Liwan District

Getting there

Liwan district is served by Line 1, Line 5, Line 6, Line 8 and Guangfo Line of the Guangzhou Metro. 1 Cultural Park Bus Terminal serves as the terminus for some bus routes. These buses often labelled Huangsha (黄沙) as the destination.

See

1 Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (陈家祠 Chén jiā cí), Zhongshan 7th Road (中山七路) (Metro Line 1, Line 8 Chen Clan Academy). Daily 08:30–17:30. This is very well preserved architecture from the 19th century, and one of the finest surviving examples of traditional Cantonese architecture. It used to belong to a wealthy family with the surname Chen and now is a museum that houses many articles including ivory sculptures and artistic statues. Watch for the beautiful rocks in the backyard and the incredibly intricate roof carvings. ¥10 for adults; ¥5 for seniors 60-65 and students; free for children under 18 and seniors over 65. Foreigners need to present their passport to buy tickets. (updated Jan 2019) 2 Shamian Island (沙面岛) (Metro Line 1, Line 6 Huangsha). The buildings and streets of the former British and French concession have been beautifully renovated, and vehicles restricted, creating an oasis of tranquility in an otherwise frenetic metropolis. Inevitably it's touristy, but not crowded. One of the colonial structures is the 19th-century Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel at 14 Shamian Street. (updated Dec 2019) 3 Temple of 500 Genii (华林寺 Huá Lín Sì) (Metro Line 8 Hualinsi Buddhist Temple). This Is the temple where the Indian monk Bodhidharma, who brought Chan (Zen) Buddhism to China, first settled when he arrived by ship from India. Free. (updated Oct 2012) 4 Renwei Taoist Temple (仁威祖庙 Rén wēi zǔ miào), Pantang Road (泮塘路) (Metro Line 5 Zhongshanba). Historic Taoist temple built in the traditional Cantonese architectural style, with many intricate carvings and mosaics on the roof of the temple buildings. Unlike the Chen Clan Academy, this is still an active temple. Free. (updated Oct 2012) 5 Liwan Museum. (updated Jan 2018) 6 Cantonese Opera Art Museum (粤剧艺术博物馆), 127 Enning Road (恩宁路127号). (updated Jan 2018) 7 JinLun Guild Hall. (updated Jan 2018) 8 Liwan Lake Park (荔湾湖公园). (updated Feb 2022) 9 Guangzhou Railway Museum (广州铁路博物馆), Zone D, Yujing Road No. 1, 3~5 Yujiang Road (誉江路

Buy

1 Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street (上下九商业步行街 Shàng-xià-jiǔ) (Metro 1 Changshou Lu Exits D1, D2). This shopping area is also a showcase of traditional Cantonese architecture Qilou (骑楼). It is particularly pretty at night when lights are lit up. Prices here are generally lower than Beijing Road's, but prepare to bargain. (updated Oct 2012) 2 Qingping Market (清平市场), Qingping Road (清平路) (north from Shamian Island. Metro 1 Huangsha Exit D). It is a great place to go for exotic goods. The modern front of the market has quite a few stalls selling dried herbs used in Chinese Medicine. The real charm here lies just behind the modern exterior. The modern exterior is built onto a series of old historical narrow alleyways with shops selling herbs. You may see exotic animals for sale. (updated Jun 2025) 3 Liwan Plaza (荔湾广场 lì-wān-guǎng-chǎng), 9 Dexing Road (德星路9号), at the east end of the street. You will find a good selection of crystal here. (updated Oct 2012) 4 Link Plaza Guangzhou (领展购物广场·广州), No. 8, Huangsha Avenue (Metro Line 1, Line 6 Huangsha), toll-free: +86 20 3101 8088. 10:00-22:00. Free entry. 5 Yong Qing Fang (永庆坊), No. 99, Enning Road. 09:00-22:00. Free entry. (updated Jan 2023)

