Bright Filial Piety Temple (光孝寺)

The Bright Filial Piety Temple is the oldest Buddhist temple in Guangzhou, with a history dating back more than 1,700 years. It is said that it has a longer history than the city of Guangzhou. 

The temple holds an important place in Buddhist history. Huineng, the sixth master of the Zen Sect of Buddhism, had his hair cut and was initiated into monkhood there. In the temple there is also a pagoda where Huineng's hair was buried.

The architecture of the temple and cultural relics provide insight into the history of Chinese Buddhism, culture, and architecture as well as the local history of Guangdong Province.

Address: No. 109 Guangxiao Road

How to get there: Take bus No. 4, 88, 186, 250 or 823 and get off at Ximenkou Station.

Admission: 5 yuan.

Hours: 6:30-17:00

Website: http://www.gzgxs.org/index.aspx (in Chinese)

 Shamian Island (沙面)

Shamian Island is a sandbank island in Liwan District, Guangzhou, dotted with various historical buildings. From the Song and the Qing Dynasty, the island served as an important port for foreign trade. From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, most of the public facilities, including consulates, churches and schools, banks and offices, were finished. Now, the community has been restored to its former splendor. 

Shamian is a good place to experience European-style architecture. It is just 900m long from east to west and 300m from south to north. 42 out of the 150 buildings exhibit gothic, baroque, and neoclassical styles.

Address: Liwan District, Guangzhou

How to get there: Take bus No. 9, 38, 105, 208, 219, 236, 270 or 556 and get off at Huangsha Wharf Station.

Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family (Chen Clan Academy) (陈家祠)

The Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family is an academic and spiritual temple in Guangzhou. The structure was finished in 1894 with the money donated by the Chen family. The temple consists of 19 buildings with nine halls and six courtyards, connected by corridors. It exemplifies traditional Chinese architectural style and has been well preserved. 

The temple was listed as key cultural relic under state protection in 1988. It now also houses the Guangdong Folk Art Museum, which features a large number of works from southern China including wood carvings and pottery.

Address: No. 34 Enlong Lane, Zhongshan 7th Road

How to get there: Take bus No. 85, 88, 104, 107, 109, 114, 128, 193, 204, 233, 250, 260, 268 or 286 and get off at Chen Clan Academy Station.

Admission: 20 yuan.

Hours: 8：30－17：30

Tel: 86-20- 81814559