Guangzhou is a city that has a lot to offer to both locals and visitors. However, there are some hidden gems that many people don’t know about. These are places that may surprise you and take your breath away. And with so many flights to Guangzhou from Cathay Pacific, there is no reason why not to consider them.
Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King
The Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King in Guangzhou is one of the most important cultural and educational sites in the city. Located at the intersection of Jiefang Beilukou Road and Yuexiu Park, it contains more than ten thousand relics from the past. There are also several temporary exhibitions. It is a great way to learn about the history of the region.
Visitors can take an audio tour in English. In addition, there are several free admission days each month. However, the gift shop is pricey.
The tomb of the Nanyue King is the largest Han tomb. It is a well-preserved color-painted stone chamber tomb. A large number of historical relics were discovered during the excavation process.
For example, the administrative seal of emperor Wen was found. This is the oldest seal with a dragon knob ever discovered. Also, a Persian silver box was found in the tomb. These items prove that the ancient Marine Silk Road passed through the city of Guangzhou.
Another treasure found in the cave is Zhao Mo’s jade burial suit. Zhao Mo ruled the Nanyue Kingdom in southern China from 137 BC to 122 BC. His tomb was discovered in June 1983.
The museum consists of two main exhibition buildings. In the first one, visitors can see a video about the excavation process. Afterward, they can view the tomb and the tomb’s contents. During the excavation, more than ten thousand pieces of cultural relics were found.
One of the highlights of the museum is the silk-jade garment. The garment shows the evolution of the Nanyue culture. Other items include bronze vessels, mirrors, and serial bells.
Besides the tomb, the museum has other collections. Some of these include the concubine of Zhao Mo, which is under glass. Several thousand other relics are displayed.
Temple of the Six Banyan Trees
The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees is a Chinese Buddhist sanctuary. This temple is one of the most recognizable icons in Guangzhou. In fact, it is the tallest religious structure in the entire region. It is located in the city’s Yuexiu District.
Founded in 537AD during the Liang Dynasty, this Buddhist sanctuary has a history of over 1,400 years. Today, this temple is one of the four best Buddhist temples in Guangzhou.
Aside from the Flower Pagoda, this temple is also home to a variety of other buildings. The temple’s main hall is known as the Hall of the Great Heroes. It features a series of large Buddhist statues.
Also within the complex is the Weituo Hall, which is named after a general who returned stolen Buddhism relics. He chanted with the monks inside the temple.
This temple is a Buddhist sanctuary and is still active with a community of monks. During key events, like the Lantern Festival, the temple is abuzz with visitors.
The temple is also home to several statues decorated in gold. These statues are among the largest ancient Buddhist statues in the region. There is a bronze pillar that depicts 1,000 Buddhist figures.
One of the most interesting things about this temple is its huge Buddha statue. The statue is 1.8 meters high and weighs 800 kg. The Thai Ministry of Education donated the statue to this temple in order to promote communication between the two countries.
This temple is also home to the Daxiong Baodian Hall, which is located west of the Six Banyan Pagoda. The hall features three of the largest copper Buddha statues in the province.
Another attraction at this temple is the Baorong Pavilion. Part of the tablet Corridor, this pavilion is green on both sides.
Yuexiu Park
Yuexiu Park in Guangzhou is one of the city’s famous tourist attractions. The park covers 860,000 square meters and consists of seven hills and three artificial lakes. It is located in the central area of the city.
There are several interesting attractions in the park, including the Temple of Five Rams, the Ancient City Wall of the Ming Dynasty, the Zhongshan Monument, the Flower House, the Sifang Emplacement, and the “Statue of the Five Goats”. For visitors who are looking for something to do, there is an amusement park, a sports playground, and a gymnasium.
One of the highlights of the park is the Five Rams Sculpture, which is a symbol of the city. According to a legend, five immortals came riding on five rams to offer blessings for the city. They also turned the five rams into stone.
Another historical site in the park is the Mausoleum of Nanyue King. Originally, the temple was constructed on the Yuexiu Mountain during the Ming Dynasty. When Zhu Liangzu, a marquis of the Ming Dynasty, saw the purple and yellow air rising up over the mountain, he decided to construct a tower.
Another important historical site is the Five-Story Tower. This building was originally a guard tower. But it has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. After it was reconstructed, it became a museum. The inside is a mixture of relics and documents relating to the history of the city.
Besides these historical sites, the park is also home to Beixiu Lake, which is known for its tranquility. Visitors can also enjoy boating on the lake.
The park is filled with the green charms of subtropical areas. At certain times of the year, flower exhibitions are held.
Baiyun Mountain
Baiyun Mountain is a natural scenic area that provides excellent views of downtown Guangzhou. Located in the northeast part of the city, it is a great destination for nature lovers. In addition to a number of peaks, this mountain has several cultural sites and natural areas to explore.
One of the most beautiful sights is the Chen family temple. This ancient building is a popular tourist attraction. It features wooden carvings and colorful paintings.
Another place to visit is the Flower Pagoda. It is one of the most popular sites in the city. The temple was built over 300 years ago. It is home to a large bronze statue of Dr. Sun.
Other places to see include the Nanyue Museum, which is the site of a burial jade suit of the Nanyue King. It tells the story of the ancient kingdom.
You can also check out Yuntai Garden. The 120,000 m2 flower park has an array of flowers and sculptures. You can enjoy a photo session or a picnic in this beautiful garden. There are 100 types of roses in the garden and a glass greenhouse.
You can also try a ride on a cable car to the Mountain top Square. It has a number of viewpoints and snack bars. If you prefer walking, there are a number of hiking trails.
For a more relaxing experience, you can go to Luhu Lake. This park includes a botanical garden, a golf club, and lakeside scenery.
There are a number of historical sights to see in Guangzhou. Some of them are the Shamian, Liwan, and Conghua districts. These “Old Towns” are made of traditional Chinese architecture and are filled with local charm.