
But its origins are quite remarkable. This is actually a "small garden" within the Guangdong Academy of Forestry, home to a remarkable collection of species, including 56 nationally protected species and 12 provincially protected species, all of which are of great research value. Its value lies in its tranquility, and despite its small size, it boasts everything. If you're tired of the South China Botanical Garden, this is a great place to visit for a change of pace.
Image source: Guangdong Arboretum official account
In fact, having a plant guide with us is really like knocking on the door to the plant world, giving us another perspective to see plants, and we can't help but admire the magic of nature.
Listen carefully to the teacher's explanation
Homemade Botanical Greeting Cards
The Bodhi tree has a story with the Buddha
A seed with its own aircraft - Polei
Tips:
Admission: Free
Transportation: Subway: Take Line 6, Longdong Station, Exit D, and walk west for about 300 meters.
Meals: None, you can bring some dry food
Note: There are many mosquitoes in the botanical garden, so you need to take mosquito repellent measures in advance. Pay attention to protecting the environment.
Recommendation index: ⭐⭐⭐
Haizhu Wetland Park boasts a rich biodiversity and boasts unique wetland characteristics, making it a must-see destination for birdwatchers. Due to its diverse habitats, it boasts a diverse range of bird species. Among these, waterfowl are particularly suitable for beginners, as their larger size makes them easy to observe. You can often spot waterfowl and raptors, such as egrets, herons, and night herons, skimming over the water.
Tips:
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00, closed on Mondays
Tickets:
Full ticket: 20 yuan/person; half ticket: 10 yuan/person, applicable to minors aged 6-18, children 1.2-1.5 meters tall, full-time college students, and seniors aged 60-65 with valid ID
transportation:
Subway: Metro Line 8, Datang Exit D. Bus: Buses 14/252/250/998, etc., Xinjiao Middle Road (Longtan Village)
Meals: None, you can bring some dry food
Note: There are many mosquitoes, so you need to take mosquito repellent measures in advance. Pay attention to protecting the environment.
Recommendation index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Parents who love taking their kids to museums are in luck! We've previously covered the must-see list of must-see museums in Guangzhou. See Guangzhou's transformation over the past millennium through the lens of museums.
Today, China-TravelNote has compiled a list of museums suitable for families based on themes, and recommends a few interesting ones~
If fossils suddenly greeted us and told us about their animal world, what would the children’s reaction be?
Hidden in Sun Yat-sen University is a national second-level biological museum, which is also the only biological museum in the country that has a large collection of precious biological specimens from home and abroad and has the characteristics of South China.
Here, children can use their imagination to explore the mysteries of magical creatures, why dinosaurs became extinct, and listen to what experts say, whether the huge ichthyosaur fossil is a fish or a dinosaur.
You can also see exquisite specimens made from real animals and learn the stories behind the production of these specimens.
Tips:
During summer and winter vacations, it is closed on Saturdays and Sundays and only accepts group reservations.
I'm sure everyone has seen the recent hit movie "The Captain." The film's most striking revelation is the crew's ability to respond effectively and demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility in critical situations. The term "captain" has become synonymous with "cool," "capable," and "elite," and many parents aspire to raise their children to emulate it.
Rather than envy the pilots in movies and TV shows, let your child simulate a day in the life of a captain. Flight classes feature working pilots explaining flight knowledge and daily tasks, and children can build and test-fly airplane models.
Visit Terminals T1 and T2 to gain a comprehensive understanding of flight knowledge, and let children independently simulate check-in and boarding procedures, learn about the daily operations of the airport, and gain a better understanding of airport jobs such as pilots.
Tips:
Address: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 all day, only accepting group reservations
The popular activity of tree climbing is quietly spreading among parents. In the past, tree climbing was a common thing in our hometown, but now it is a rare experience for children in the city. Although tree climbing and tree climbing have similar functions, there are still differences between the two.
Tree climbing requires professional and systematic techniques. Using specialized climbing ropes, equipment, and tree climbing systems, we teach children tree climbing skills within a unique technical system and strict safety standards. Children can freely climb, ascend, descend, swing, switch, cross, rest, or work among the trees. Safely and freely traversing the woods, we reconnect with the original, pure connection between us and nature! This helps children develop their physical coordination and a spirit of adventure.
In the activity of tree climbing, the rope is crucial. It not only helps us to ascend and descend, but also serves as our safety rope. For more information, please see here >>>> New trendy sports, new experience in tree climbing
There are actually many fun places around here. The hard part is the lack of courage to go out. Find a weekend and go with your kids.
Growing up with the little ones and seeing all the beautiful things, I believe that when the children grow up healthy and happy, the trendy dads and moms will sigh: It’s worth it to have a lovely little angel in the world!
