Leisurely Tour of Shunde Classic Routes

Shunde is a city well worth exploring. It is not only recognized by UNESCO as a "World Food Capital," but also boasts exquisite Lingnan gardens, charming water town scenery, and rich cultural heritage. This three-day travel guide will help you fully experience the charm of Shunde.

🏙️ Complete Three-Day Shunde Travel Guide

✨ Highlights

· Three meals a day with no repeats: From authentic morning tea to exquisite Cantonese cuisine, from street snacks to trendy desserts, experience the culinary delights of the World Food Capital
· Diverse experiences combined: Perfect blend of Lingnan gardens, water town charm, modern art, and creative industrial parks
· Relaxed slow travel pace: Balanced itinerary covering popular attractions and in-depth experiences, suitable for all types of travelers

🗺️ Detailed Itinerary

🍜 Day 1: Classic Flavors of Daliang

1. Morning:
· Qinghui Garden: After breakfast, head to Qinghui Garden, one of the four famous Lingnan gardens. This Ming Dynasty Lingnan garden combines classical architecture, garden art, and water town features. Inside are pavilions, corridors, small bridges, and flowing water with flowers blooming all year round. Recommended visit time is 1.5-2 hours to carefully appreciate classic buildings like Bixi Caotang, Chuanting, and Xiyin Shuwu.
· Huagai Road Pedestrian Street: About a 5-minute walk from Qinghui Garden. This Lingnan-style commercial street with arcade buildings features many traditional snack shops and souvenir stores, a great place to experience Shunde’s local life.
2. Noon:
· Lunch at Huagai Road or Jinbang Shangjie: Enjoy Shunde specialty snacks either on Huagai Road pedestrian street or a 10-minute walk to Jinbang Shangjie. Recommended dishes:
· Jinbang Huanji Milk: buffalo milk and double-skin milk pudding
· Lunjiao Cake: Shunde’s special rice cake, sweet but not greasy
· Fengcheng Fish Skin: crispy and tasty cold fish skin salad
· Jun’an Fish Cake: fragrant pan-fried carp fish cakes
3. Afternoon:
· In-depth exploration of Jinbang Shangjie: This traditional cultural snack street preserves old Shunde style. Narrow alleys hide many family workshops where you can watch the making of double-skin milk and milk slices, tasting the most authentic Shunde flavors.
4. Evening:
· Happy Coast PLUS: Head to Shunde’s new landmark Happy Coast PLUS in the evening. This large integrated entertainment area offers free admission, dazzling night views, and the chance to check in at the 99-meter-high "Shunde Eye" Ferris wheel.
· Dinner options:
· Restaurants inside the park: Multiple restaurants offering everything from authentic Shunde cuisine to international dishes
· Zhu Rou Po Private Kitchen (reservation required): Renowned high-end Shunde cuisine with excellent ambiance and taste

Accommodation recommendation: Hotels in the Daliang area such as Lingnan Garden Boutique Hotel, Atour Hotel, or choose unique homestays near Happy Coast like Longgui Li Homestay.

🎨 Day 2: Ronggui Artistic Journey

1. Morning:
· Ronggui Haijunda City Coffee Festival (if available): Visit Ronggui Haijunda City. If it coincides with the Coffee Culture Festival (e.g., April 30 to May 4, 2025, with 100+ brands participating), you can experience a rich coffee culture. If no event, there are still many boutique coffee shops for a break.
· Diesel Engine 1959 Creative Park: About a 10-minute taxi ride from Haijunda City. This creative park converted from old factory buildings retains industrial-style architecture and features art exhibitions, creative studios, and specialty restaurants, a great spot for photos and check-ins.
2. Noon:
· Lunch at Diesel Engine 1959 or Fisherman’s Wharf:
· Xiabing Seafood: A cost-effective seafood restaurant inside Diesel Engine 1959 park
· Dali BBQ: Industrial-style barbecue restaurant
· Or head to Fisherman’s Wharf to try traditional Shunde dishes at restaurants like Seaman River Fresh or Blue Coast Silver Bay
3. Afternoon:
· Ronggui Fisherman’s Wharf: After lunch, stroll around Fisherman’s Wharf, once Shunde’s grain trade port, now transformed into a romantic leisure area. Explore the riverside promenade, lighthouse, graffiti walls, and creative shops. Enjoy the stunning river sunset in the evening.
· Fengjian Water Town: Visit Fengjian Water Town, known as the "Little Zhouzhuang of Guangdong." Take a black-awning boat to tour the waterways, passing Ming Dynasty ancient bridges Jiji Bridge and Mingyuan Bridge, experiencing the tranquility and simplicity of Lingnan water towns.
4. Evening:
· Dinner options:
· Water Town Family Private Kitchen: Located inside Fengjian Water Town, experience authentic Shunde farmhouse cuisine
· Tan Shijie Yunyuan: A refined restaurant near the water town
· Shunde ALSO: If time permits, visit Shunde ALSO in Beijiao, a comprehensive cultural area integrating art, culture, and shopping, often hosting exhibitions, performances, and creative markets in the evening.

