Guangzhou Hotels

Attractions

Like the rest of urban China, Guangzhou is in the middle of a construction boom. Regular alterations to the cityscape drive postcard manufacturers mad.

The most obvious icon is CITIC Plaza. The 80-story skyscraper is a retail, office and residential complex, with a sports centre and new metro station.

Guangdong Olympic Stadium, with a radical design and shape, is somewhat of a curiosity. The foremost tribute to “The Flower City” was to host several events for the 2008 Summer Games but instead, will serve as the principal home for the 2010 Asian Games.

Baiyun Mountain is one of several public recreation locales around Guangzhou. With superlative features however, from a golf course to Nengren Temple, myriad gardens and a sculpture park, Baiyun may be the best. Cable cars to the top promise the best views of Guangzhou and the provincial landscape.

The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees is a superb temple built 537. The Buddhist shrine is one of the most distinctive monuments in Guangzhou.

Shamian Island is a peaceful getaway, in close proximity to downtown Guangzhou, replete with colonial-era architecture.

Guangdong Provincial Museum has a superb collection of relics and artwork that herald from ancient and dynastic China.

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Park is a scenic tribute to the founder of the Republic of China.

Events

The ideal way to experience Guangzhou is to stroll about the city markets and commercial streets. They represent an event in of themselves. With names like Flower Street, Jade Street and Bridal Street, you can easily discern what wares they hawk. Qingping Market is famous or notorious rather, as a place to purchase and consume a wide variety of exotic animals.

The Dragon Boat Festival, held in either May or June to coincide with the fifth day of the fifth Lunar month, draws fierce competitors to the Pearl River.

The Mid-Autumn Festival in September or October illustrates the important link in China between special foods and celebrations. In this case, moon cakes are the choice delicacy.

Chinese New Year of course, is a massive occasion in Guangzhou. Often the only chance for workers to vacation and see family, parts of the city can feel rather empty, though celebrations do abound.

Climate

With a subtropical climate and imprecise seasons, intense humidity marks the summer season in Guangzhou. As a result, spring and fall remain the most popular and comfortable seasons to visit the city. International trade fairs in April and October however, monopolize the vast majority of hotel rooms.

• Winter (December to February) 10-21°C

• Spring (March to April) 15-25°C

• Summer (May to September) 23-33°C

• Fall (October to November) 15-29°C