Best Weekend Day Trips from Guangzhou: 6 Destinations Worth Visiting

Got a free day between factory visits or after the Canton Fair? Guangzhou’s location in the Pearl River Delta makes it an excellent base for day trips. Here are six destinations that are easy to reach and well worth your time.

1. Foshan — History, Martial Arts & Food

Distance: 30-45 minutes by car

Foshan is much more than a manufacturing hub. It’s the birthplace of Wing Chun kung fu and has a rich cultural heritage.

Must-See

• Foshan Ancestral Temple — a stunning 600-year-old Taoist temple with intricate carvings and a collection of traditional weapons
• Bruce Lee Museum — dedicated to the martial arts legend who trained in Foshan
• Nanfeng Ancient Kiln — the oldest continuously operating kiln in the world (500+ years)

Food

Foshan is famous for its own style of Cantonese cuisine. Don’t miss:

• Lianxiangjie (lotus fragrant street) for traditional snacks
• Shunde cuisine (a sub-style of Cantonese food known as the “food capital”)

Best for: Half-day or full-day trip. Combine with factory visits if you’re sourcing ceramics or furniture.

2. Kaiping Diaolou — UNESCO World Heritage

Distance: 2-2.5 hours by car

The Kaiping watchtowers (diaolou) are a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a remarkable blend of Chinese and Western architecture.

Must-See

• Zili Village — the most photogenic cluster of diaolou
• Li Garden — a beautiful estate with towers overlooking rice paddies
• Majianglong Village — the most atmospheric, with bamboo groves surrounding the towers

Why Visit

These towers were built by overseas Chinese who returned from Southeast Asia and the Americas in the early 20th century. The architecture is unlike anything else in China — a fascinating mix of Art Deco, Roman columns, and traditional Chinese design.

Best for: Full-day trip. Photography enthusiasts and history lovers will especially enjoy this.

3. Zhaoqing — Karst Landscapes & Ancient Temples

Distance: 1.5-2 hours by car

Zhaoqing offers dramatic limestone karst scenery, peaceful lakes, and ancient cultural sites.

Must-See

• Seven Star Crags (Qixingyan) — seven limestone peaks rising from a lake, often compared to a miniature Guilin
• Dinghu Mountain — one of China’s first nature reserves, with temples, waterfalls, and lush forest
• Ancient City Wall — one of the best-preserved Song Dynasty city walls in Guangdong

Best for: Full-day trip. Great for nature lovers and those wanting a break from the city.

4. Shunde — Cantonese Food Capital

Distance: 45-60 minutes by car

Shunde is officially recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. If you love food, this is a pilgrimage.

Must-Eat

• Double-skin milk pudding (shuangpi nai) — the original comes from Shunde
• Daliang fish cakes — light, fresh, and bouncy
• Steamed fish — Shunde’s river fish preparations are legendary
• Cantonese BBQ — particularly the roast goose

Also Worth Seeing

• Qinghui Garden — one of Guangdong’s four famous classical gardens
• Shunde Museum — well-curated exhibits on local history and food culture

Best for: Half-day trip focused on eating. Combine with Foshan for a full day.

5. Nansha Wetland Park

Distance: 1-1.5 hours from central Guangzhou

A surprising natural escape within Guangzhou’s own boundaries. The wetland park sits where the Pearl River meets the sea.

What to Do

• Birdwatching (over 200 species recorded)
• Boat rides through mangrove channels
• Lotus flower viewing (summer months)
• Cycling along waterfront paths

Best for: Half-day trip. Good for families or anyone wanting fresh air and nature.

6. Huizhou West Lake

Distance: 2-2.5 hours by car

Often called the “little Hangzhou,” Huizhou’s West Lake is a peaceful, less-crowded alternative to its famous namesake.

Must-See

• West Lake scenic area — pagodas, bridges, and lakeside walking paths
• Honghua Lake — a beautiful reservoir with cycling paths through hills
• Hot springs — several hot spring resorts in the Huizhou area

Best for: Full-day or overnight trip. Especially nice if you want to unwind at a hot spring resort.

Practical Tips for Day Trips

1. Start early — Leave by 8 AM to maximize your time, especially for farther destinations
2. Book a car with driver — Much more flexible than trains for day trips; your driver waits while you explore
3. Bring cash — Smaller towns and attractions may not accept international cards
4. Download offline maps — Mobile signal can be spotty in rural areas
5. Wear comfortable shoes — Most of these trips involve significant walking
6. Check weather — Guangzhou’s weather can change quickly; bring an umbrella during rainy season (April-September)