I just came back from five weeks in GuangZhou where I have been traveling every year for the last six years. I could write a book but, obviously, I’m not going to. Most of what I can tell you about sights is covered in any guide like lonely planet and I recommend he gets a guide and chooses what he thinks he would like.
As general information for those who have not been there: Guangzhou is a huge, crowded, noisy city filled with stench. Get used to crowds, filth, stench and noise and you’ll be ok.
Beware of pickpockets! I cannot stress this enough. They are very good at what they do and they go after gwailos without mercy. In spite of been warned and prepared I have been their victim more than once. Last year they got all my cash and credit cards on Chinese new year’s eve and I was stranded for ten days before I could get my credit cards replaced as everything closes down for the new year.
Also, be very careful with counterfeit currency as there is plenty going around. I got a 50 yuan bill which I could not pass on as everyone could detect it as bad but which I still cannot tell the difference so well it is done.
Also, beware of the pretty girls who come out of clubs and ask you to go inside with them. They are setting you up for trouble. I have not been their victim but I know others have. They work with the plce and later you are presented with a huge bill for the drinks and company… and things get ugly fast. Be careful although this year it seems I did not see them as conspicuously as other years. If you have any doubt don’t do it or offer to take them somewhere else…
There are a few sights in GZ worth seeing but it depends very much on personal preference.
Shamian Island is an island of peace in this noisy city. There is the youth hostel where you can stay for close to nothing and across the street is the White Swan hotel which is well worth visiting even if you can’t afford it. The lobby with a waterfall is a sight and the stores in the lower level are like museums. You will always find several large groups of Americans adopting Chinese children. The river and canal around it are filthy though.
In the last few years GZ has done an incredible job with the riverfront. They have cleaned it up, demolished decrepit buildings, renovated the rest, built new bridges and illuminated the entire thing (buildings, bridges, trees, etc) at night that it is well worth seeing. I have taken countless photos of this are. You can take the night cruises on the river. I have taken over 400 pictures this trip… I may post some if I can get around to it.
I am not going to list all the sight in GZ as any guide will do that. If you like parks Baiyun (white cloud) park has much to offer. (Gosh, I have a whole collection of pictures of signs in unintellible “Engrish”, the first at the entrance telling you to “Pay your tickect consciously”. I have to post these pics)
I enjoyed immensely the Chen Families Memorial Hall which is a big art center housed in some beautiful buildings.
Mostly I just hang out there but if you are a serious tourist wanting to see sights, then GZ does not have that much to offer and you can cover it in very few days.
Oh, the famous Qingping market no longer exists. It was projecting a negative image abroad and the authorities have shut it down. Actually I believe it has just moved somewhere else but it is no longer what it once was. Gwailos were going there just to be disgusted and the authorities didn’t like that.
To get away from the crowds and the noise you can take day trips to Xiqiao Mountains park or to the Lotus mountain park (Liang Hua San). They make excellent day trips. Xiqiao used to be free but now they hit you with a ridiculous entrance fee (I forget but something like $5 US)
Anyway, I’ll be glad to answer any specific questions. I cannot write a comprehensive guide to GZ. I love the place and I love to see how the economy is booming and the place is developing in leaps and bounds.