Travel, Entertainment & Lifestyle
Where to go when the meetings end — a locals' pick of Guangzhou and Hong Kong for international business travellers, from Cantonese classics to the harbour after dark.
Ask us to shape your Guangzhou / Hong Kong trip We live here. Tell us your dates, your business schedule and what kind of down-time you like, and we put together a trip — meetings by day, restaurants and views by night, plus factory visits or Canton Fair support if you need them.
Guangzhou
Attractions & culture
Canton Tower (广州塔)
Why go The 600 m twisting silhouette that defines the Guangzhou skyline; two observation decks, a Ferris wheel on top and skyli
The 600 m twisting silhouette that defines the Guangzhou skyline; two observation decks, a Ferris wheel on top and skyline bars.
Address / area Haizhu District
When to go Evening for night views
Getting there Metro Line 3 / APM — Canton Tower station
Local tip Ride the observation deck around sunset for both daytime river views and the light show over the Pearl River.
Shamian Island (沙面岛)
Why go A colonial-era river island of European villas, tree-lined avenues and quiet cafés — the historical port face of Guangzh
A colonial-era river island of European villas, tree-lined avenues and quiet cafés — the historical port face of Guangzhou.
Address / area Liwan District (Shamian Island)
When to go Morning or golden hour
Getting there Metro Line 1 — Huangsha station
Local tip Walk it, then cross to Qingping Market for one of China's most famous herbal-medicine streets.
Food & dining
Cantonese dim sum — Guangzhou's daily ritual
Why go Try classic tea houses like Tao Tao Ju and Guangzhou Restaurant. Shrimp dumplings (har gow), char siu bao and pineapple
Try classic tea houses like Tao Tao Ju and Guangzhou Restaurant. Shrimp dumplings (har gow), char siu bao and pineapple bun with butter are the canon.
Address / area Yuexiu District (old town)
When to go 10:00–14:00 for yum cha
Getting there Metro Line 1 — Chen Clan Academy station
Local tip Go with the flow: point at a passing trolley, mark the card, and repeat until you can't.
Shopping
Beijing Road pedestrian street (北京路)
Why go Century-old pedestrian shopping street with a glass floor over excavated Ming and Song road layers — malls, tea shops, s
Century-old pedestrian shopping street with a glass floor over excavated Ming and Song road layers — malls, tea shops, street food and Cantonese dessert houses.
Address / area Yuexiu District
When to go Late afternoon into evening
Getting there Metro Line 1 / 2 — Gongyuanqian station
Local tip Duck into any dessert shop for a bowl of red-bean or coconut-milk sweet soup — Cantonese dessert heaven.
Entertainment & nightlife
Zhujiang New Town skybars & Pearl River cruise
Why go The CBD around the Canton Tower turns into a light show at night. Rooftop bars in the Four Seasons and skyscrapers, or a
The CBD around the Canton Tower turns into a light show at night. Rooftop bars in the Four Seasons and skyscrapers, or a river cruise from Dashatou pier.
Address / area Zhujiang New Town
When to go After sunset
Getting there Metro Line 3 — Zhujiang New Town
Local tip For photos, cross to Ersha Island — the classic tower shot with river in the foreground.
Parks & nature
Yuexiu Park & Five-Ram Statue (越秀公园)
Why go Guangzhou's biggest urban park, home to the city's founding legend, Ming-dynasty city wall and the Zhenhai Tow
Guangzhou's biggest urban park, home to the city's founding legend, Ming-dynasty city wall and the Zhenhai Tower museum.
Address / area Yuexiu District
When to go Weekday morning
Getting there Metro Line 2 — Yuexiu Park station
Local tip Start with the Zhenhai Tower on the top of the hill; the city view alone is worth the climb.
Baiyun Mountain (白云山)
Why go The forested hill on the city's north edge — cable car to the top, walking trails and city panoramas.
The forested hill on the city's north edge — cable car to the top, walking trails and city panoramas.
Address / area Baiyun District
When to go Weekday morning
Getting there Metro Line 2 — Baiyun Park + cable car
Local tip Come on a weekday for peace and to actually hear the birds.
For business travellers
Business-dinner picks near CBD
Why go Bing Sheng (炳胜) and Yu Yue Heen (愉粤轩, Four Seasons) are the standard Cantonese business tables. For a stately Chinese ba
Bing Sheng (炳胜) and Yu Yue Heen (愉粤轩, Four Seasons) are the standard Cantonese business tables. For a stately Chinese banquet, the Cantonese rooms at the Mandarin Oriental.
Address / area Tianhe / Zhujiang New Town
When to go Business dinner
Getting there Metro Line 3 — Zhujiang New Town
Local tip For a Cantonese lunch that impresses without shouting money, try Lai Heen at the Ritz-Carlton.
