The South China Botanical Garden is just too good at "posing"! Strolling through the rainforest and desert, and even having a picnic where a squirrel snatched our bread

I originally planned to take my 10-year-old to find a cool spot to zone out, but ended up playing at the South China Botanical Garden until my phone died—from the "giant umbrella leaves" of the tropical rainforest to desert cacti taller than a person, and then a sudden appearance of a "little foodie" squirrel during our picnic. This place isn’t just a botanical garden; it’s clearly a "nature blind box" hidden in the city, and my kid and I had a blast unwrapping it!

1. Exploring the garden is like opening blind boxes! Every area has surprises

The greenhouse complex is a "global climate blind box"! Spending 50 yuan on a combo ticket was totally worth it. Just entering the tropical rainforest room, my kid pointed at the traveler’s palm taller than him and said, "Mom, look! This leaf could be used as a boat!" The humid air carried the scent of plants, giant vines wrapped around tree trunks, and he reached out to touch the dripping monstera leaves, suddenly saying, "Our science teacher said the holes in these leaves are to avoid rainwater!" — I never expected textbook knowledge to come alive like this.

Moving to the desert plant room, the vibe instantly changed! Round, plump cacti crowded the sandy ground, and the most impressive was the "baobab tree" with a trunk so thick that my kid and I couldn’t hug it even holding hands. He squatted nearby studying the cactus spines, suddenly shouting "Ah!" because he got pricked by a tiny spine, rubbing his hand while laughing, "This plant is way too fierce!" A reminder: the greenhouse stops ticket checks at 4:30 PM. We almost missed out because we were taking photos of the cacti and had to sprint to get in. Don’t make this mistake!

Longdong Qilin is an "ancient style blind box"! As one of the "Eight Views of Guangzhou," the lake water is so clear you can see little fish, and the shadows of dawn redwoods reflect on the surface like spilled green paint. My kid picked up a dawn redwood leaf and insisted on putting it in his notebook as a "ticket," saying, "This is today’s nature collection." When we reached the aquatic garden, a few lotus flowers had just bloomed, and he suddenly recited, "The little lotus just shows its pointed tip," which made me realize we could also review classical poetry while visiting the botanical garden—an unexpected bonus!

2. Picnic surprise! Squirrels are even hungrier than kids

If you bring kids, you must try a picnic on the lawn! We found a shady spot near the greenhouse and just took out our sandwiches when a gray-brown little squirrel dashed over and squatted nearby staring at the food. My kid excitedly broke off a piece of bread and offered it, and the squirrel grabbed it and ran up a tree, scaring him into clapping and shouting, "It runs faster than me!" Later, a few birds flew over, so he crushed some cookies and scattered them on the ground, watching the birds peck while muttering, "So little animals love snacks too."

I recommend bringing your own food! The park’s restaurant prices aren’t cheap. We brought sandwiches, fruit, and yogurt, and after eating, we packed up the trash to take away, teaching my kid about "leave no trace" travel. Oh, and remember to bring a small mat—the lawn was a bit damp. I forgot mine, so my kid had to sit on his backpack, but luckily it didn’t affect his "interaction" with the squirrels.

3. Tips to avoid pitfalls! Don’t overlook these details

1. Double up on sun protection and mosquito repellent! The botanical garden has many trees, and after 10 AM the sun is very strong. I dressed my kid in a long-sleeve sun-protective shirt and sprayed mosquito repellent, but he still got two bites and kept scratching. Make sure to bring plenty of mosquito patches.

2. Don’t wear white shoes! The lawn and aquatic garden areas are a bit muddy. My kid’s white shoes got muddy, and I had to scrub them for a long time. Dark shoes are more worry-free.

3. Bring some "nature tools"! I packed a magnifying glass and a small notebook for my kid. He squatted on the lawn watching ants move and even drew the plants he saw, forgetting all about his phone. Way more fun than watching TV at home.

Bringing kids here not only lets them enjoy the sun but also get close to nature. Have you ever had such adorable "little visitors" when picnicking with your kids?