Three-Day, Two-Night Guangzhou Travel Guide

Budget Plan

The budget for this trip is 3,000 RMB, mainly covering accommodation, transportation, tickets, dining, and shopping. Below is the approximate budget allocation:

● Accommodation: Choose budget hotels or homestays, expected cost for two nights is 300 - 600 RMB.

● Transportation: Includes travel to Guangzhou (assuming departure from Shanghai, high-speed rail second class round trip about 900 RMB) and local transportation (3-day metro pass 50 RMB/person, estimated 100 RMB), totaling about 1,000 RMB.

● Tickets: Entrance fees and activities at various attractions estimated at 300 RMB.

● Dining: Sampling various foods, estimated 800 RMB for three days.

● Shopping: Reserve 300 RMB for souvenirs and other purchases.

Itinerary

Day 1: Old City Cultural Experience

● Morning:
    ○ Sacred Heart Cathedral: Free admission, open from 9:00 to 11:30. This is a Gothic-style cathedral with exquisite architectural details, popular for photos.
    ○ Chen Clan Ancestral Hall: Ticket 10 RMB. It showcases exquisite carving art and is a museum of Guangdong folk crafts.
    ○ Xiguan Residences: Free to visit, experience the traditional residential style of old Guangzhou.

● Afternoon:
    ○ Shamian Island: Free. The island features many European-style buildings, great for photos, and you can enjoy coffee while soaking in the exotic atmosphere.
    ○ Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street: Shopping here with a budget of 100 - 200 RMB, also try various local snacks.

● Evening:
    ○ Pearl River Night Cruise: Tickets start at 78 RMB, enjoy the bustling night views of Guangzhou along the river.
    ○ Beijing Road Pedestrian Street: Dinner here with a budget of 80 - 120 RMB. This is a must-visit spot in Guangzhou with lots of food options and the ancient Dafu Temple to explore.

Day 2: Modern Urban Style

● Morning:
    ○ Canton Tower: Admission 150 RMB, offers panoramic views of Guangzhou.
    ○ Haixinsha Asian Games Park: Free entry, the venue for the 2010 Asian Games opening ceremony.

● Afternoon:
    ○ Guangdong Museum: Free but requires advance reservation. The museum has rich collections to learn about Guangdong’s history, culture, and natural features.
    ○ Tianhe CBD Shopping Area: Includes Grandview Mall, Taikoo Hui, etc., for shopping and leisure.

● Evening:
    ○ Zhujiang New Town Night View: Enjoy the modern city nightscape.
    ○ Party Pier Bar Street: Spending about 100 - 300 RMB, enjoy drinks and experience Guangzhou’s nightlife.

Day 3: Nature and Leisure

● Morning:
    ○ Baiyun Mountain: Ticket 5 RMB, cable car 25 RMB. Great for hiking and enjoying natural scenery.
    ○ Yuntai Garden: Ticket 10 RMB, a large ornamental garden.

● Afternoon:
    ○ Yuexiu Park: Free entry, beautiful natural scenery, also visit Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (ticket 10 RMB).

● Evening: Before departure, visit Bingsheng Pinwei for dinner, about 150 RMB per person.

Accommodation Recommendations

● Budget (150 - 300 RMB/night):
    ○ Near Beijing Road: Home Inn, 7 Days Inn, etc., convenient transportation and many nearby food options.
    ○ Along Metro Lines: Homestays near Kecun and Tiyu West Station, convenient transportation.

● Comfortable (400 - 600 RMB/night):
    ○ Zhujiang New Town: Ascott Serviced Apartments, prime location with city views.
    ○ Yuexiu District: Guangzhou Garden Hotel, comfortable environment.

Transportation Guide

● External Transportation: From Shanghai to Guangzhou, choose high-speed rail or flight. High-speed rail second class round trip about 900 RMB; flight prices vary by time.

● Internal Transportation:
    ○ Metro: Guangzhou Metro is very convenient, lines 1/2/3 cover most attractions. Download the “Guangzhou Metro” app in advance for QR code rides.
    ○ Taxi: Use Alipay’s “Ride Code” for easy payment on buses and metro. If driving, avoid Zhujiang New Town and Tiyu West Road during rush hours due to heavy congestion.

Food Recommendations

● Morning Tea: Yindeng Restaurant (Liwan Xiti Road), shrimp dumplings so big you can bite the shrimp legs, roast goose skin crispy enough to hear the crunch; Beiyuan Restaurant (Xiaobei Road, Yuexiu), an old brand hidden in a garden, enjoy tea with chicken biscuits.

● Other Delicacies: Shadan Peng Charcoal Stove Beef Offal Pot (Beijing Road branch) offers authentic old Cantonese charcoal stove beef offal pot, with large beef brisket chunks and various beef offal.