Explore Guangzhou
■ Explore Guangzhou: Sights and Flavors
Local Recommendations for Symposium Participants
Disclaimer: These recommendations are provided for participants' convenience only. All visits and dining arrangements are voluntary and self-funded.
Guangzhou brings together a contemporary riverfront skyline, more than 2,000 years of urban history, distinctive Lingnan architecture, subtropical biodiversity, and one of China’s most celebrated culinary traditions. The recommendations below introduce both the city’s major cultural and natural attractions and several distinctive Cantonese dining experiences for participants attending the OLED/OPV 40th Anniversary International Symposium.
■ Recommended Attractions
★ Attraction 1: Canton Tower (广州塔)
At 600 meters tall, Canton Tower is Guangzhou’s best-known modern landmark, rising above the Pearl River waterfront. Observation levels offer panoramic views across the river, Zhujiang New Town, and the wider city skyline. A late-afternoon visit allows participants to see Guangzhou in daylight and remain for the illuminated evening view.
Official information: https://www.cantontower.com/en/
Business Hours: 09:30 am ~ 10:30 pm
Address: No. 222 Yuejiang West Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (Chinese destination for navigation: 广州市海珠区阅江西路222号)
From the Venue: 25-35 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing; 35-45 minutes by metro, depending on traffic and transfers.
Suggested Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Recommended Time: Late afternoon or evening
Visitor Tip: Advance reservation is recommended for observation-deck tickets. The visit can be combined with a Pearl River night cruise from a nearby pier.
★ Attraction 2: Nanyue King Museum - King's Tomb Site (南越王博物院)
The Nanyue King Museum is an archaeological site museum centered on the remains of the Nanyue Kingdom. At the King's Tomb Site, visitors can see the tomb of King Wen and exhibitions of objects excavated from the site, offering an accessible introduction to the Qin-Han period and more than 2,000 years of Lingnan history.
Official information: https://www.nywmuseum.org.cn/En/News/About
Business Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 09:00 am ~ 5:30 pm; last admission at 17:00. Closed on Mondays except public holidays.
Address: No. 867 Jiefang North Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou (Chinese destination for navigation: 广州市越秀区解放北路867号)
From the Venue: 30–45 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing; 45–55 minutes by metro.
Suggested Duration: 1.5–2 hours
Recommended For Archaeology, ancient history, and museum collections.
Visitor Tip: The museum has two separate sites. For the royal tomb and the best-known excavated treasures, select the King's Tomb Site when navigating or booking.
★ Attraction 3: Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (陈家祠)
Also known as the Chen Clan Academy and now home to the Guangdong Folk Art Museum, this late-Qing architectural complex is one of Guangzhou's finest places to experience Lingnan craftsmanship. Its halls, courtyards, roof ridges, and screens feature elaborate wood, stone, brick, ceramic, and plaster decoration.
Official information: https://www.gzcjc.com.cn/MYwebsite/rc/my_index.htm
Business Hours: 9:00 am ~ 5:30 pm
Address: No. 34 Enlong Li, Zhongshan 7th Road, Liwan District,Guangzhou (Chinese destination for navigation: 广州市荔湾区中山七路恩龙里34号)
From the Venue: 35–50 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing; 45–55 minutes by metro.
Suggested Duration: 1–1.5 hours
Recommended For Lingnan architecture, folk art, and traditional craftsmanship.
Visitor Tip: Look closely at the roofline figures, carved beams, doors, and screens. Morning visits are generally more comfortable for photography and detailed viewing.
★ Attraction 4: South China National Botanical Garden (华南国家植物园)
South China National Botanical Garden offers a quieter contrast to central Guangzhou. Its landscaped areas, lakes, specialized plant collections, and conservatories introduce the tropical and subtropical flora of South China and other regions. It is the nearest recommendation to the SCUT Wushan Campus and works well as a half-day outdoor visit.
Official information: https://www.scbg.ac.cn/
Business Hours: 07:30 am ~ 5:30 pm
Address: No. 1190 Tianyuan Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (Chinese destination for navigation: 广州市天河区天源路1190号华南国家植物园正门)
From the Venue: 15–25 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing; 25–35 minutes by public transport.
Suggested Duration: 2–3 hours
Recommended For Botany, garden landscapes, walking, and a relaxed half-day excursion.
