Guangzhou Checklist: What to do during a layover In our opinion, Guangzhou isn't a city for a long vacation. There aren't that many WOW locations, making it best suited for short layovers. ✅ If you have a 6–7 hour layover: 1. Guangzhou Xuelei Fragrance Museum with an AI twist The world's only perfume museum where you create your unique fragrance alongside artificial intelligence. You're invited to evaluate ~250 scents from around the world, and at the end, a robot crafts a personalized perfume based on your preferences. 👉🏻 Book tickets here (the museum is 20–30 minutes from the airport) ✅ If you have a 2–3 day layover: 2. Canton Tower There are observation decks offering panoramic city views, but the main highlight is the world's highest bubble tram (ferris wheel) with transparent cabins on top of the tower (we recommend timing your visit for sunset). 👉🏻 Book a combo ticket: Observation Decks + Bubble Tram + Pearl River Night Cruise Personally, we prefer admiring futuristic cities from the water rather than from above. That’s why we always recommend evening river cruises—a very popular activity in China. 👉🏻 Book your spot here 3. Scenic Tram near Canton Tower (Haizhu Tram THZ1) The tram runs along the Pearl River from Canton Tower to the Party Pier art zone—a scenic and very budget-friendly route (~$0.50). The Party Pier area is packed with familiar European-style venues (we recommend MR.Rocky bar for great craft options, snacks, and pizza). (Tickets can be purchased via QR code at the tram stop) 4. Shamian Island A cozy colonial corner of Guangzhou featuring 19th-century European architecture. It’s also home to a famous Starbucks set inside a historic mansion (when we visited, it was decorated in a "Harry Potter" theme). 5. Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (Folk Arts Museum) The architecture of the complex itself is a total masterpiece! The building is decorated with incredible wood, stone, and ivory carvings, while the inside houses a massive collection of folk art treasures. (Tickets can be purchased at the box office on-site) 6. Liwan District (Old Guangzhou) An atmospheric historical neighborhood filled with canals where the city's trading history began. 7. Dafo Temple An ancient Buddhist temple hidden among bustling shopping streets. It lights up beautifully in the evening, making it a popular spot for atmospheric photos. 8. Guangzhou Orchid Garden Featuring huge greenhouses with over 200 species of orchids, you'll find blooming varieties no matter what time of year you visit. The garden is compact and designed in a classic Chinese style—complete with ponds, bridges, and teahouses. 👉🏻 Book tickets here ✅ If you're visiting Guangzhou with kids: — Massive wildlife park 📍Chimelong Safari Park — Oceanarium 📍Grandview Aquarium