Guangzhou – home to 14 million people – is a livable city balancing modern living with a relaxed and traditional way of life. In the 2,000-year history of the Maritime Silk Road, the city was one of largest coastal ports in the country and dubbed China’s Oriental Harbor City. Thanks to the essential and absolute geographic advantage that Guangzhou possesses, nowadays it is still a foreign trade hub and has a burgeoning center for industry.

A recent report released by the United Nations selected Guangzhou as China's most livable city. Locals are fond of saying that the ultimate prize for visitors to the southern city is to obtain a sense of feeling alive. That is why you should visit the giant metropolis to experience the laid-back vibe that has been carefully preserved.

Here are our recommendations of places worth of discovering if you ever plan to make a 72-hour visa-free stopover in Guangzhou.

Looking for thrills? Explore the joyful world in Chimelong Paradise, a themed amusement park in the bustling area of Panyu Avenue that is the largest of its kind in China. Chimelong Paradise is equipped with diverse parade performances, stunt theaters, ecological recreations, and specialty catering and theme shops. For thrill-seekers, over 70 sets of thrilling rides will surely satisfy adventurous appetites.

But if amusement parks are not your thing, then don’t miss the incredible wildlife in Chimelong Safari Park. Also, you can choose to dabble in the Chimelong Water Park or laugh along with Chimelong International Circus shows.

Among Guangzhou's dazzling skyscraper clusters, Canton Tower has turned itself into the new landmark of the metropolis. The television and viewing tower at 610 meters is currently the tallest tower in China and the second-highest in the world. Situated at the south bank of the Pearl River, Canton Tower offers a fabulous panoramic view of the city as well as an awe-inspiring adventure. After sunset, the tower is illuminated in an array of colorful LED lights, the most highly visible feature of the Guangzhou skyline at night.

You might find the city is a huge foodie hub filled with delicious dishes from all over the world. However, the local Cantonese food is what truly shows off the great taste of the city.

In Guangzhou, brunch has been a tradition at social gatherings for many generations. Be sure to sample dim sum, a brunch meal that offers you a variety of small bite-sized portions of food, which are usually served in small steamer baskets or on small plates. The most well-known dim sum are doughy steamed buns and dumplings, such as shrimp dumpling, sweet cream bun, Shaomai, pineapple bun, and egg custard tart. 

With peaceful leafy green pedestrian streets, whitewashed churches and exotic buildings, Shamian Island is a perfect reminder of Guangzhou's complex colonial past during the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century. On both sides of the tree-lined Garden Avenue, there are more than 150 examples of European architecture, mostly of British and French styles. A relaxed trip to the island can while away half a day.

Shamian Island allows you to experience a different atmosphere and rhythm, where you can take a break from the traffic jams and exhaust pollution of the downtown area. As you take a relaxing stroll around the island, feel free to shop for some trinkets and curios, or grab a coffee and some cake at local restaurants and cafes.

Built between 1890 and 1894, the Chen Clan Academy is an academic and spiritual temple that retains its original shape with exquisite and mythical decorations. The building first served as a shrine for Chen clan ancestors as well as an academy to tutor their clansmen for the imperial examination in the late Qing Dynasty. The temple consists of a total of 19 buildings connected by corridors, with nine halls and six courtyards, exemplifying traditional Chinese architectural style in the symmetric complex.

In 1959, the Chen Clan Academy turned into a museum called the Guangdong Folk Art Museum, and the whole complex now houses remarkably well-preserved Chinese folk art, handicrafts and photo galleries.