With a history of more than 2,000 years, Guangzhou boasts many ancient and classic gardens hiding in the hustle and bustle. In addition to the poetic landscape, some of the gardens offer a variety of benefits during the Canton Fair period to welcome the event. Don't miss out!
Yuyin Shanfang (余荫山房)
Yuyin Shanfang is one of four famous gardens in Guangdong Province and was rated as a national 4A-level scenic spot this year. With a history of more than 150 years, Yuyin Shanfang is dotted with pavilions, ponds, and halls throughout. The garden also features a winding corridor, an arched bridge, flower paths, artificial hills, and verdant trees, showing an exquisite overall layout.
(Photo provided to GDToday)
Meanwhile, a Cantonese-style rosewood royal lantern exhibition and a photography exhibition are on display, and visitors can enjoy the charm of intangible cultural heritage and folk customs while strolling in the garden.
Address: North Street, Nancun Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou (广州市番禺区南村镇北大街)
Opening hours: 08:00-18:00
Ticket price: 18 RMB per person
Canton Fair discounts: Until November 4, visitors can enjoy an exclusive 20% off on adult admissions with Canton Fair ID cards.
Nearest metro station: Take Metro Line 7, get off at Banqiao Station (板桥站) and use Exit A.
Baomo Garden宝墨园
First built in the late Qing Dynasty and rebuilt in 1995, Baomo Garden combines the court culture of the Qing Dynasty, Lingnan ancient architectural art, Lingnan Garden, and water town features of the Pearl River Delta into one.
(Photo: Official WeChat account of Baomo Garden and Nanyue Garden)
The whole garden is decorated with finely made artistic works, including pottery sculptures, porcelain sculptures, brick carvings, stone carvings, and wood carvings. Visitors can see the biggest relief sculpture of the World Guinness Record named "Along the River During the Qingming Festival", and a large brick carving named "Tu Yan He Ming Bi".
Address: Dong'an Road, Zini Village, Shawan Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou (广州市番禺区沙湾镇紫坭村东安路)
Opening hours: 8:30-17:30
Ticket price: 54 RMB per person
Canton Fair discounts: Until November 4, visitors can enjoy an exclusive 20% off on adult admissions with Canton Fair ID cards, and enjoy special packages when dining at Guan Jing Tower (观景楼) and Feng Wei Restaurant (风味馆).
Nearest bus stop: Take bus No. 12 or 67 (Panyu) and get off at Baomo Garden Station (宝墨园总站).
Nanyue Garden (南粤苑)
Located 300 meters from Baomo Garden, Nanyue Garden is an extension of its construction. Combining the characteristics of the royal landscape garden and traditional Lingnan architecture, the Nanyue Garden features antique and magnificent constructions and elegant scenery. Furthermore, there are several halls displaying arts and crafts about the Maritime Silk Road, Wood carvings, jadeite carvings, and suet white jade.
(Photo: Official WeChat account of Baomo Garden and Nanyue Garden)
Address: Dong'an Road, Zini Village, Shawan Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou (广州市番禺区沙湾镇紫坭村东安路)
Opening hours: 8:30-17:30
Ticket price: 42 RMB per person
Canton Fair discounts: Until November 4, visitors can enjoy an exclusive 20% off on adult admissions with Canton Fair ID cards.
Nearest bus stop: Take bus No. 12 or 67 (Panyu) and get off at Baomo Garden Station (宝墨园总站).
Guangzhou Orchid Garden兰圃
It's a fantasy palace for wandering. Interspersed with babbling creeks, tranquil footpaths, waterfalls, and stone bridges, this place is a combination of the layout design of the classical gardens of Suzhou and the architectural details of typical Lingnan gardens. The eastern half of the garden cultivates more than 2,000 species of orchids, while quaint ornamental pavilions and teahouses dot the western side.
(Photo provided to GDToday)
(Photo: Yuexiu Fabu)
The Fanghua Garden, covering the west side of the Orchid Garden, epitomizes traditional Chinese garden design with its focus on water and the integration of archways, pavilions, terraces, halls, and boats. It won two gold medals at the International Garden Exhibition in Munich, Germany, in 1983, which was the first time a garden designed in China had ever won a global prize.
Address: No. 901, Jiefang North Road, Yuexiu District
Ticket price: 8 RMB per person
Nearest Metro station: Take Metro Line 2, get off at Yuexiu Park Station (越秀公园站) and use Exit C.
Yaozhou Historic Site (药洲遗址)
Yaozhou is now a small and exquisite garden near Beijing Road Commercial Street. The garden, which used to be the imperial garden of the Southern Han Kingdom during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, is one of the earliest existing ancient garden relics in China.
(Photo: Yuexiu Fabu)
Yaozhou is mainly composed of a lake, an island, and a stone tablet corridor, and people can see many inscriptions of many famous ancient literary figures. Moreover, the peculiarly-shaped stones in the lake, also called "Jiu Yao Shi", are another popular attraction there.
Address: No. 86, Jiaoyu Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou (广州市越秀区教育路86号)
Ticket price: Free
Nearest metro station: Take Metro Line 1 or 2, get off at Gongyuanqian Station (公园前站) and use Exit D.
Reporter: Holly
Poster: Mia
Editor: Olivia, Nan, Will, James
