An Evening Stroll Along the Pearl River
With our apartment just a stone's throw from the Pearl River, it's not uncommon for us to take a leisurely evening stroll on our way home from work.
With our apartment just a stone's throw from the Pearl River, it's not uncommon for us to take a leisurely evening stroll on our way home from work. The beauty of it is that the place is bustling at all hours, and it never ceases to surprise!
The Pearl River
As an ultra-modern city whose urban development has accelerated in recent years, Guangzhou offers a completely different spectacle at night. The veil of atmospheric pollution gives way to a constellation of lights, courtesy of neon-adorned infrastructure and buildings.
Guangzhou by night
The Pearl River (or Zhu Jiang) is a prime vantage point for taking in this panorama, literally bisecting the city and offering some of the most pleasant walks imaginable.
United under the same banner
It's also the ideal place to watch people dance, with numerous groups forming each evening to practice in perfect harmony.
Young and old alike find plenty to enjoy, as various activity stations line the riverbank—from dart games to ring toss, to the option of renting roller skates to enhance your evening stroll...
To shoot or to score?
Martial arts enthusiasts will find ample opportunity to watch open-air training sessions, whether solo or in groups.
No wonder I'm getting arthritis
All of this reinforces the sense of a Chinese community where evenings unfold in the open air, contrasting sharply with our culture where people tend to retreat indoors during the week.
The Canton Tower
If there's one landmark that captures everyone's attention in Guangzhou and can be spotted from miles away, it's the legendary Canton Tower. Inaugurated in 2009 for the Asian Games in 2010, it soars to 600 meters, making it the tallest structure in Chine at the time and the 7th highest in the world.
The Canton Tower
Beyond its impressive stature, it's the tower's distinctive spiral design and kaleidoscopic color changes that truly capture the imagination. The tower extends along the river, making it natural to continue our evening stroll to see it up close...
Once we reach the tower's base, we're besieged by a barrage of street photographers eager to snap our photo for a few yuan. It's inevitable—locals consider the spot quite touristy, and our pale complexions certainly don't help our cause. After several refusals, we eventually relent for less than €2, with the added bonus of having our photos transferred to my SD card.
A souvenir photo
Housing a shopping mall, restaurants, and even a museum, the tower is open to the public and its summit is accessible for a modest €15 per person. Despite our enthusiasm at the prospect of sweeping views over Guangzhou, we defer the visit for another time. Still, one must admit the place has its charm, though admittedly a bit flashy, and the presence of the striking Guangzhou Opera House across the river only adds to the appeal...
A decidedly modern opera house
To view our photos of Guangzhou, feel free to visit our gallery.
Frequently asked questions
The Pearl River (Zhu Jiang) runs through central Guangzhou from northeast to southwest. Several metro stations provide easy access, notably Chigang or Pazhou stations on lines 4 and 8. The riverside promenade is freely accessible at all hours.
Access to the summit of Canton Tower is ticketed and cost approximately €15 per person at the time this article was written (2011). Prices may have changed since then. It's advisable to check current rates on the Tower's official website before your visit.
Canton Tower stands at 600 meters, making it the tallest structure in Chine at the time of its inauguration in 2009, and the 7th tallest in the world. It's recognizable by its distinctive spiral design and colorful illuminations visible throughout the city.
The riverside promenade is highly animated in the evenings. You can watch dance groups, open-air martial arts training, games (darts, ring toss), and even rent roller skates. The area also offers stunning views of the city's lights and Canton Tower.
The Guangzhou Opera House is situated on the opposite bank of the Pearl River, visible from the promenade. Designed by architect Zaha Hadid, it features strikingly modern architecture. It can be visited during a performance or guided tour, located near Canton Tower.
