Canton Tower & Pearl River 广州塔Guǎngzhōu Tǎ

Why go to Canton Tower & Pearl River

Canton Tower's twisted steel lattice rises above the Pearl River, lit in shifting colours every evening, with a slow Ferris wheel of glass pods circling its very top. Ride up for the skyline, then take a night cruise past the illuminated bridges and towers of the waterfront. Save time and appetite for Guangzhou itself: dim sum, roast goose and the old streets of Xiguan.

The story

Completed in 2010, just before Guangzhou hosted the Asian Games, the 600-metre tower was briefly the tallest of its kind in the world. Locals call it xiao man yao, or 'little slim waist'.

What to see at Canton Tower & Pearl River

• Observation levels 观光层: The indoor observation space near the top gives 360-degree views over the Pearl River and Zhujiang New Town; it is best around sunset.
• Bubble Tram 摩天轮: A ring of glass pods circles the top of the tower on a horizontal track for slow, open views.
• Open-air observation deck 塔顶露天观景平台: The open-air platforms at the very top of the tower, for a windier, higher view; they can close in storms.
• Pearl River night cruise 珠江夜游: Boats from piers near the tower pass the lit-up bridges and towers of both banks.
• Flower City Square 花城广场: Across the river in Zhujiang New Town, a broad plaza from which the tower looks its best, good for walking and photos.

How to visit Canton Tower & Pearl River

Allow an evening: arrive before sunset, go up for the daylight view, then watch the city light up. After that, take a short Pearl River cruise or cross to Flower City Square for the tower's reflection and skyline.

How to get to Canton Tower & Pearl River

Metro Line 3 and the APM line stop at Canton Tower station, a short ride from Zhujiang New Town and central Guangzhou. Guangzhou is about an hour from Hong Kong by high-speed train.

Where to stay

Stay in Zhujiang New Town or Tianhe for the skyline and the tower across the river, or in Yuexiu and Xiguan for the old city, both on the metro.

What to eat

• Dim sum 点心: Steamed dumplings, buns and rice rolls served with tea.
• Roast goose 烧鹅: Crisp-skinned roast goose, a Cantonese classic.
• Wonton noodles 云吞面: Thin egg noodles with shrimp wontons in a light broth.

Tips for visiting Canton Tower & Pearl River

• Go up just before sunset to see the city in daylight and then lit up.
• Pearl River night cruises leave from piers near the tower and in the old city, and are the best way to see the skyline.
• The rooftop pod ride sells out on busy evenings, so book ahead.

Nearby

• Historic Centre of Macau 澳门历史城区 100 km
  Portuguese tiled squares, baroque churches and Chinese temples, a short walk apart
• Kaiping Diaolou and Villages 开平碉楼 110 km
  Fortified tower houses rising above rice paddies, built with emigrants' money
• Tian Tan Buddha & Ngong Ping 天坛大佛与昂坪 110 km
  A giant bronze Buddha on Lantau, reached by a 25-minute cable car ride

Also within 30 km: Haizhu National Wetland Park 海珠湿地 (under 10 km), Grandview Mall 正佳广场 (under 10 km), Site of the Third National Congress of the Communist Party of China 中共三大会址 (under 10 km), Guangzhou Zoo 广州动物园 (under 10 km), Memorial Museum of Generalissimo Sun Yat-sen's Mansion 孙中山大元帅府纪念馆 (under 10 km), Huanghuagang Mausoleum of the 72 Martyrs 黄花岗七十二烈士墓 (under 10 km).

Trips with Canton Tower & Pearl River

• Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou in five days 5 days · Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou

On the map

Open Canton Tower & Pearl River on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.

Learn more

• Wikipedia
• Official website
• Wikipedia (Chinese)