I will be in HKG on a mileage run next week and plan on taking a day trip to Guangzhou. I do have a visa. Is there anything I definitely have to see?
Thanks

perhaps a day trip to macau instead (think u dont need visa). not much to see in guangzhou and it takes you 4+ hour door2door going oneway by train, and 3hr by plane..therefore a day trip may not work out well, try shenzhen, if you want a flavor of mainland china, they have most of what guangzhou can offer

Thanks, Pegasus:
I have been to Macau and would prefer something on the "mainland", since I have the visa. Actually, I did think of Shenzen, but thought that Guangzhou was more desirable. I am prepared to change my plans, though.
What do other flyertalkers think?

I haven't been to the mainland in years. From what I remember about Guangzhou, there isn't too much to see a Pegasus8228 mentioned. The markets may be a good place to see (and smell) the local fare.

I do remember going to sme restaurants in a classical chinese setting. The restaurant is housed in a walled court with tables around a sculptured garden. A guide book may be able to give you some suggestions.

Vulcan
Did a one day tour from HKG to Shenzen AND Guangzhou, Ferry to Shenzen (1 hour), Morning tour of Shenzen including visit to kindergarten, coach to Guangzhou, lunch in old part of city, express train back to HKG. Long day, 7am to 9pm but definitely worth it and good value, around US$100. Booked mine with travel agent in the basement of the Hyatt in Nathan Road. You need your passport AND a visa(takes 2 days) and the travel agent will do it for you. Make sure the spelling of your name on the visa application you sign is EXACTLY the same as the passport. Three of our party were held up in Shenzen customs by zealous officials and had to join us later, missing the Shenzen tour so make sure your visa is applicable. The food in Guangzhou was excellent and our tour guide, a young Chinese girl who spoke better English than I do was outstanding. We all tipped her voluntarily at the end of the day and she was overwhelmed. I strongly advise you to do it.

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JBC

My parents did the Shenzen trip from HKG last year but they got 48hr visas issued at the border post itself for free. They were carrying Indian passports. Any idea if this is still the case? I am planning a day trip to the mainland next month too while transiting HKG and didn't think that the visa would need 48 hrs.

The outdoor markets in Guangzhou are unbelievable. Be prepared. Everything is sold there. The scenery on the train ride to/from Hong Kong in pleasant enough and the train ride is an experience itself. Great destination. If you decide to spend the evening, try the White Swan hotel. It is right on the river and just a few blocks walk from the larget outdoor market in the city.

Yes... the market by the White Swan will really give you a taste of China... That would be my #1 recommendation.
I LOVE Guangzhou, have been there about 6 times. In one day you will likely only do tourist things. *DO* have a tour as opposed to trying to do anything on your own. GZ trivia - the surface area of the cars there is greater than the surface area of the total roads... can you say gridlock? And yes, the train ride from HK to GZ is a rich experience. IMHO, GZ is much mor *China* than Shenzhen and worth the extra travel time. (I think Macau is a dump.)

the main reason i suggested shenzhen is mainly logistics, i.e. if u are planning for a day trip, u sd probably think about shenzhen instead of guangzhou. however, if u plan to stay overnight, guangzhou is a better place than shenzhen.

what u wd see in shenzhen is post-80 china. but guangzhou is a much older and more sophisticated city, with a number od cultural sites as well.
1. white swan is the best hotel, by the river....also walk by the river bank reminds u of what GZ is like 50 years ago...similar to bunk in shanghai...
2. places to see: sun yat-sen memorial hall, huanghuagang memorial, yuexiu park (an ancient tower and the ram sculture)
3. as for food/etc...similar to Shenzhen but GZ of course has more of the authenic cantonese food

I'd also suggest going with the tour, unless you have a lot of time. If you're doing the night, you can pre-book the White Swan or elsewhere thru some of the agents here in HKG.
If you need some agents contact numbers, drop me a line.
If you're in Shenzhen, check out Lo Wu Commercial City (above the bus station, 2 mins walk from Customs) - best selection of brand names at well...far from brand name prices...

But Eric, they are fake!

talk about shenzhen/guangzhou/hk....u can also look for "fake" cdrom/vcd/dvd...although nowadays they r difficult to find, mainly on streets in HK during nights/sundays....viva napster!

Onepasslover - what ? I just *can't* believe that...
A fake with the labels inside ? Come one - a pair of 101% authentic Timberland boots for 20USD - it's just a good deal..

Actually I wonder does Lo Wu Commercial City (5 floors or is it 6) qualify as the larest enclosed emporium of upmarket fake goods anywhere ?

1. The Brand name good at Lo Wo Commmercial Center are... either Fake (copy design from magazines) or rejected/surplus (that means from the same factory) from local manufacturers. It is morally bad to buy a fake brandname but if you want most trendy thing and don't expect that to last forever, it is a way to go. (think about those crazy design handbag/shoes that you will only use it once or twice and will be odd to use it next season, you gonna spend US$1xxx or US$50?) BUT REMEMBER to BARGIN!!

2. GZ do have more "China" feeling, do walk along the former embassy district (sound like) "Po Dong". I don't know which restaurants will have English speaking waitress so if you are not in tour, go to hotels. Restaurants in Hotel normally good. (even locals will go to hotel for Dim Sum and Tea)

3. I do NOT recommand you go to transborder with KCR train (especially HK-China in the morning and China-HK in the evening since many locals goes through, long queue and jamed train) (but fare is cheaper, of course).

4. Canton-Kowloon Throughtrain is price around $2xx HKD (US$30), around 2 hour train ride and there are two types of train now, one is more "China" (single deck) and anotherone is doubledeck "KTT". Seating for me KTT is a little bit better. REMEMBER to check schedule.

5. Maybe I am HK Food "adapted", I found that HK's food somehow more declicious, especially dim sums. Hee..

6. (Haha) If you goes through a train station called TaiPo (4th from the Chinese border), say "Hi" to my Home distrcit

Have a Great Trip.

some interesting story to share about the "up-scale" brands in shenzhen

there is this very famous pop singer in HK (kelly chan, one of THE most famous), she had a LV handbag photoed by the taboos. Then teh local LV shop received a few thousand inquiries, with some girls bringing the photo into the shop. the local manager then called Paris to ask (not all merchandise are availabel to all markets).

Eventually, they called the singer out for tea, and offered her sponsorship (LV never sponsor any celebrity in HK) of all LV goods on the condition that she do not use Shenzhen merchandise any more. (she later admitted her grandmom bought it at Shenzhen)

the latest rumous is: LV is producing that handbag! in this case if i am the shenzhen merchant i would sue them for piracy/plaguism!