Weeks pass and each one is different. Here we are already at May, with only a few weeks left to explore this city five times larger than Paris. This weekend will be devoted to visiting two of Guangzhou's most famous monuments, and will conclude beautifully with a cruise on the Pearl River.  

The Sun Yat Sen Memorial

  We mentioned it in our article on Sun Yat-Sen University, Professor Sun Yat Sen is a highly respected figure in Chine, particularly in Guangzhou. Regarded as the father of modern Chine, it comes as no surprise that a monument is dedicated to him. And what a monument it is!

Located south of Yuexiu Park, the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial stands proudly in the middle of its vast gardens. It was designed under the direction of architect Lu Yanzhi between 1929 and 1931 by the city's citizens, shortly after the President's death. It is a magnificent octagonal building combining both traditional and modern architecture. Its colors evoke those of the buildings in the Forbidden City in Beijing, and the fact that such a structure rests on no pillars is a genuine architectural feat.

This hall is truly the most representative monument in Guangzhou, and is today primarily used for conferences and performances. The section open to the general public consists of a series of panels recounting part of Chine's history. In front of the memorial stands a bronze statue of Sun Yat-Sen himself, intended to testify to the importance of this historical figure.

 Temple of the Six Banians

  The day continues with a visit to the Temple of the Six Banians (Liurong Si), accessible from Gongyuanqian station. Built in 537 (!), this Buddhist temple has been rebuilt several times and was named by a famous Chinese poet due to the 6 banyan trees that stood at its entrance. The entry fee is 10 yuan for foreigners—a very reasonable price. We are immediately mesmerized by the immense pagoda that dominates the courtyard.

Nicknamed the Pagoda of Flowers, it stands 57 meters tall and comprises 16 stories, containing sacred Buddhist relics. It clearly holds great significance given the number of Chinese visitors praying before it. We even had the chance to spot a young woman walking around it backwards for several minutes, though we didn't dare interrupt her ritual...

 Behind the pagoda lies the Mahavira Hall, which houses 3 large bronze Buddhist statues: Amitabha, Sakyamuni, and Bhaisajya.

The visit continues with the discovery of a memorial hall, lined with religious tablets and photos of the deceased. This comes as no surprise to us, given that we have already visited several temples and this type of hall is present in practically every one.

In the end, we were worried we wouldn't be able to complete the circuit, but the visit was done in less than half an hour. Of course, it will be more or less extended depending on your interest in Buddhist history and religion, but this temple is certainly worth seeing as a major spiritual landmark in Guangzhou.

Pearl River Cruise

  It's said that you haven't truly visited Guangzhou until you've taken a cruise on the Pearl River. Very well, we hurry to reach the Tianzi pier, just a few meters from the Haizhu Bridge. The company offers several daily tours from 7 PM to midnight, at various prices depending on whether you choose to dine on board or not. We opt for the most economical option, at around 70 yuan per person.

Off we go for a cruise lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes in total. We head up to the upper deck where several people are seated at tables, waiting for their meals to be served. We keep to ourselves to enjoy the view but are soon joined by dozens of others with the same idea. We head west, and the buildings light up as the sun sets, with the landscape transforming dramatically, as we've become used to. We regret not taking this tour earlier, given that we experience this spectacle every evening on our way home from work.

The boat soon turns around and heads east, presumably to finish near the Canton Tower. Bingo! The Chinese tourists literally bombard the television tower with their cameras, and take the opportunity to get us in their shots as well. Celebrities, we tell you...

In short, a pleasant cruise but without major surprises—as expected. Still, it's a welcome respite after a good day of walking, a chance to unwind before this new week of work ahead of us!   To view our photos of Guangzhou, feel free to visit the gallery.