with interesting things that aren’t listed on Google maps, which is a great shame because you can easily overlook these un- forgettable attractions. There is also a Tik- Tok attraction in the form of a pedes- trian bridge that’s illuminated in such a way that it creates the illusion of a cres- cent moon reflected in the water. This is a magical place that’s packed with tourists all wanting to record their moment by the bridge, and we did too. It would be a great shame to visit Guang- zhou without touring at least one of its numerous temples. We opted for two lo- cated in the city’s Yuexiu District. We headed to the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees first, given that it is open for visi- tors until 5pm. And we weren’t mistaken in our choice, as this holy place arouses the need for at least a moment’s tranquil- lity in visitors. The same applies at Da- fo Temple Sushige, which is paradoxically surrounded by numerous shopping cen- tres and neon advertisements. Dafo Tem- ple Sushige is open to visitors from 5pm onwards and provides an opportunity to find respite from the hustle and bustle of this city of multiple millions, while learn- ing about some of its Buddhist practices. If you loved Disney’s Mulan, you’ll also love Dafo Temple… and you’ll also hope, just like us, that one of the dragons on its roof will come to life and transform into the famous Mushu. We weren't so lucky, but don’t let that discourage you. Evenings in Guangzhou are best spent on Huacheng Square. Despite being sur- rounded by skyscrapers, it offers a fan- tastic view of the Canton Tower. We shot hundreds of photos there, but none of them are able to convincingly con- vey the magic we experienced in person. This place is made special by the dance of lights positioned strategically along the stretch of several hundred metres en-
compassing the length of the square. We also experienced this square during the day, but the night-time version is much more endearing. It was a cloudy morning when we climbed to the top of the Canton Tow- er, but that didn’t spoil the impression. We were able to observe Guangzhou as though in the palm of the hand, from a height of 460 metres. Riding the “globes” around the edge of the tower was a spe- cial experience. Stepping into these bub- ble tram “balls” gives you the impres- sion that you’re on the roof of the world and could reach up and touch the planes that fly constantly overhead. Even visi- tors who are ordinarily scared of heights describe it as an unforgettable experience that they’d gladly repeat. With our time in Guangzhou coming to an end, we visited Shamiandao Island, which occupies the heart of the city. If it weren’t for the famous red lanterns hang- ing from the trees and the amateur mu- sicians performing traditional music on a daily basis, you’d hardly know that you’re in China. That’s because Shamian's archi- tecture is distinctive in the city and most resembles European styles. This wonder- ful fusion of differences makes this island one of Guangzhou’s “must-see” spots. We’ll conclude our tour here, in order to leave room for you to explore Guangzhou for yourself. This travelogue is intend- ed to motivate you to make the journey to this great city on the Pearl River. There are as many reasons to do so as there are residents of Guangzhou, but there are three additional reasons (if any oth- er reasons are even required) called Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Macau, all of which are located within around a hundred kilo- metres of Guangzhou, or just over an hour away by comfortable bullet train. Happy travels!
the airport to the hotel by taxi, which we found easily in front of the airport building. In order to communicate with taxi drivers – who generally only know enough English to tell you that they don’t speak English – it is a good idea to have with you the precise address of your hotel in Chinese. This will both save time and reduce stress, as we learnt the hard way. Our hotel was located in one of Guang- zhou’s central zones and it took us ap- proximately 30 minutes to get there in those early evening hours. We began exploring the city the next day, setting out from the Cultural Park. A lei- surely ten-minute stroll from there led us to the Shangxiajiu Commercial Pedes- trian Zone. This street is Guangzhou’s equivalent to Belgrade’s Knez Mihailova Street, though it’s much more flamboy- ant. Famous international restaurants stand alongside stalls selling tradition- al Chinese fare, while shops of world-fa- mous brands are interspersed by shops selling goods of unknown manufacturers. There is all sorts to suit every budget. We resisted the bombardment of colours and aromas by sheer force of will, continuing on towards the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, an old academic temple. Unfortunately for us, the temple was closed when we ar- rived, though we were still mesmerised by its exterior. Our route next led us to the city’s Liwan District, which boasts the fantastic Liwan Lake Park, aka Li Wan Hu Gong Yuan. The traditional Chinese ambiance and lake covered by bloom- ing water lilies ensure this park is a spot you’ll want to return to every day. We al- so used the opportunity to visit Liwan Museum and get a sense of the spirit of the Guangzhou of bygone times. By that evening, we found ourselves in front of Bruce Lee's house. It is located in an extremely lively neighbourhood filled
102 | Guangdžou » Guangzhou
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator