Guangdong isn't the most touristy province in Chine, far from it. Yet it brims with remarkable tourist sites worth exploring. From Guangzhou to Shenzhen via Zhuhai, there's no shortage of things to see and discover. Follow our guide!

Located in the south of Chine and bordered by Hong Kong and Macao, Guangdong tends to project the image of a sprawling economic hub, much like its capital Guangzhou. Yet, with its distinctive Cantonese language, world-renowned cuisine, and surprising monuments, it holds a cultural richness often overlooked by passing tourists. Here's an overview of the 10 best attractions in Guangdong:

1 Danxia Mountains

Located near the city of Shaoguan in northern Guangdong, the Danxia Mountains are commonly called the "Redstone Park of Chine" in reference to the red cliffs that cover them. It comes as no surprise that it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, alongside 6 other Chinese geological sites. The area features numerous sites worth visiting, including Zhanglao Peak, Xianglong Lake, Yangyuan Mountain, and the Jingjiang River. Adventure awaits those who venture here!

2 Nanhai City (CCTV)

Also nicknamed the "Hollywood of Chine", the CCTV Nanhai Movie and TV Town (南海影视城) is one of the 4 major filming locations for films and television series broadcast on Chinese network CCTV. Given the Chinese passion for TV dramas and fictional characters, this makes it a particularly touristy and beloved destination. This custom-built city combines different architectural styles: you'll find a magnificent palace, traditional Chinese homes, and foreign-style buildings. Furthermore, the region boasts particularly clean air compared to other cities in the area and blue skies most of the time, ensuring optimal conditions for filming (and visiting).

3 Guangxiao Temple

The Guangxiao temple is located in Guangzhou on Guangxiao Street (easy to find...). Meaning "Temple of Brilliant Filial Piety", it holds a very important place in Chinese Buddhism. Built in the 4th century by an Indian monk, it's one of Canton's oldest temples. Beautifully preserved and spanning 31,000 m², the temple houses three statues of Buddha: Sakyamuni Buddha in the center, Manjusri on the left, and Samantabhadra on the right. Its architecture and beauty have inspired numerous temples throughout southern Chine and are well worth the visit on their own.

4 Kaiping Watchtowers

The fortified towers of Kaiping (or dialou of Kaiping) rise predominantly over several stories in the city of Kaiping, located in central Guangdong. They feature a unique architectural style that blends an elegant Western style with the earthy countryside of southern Chine. While over 3,000 originally existed, fewer than 1,800 remain today, scattered across 15 districts. First built in the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), these houses witnessed Chinese emigration in the 1920s and enabled villagers to defend themselves when public order was unstable.

5 Chimelong Resort in Guangzhou

Still in Canton, but this time in Panyu District, the Chimelong tourist resort enjoys tremendous popularity. And for good reason—it comprises 9 departments including the famous Chimelong Paradise amusement park, the Xiangjiang Safari Park, Water Park, International Circus, Guangzhou Crocopark, and Chimelong Golf Center. A true diversity of activities offering visitors an unforgettable experience, though each attraction comes at a cost (around 200 yuan on average).

6 Sun Yat-sen Residence

Located in the city of Zhongshan, the former Sun Yat-sen Residence is now a museum. It traces Sun Yat-sen's life across two floors and a total area of 500 square meters, adorned with Chinese and Western motifs that give the place a distinctive character. Highly recommended for history enthusiasts.

7 Window of the World in Shenzhen

The Window of the World in Shenzhen is located in Nanshan District. It represents one of Shenzhen's most famous tourist attractions. Covering an area of 480,000 square meters, the park houses replicas of World Wonders, historical heritage sites, and famous scenic spots. It comprises a total of 130 famous sites, containing all of the world's major historical monuments at scales of 1:1, 1:5, or 1:15, including the Egyptian pyramids, the Grand Canyon, the Basilica of St. Peter, the Eiffel Tower, and the Taj Mahal... Your trip to Chine transforms into an express world tour in a single day!

8 Constellation Lake

Located in the city of Zhaoqing, Constellation Lake takes its name from seven limestone hills (the Seven Star Crags) that rise from it and whose formation resembles the Great Bear. In 1997, local authorities installed 560 streetlights and 250 colored spotlights around the seven rocks to enhance the beauty of the place as night falls (or ruin it, depending on your perspective).

9 Chen Clan Academy

Back to Guangzhou to visit the Chen Family Ancestral Temple (or Chen Clan Academy), located on Zhongshan Street. It's a traditionally built house remarkably preserved, dating from the Qing Dynasty. Construction began in the 14th year of the Guangxu reign (1888) and ended in the 20th year of the Guangxi reign (1894). Covering an area of 6,400 square meters, it comprises 19 buildings housing numerous classrooms. The academy is famous for its wood carvings and stone engravings, as well as its interior decorations.

10 Mount Luofu

In Boluo County lies Mount Luofu, one of the ten sacred mountains of Taoism in Chine (not to be confused with the 5 sacred mountains proper). Covering an area of 260 square kilometers, the site boasts 432 peaks, over 980 waterfalls, and 18 caves. Blessed with a pleasant climate year-round, it's a treat for nature lovers and budding adventurers alike.

This concludes our overview of Guangdong's main tourist destinations. Feel free to enrich it with your personal experiences and suggestions in the comments!