Street markets 6 Qingping Market, in Liwan. A great place to go for exotic goods, especially dried herbs used in Chinese Medicine. 7 Xiguan Antique Street (西关古玩城), near Liwan Park (荔湾湖公园). (updated Oct 2012) 8 Flower Street (花卉水族街), Baohua Road (宝华路). (updated Oct 2012) 9 Jade Street (玉器工艺街/玉器街), Changshou Road (长寿路) and Wenchang Road (文昌路), near Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street (Metro 1 Changshou Lu). (updated Oct 2012) 10 Sea products (象牙雕刻海味街), Daxin Road (大新路). (updated Oct 2012) Toy Street and Dried goods and snacks Street (玩具街 and 干果海味食品专业街), Yide Road (一德路) (Metro 2 Haizhu Square). (updated Oct 2012)

Eat

Traditional 1 Pan Xi Restaurant (泮溪酒家), 151 Longjin West Road (龙津西路151号), ☏ +86 20 8181-5718. Located in the heart of the Old Guangzhou, this Cantonese Restaurant serves dim sum next to trickling streams and stunning architecture. Try one of their famous dumplings shaped like a rabbit's head. 2 Guangzhou Restaurant (广州酒家), 2 Wenchang South Road (文昌南路2号) (Metro 1 Changshou Lu), ☏ +86 20 8138-0388. This Cantonese family restaurant is famous for its signature dishes Wenchang Chicken and special baby pig. It has several branches in the city. Other locations include 20 Binjiang West Road (滨江西路20号) and 112 Tiyu East Road (体育东路112号). Jianji Noodles (坚记面店), 299 Changshou E Rd, Liwan Qu. Famous traditional noodle place. Famous for fried noodles (炸酱伊面) and wonton noodles (云吞面). (updated Feb 2018) 3 Taotao Ju Restaurant (陶陶居), 20 Dishifu Road (第十甫路20号) (Metro 1 Changshou Lu; Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street), ☏ +86 20 8138-9632. This is the oldest traditional dim sum restaurant in the city but nowadays, their food not up to standard as their chef left for high end restaurant in Hong Kong. Dim sum hours are still busy, so reservation is recommended. Specialty includes moon cakes and other traditional Cantonese pastries. Wenji Restaurant (文记壹心鸡), 10 Boahua Road (荔湾区宝华路旋源桥10号) (Metro 1 Changshou Lu; Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street), ☏ +86 20 8172-8887. As the place was established by the former chefs from Qingping Restaurant, they have the original Qingping Chicken on the menu.

Vegetarian 4 Foo Yau Yuan Vegetarian Restaurant (佛有缘素食馆), 荔湾路幸福新村福儿路1号 1 Fu'er Road, Xinfu Xincun, Liwan Road (Metro 1 Chan Clan Academy Exit D), ☏ +86 20 8125-0428. 6:30AM–3PM, 5PM–10PM. This place serves creative vegetarian dishes with dim sum served in the morning. Most dishes are between ¥30 and ¥50 each. (updated Jan 2019)

Southeast Asian 5 Lan Kwai Fong (兰桂坊), 5 Shamian South St (沙面南街5号) (Metro 1 & 6 Huangsha), ☏ +86 20 8121-6523. This tourist friendly restaurant offers good curries and poli

Sleep

Budget 1 Guangdong Youth Hostel (广东鹅潭宾馆), 2 Shamian 4th Street (沙面四街2号) (Across from White Swan Hotel, Metro 1 & 6 Huangsha Exit D), ☏ +86 20 8121-8298. This place offers around 15 dorm beds. There is a lounge, which is a small spare room with free access to computers and internet, TV, microwave oven and refrigerator until midnight. Wi-Fi is available and basic English is spoken. Despite excellent location, the place is an ordinary Chinese hotel, rather than a hostel that provides a socializing environment. Only foreign passport holders are accepted in the dorm. Dorm room ¥60, singles ¥200. Guangzhou Riverside Youth Hostel (广州江畔国际青年旅舍), 15 Changdi Street (长堤路15号) (Metro 1 Fangcun Exit B1), ☏ +86 20 2239-2500. A waterfront hostel located on the south side (less developed) of the Pearl River. It takes a 15-20 minute walk to the metro station; also accessible by river ferry (until 10PM). Spacious common areas but limited kitchen fa