Hong Kong
Attractions & culture
The Peak (太平山) & Peak Tram
Why go Hong Kong's classic view — take the Peak Tram up and walk the Peak Circle for one of the most photographed skylines
Hong Kong's classic view — take the Peak Tram up and walk the Peak Circle for one of the most photographed skylines on earth.
Address / area Central / Peak
When to go Clear evening
Getting there MTR — Central + Peak Tram
Local tip Aim for weekdays or late; the queue at weekends is long — book Peak Tram tickets online.
Star Ferry & Victoria Harbour skyline
Why go HK$5 buys you the world's most cinematic harbour crossing on a green-and-white ferry that has run since 1888. Combi
HK$5 buys you the world's most cinematic harbour crossing on a green-and-white ferry that has run since 1888. Combine with the 8pm 'Symphony of Lights'.
Address / area Tsim Sha Tsui / Central
When to go Sunset
Getting there MTR — Tsim Sha Tsui or Central
Local tip Sit on the top deck facing Hong Kong Island for the best skyline sweep.
Hong Kong Disneyland & Ocean Park
Why go Two family-favourite theme parks — Disney on Lantau Island, Ocean Park with cable cars over the south side of the island
Two family-favourite theme parks — Disney on Lantau Island, Ocean Park with cable cars over the south side of the island.
Address / area Lantau / Aberdeen
When to go Full day
Getting there MTR — Sunny Bay (Disney) / Ocean Park Express
Local tip A half-day per park is enough for a business-trip add-on with kids.
M+ museum & Palace Museum in West Kowloon
Why go The West Kowloon cultural district: M+ is Asia's answer to Tate Modern; the Hong Kong Palace Museum shows Beijing F
The West Kowloon cultural district: M+ is Asia's answer to Tate Modern; the Hong Kong Palace Museum shows Beijing Forbidden City treasures on rotation.
Address / area West Kowloon
When to go Weekday
Getting there MTR — Kowloon or Austin
Local tip Book M+ online and allow at least three hours — it's larger than it looks.
Food & dining
Dim sum & seafood classics
Why go Lin Heung Kui and Lung King Heen (Four Seasons) for dim sum ranges; Under Bridge Spicy Crab in Wan Chai for the pepper-c
Lin Heung Kui and Lung King Heen (Four Seasons) for dim sum ranges; Under Bridge Spicy Crab in Wan Chai for the pepper-crab ritual.
Address / area Sheung Wan / Central
When to go 10:00–14:00
Getting there MTR — Sheung Wan
Local tip For Lung King Heen book a month ahead and specifically ask for the harbour-side room.
Shopping
Mong Kok markets (Ladies' Market & Sneaker Street)
Why go The most compressed shopping district on earth: Ladies' Market for souvenirs, Sneaker Street for footwear, side str
The most compressed shopping district on earth: Ladies' Market for souvenirs, Sneaker Street for footwear, side streets for electronics and vinyl.
Address / area Mong Kok, Kowloon
When to go Late afternoon into night
Getting there MTR — Mong Kok
Local tip Bargain expected — start at 30–40% off, walk if you're not sure.
Entertainment & nightlife
Temple Street Night Market
Why go Neon-lit Kowloon street with clay-pot rice stalls, seafood, fortune tellers and karaoke — old Hong Kong in one loud walk
Neon-lit Kowloon street with clay-pot rice stalls, seafood, fortune tellers and karaoke — old Hong Kong in one loud walk.
Address / area Yau Ma Tei
When to go 19:00–23:00
Getting there MTR — Yau Ma Tei / Jordan
Local tip Sit down at a claypot-rice stall and order the salted-fish-and-chicken version — a classic.
Parks & nature
Repulse Bay & Stanley
Why go The south-side beaches with the classic Hong Kong seaside villas; Stanley's promenade and market close by.
The south-side beaches with the classic Hong Kong seaside villas; Stanley's promenade and market close by.
Address / area Southern District
When to go Warm months
Getting there Bus 6 from Central
Local tip Combine both in one afternoon by taking the bus loop from Central — Repulse first, Stanley for dinner.
For business travellers
Business-dinner picks (Central & TST)
Why go Lung King Heen (Four Seasons) is the three-Michelin standard; Amber (Landmark Mandarin Oriental) for European; Aqua at I
Lung King Heen (Four Seasons) is the three-Michelin standard; Amber (Landmark Mandarin Oriental) for European; Aqua at ICC for a harbour view.
Address / area Central / Wan Chai / Tsim Sha Tsui
When to go Business dining
Getting there MTR — Central
Local tip Reservations at least a month ahead for the Michelin tables; book harbour-view seats explicitly.
Places and hours change. Reconfirm before a dedicated visit or ask us the day before.