Top Nighttime Activities in Guangzhou: A Complete Guide to the Best Night Tours

Why Guangzhou’s Nights Are Unmissable
Guangzhou, a city where millennium-old Lingnan culture dances with modern urban energy, reveals its most enchanting side after dusk. Unlike the bustling daytime crowds, its nights offer a mix of warmth (locals chatting over sugar water), romance (Pearl River’s glittering reflections), and excitement (theme park lights). From iconic Canton Tower’s glow to hidden Xiguan alleys’ lanterns, from savory street food to elegant rooftop bars – every corner tells a unique story. This blog dives deep into local-approved spots, historical context, and practical tips, helping you avoid pitfalls and make the most of your Guangzhou night tour.

Themed Night Tour Guides
Iconic Landmarks & Panoramic Night Views – Beyond the Surface
1. Canton Tower (Xiaomanyao)
· Historical & Architectural Context
*Designed by Dutch architects Mark Hemel and Barbara Kuit, the tower’s twisted shape is inspired by human hip bones – rotating the top ellipse by 45° creates its iconic "slim waist" look (Summary 4).

*Total height 600m (450m main tower + 150m antenna), ranking 3rd among the world’s tourist observation towers; it joined the "World Federation of Great Towers" in 2013 and became a national AAAA-level scenic spot (Summary 4).

· Nighttime Highlights
*Best time: 17:00-19:00 (sunset-to-night transition; avoid foggy days – the Ferris wheel (¥298) offers poor visibility, per locals).

*Local’s hack: Skip overpriced attractions like the 488m Sky Drop; choose the 450m Outdoor Observation Deck (¥228) for unobstructed skyline views.

*Special night events: During major festivals (New Year’s Eve, National Day), the tower hosts light shows synchronized with music and fireworks. For example, the 2024 New Year’s Eve show featured 10,000 LED lights and 5-minute fireworks displays at midnight.

· Nearby Photo Spots
*Haixin Bridge: Capture the "bow-and-arrow" light shape with Canton Tower as the "arrowhead" (most photogenic at 18:30-19:00, before full darkness).

*Haixinsha Park: Free panoramic view of the tower + Zhujiang New Town skyline; bring a wide-angle lens for better shots.

*Liede Bridge Pedestrian Walkway: Overlooks the tower from a side angle, with the Pearl River’s reflections adding depth. Avoid shooting after 21:00, as the bridge’s street lights may cause overexposure.

· Practical Details
*Ticket booking: Purchase tickets via the official "Canton Tower" WeChat mini-program (10% discount for advance booking 3 days prior). On-site tickets are sold until 22:00, and the tower closes at 22:30 (last entry at 21:30).

*Transportation: Take Metro Line 3/APM Line to "Canton Tower Station" (Exit B). Buses 121?121A?204?131A and 131B also reach the tower. 

*Facilities: Restrooms are available on every 10th floor of the tower; free water fountains are located on the 325m and 450m levels. There are also convenience stores (prices 1.5x higher than outside) and first-aid stations.

2. Yanjiang West Road (Guangzhou’s "Bund")
· Historical Context
*Formerly named "Xindi Dama Road," it was built in 1932 by reclaiming Pearl River shoals – a project that took 3 years and involved 10,000 workers. Renamed "Yanjiang 1st Road" in 1966 during the Cultural Revolution, and finally "Yanjiang West Road" in 1981 to distinguish it from Yanjiang East Road.

*Stretching 1.6km across Yuexiu and Liwan districts, it preserves 13 historical buildings (built between 1910-1940), including Gothic Revival, Roman, and Baroque styles. It was listed as a "Guangzhou Historical and Cultural Block" in 2015.

*Historical function: In the 1930s-1940s, it was Guangzhou’s financial and commercial center, housing foreign banks (e.g., HSBC Guangzhou Branch), department stores, and luxury hotels. It was also a key port for foreign trade, with ships from Southeast Asia docking nearby.

· Key Nighttime Landmarks
1. Canton Customs House (Big Bell Tower)
*Historical & Architectural Details
· Built in 1916 with funds from the British government (total investment 1.2 million silver dollars), designed by British architect Arthur W. Purnell. The Roman architectural style features a domed roof (covered with lead sheets) and 12 Corinthian columns.

