Day 1
Guangzhou
A local guide will meet you in the lobby of your specific Guangzhou hotel and start the historical city tour by private vehicle.
First, head to Chen Clan Academy, built in the 1890s for ancestral worship by the Chen family. Also called Chen Family Temple, the building was once used by students in preparation for their imperial exams. Inside, admire the wood, brick and ivory carvings, and the elaborate design of the interior beams, ridges, walls and columns.
Currently housing the Guangdong Folk Art Museum, the landmark features exhibits from all regions of Guangdong Province. The outstanding Cantonese craftsmanship in traditional embroidery and Chinese ink designs as well as rare print arts and ceramics will impress you profoundly.
Next, stop at the Museum of the Nanyue King to view the Nanyue Royal Tomb, which dates back 2,000 years to the Western Han Dynasty. Discover the secrets of the tomb with your guide. Within the (100 square-meter) complex, view the wall painting and a number of cultural relics, including King Zhao Mo’s burial garment. Made of more than 2,000 pieces of jade connected by silk thread, it’s the only one of its kind in the world!
Around midday, your guide will take you to a local establishment to enjoy a lunch of traditional Cantonese Dim Dam. Afterward, walk to Six Banyan Temple, a renowned Buddhist cultural site built in 537. The temple’s main hall enshrines three giant Buddhist statues, each reaching 6 meters high -- the largest copper Buddhist statues existing in Guangdong Province.
Admire the colorful exterior carvings of the 184-foot Flower Pagoda, which has 17 interior levels although it appears to have only nine from the outside, casted during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).
Continue driving to Shamian Island, an oval islet situated on the north bank of the Pearl River’s White Goose Pool. The historical buildings of this quiet island showcase British and French influences on its neoclassical architecture. Designated a key protected relic of the state, Shamian Island is referred to as the Ninth Sight of Guangzhou.
When the private city tour concludes, your guide will transport you back to your Guangzhou hotel.
