Morning

Morning Massage. Ease your way into the day with a treatment at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Guangzhou. The Pearl River Stone Massage combines a relaxing aromatherapy massage with essential oils and warm river stones to ease tension. As your energy flow is released, you’ll feel a sense of calm to begin your day.

Guangdong Museum. Discover Guangzhou by visiting the Guangdong Museum, which celebrates the history of the region with a collection of over 160,000 pieces. Be sure to see their ceramics exhibits along with the Duan inkstones, which are native to the area.

Midday

Guangzhou Opera House. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the Guangzhou Opera House is a stunning addition to the city’s skyline, opening in 2010. The building features state-of-the-art acoustics and seating for 1,800 in the main auditorium, but outside of the performances, the draw is the modernist architecture.

Cantonese Lunch. A local favorite, Bingsheng Pinwei is known for the quality of its traditional Cantonese menu. Be sure to get their famed char siu (barbecued pork) along with their homemade tofu and pineapple buns. The family-style portions are perfect for sharing if you’re with a group.

Afternoon

Shamian Island. The small island is actually an elliptical sandbar in the Liwan District. What originally started as a defense point for the city turned into a prosperous enclave (with many foreign inhabitants). Stroll the mansion-lined, leafy boulevards for a beautiful mini-escape from the bustle of the city.

Orient Express. Stop for a drink and some fresh oysters on ice at Orient Express on Shamian Island. The fine-dining restaurant has a beautiful patio, where you can select from their menu of artfully plated French favorites.

Evening

Dinner at Nan Yuan. Enjoy dinner in a lush garden setting of two pavilions, serving traditional Cantonese dim sum and cuisine featuring distinctive Lingnan flavor. Try dishes like Bean Paste Chicken, Buddha Jumping Over Wall or Stewed Wild Goose.

Pearl River Nighttime Cruise. See Guangzhou from a totally unique vantage point — from the waters of the Pearl River. The skyline of the city is lit up at night, and there’s no better way to see all the new towers along with the bridges crisscrossing the waterways than from the river, which continues to define the city after 2,000 years.

Morning

Tao Tao Ju Restaurant (Di Shi Fu). Welcome to enjoy the traditional morning tea experience in Guangzhou. Opening in 1880 during the Qing Dynasty and decorated to exude traditional Cantonese cultural elements, the restaurant serves authentic Cantonese food to delight your taste buds while you indulge in your tea.

Pearl River. Walk off your breakfast by strolling along the Pearl River on the walking path (or try it by bike, if you’re feeling more active). Take in the skyline of the city along with glimpses of the typical daily work being done at the port.

Midday

Dim Sum at Panxi. Enjoy traditional dim sum in a beautiful setting of gardens, pavilions and waterfalls. Choose from an extensive list of dumplings and other dim sum specialties at the popular restaurant.

Lychee Bay. Walk through the scenic and restored Lychee Bay, where you can stroll along a series of lakes and creeks that flow into the Pearl River. The main attractions are the historical buildings like Renwei Temple and Saikwan Mansion. You can also take a tour boat out, if you prefer that to walking.

Afternoon

Snack at Nanxin Milk Desserts. This café is famous for its traditional desserts, including the steamed egg white with milk and other milk pudding desserts. Expect a crowd — always a good sign that a place is truly popular with the locals.

Liurong Temple. The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees and the Flower Pagoda is considered to be one of the city’s best Buddhist temples, having originally been constructed in 537. Settle into the serene atmosphere, inhale the incense and find yourself transported to another time and place.

Evening

Dinner at Tiger Prawn. The cosmopolitan nature of Guangzhou means you can take delicious breaks from the traditional local food, and Tiger Prawn offers up an authentic taste of Vietnam. Look for the seafood and vegetarian specialties on the menu and expect to queue up if you arrive at peak hours or dinner time.

Morning

Traditional Dim Sum. Guangzhou Restaurant follows the traditional dim sum model, which you can order alongside a large selection of teas. Tables are set around a beautiful interior garden in the atrium, but go early to ensure dining with a view.  

Midday

Get Social. Social & Co. exemplifies the rise of expat culture in Guangzhou, with its airy design bearing a close resemblance to downtown New York and a menu filled with cross-cultural selections from the U.K., Australia, France and more. Enjoy the cosmopolitan crowd along with its fusion menu — just leave room for its much-loved banoffee pie.

Afternoon

Library Stop. The Guangzhou Library was rebuilt to become a cultural and educational institution, with over 7 million books and a seating capacity of 4,000. The design of the building is a standout, with the cascade of book-like forms on the exterior meant to represent the overlap of history and culture. Visitors will also be awestruck by its impressive technology, complete with RFID codes and an automatic sorting system.

Evening

Dinner at LIMONI. Honored with the Michelin Plate, LIMONI at The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou offers a relaxed environment where guests can relax and enjoy authentic Italian cuisine. Indulge in a gastronomical feast with wine pairing from restaurant’s extensive wine selection. The culinary experience is a celebration of the senses that infuses every meal at LIMONI.