A Comprehensive Travel Guide to Guzhen, Zhongshan
Want to deeply experience the unique charm of history and modernity intertwined? This travel guide to Guzhen, Zhongshan, will take you on an all-round, wonderful journey from historical culture, natural scenery, and special cuisine to modern lighting culture!
I. Guide to Essential Attractions
1. Tracing Historical Culture
The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is a great place to learn about the life of Mr. Sun Yat-sen, where you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of modern times. The Yongkou Ancient Building Complex is full of relics from the Ming and Qing dynasties, silently telling the glorious past of the ancient town. The Su Ancestral Hall has a history of over 600 years and is deeply connected with the family of Su Bingtian, the "Asian Flying Man," where you can also taste the special "Su Family Ancestral Hall Tong Cai" dish. The Wei Ancestral Hall and Ou Ancestral Hall are architectural gems from the Qing and Ming dynasties that cultural relic enthusiasts should not miss.
2. Feast of Lighting Art
Lihe Lighting Expo Center is known as a global lighting procurement destination, where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of lighting. Huayi Plaza, as a national AAAA-level scenic spot, integrates exhibitions, art, and commercial tourism. Star Alliance is famous for its shocking LED light show, and the central atrium's Galaxy Sky Curtain and UFO installation are visually stunning.
3. Natural Ecological Tour
The Thousand-Mu Lighting Capital Ecological Wetland Park combines Lingnan water towns with lighting culture, making it an excellent choice for family trips and leisurely strolls. Southern China Green Expo Park integrates seedling trading, science education, and entertainment, resembling a natural oxygen bar.
II. Guzhen Cuisine
1. Recommended Specialty Snacks
Haizhou Fish Cake, as a Zhongshan intangible cultural heritage delicacy, is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside when freshly fried, with the ones from Jiezhu Food Store being the most authentic. Guzhen Rice Noodles are a local breakfast classic, with smooth rice noodles paired with a rich soup base. Zhongshan Salty Dumplings have a crispy outer skin wrapped in a delicious filling, making them a traditional Cantonese delicacy. Waijia Pigeon Restaurant's medicinal diet pigeon hot pot features tender pigeon meat and a nourishing soup base.
2. Preferred Quality Restaurants
Lihe Jinhui Restaurant's Cantonese morning tea is exceptional, with freshly ground sesame rolls and matsutake mushroom siu mai worth trying. Suyuexuan Creative Vegetarian Restaurant has an elegant environment and specializes in health-focused vegetarian cuisine. Yipin Fish and Mutton Restaurant is famous for Shunde cuisine, with crispy roasted pork and Du Ruan balsam pear sashimi being must-order dishes.
III. Itinerary Planning Recommendations
One-Day Tour Route
In the morning, visit the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Yongkou Ancient Building Complex, and Su Ancestral Hall; have lunch at Jiezhu Food Store and Waijia Pigeon Restaurant; in the afternoon, go to Huayi Plaza or Star Alliance to experience the charm of lighting, and then relax at the Lighting Capital Ecological Wetland Park; have dinner at Guzhen Central Food Street to taste pigeon and bamboo tube dishes.
Two-Day In-Depth Tour
On the first day, enjoy morning tea at Lihe Plaza in the morning and then visit Lihe Lighting Expo Center, visit the Huayi Plaza Lighting Art Exhibition in the afternoon, choose Suyuexuan for dinner, and stay at Longquan Hotel in the evening. On the second day, appreciate cultural relics at Longquan Hotel in the morning, then have lunch at Guzhen Central Food Street, and visit the Lighting Capital Ecological Wetland Park and Southern China Green Expo Park in the afternoon.
IV. Featured Experience Activities
Watch the LED Galaxy Sky Curtain light show at Star Alliance, and some venues also offer DIY lighting experiences. The lion dances, acrobatics, and other folk performances on Mai Mai Street are lively and extraordinary. Take a boat trip on the Fenjiang River to enjoy the scenery of the water town. Visit the Qu Family Traditional Woodworking Exhibition Hall in Henglan Town, where you can also experience the wonders of mortise and tenon structures firsthand.
V. Practical Travel Tips
Transportation: For self-driving, navigate to "Guzhen Town, Zhongshan," which is about 1 hour away from cities in the Pearl River Delta; you can also take a bus from Guangzhou or Shenzhen to Zhongshan Bus Terminal and transfer to bus routes 908 or 909.
Accommodation: For those seeking high-end options, the Lihe Westin Hotel is a good choice, where you can enjoy afternoon tea in the clouds and excellent views; if you want to experience the cultural atmosphere, don't miss the ancient lamps and ceramic exhibitions at Longquan Hotel.
Best time to visit: Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) have comfortable climates and are suitable for travel.
Guzhen, Zhongshan, is a place where thousands of years of historical heritage and modern lighting culture complement each other, and the aroma of Lingnan cuisine fills the air. Whether it's a cultural exploration, a nature tour, or a culinary journey, you'll be rewarded. Plan ahead and come here to experience its unique charm and leisurely time!