STIL ŽIVOTA / LIFESTYLE
This city doesn’t seek attention – it seduces you slowly Here we present trendy spots in southern China’s most dynamic city, where top hotels, hidden bars and experimental concept stores redefine the notion of luxury travel G uangzhou (or Canton, as it is traditionally called lo- cally) may not be the first city that springs to mind when you’re consider- ing a luxury break in Asia. It has neither the glitz of Shanghai nor the importance of Beijing, yet it is precisely in its quiet self-confidence that this city’s charm lies: in the combination of ancient Cantonese culture and futuristic architecture rising above the banks of the Pearl River. Guangzhou won’t give you a red-carpet welcome, but an invitation to delve deep- er: into its textures, flavours, streets and people. As you sip the last of your tea on a balcony overlooking the shimmering river, you might realise what was known by the old Cantonese merchants, poets and mariners: that real luxury journeys are never the ones you plan – but the ones you embark on unexpectedly. Where to stay At a height of 530 metres, Rosewood Guangzhou isn’t only China’s tallest ho- tel — it’s a world unto itself. From rooms facing the Canton Tower – considered the modern counterpart to the Eiffel Tow- er - to a spa centre and infinity pool in the clouds, here everything exudes dis- creet luxury. Just a few streets away, Park Hyatt Guangzhou offers Japanese mini- malism at the heart of China – this space that’s free of excesses has a view that says everything. And for those seeking the soul of old Canton, LN Hotel Five is a riv- erside art-deco gem that offers a sophis-
HOPE AND SESAME
Where to go out Some bars find you, while others re- quire that you find them. Hope & Sesa- me, hidden behind a modest tea shop, only opens when you knock. Inside you’ll find cocktails made with fermented pine- apple, Sichuan liquors and magic. For a breathtaking view, head to the Park Hyatt’s roof, where champagne is sipped while enjoying a panorama that fuses old and new China in a single shot. TŌRŌ
Bar, with Latin ele- ments and an urban setting, is ideal for those on the hunt for good music, rhythm and cooling shade under palm trees on the 30 th floor. Where to shop Guangzhou is de- cidedly outspoken when it comes to
BINGSHENG PINW
ticated escape from the CBD and the city’s digi- tal pace. Where to eat You don’t just eat for the sake of it in Guang- zhou – here you eat to re- member. At the restau-
rant Bingsheng Pinwei, contemporary Cantonese cuisine is offered in the form of crispy char siu, dim sum that bursts in the mouth and steamed fish with gin- ger that’s simply unforgettable. For seri- ous gourmets, the Michelin-starred Jiang By Chef Fei combines traditional recipes with modern plating techniques. Sea ur- chin soup and crab kobido are more than dishes here – they’re stories on a plate. However, the real magic awaits you at Tao Tao Yu, a historic dim sum temple that will entice you from the street with the aromas of jasmine and soy sauce.
design. The shopping centre K11 Art Mall isn’t merely a mall – it’s an exhi- bition space for young Chinese design- ers. As you browse between galleries and workshops, everything looks like you’ve stepped into a future where fash- ion, art and spatial elements speak the same language. For those looking for a piece of Guangzhou to take home, Thir- teen Factory and O2 Space offer unique fashion garments, books, designer ac- cessories and an atmosphere that’s more reminiscent of Berlin or Tokyo than tra- ditional China.
74 | Guangdžou » Guangzhou
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