Guangzhou after camp: a 3-day city guide

Two relaxed city nights after camp: dim sum, independent boutiques, cafés, old Canton lanes and one good night out by the river.

Day 1: Coffee, streetwear and skyline

• 10:00 · Leave BONSKI: Drop your bags at the city hotel and have lunch.
• 14:00–17:00 · Dongshankou and Xinhepu (东山口 新河浦): Independent fashion, concept stores, cafés and red-brick villa streets.
• Evening · Zhujiang New Town and Huacheng Square (花城广场): Cantonese dinner, then Canton Tower views from the square. Cocktails after if you like.

Day 2: Dim sum and old Canton

• 10:00 · Long dim sum brunch (广州 早茶): Har gow, siu mai, char siu bao and rice rolls to share.
• 12:00–16:00 · Yongqing Fang and Enning Road (永庆坊 恩宁路): Restored heritage lanes, small shops, coffee and Cantonese desserts.
• Evening · Beijing Road and Dafo Temple (北京路 大佛寺): Dinner on Beijing Road, then the lit-up temple front after dark.
• Late · Party Pier (珠江琶醍): Riverside bars and drinks if everyone still has energy.

Day 3: Slow morning and shopping

• Morning · Sleep in, then brunch: No alarm today.
• Afternoon · Dongshankou and Xinhepu (东山口 新河浦): If you loved the independent shops on Day 1, come back for more.
• Afternoon · Tianhe malls (太古汇 体育西路): An easy final afternoon of shopping near Tiyu Xilu metro.
• Flight · Leave bags at the hotel: Arrange the airport ride from there. Allow 60–90 minutes for the drive, plus your airline's check-in time.

More places to eat and explore

• Guangdong Museum (广东省博物馆): An indoor option beside Huacheng Square: Cantonese history, crafts and changing exhibitions. Check the museum’s current reservation and closure rules before going.
• Canton Tower riverfront (广州塔): Across the river from Huacheng Square. Walk the south-bank promenade or book tower entry separately. This is a river crossing, not a short stroll from the square.
• Shamian Island (沙面): Shaded avenues and former concession buildings in Liwan. Pair with Yongqing Fang for a slower afternoon; walk or take a short taxi between the two areas.
• Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (陈家祠): Carved wood, ceramic roof figures and courtyard architecture. An optional heritage stop in Liwan, reached by a short taxi or metro ride from Yongqing Fang; check tickets and opening hours.
• Tao Tao Ju · dim sum (陶陶居 第十甫路): A named option for Day 2 brunch on Dishifu Road near Shangxiajiu. Share har gow, siu mai and char siu bao. Check the exact branch and queue before setting out. Photo shows dim sum, not this restaurant.
• Yongqing Fang · Cantonese snacks (永庆坊 陈添记): Look for fish-skin salad, rice rolls and boat congee around the food lanes. A 2023 local guide lists Chen Tianji here; verify the branch on your map. Photo shows the neighbourhood, not a dish or restaurant.
• Yuexiu Park · a green morning (越秀公园): A park alternative to shopping, with the Five Rams sculpture and historic surroundings. It is in Yuexiu, not next to Tianhe malls: allow a separate metro or taxi trip and skip it if your flight is early.
• Guangzhou Restaurant (广州酒家 文昌路): Old-school Cantonese institution for dim sum and roast meats. The Wenchang Road branch is the classic one.
• Panxi Restaurant (泮溪酒家): Garden-style dining hall by Liwan Lake. Go for the setting as much as the dim sum.
• Lianxiang Lou (莲香楼): Century-old teahouse known for lotus-seed pastries. Easy grab-and-go box for the flight home.
• Nanxin double-skin milk (南信牛奶甜品专家): Steamed milk pudding (shuang pi nai) and ginger milk curd. The dessert stop after Shangxiajiu.
• Yinji rice rolls (银记肠粉): Silky cheung fun, fast and cheap. A local chain, so one is usually close.
• Bingsheng (炳胜): Modern Cantonese for a proper crew dinner. Book ahead for big groups.
• Wenming Road desserts (文明路甜品街): A strip of Cantonese dessert shops. Good late, after dinner on Beijing Road.
• Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street (上下九步行街): Arcaded shopping street with snacks every few steps. Walkable from Yongqing Fang.
• Huangsha seafood market (黄沙水产市场): Pick live seafood, then have a nearby restaurant cook it. Confirm cooking fees before you order.
• Liwan Lake Park (荔湾湖公园): Lakeside park with locals doing tai chi and Cantonese opera in the mornings.
• Sacred Heart Cathedral (石室圣心大教堂): Granite Gothic cathedral near Yide Road. Quick photo stop between Beijing Road and the river.
• Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (中山纪念堂): Big octagonal hall and lawns, right by Yuexiu Park. Pair them in one morning.
• Pearl River night cruise (珠江夜游): Boat past the lit-up skyline and Canton Tower. Several piers; buy at the pier or in apps.
• Haixinsha island (海心沙): River island facing Canton Tower. Short walk from Huacheng Square for the best tower view.
• Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院): Zaha Hadid's pebble-shaped building next to the museum. Check the programme if you want a show.
• Taikoo Hui (太古汇): Polished mall with international labels and good cafés. Indoor plan for a wet afternoon.
• T.I.T Creative Park (T.I.T 创意园): Old textile factory turned design park: studios, cafés, small shops.
• Redtory art district (红专厂): Former cannery with galleries and big brick halls. Good for photos and a coffee.
• Baiyun Mountain (白云山): The city's big green hill. Cable car up, walk down, if you still have legs after camp.
• Xiaozhou Village (小洲村): Water village with old houses, canals and artist studios. A slower half day.
• Yuyin Shanfang garden (余荫山房): Classic Lingnan garden in Panyu. Further out, so pair it with Baomo Garden or skip.
• Dongshankou coffee crawl (东山口 咖啡): Pick two of the many small cafés on Xinhepu and Miaoqian streets. Search the area on Xiaohongshu for this week's favourites.
• Craft beer near the hotel (珠江新城 精酿): Zhujiang New Town has several taprooms. Easy last round close to the hotel.
• Neighbourhood teahouse (西关 早茶 茶楼): Skip the famous names once and eat where retirees have breakfast. Point at the trolley and the menu.
• Roast goose and char siu (烧鹅): Any busy siu mei counter with a queue. Order over rice for a fast, cheap lunch.
• Claypot rice (煲仔饭): Crispy-bottom rice with sausage or chicken. Takes 20 minutes to cook, so order first.

Getting from BONSKI to the city

BONSKI is in Huadu, outside downtown. Allow 60–90 minutes to your city hotel, depending on traffic.

• DiDi / taxi (60–90 min): Book from the camp hotel straight to your city hotel. DiDi is China's version of Grab.
• Hotel-arranged van (60–90 min): Ask the camp hotel for a vehicle and quote that fits the whole group and your gear.
• Taxi + metro (90–120 min): Taxi to Ma'anshan Park 马鞍山公园, Line 9 towards Gaozeng 高增, then Line 3 into the centre.

Where to stay

• Zhujiang New Town (珠江新城): Skyline and Canton Tower views. Best base for evenings out. Huacheng Square on your doorstep.
• Tianhe, near Tiyu Xilu (体育西路): Big malls for shopping. Easy metro connections. Simple final day before a flight.

Every Season Counts runs coached snowboard camps at Guangzhou Bonski. See the camps.