Joanna James
A romantic, quirky, and innovation-driven cityscape, Guangzhou is filled with unconventional activities for a diversified and eventful itinerary. Here are some must-try outdoor pursuits surrounding this quaintly modern bi-leisure hub.
A vibrant city swathed in lush countryside, this shimmering gem of the Pearl River is not just iconic for its bizarre man-made waterfalls, avant-garde bullet trains, and spectacular skyline, but also offers plenty of thrilling escapades into its pristine nature-kissed peripheries. A day trip to the famed Gulong Canyon, for instance, is an artist's dream of epic cascades, lush subtropical valleys, and rugged mountain terrain, all of which can be 520 m in the air! If you're not so cool with walking across a ravine suspended on a glass bridge, the northern fringes of Guangzhou also host the tamer Forest Peaks Corridor, which is synonymous with intimate countryside bike rides, dainty mountain architecture, and the enchantment of discovering the 'Fairyland Cave' on a boat.
China's glamorous 'Flower City' has a wildly innovative streak as evidenced by a 'Toilet Bowl' waterfall comprised entirely of hundreds of toilet accessories and innovation hubs like the Redtory Art & Design Factory, boasting of aesthetic inventions that add meaning to everyday tasks. Therefore, if you imagine that its theme parks are packed with a superabundance of jaw-dropping acrobatics, stomach-clenching rollercoaster rides, and exotic varieties of animals, you'd be right! Chimelong Paradise, for instance, is a leisure hub extraordinaire comprising of a jungle-clad water park, wildlife safaris with in-built 'science stations' featuring white tigers and panda triplets, and unique gardens lit by unearthly colours.
As Guangzhou is the home of flavourful Cantonese cuisine and hosts entire districts dedicated to diverse foods, you might want to walk off your full tummy (and make room for more deliciousness) without venturing too far from the picturesque city. A scenic outpost overlooking the jewel-like city lights, the White Cloud Mountain is dipped in natural and ersatz wonders from the dazzling Luhu Lake and lush botanical garden to the exquisite tropical blooms showcased at the unconventional Yuntai greenhouses and the cryptic 'Stele Forest' near Moxing Summit, bearing timeless culture-rich masterpieces in calligraphy and poetry. If you're searching for prime Guangzhou apartments for rent for expat use, venture no further than the strategically located Ascott Guangzhou.
This heritage port city is immersed in the deliciously verdant countryside that would be a crime to overlook. Plan a day trip to gorgeous havens like the Shimen National Forest Park with its towering rock architecture and musical streams, stopping to ogle at the Qianlonggou Waterfall Mountain wreathed in a dreamy bamboo forest, and shuttling up to Five Finger Mountain to witness the splendour of the 'Moon Lake' reservoir. Finally, you can rest your weary post-hike bones in one of the plentiful steaming pools at the luxuriant Conghua hot springs.
For a phenomenal otherworldly experience, visit the Seven Star Cave Park that seems to exist as a placeholder for ancient chronicles of the imperials. Not only will you find intricate stone engravings dubbed as a 'thousand-year-old poetry gallery', the majestic and lush crags floating atop the jade-hued lakes occasionally unveil their mysteries for the seeking eye. You can glide into the echoing limestone caves featuring epic rock formations shaped like fierce dragons, tigers, and bears on the hunt that are the stuff of myths and legends.
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