Day 1 Across the country → → Guangzhou
All day
On the first day of their trip, tourists from all over the world will arrive in Guangzhou by plane or high-speed rail and then go to the designated hotel to check in and gather.
If you have more time, you can explore world-famous shopping destinations like Beijing Road, Teemall, and the Slender Waist. You can also enjoy morning or evening tea at a teahouse. A night cruise on the Pearl River or photographing the sunset or nightscape of the Slender Waist from Liede Bridge are all excellent options!
Day 2 Guangzhou City → Shamian → Xiguan Old Street → Longtou Ancient Village → Tanbu Town, Guangzhou
All day
After breakfast, we will go to Shamian to photograph the architectural complex. Shamian was once the British and French concessions, and many foreign consulates were established here. Many European-style buildings are preserved here, making it an open-air architectural "museum" in Guangzhou.
Afterward, we headed to Enning Road, a symbol of the old Xiguan district. Enning Road, steeped in Guangzhou's urban heritage, is a former Xiguan district, known for its quiet lanes and crisscrossing arcades. Known as Guangzhou's Old Street, it boasts numerous historically significant buildings, including the former residences of prominent figures. Yongqingfang, nestled in this Xiguan-inspired area, is steeped in rich history and culture. Surrounding the area are historical landmarks like the Cantonese Opera Art Museum and the Eight-Hui Guild Hall. The area also boasts Bruce Lee's ancestral home and the former residence of a mysterious politician, and regularly hosts cultural exhibitions. Here, nostalgia and modernity coexist, and creative ghost-themed activities are a constant fixture. The cultural scene never ends.
In the evening, we'll visit the Burning Grain Tower folk custom in Longtou Ancient Village, Tanbu Town, Guangzhou. Burning the Grain Tower is a traditional Tanbu town custom with a history stretching back thousands of years. Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, villagers build the tower and prepare firewood and hay inside. At night, they ignite the fuel, allowing the flames to burn brightly within. During the burning process, they sprinkle coarse salt and other fuels to intensify the flames. They also use long bamboo poles to stir the hay and other fuel toward the tower's mouth, causing sparks to erupt from the surrounding area toward the top, creating a beautiful blaze. When the tower burns, the flames reach several meters high, illuminating the sky with a vibrant crimson glow. Local villagers and tourists flock to witness this spectacular traditional custom. Burning the Grain Tower embodies the villagers' wishes for a prosperous and fulfilling life in the coming year. The higher and more vigorous the flames burn, the more prosperous and fulfilling they are, symbolizing a prosperous and flourishing life in the coming year.
Day 3: Tanbu Town, Guangzhou → Changqi Ancient Village → Foshan Ancestral Temple → Shangyuan Village → Guangzhou
All day
In the morning, we'll head to Changqi Ancient Village for photography. Founded in the Ming Dynasty, over 600 years ago, most of the existing buildings are wok-ear houses from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It's a representative example of Lingnan's ancient villages. It's also renowned as a "longevity village," having gained popularity thanks to variety shows like "12 Tastes of Feng Wei" and "Happy Adults," as well as CCTV's Spring Festival Gala. Nestled in the mountains and surrounded by water on three sides, the village leans against Wenbi Mountain, with a century-old banyan tree at the entrance. From Wenbi Peak in the back, overlooking the village, hundreds of ancient dwellings with "wok-ear" gables symbolize prosperity and good fortune. Spend the morning taking your time photographing here.
In the afternoon, we went to photograph the Foshan Ancestral Temple. One of the most representative ancient architectural complexes in the Lingnan region, the Foshan Ancestral Temple, built in the Northern Song Dynasty, integrates rituals, culture, and art, earning it the reputation of "the Palace of Oriental Folk Art." Its architecture incorporates traditional crafts such as pottery, woodcarving, and brick carving. The temple features permanent exhibitions on martial arts, opera, and folklore, showcasing Foshan's rich cultural heritage as the "birthplace of Cantonese opera" and the "hometown of martial arts." During annual traditional festivals like the Lantern Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day, and Mid-Autumn Festival, the temple hosts grand sacrificial ceremonies, attracting large numbers of believers to pray and fulfill their vows. The afternoon performances of the Foshan Ancestral Temple's martial arts lion dance are scheduled from 2:15 PM to 2:55 PM and from 3:30 PM to 4:10 PM (in case of rain, the performances will be cancelled; the actual performance date will be subject to change).
In the evening, I went to Shangyuan Village in Foshan just in time to photograph the Fire Dragon Dance. Every year on the 15th and 16th day of the eighth lunar month, Shangyuan Village holds the Fire Dragon Dance, a folk custom. There are many theories about the Fire Dragon Dance's origins, but one popular theory is that it was meant to ward off plague and protect the village. Legend has it that long ago, a plague ravaged the villagers, leaving them destitute. Later, a Taoist priest or immortal revealed that fire dragons could ward off evil and harm. So, the villagers crafted fire dragons and danced them on Mid-Autumn Night, praying for divine protection, the elimination of the plague, and the protection of their homes. The Fire Dragon Dance is more than just a traditional folk custom; it's a cultural legacy and expression. It embodies people's reverence for nature, their respect for their ancestors, and their yearning for a better life. Through this activity, people can experience a rich festive atmosphere, strengthen community cohesion, and preserve and promote China's fine traditional culture.
Day 4 Guangzhou City → Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport → All over the country
All day
Get up early to capture the sunrise over the Pearl River over Guangzhou's landmark buildings. Guangzhou welcomes a new day's sunrise. The rising sun gradually rises, illuminating the city. The earth, the Pearl River, and the buildings gradually become clear in the morning light, forming a beautiful picture of the sunrise over the Pearl River in Guangzhou.
Next, we filmed the "Venice" of Guangzhou. The urban village housing estates contrasted sharply with the distant "Three Towers" of Zhujiang New Town, earning this camera position the nickname "behind the bustling city." Furthermore, on clear days, the colorful exteriors of the housing estates reflected in the water, creating the illusion of the "Venice of Guangzhou."
At noon, we will send the group to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (estimated arrival time is around 13:00). Tourists who will take the high-speed rail or continue to stay in Guangzhou will disband at the hotel, ending this enjoyable photography trip!
