Top 5 Things to Do in Guangzhou - Must-try Activities During a Holiday in Guangzhou

Often regarded as one of the most rewarding things to do on a night out in Guangzhou, watching a performance at the Guangzhou Opera House is an experience one is unlikely to forget. As a centre for art and entertainment in the region, the venue regularly stages symphony concerts, ballet recitals and performances by both the Cantonese and the Beijing opera. Housed in an imposing structure designed by celebrity architect Zaha Hadid, the Guangzhou Opera House is one of the most iconic buildings in the Central Business District with its unique scale and shape. Travellers can consult the official website of the opera house to find out what's on during their visit to the city.

No trip to Guangzhou would be complete without a shopping spree in some of its best retail hotspots. Head to the Beijing Road Shopping District for boutiques and malls retailing luxury goods and international brands and stop by Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street for much of the same. Tianhe Teemall is the perfect shopping hub for tourists in search of affordably priced clothing, accessories, footwear and toys whereas the IFC Tower and Mall of the World offer more rarefied retail experiences with the world's leading brands occupying shelf space.

Whether one is staying at Somerset Haizhu Centre Guangzhou or any one of the other similar Guangzhou rental apartments for a week or is in town for a weekend business event, every visitor must experience a night cruise along the Pearl River. As the country's 3rd longest river, the Guangzhou portion of this meandering river is no less captivating with many landmarks and overpasses scattered across its path. A night cruise allows travellers the chance to spot some of the city's best-loved skyscrapers and even a concert hall while enjoying a scrumptious meal on board.

Architecture buffs and religiously inclined visitors are not the only tourists that should venture down to the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Guangzhou. Dating back to 1863, it is one of China's oldest catholic edifices while also being one of only four gothic cathedrals on the planet that's been constructed entirely in stone. Although this sacred place of worship was damaged during various periods of tumult in China's history, the venue has been restored to its former glory in recent years. Some of the most notable features of the church include its stained-glass windows and elaborate carvings.

A day trip to Shamian Island is one of the main highlights for beach lovers based in Guangzhou as the island not only contains exquisite colonial structures but also a host of recreational areas. The Cantonese restaurants on the island alone are well worth the trip as the menus of these Chinese eateries offer a host of mouth-watering dishes.