Having lived amid the hustle and bustle of stressful urban life for a long time, do you want to slow down for a while to feel refreshed? Guangzhou's Huangpu District which features various islands with beautiful natural scenery and slow-pace life is a really fabulous getaway for all.

Changzhou Island (长洲岛)

If you want to relax, you can buy a boat ticket to Changzhou Island. Far away from the bustling downtown, it features historically significant memorial halls and residences built in ancient times.

Changzhou Island (Photo: Zhang Ziwang)

Changzhou Island (Photo: Li Xihua)

Add.: No. 3, Haiyang Road, Changzhou Community, Changzhou Street, Huangpu District

Transportation: Take Bus No. 383 or 361 to Changzhou Island; alternatively, take the Yuzhu-Changzhou ferry or Yuzhu-Junxiao ferry at the Yuzhu Wharf

Shenjing Ancient Village (深井古村)

Located on Changzhou Island, Shenjing Ancient Village still preserves the ancient village structures featuring a typical Lingnan architectural style with a history of over 700 years. Based on the architectural characteristics of Xiguan Mansions, the ancient residences in the village also integrate the architectural elements of Hakka's fortress towers, Western style stone pillars and decorative flower patterns.

Shenjing Ancient Village (Photo: Monica Liu)

Shenjing Ancient Village (Photo: Monica Liu)

Add.: Shenjing Community, Changzhou Street, Huangpu District

Transportation: Take the Water Bus S5 from Xinzhou to Shenjing, or take the Metro Line 4, get off at Higher Education Mega Center N., use Exit D, and then take the Bus No. 361 or 383 to Nantianfang Station

Bailuzhou (白鹭洲)

Bailuzhou (literally meaning Egret Island) in Zhongshan Park on Changzhou Island is hailed by shutterbugs as a new "paradise for birds". Covered by plenty of banyans, it is home to over a thousand wild birds such as egrets, grey herons and black-collared starlings. The greenery on this isle makes it an ideal place for relaxation to get away from the boisterous city.

Bailuzhou (Photo: Guangzhou Huangpu Fabu WeChat official account)

Add.: On the east side of the junction of Jinzhou North Road and Zhongshan Gongyuanqian Road, Huangpu District

Transportation: Take Bus No. 383 or 361 at the Higher Education Mega Center to Changzhou Island

Former site of Whampoa (Huangpu) Military Academy (黄埔军校)

The Whampoa (Huangpu) Military Academy Memorial Hall, located on Whampoa Changzhou Island, was established in June 1984 in memory of the Whampoa Military Academy. The Military Academy was a military and political school founded by Sun Yat-sen in 1924 with the help of the Soviet Union and the Chinese Communist Party.

Whampoa (Huangpu) Military Academy (Photo: Guo Zhijun) 

The existing Military Academy includes the school headquarters (reconstructed in 1996), the Sun Yat-sen memorial room, a monument to Sun Yat-sen, a club, a swimming pool, the tomb of the martyrs of the Eastern Expedition, the Northern Expedition monument, the Baihegang Fort, and the Dapodi Fort. With many historical relics, it restores the facilities of the original military academy, which vividly display various scenes of teaching, living and training.

Add.: No. 170, Junxiao Road, Huangpu District

Transportation: Take the ferry at the Yuzhu Wharf to the Wharf of Whampoa Military Academy

Dajisha Island (大吉沙岛)

Dajisha Island is surrounded by many small naturally-formed sandbars, with an area of more than 100 hectares and a shoreline of 6.02 kilometers. It is renowned for its beautiful idyllic scenery, where the natural environment has been protected well and the locals keep original production methods and living habits.

Dajisha Island (Photo: Luo Binhao)

Add.: Dajisha Island, Huangpu District

Transportation: Take the ferry at Wuchong Pier in Huangpu District, 2 RMB each person. The ferry is available from 6:15 am to 8:00 pm, and the departure time will be undetermined in case of bad weather or equipment overhaul.

Author | Nancy (intern)

Editor | Monica & Jerry