Visitor Tip: Wear comfortable shoes and prepare for Guangzhou's heat, humidity, or rain. Check conservatory access and ticket arrangements before departure.
★ Attraction 5: Pearl River Night Cruise (珠江夜游)
A Pearl River night cruise presents Guangzhou from the water, with illuminated bridges, riverside architecture, Zhujiang New Town, and Canton Tower forming the principal skyline. Cruises depart from several piers and generally last about 60-90 minutes, depending on the route and operator.
Official information: https://zjyeyou.com/
Business Hours: 6:00 pm ~ 10:00 pm
Suggested Piers: Canton Tower Wharf (广州塔码头) or Haixinsha East Wharf (海心沙东区码头), subject to the current sailing schedule.
From the Venue: 25–40 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing; 35–50 minutes by metro, depending on the selected pier.
Suggested Duration: 1.5–2 hours, including boarding time.
Recommended Time: Evening, after sunset.
Visitor Tip: Confirm the exact pier, departure time, vessel, and seating category before payment. Arrive 20–30 minutes early and carry the pier name in Chinese.
■ Recommended Cantonese Restaurants
Cantonese dining is an essential part of a visit to Guangzhou. The three options below offer different experiences: contemporary Cantonese cuisine at Bingsheng, refined banquet-style dining at Lei Garden, and traditional morning tea and dim sum at Tao Tao Ju. The suggested branches were selected for their convenient access from Tianhe District and the symposium venue.
Food images are provided for illustrative purposes only and may not depict the exact dishes served at the listed branches. Menus, presentation, prices, opening hours, and branch operations are subject to change.
★ Restaurant 1: Bingsheng Pinwei (炳胜品味)
Bingsheng is a Guangzhou-based Cantonese restaurant group known for polished presentations of familiar local flavors. For international guests, the Tianhe branch is a convenient place to sample several recognizable Cantonese favourites in one meal. Recommended Suggested Dishes are crispy char siu, roast goose, and pineapple bun.
Business Hours: 11:00 am ~ 3:00 pm; 5:00 pm ~ 10:00 pm
Address: 1–2/F, No. 168 Tianhe East Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (广州市天河区天河东路168号1–2楼)
Contact: (020)87518682
From the Venue: 15–20 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing, depending on traffic.
Best For Lunch or dinner; classic Cantonese cuisine for sharing.
Suggested Dishes: Crispy char siu (脆皮叉烧), roastgoose (烧鹅), and pineapple bun (菠萝包).
Reservation Tip: Advance booking is recommended for groups and evening dining. Confirm the exact branch when reserving.
★ Restaurant 2: Lei Garden (利苑酒家)
Lei Garden offers a more formal Cantonese dining experience suited to invited guests, small academic groups, or a post-meeting dinner. The menu typically combines seafood, seasonal dishes, dim sum, and classic wok cookery. Dry-fried beef ho fun is recommended.
Business Hours:
11:30 am ~ 3:00 pm; 5:30 pm ~ 10:00 pm (Monday to Friday)
11:00 am ~ 3:00 pm; 5:30 pm ~ 10:00 pm (Saturday to Sunday)
Address: 4/F, Yi'an Plaza, No. 33 Jianshe 6th Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou (广州市越秀区建设六马路33号宜安广场4楼)
Contact: (020)83633268
From the Venue: 20–30 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing, depending on traffic.
Best For Business meals, invited-guest dining, and small groups.
Suggested Dish: Dry-fried beef ho fun (干炒牛河).
Reservation Tip: Reserve ahead for dinner or private rooms, and confirm any dietary restrictions when booking.
★ Restaurant 3: Tao Tao Ju (陶陶居)
Founded as a traditional Guangzhou teahouse brand, Tao Tao Ju is a suitable introduction to yum cha: tea accompanied by a selection of steamed, baked, and fried dim sum. The historic Dishifu Road flagship in Liwan District offers a convenient setting for international participants who would like to experience a classic Guangzhou morning-tea meal.
Business Hours: 08:00 am ~ 4:00 pm; 5:00 pm ~ 9:00 pm
Address: No. 20 Dishifu Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou (广州市荔湾区第十甫路20号)
Contact: (020)80503899
From the Venue: 20–30 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing, depending on traffic.
Best For Morning tea, dim sum, and informal group dining.
Visitor Tip: Morning tea is popular with local diners. Arrive early or reserve in advance, especially on weekends and public holidays.