· The bell tower’s clock mechanism was imported from Britain’s J.W. Benson & Co., weighing 5 tons. It once rang the melody of "Westminster Chimes" every 15 minutes, identical to London’s Big Ben. The ringing was suspended in the 1980s due to noise complaints from nearby residents.

*Nighttime Experience
· Lighting: Warm yellow LED lights highlight the building’s architectural contours, creating a vintage atmosphere. The clock face is illuminated with white lights, making it visible from 500 meters away.

· Visiting info: The ground floor (Canton Customs Museum) is free to visit (open 9:00-16:00, closed Mondays). Exhibits include old customs documents, foreign trade artifacts, and clock mechanism replicas.

2. Ai Qun Building
*Historical & Architectural Details 
· Completed in 1937, designed by Chinese architect Lin Keming. It blends Gothic Revival (pointed arches, spires) and Lingnan styles (verandas, tiled roofs), with a total height of 64 meters (15 floors) – the tallest building in South China until 1968 (when the Guangzhou Hotel was built).

· It was originally named "Ai Qun Hotel," the first high-rise hotel in Guangzhou with modern facilities (elevators, air conditioning, telephones). During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, it served as a temporary hospital for wounded soldiers.

*Nighttime Experience 
· Top-floor "Xinghui Restaurant": Renovated from the 1984 rotating restaurant (the first in South China). It rotates 360 degrees every 120 minutes, offering panoramic Pearl River views. Signature dishes include Cantonese braised pork and steamed garoupa.

· Booking tip: Window seats require advance booking 2 days prior (call 020-81038682). The restaurant is open 11:00-21:30; dinner peak hours are 18:30-19:30.

3. Southern Building
*Historical & Architectural Details 
· Built in 1922, designed by Australian architect A.G. Bruce. It was Guangzhou’s first skyscraper (12 floors, 47 meters tall) and the first building in South China to install an elevator. Originally named "Nanyang Building," it was renamed "Southern Building" in 1955.

· In the 1930s, it housed a department store (selling foreign goods like cosmetics and textiles), an amusement park (on the 10th floor), and a rooftop garden (with a mini zoo and fountain). It was destroyed by Japanese bombing in 1938 and rebuilt in 1954.

*Nighttime Experience
· Nighttime vibe: Ground floors (1-3) sell electronics (phones, cameras, accessories) – shops stay open until 22:00. Upper floors (4-12) are budget hotels (¥200-300/night) with river-view rooms (request rooms on the west side for better views of the Pearl River).

Local’s pick: The hotel’s 12th-floor rooftop terrace (free for guests) offers a quiet view of Yanjiang West Road’s night lights – ideal for solo travelers or couples seeking privacy.

*Nearby Nightlife & Food
· Street food: Near the intersection of Yanjiang West Road and Zhongshan 6th Road, there are late-night stalls (open 19:00-02:00) selling Cantonese snacks like fried milk (¥15), fish balls (¥10/5 pieces), and sugar water (taro soup, ¥8).

· Local’s favorite stall: "Uncle Fat’s Fried Milk" (has no signboard; look for the crowd of locals – the fried milk is crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, no preservatives added).

· Bars & lounges: "Riverside Jazz Bar" (No. 118 Yanjiang West Road) offers live jazz performances (21:00-00:00, free entry; cocktails average ¥80/person). The outdoor seating overlooks the Pearl River, perfect for relaxing with friends.

· Time-honored restaurants: "Lianxiang Lou" (No. 63 Yanjiang West Road), founded in 1889, is a national intangible cultural heritage site. Its nighttime dim sum (served 17:00-21:00) includes osmanthus cake (¥20) and lotus seed paste buns (¥18) – a favorite among elderly locals.

*Practical Details
· Transportation: Take Metro Line 6 to "Ximenkou Station" (Exit D), then walk 10 minutes west. Buses 209, 31, and 183 stop at "Yanjiang West Road Station."

· Safety tips: The section near the Pearl River is well-lit and patrolled by security guards, but avoid the narrow alleys on the north side after 22:00 (poor lighting). Keep valuables safe in crowded areas (e.g., street food stalls).

· Photography restrictions: Drone flying is prohibited near the Canton Customs House (it’s a historical protected building); violation may result in a ¥500 fine.