Guangzhou 2012: Guangdong Museum

On the same day that we roamed around the landmarks of Guangzhou, we also visited the interestingly-designed Guangdong museum.  Honestly, I am not a museum-going type of person but figuring that China has a very rich culture and history, I might as well immerse myself while I was there.

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Guangzhou 2012: Opera House and Canton Tower

Continuing my Guangzhou experience, I will focus this time on the sights and skyscrapers, which, for me, are the best part. In my previous post, I shared with you that we stayed at Hilton Hotel Tianhe. Though I didn’t get to take a lot of photos of my room, here is my shot of my view of Guangzhou from my floor-to-ceiling windows. I especially love that gold-colored glass building.

It was a bit of a gloomy day that time. At first, I thought it was just the typical smoggy skies of anywhere in China until it drizzled a bit. I didn’t mind. We just took a cab to where Guangzhou’s Opera House was. Thanks to our translator who wrote in advance the address in Chinese characters, we didn’t get lost.

Before we beheld the architectural beauty that was the Opera house, I managed to take a few photos of the surrounding business-gray buildings. They all almost looked the same.

The taxi dropped us off within a few steps from the Opera House. With it’s unique shape amidst the uniform buildings, you couldn’t miss it.

It looks like a space ship, if you ask me.

We weren’t able to go inside as it was closed. We just roamed around its perimeter and I found this artistically-wrought iron sculpture of a mother carrying her child. Also, we can see the Canton Tower in the background. We will be going there next.

Oh, but before the Canton Tower, we also went to the Guangdong Museum, which is very near the Opera House. I’ll be writing separate post for the museum.

Now, we’re on our way to the Canton Tower. It seemed so near but being very tall (2000 ft), it’s actually a cab-ride away.

We just enjoyed strolling around and looking a the directions.

The red brick road, which will hopefully lead us to our destination.

This one, I found unusual. What would be a statue of a peanut be doing around Guangzhou? Up to now, it’s an unsolved mystery.

We arrived at the base of Canton Tower and bought our tickets. There are different prices depending on the height you want to reach and if you want meals included.

The elevator ride was exhilarating (read: scary)! Here’s a view from the top.

… and then some more.

In this glass encasement, you get to have your photo taken by the camera propped overhead, and this photo can be claimed at the lobby.

One more shot of me beneath the Canton Tower!

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Guangzhou 2012: Where to Stay and Eat

Guangzhou is China’s most developed southern city.  I went here and would have forgotten that I was in China if not for the obvious Chinese characters everywhere.  Okay, okay, it’s impossible to forget.  But the reason for my saying so was that my stay here was ultra-westernized.  I stayed at a modern upscale hotel and ate western food.  For a little over a week, I won’t be an authority on Chinese culture and authenticity.  The best I could do is to share where I laid my little head to rest each night and where I had enjoyable nibbles (more like gobbles).  

I didn’t specifically choose this hotel but that you to whoever did.  This is by far my most favorite hotel that I have ever stayed at, including those during travels that I have done but not yet posted.  Hilton Guangzhou Tianhe. 

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