Accommodation recommendation: Hotels in the Ronggui area or choose unique homestays inside Fengjian Water Town like Fengjian Lanshe to enjoy the peaceful water town nights.

🏛️ Day 3: Beijiao Art Exploration

1. Morning:
· He Art Museum: Designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando, themed on "harmony," the exposed concrete building and light effects are stunning. The spiral staircase is a popular photo spot. The museum regularly hosts high-quality contemporary art exhibitions. Recommended visit time is 1.5-2 hours.
· Lingnan Heyuan: Not far from He Art Museum, this modern garden showcases Lingnan garden art. It combines Lingnan architecture, gardens, and folk customs. You can participate in intangible cultural heritage fish lantern DIY workshops to experience traditional culture.
2. Noon:
· Lunch at Guoranju: A garden-style restaurant inside Heyuan, elegant environment offering exquisite Shunde cuisine. Recommended dishes include traditional Shunde Kungfu Fish and Chenpi Pork Ribs.
3. Afternoon:
· Shunde Natural Science Museum: After lunch, visit the Shunde Natural Science Museum to explore the origins of the universe, earth evolution, and mysteries of life. Interactive exhibits are abundant, suitable for all ages, making it an educational and fun destination.
· Shunfengshan Park (optional): If time allows, take a walk in Shunfengshan Park to enjoy the landscape of "green mountains, clear waters, one temple, two lakes, two towers," ending your Shunde trip amidst beautiful scenery.
4. Evening: Pack up and conclude your pleasant Shunde journey, then return.

💰 Budget Reference

Item Economy (CNY/person) Comfortable (CNY/person)
Accommodation (2 nights) 300-500 600-1000
Meals (3 days) 300-400 500-800
Transportation (within city) 100-150 200-300
Tickets 100-150 150-200
Shopping & Souvenirs 200-300 400-600
Total 1000-1500 1850-2900

💡 Practical Tips

1. Best time to visit: Shunde has a subtropical climate. October to April is pleasant and ideal for travel. Avoid the rainy and hot season from May to September.
2. Transportation guide:
· External transport: Take high-speed rail to Shunde Station or Shunde College Station, or bus to Shunde Bus Terminal
· Internal transport: Taxi or ride-hailing recommended between attractions; local buses for experiencing local life; shared bikes are also available in the city
3. Food recommendations:
· Must-try dishes: Double-skin milk, Lunjiao cake, Chencun rice noodles, Jun’an steamed pork, Daliang fried milk, Shunde fish sashimi
· Breakfast experience: Don’t miss Shunde morning tea, recommended at Xiangyunsha Garden Hotel or popular local tea houses
· Restaurant reservations: Popular restaurants like Zhu Rou Po and Guoranju are recommended to book 1-2 days in advance
4. Accommodation suggestions:
· Stay in Daliang area the first night for easy access to Qinghui Garden and Happy Coast
· Choose Ronggui or Fengjian Water Town for the second night to experience different atmospheres
5. Special reminders:
· Popular attractions like Qinghui Garden and He Art Museum recommend booking tickets in advance on official platforms
· Weekends and holidays are crowded; consider off-peak visits
· Shunde cuisine is generally light; if you prefer stronger flavors, inform the restaurant in advance

We hope this guide helps you fully enjoy Shunde’s food, scenery, and culture. Wishing you an unforgettable trip in Shunde!