South China Travel Guide#
South China includes Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong, and Macau, forming China’s southern gateway with unique Lingnan culture and tropical charm.
Guangdong#
Highlights#
- Lingnan Culture: Cantonese culture, Chaoshan culture, Hakka culture
- Modern Cities: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai
- Cuisine: Cantonese Cuisine, Dim Sum, Cantonese-style Dim Sum
Key Attractions#
- Canton Tower: Little Waist, new landmark of Guangzhou
- Canton Tower Official Website - Ticket purchase and booking
- Recommended to visit at night for the night view
- Shenzhen: Pioneer of reform and opening up, innovation capital
- Can visit Window of the World, Splendid China, Dameisha Beach, etc.
- Shenzhen Tourism Official Website - Tourism information
- Kaiping Diaolou: UNESCO World Heritage, architecture combining Chinese and Western styles
- Kaiping Diaolou Official Website - Ticket and tour information
- Can visit Zili Village, Li Garden and other diaolou clusters
- Mount Danxia: UNESCO World Natural Heritage, red bed landform
- Mount Danxia Official Website - Ticket and tour information
- Recommended 2 days visit, can see sunrise and sunset
Guangxi#
Highlights#
- Landscape Scenery: Guilin Landscape, Li River, Yangshuo
- Ethnic Culture: Zhuang, Yao, Miao and other minority cultures
- Cuisine: Guilin Rice Noodles, Luosifen, Beer Fish
Key Attractions#
- Guilin Landscape: UNESCO World Natural Heritage, the most beautiful landscape under heaven
- Guilin Tourism Official Website - Tourism information
- Can visit Elephant Trunk Hill, Seven Star Park, etc.
- Li River: Hundred-mile gallery, picturesque scenery
- Recommended to take bamboo raft or cruise boat, essential section from Yangdi to Xingping
- Can book boat tickets in advance
- Yangshuo West Street: Foreigners’ Street, fusion of Chinese and Western cultures
- Free admission, recommended to visit at night, experience nightlife
- Can experience rock climbing, cycling and other outdoor activities
- Longsheng Rice Terraces: Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System
- Longsheng Rice Terraces Official Website - Ticket and accommodation information
- Best viewing time: April-May (water filling), September-October (golden autumn)
Hainan#
Highlights#
- Island Scenery: Sanya, Haikou, Qionghai
- Tropical Charm: Coconut wind and sea rhyme, tropical rainforest
- Cuisine: Hainan Four Famous Dishes, Coconut Chicken, Qingbuliang
Key Attractions#
- Sanya: International tourism island, ends of the earth
- Sanya Tourism Official Website - Tourism information
- Can visit Tianya Haijiao, Nanshan Cultural Tourism Area, etc.
- Yalong Bay: First Bay under Heaven
- Free beach, suitable for swimming and diving
- Multiple resort hotels nearby
- Wuzhizhou Island: Lovers’ Island, diving paradise
- Wuzhizhou Island Official Website - Ticket and activity booking
- Recommended to book in advance, experience diving and water sports
- Yanoda Rainforest: Tropical rainforest cultural area
- Yanoda Official Website - Ticket and tour information
- Can experience rainforest adventure and Li ethnic culture
Hong Kong#
Highlights#
- International Metropolis: Victoria Harbour, Central, Tsim Sha Tsui
- East-West Culture: Fusion of traditional culture and modern civilization
- Cuisine: Hong Kong-style Tea Restaurants, Roast Meat, Seafood
Key Attractions#
- Victoria Harbour: One of the world’s three great natural harbors
- Free admission, recommended to visit at night for the light show
- Can take Star Ferry
- The Peak: Overlooking the entire Hong Kong
- The Peak Official Website - Ticket and transportation information
- Recommended to visit at night for the night view
- Disneyland: Theme park
- Hong Kong Disneyland Official Website - Ticket purchase and booking
- Recommended to purchase FastPass in advance
- Ocean Park: Ocean theme park
- Ocean Park Official Website - Ticket information
- Suitable for family visits
Macau#
Highlights#
- Historic Center: Ruins of St. Paul’s, A-Ma Temple, Senado Square
- Gaming Culture: Casino Lisboa, Venetian, Grand Lisboa
- Cuisine: Portuguese Egg Tarts, Pork Chop Bun, Macanese Portuguese Cuisine
Key Attractions#
- Ruins of St. Paul’s: UNESCO World Heritage, landmark of Macau
- Free admission, recommended to visit in the morning to avoid crowds
- Can visit Macau Museum
- Historic Center of Macau: UNESCO World Heritage, fusion of Chinese and Portuguese cultures
- Including Senado Square, A-Ma Temple and more than 20 historical buildings
- Recommended to walk around, experience Chinese-Portuguese culture
- The Venetian Macao: Integrated resort
- The Venetian Macao Official Website - Accommodation and entertainment information
- Can experience shopping, entertainment, dining, etc.
Travel Tips#
- Best Time: Spring and autumn are pleasant, summer is hot and rainy but good for escaping heat
- Transportation: Well-developed high-speed rail network, Hong Kong and Macau require entry permits or visas
- Guangzhou-Shenzhen: 30 minutes by high-speed rail
- Guangzhou-Guilin: About 2.5 hours by high-speed rail
- Guangzhou-Haikou: About 6 hours (requires ferry)
- Special Experiences: Experience Lingnan culture, taste authentic cuisine, enjoy island resorts
- Useful Links: