Most people arriving in Guangzhou are there for just one reason: business. But even for the busiest businessman, a walk through one of the parks could make the little (needed) difference on a hectic day.

What to expect.

Even before breakfast, early in the morning, the parks develop into a little city themselves. Lots of activities are happening: Groups are getting together for some Tai Chi – mostly accompanied with some soft Chinese music; others use their spare time to take a run through one of the parks, or a little morning game of Jianzi (a traditional Asian game in which players aim to keep a heavily weighted shuttlecock in the air using their feet) with friends. Also, if you follow the sound of music, you’ll come across gatherings of people who get together to sing … and they take their singing very serious (they even have a conductor). While walking through Yuexiu park, we detected a group singing “Freude schöner Götterfunken” by Beethoven. Somehow it was a bit unreal to listen to Chinese pensioners singing such a classical song …

The parks.

We’ve been to two major parks in Guangzhou: Liuhuahu park and Yuexiu park. Yuexiu park is opposite the China (Marriott) Hotel. It  has some little hills and a jungle like vegetation, so you’ll find some great hiking trails – yes, we’re talking about the bustling city of Guangzhou. If you prefer water more, Yuexiu park (as well as Liuhuahu park) also has a huge lake. You can either feed huge Koi fish with leftover bread, or take one of the paddle boats on a little spin through the water veins.

People from Guangzhou flock to their parks and for an interesting experience, visitors should do as well at least once.

Easily one of the most beautiful spots in Guangzhou is the Liuhuahu Park. This massive park encircles the Liuhua Lake.

Liuhuahu Park is split into three major areas, the first being the Sightseeing and Resting area. This area is a wonderful place to have a picnic or go for a walk or run along the edge of the lake, and is particularly beautiful in the evening when the sun is setting.

The second area of Liuhuahu Park is the Entertainment and Activities area, which has playgrounds for kids, as well as occasional public workshops or music performances.

Especially the older generation is seen at Liuhuahu Park, who keep fit with table tennis, Tai Chi or Badminton.

The last area of Liuhuahu Park is the Aviary and Botanical Garden area. The aviary houses a wide variety of birds and the botanical garden is pleasantly fragrant and well kept.

Tai Chi is an internal Chinese martial art practised for both its defense training and its health benefits.

Some of Tai Chi’s training forms are especially known for being practiced with relatively slow movement.

Many gardeners keep Liuhuahu park clean.

Feeding Koi fish at Yuexiu Park is just one of the many things you can do here.

Yuexiu Park is the largest park in downtown Guangzhou. Covering an area of 860.000 m2, it’s made up of three artificial lakes and seven hills of Yuexiu Mountain.

Yuexiu Park is a perfect combination of cultural relics and ecological tourism, reputed for its pretty water and hills as well as cultural relics.