Guangzhou|Shawan Ancient Town · Didn't expect Guangzhou to have a place like this
👍Recommended reasons:
Shawan Ancient Town
Located south of Shiqiao, Panyu District, with a history of over 800 years.
The ancient town was founded in the Southern Song Dynasty and was once part of a bay.
After centuries of land reclamation,
it formed the landscape we see today.
Shawan Ancient Town is not only rated as a "Chinese Historical and Cultural Town",
but also a national 4A tourist attraction.
📍Detailed address:
Beicun, Shawan Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province.
High-speed rail/airplane✈️:
- Guangzhou South Station (high-speed rail station) is about 1 hour by car.
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is about 2 hours by car.
Self-driving🚙:
- From Guangzhou: Dongxin Expressway (Shawan exit) → Shiliang Road (4.5 km towards Shawan) → Daxiangyong Road → Shawan Ancient Town.
- Detailed expressway routes are also available from Shenzhen, Dongguan, Zhuhai, etc. (refer to the self-driving guide in the search results).
🚌Public transportation:
- Metro Line 3 to Shiqiao Station Exit B, transfer to "Fan 67 bus" to "Shawan Ancient Town South Gate" or "Liugengtang Station".
- You can also take buses "Fan 6, Fan 7, Fan 12, Fan 68" to reach there.
🎫Ticket information:
- Free: Ancient town streets, oyster shell walls, etc.
- Combined ticket (40 RMB): includes Liugengtang, He Binglin Academician Memorial Hall, and other attractions.
⏰Best visiting time:
- Spring and autumn (October to December): pleasant climate, suitable for strolling.
- Night tour (lights on after 18:30 on Fridays/Saturdays): Lantern Street and Wenfeng Tower night view are magical.
👍Recommended attractions:
✅Liugengtang (He Clan Ancestral Hall):
- One of the largest folk ancestral halls in Guangdong, covering 7,200 square meters, integrating Lingnan crafts such as wood carving, brick carving, and gray sculpture. In front of the hall stands an ancient "Doctor Cedar" tree symbolizing "talents emerging in succession."
✅Wenfeng Tower:
- The highest point in the ancient town, you can climb the tower to overlook the panorama, perfect for photos, especially at sunset.
✅Oyster Shell Wall:
- Ming Dynasty architectural wisdom, built with oyster shells mixed with yellow mud, located near Anning Square, free to visit.
✅Shawan Guangdong Music Museum:
- Learn about the story of the "Three Heroes of Shawan He Clan," experience yangqin and gaohu performances, and try on opera costumes for photos.
🤩Special experiences:
Intangible cultural heritage activities:
✅- Piaose Parade (holiday limited): National intangible cultural heritage, children stand in mid-air to perform folk legends, usually held during Spring Festival, National Day, and other holidays.
✅- Handicraft workshops: experience brick carving rubbings, gray sculpture gilding, DIY Shawan lanterns.
✅Study tour fair:
- Fun study activities from July to August, such as making ginger milk custard, fish lanterns, fish skin dumplings, etc. Graduates can redeem free combined tickets for the exhibition halls.
✅Food recommendations:
Shawan Ginger Milk Custard:
✅- Recommended shops: Qinfangyuan, Milk Queen (main store).
✅Climbing Jinshan:
- Carp fish maw + steamed rice with preserved meat, paired with lotus leaf fragrance, available at Milk Queen.
✅Fish Lantern Congee:
- Bone-removed carp fish congee served with fried dough sticks, a local breakfast staple.
🏨Accommodation recommendations:
Shuyue Meisu:
- Features: Newly opened in 2024, high-quality bedding, free parking, ancient costume experience, within walking distance to the ancient town.
Xiya Hotel:
- Advantages: Close to the scenic area (3 minutes walk), modern facilities, including self-service laundry and giant screen projection rooms.
Yunshang Meisu:
- Cost-effective: Newly opened in 2025, budget-friendly, suitable for travelers with limited budgets.
✅Summary:
Shawan Ancient Town perfectly combines historical architecture, traditional culture, and food experiences, making it an excellent place to understand Lingnan culture 🤩🤩