Litchi Bay Scenic Area | A 0-Yuan Journey Through Lingnan Water Town, Where Old Guangzhou's Most Vibrant Life Unfolds

If you haven't been to Litchi Bay, you can't say you truly know Guangzhou! This thousand-year-old waterway in Xiguan hides ancient arcade bridges, Cantonese opera melodies, and authentic snacks for just 5 yuan a bowl—so affordable it'll make your wallet smile.

📍Location: No. 94 Longjin West Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou (Exit A of Zhongshanba Station, Metro Line 5)

🌟Three Must-Experience Highlights✨
1️⃣ A Living Lingnan Watercolor Painting

- Glide through winding canals on a black-canopied boat, watching the reflections of traditional "wok-ear" houses ripple on the water. "Amid the creaking oars, the blue bricks and black tiles become flowing poetry."
- At the "Intangible Cultural Heritage Handicraft Street" near Wen Pagoda, watch masters craft sugar figurines and olive pit carvings. For 10 yuan, take home a Sun Wukong sugar painting and relive childhood.
- Behind the swinging doors of Fengyuan Street, grandmothers dry tangerine peels in courtyards, filling the alleys with fragrance.

2️⃣ Xiguan's Legendary Food Scene

- 🥣Chan Tian Ji: 25-yuan fish skin so crispy it'll make your tongue dance, paired with 10-yuan boat congee—a classic Guangzhou breakfast.
- 🍜Wu Zhan Ji: 15-yuan champion congee with tender pork offal that melts in your mouth, generously spiced with pepper.
- 🍧Nanxin Double-Layer Milk Pudding: 20-yuan bowls with milk skin so thick it holds a spoon. Try the ginger milk curd made fresh on the spot.
"Here, even the air carries the sweet scents of ginger milk curd and beef offal."

3️⃣ Free Ancient-Style Photo Spots

- 📸Litchi Bay Grand Opera Stage: Strike a pose in a qipao on the stone bridge with Cantonese opera backdrops for instant Republic-era vibes.
- 🏮Liwang Lake Park: During lotus season (June-July), pink blooms frame pavilions, attracting hanfu-clad photographers.
- 🚢Boat Pier: Capture "ancient bridge + sunset + boats" at dusk—your social media will explode with "Is this Suzhou?" comments.

🛏️Budget-Friendly Stays✨

- 🏨Guangzhou Hotel (Haizhu Square): 200 yuan/night with breakfast, river views, and just 2 metro stops away.
- 🏨7 Days Premium (Shangxiajiu): 15-minute walk to the scenic area, 180 yuan/night for clean, affordable comfort.

🍜Street Food Checklist✨

- 🍢Radish and Beef Offal: 10 yuan for 3 skewers of broth-soaked lungs—add chili oil for a soul-stirring kick.
- 🌰Candied Chestnuts: 15-yuan bags of freshly roasted sweetness, perfect hand warmers.
- 🥤Sugarcane and Imperatae Drink: 8-yuan cups to cool your throat after spicy treats.

💰Budget Breakdown✨
✅Entry: Free (Liwang Lake Park)
✅Transport: 6-yuan metro round-trip + optional 30-yuan boat ride
✅Accommodation: 200 yuan/night (100 yuan/person)
✅Food: 30-yuan dim sum + 50-yuan lunch + 20-yuan snacks = 100 yuan

Total: 336 yuan (with stay) | 136 yuan (day trip)

Leaving with a bag of fresh "chicken cookies," I turned to see a boat carrying hanfu-clad girls under stone arches as lanterns lit the water gold. Litchi Bay's true magic lies in these slow moments—where every cobblestone whispers stories, every opera note carries nostalgia, inviting you to wander, taste, and savor.