One Day Shunde Tour from Guangzhou

This morning, your private guide and driver will meet you at your self-booked hotel in Guangzhou, and then escort you on an hour-long private car ride to Shunde, a charming water town renowned for its local-style, serene classical gardens.

Upon arrival, let’s start from the Qinghui Garden, a four-century-old masterpiece of classical Chinese gardens. Make a beeline for the impressive Boat Hall, a two-story brick-and-wood building that looks like a sailing boat with its prow elegantly raised, as if ready to head towards the distance. Take a moment to explore Bixi Thatched Cottage, the garden’s oldest abode. Admire its tasteful front door, intricately carved with green bamboo patterns, which have long symbolized the scholarly spirit of integrity, modesty, and indifference to fame and fortune in China. Turn your attention to the screen doors, inscribed with the Chinese character “longevity” rendered in various ancient scripts. With your guide showing you the standard writing of this character, you may distinguish the subtle nuances among these scripts.  As you loiter around the Cloud-Enjoying Pavilion, you’ll behold lots of oddly shaped rocks, from yellow wax stones to stalactites, dotted around the calm pond. If you’d like to enjoy a sweeping view of the garden’s close-knit layout and meandering pathways, make your way to its highest point, the 12.8-meter-high (42-foot-high) Fenglai Hill, erected from nearly 3,000 tons of solid granite.

Afterward, continue our journey to Bijiang Golden House, a 180-year-old architectural gem renowned for its intricate woodwork gilded with gold leaf. From your guide, you’ll learn that this residence, a former study for a noble local official’s family, comes with a fascinating legend, which the Chinese call  “Hiding a Beauty in the Golden House”: the daughter of a senior official married into this family and was kept here secretly by her husband to share his scholarly life. Stepping inside, carefully appreciate the rosewood furniture and screens with mirror-smooth surfaces, where shiny gold leaf lends each one an air of regal grandeur. You’ll also marvel at the exquisite woodcarving craftsmanship of that era, where flowers, birds, insects, or fish are delicately carved within a limited space, all rendered in lively and lifelike detail.

Let’s then move on to Baolin Temple, a Buddhist sanctuary standing silently for 1,084 years. A local saying goes, “Shunde came after Baolin Temple”, which is a powerful testament to its enduring heritage. The entire complex is perched against the mountainside with ancient trees and clear springs. Stepping inside feels like entering a scroll painting of harmony between human and nature. Through the gate, you’ll be greeted by a huge, smiling statue of the Maitreyan Buddha. When gentle sunlight falls upon his golden figure, a sense of calm and ease will wrap around your heart. Climb 119 stone steps directly to the Mahavira Hall, where you may hear the solemn, devout chanting of scriptures. And wander into the Arhat Hall to see which of the 500 uniquely posed arhats you feel the strongest connection with. Also, proceed to a viewing platform for a panorama of the temple and its surroundings. 

As we drive past Mt. Shunfeng Park, an urban oasis for locals, take memorial photos of its majestic three-span archway at its entrance. Acclaimed as China’s Premier Archway, it captivates you with magnificent patterns, immense scale, and superb stone craftsmanship.

After that, your day in Shunde will conclude. Your guide and driver will accompany you on a 1-hour drive back to your hotel in Guangzhou. Hope you had a good time with us! Fancy an in-depth exploration of Shunde’s historical sites and delectable Cantonese food? Feel free to contact our travel consultants for a tailored itinerary!

► Recommended Nighttime Activities in Guangzhou (at your own expense):
Once back in Guangzhou, you can explore Binjiang West Road and loiter along the riverside at your own pace. En route, spot century-old landmarks like the neoclassical Guangzhou Customs Museum and Oi Kwan Hotel modeled after typical American skyscrapers. Make your way to the fourth-floor terrace at Lumina Guangzhou, which offers sweeping landscapes of the Pearl River and the Canton Tower. If you’d like to experience a Pearl River night cruise, Tianzi Wharf sits just nearby.