The southeast suburbs of Guangzhou are full of fascinating attractions that make ideal places for a weekend getaway.

The Higher Education Mega Center in this area, for example, offers a lot to explore. The large university complex spreads over the entire Xiaoguwei Island (小谷围岛) in Panyu district and houses campuses of 10 universities.

Though the campuses are closed to the public for pandemic concerns, a trip to the following sites around the University Town still would make your time worthwhile.

1. Guangdong Science Center (广东科学中心）

Photo/www.gdsc.cn

Guangdong Science Center is a public-benefit institution aimed at spreading scientific knowledge, displaying scientific achievements, and offering a platform for academic communication.

It boasts 13 science halls with considerable scientific equipment, 4 technology theaters, a number of ultra-realistic movable dinosaur models, a science park with a large lake, and tens of outdoor exhibitions, inviting curious minds to explore a technological world full of fun.

Website: http://www.gdsc.cn/en/

Opening hours: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday

Ticket price: 60 yuan for adults, 30 yuan for students, free for seniors aged 65 or above and children no older than 6

Address: No.168 Kepu lu, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Panyu district

2. The Memorial Museum of 1911 Revolution（辛亥革命纪念馆）

Photo/www.xhgmjng.com

 The museum has a themed exhibition telling the heroic deeds of 56 leaders in therevolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, which overthrew China's last imperial dynasty, the Qing Dynasty, and established the Republic of China. 

More than 62 precious collections of historical relics are displayed in the museum, including Sun Yat-sen's codebook and the commemorative coin of the founding of the Republic of China.  

Website: https://www.xhgmjng.com/

Opening hours: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday

Address: Jinzhou Beilu, Changzhou Island, Huangpu district

3. Museum of the Huangpu Military Academy（黄埔军校旧址纪念馆）

Photo/WhampoaMilitaryAcademy

The Huangpu(Whampoa) Military Academy was established by Sun Yat-sen in 1924 to train revolutionary armies to save China in peril. It helped train many well-known leaders and military commanders of Kuomintang and the Communist Party of China in modern Chinese history.

The museum, set in the academy, has a rich collection of historical relics including written works, pictures, and monuments that tell a good story of the Chinese revolutionary history.

WeChat official account: WhampoaMilitaryAcademy

Opening hours: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday

Ticket price: Tickets available for free with valid ID documents

Address: No.170 Junxiao lu, Changzhou Island, Huangpu district

4. Lingnan Impression Park（岭南印象园）

Photo/nfapp.southcn.com

Tucked away in the suburban Lianxi Village (练溪村), Lingnan Impression Park is characterized by its houses, streets, and ancestral halls in traditional Cantonese styles. Authentic Cantonese delicacies, artworks, crafts, and traditional architecture provide visitors a window into the distinctive Lingnan culture.

Opening hours: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Ticket price: 60 yuan (ticket sale ends at 4:30 p.m.)

Address: Waihuan Xilu, Higher Education Mega Center, Panyu district

5. GOGO shopping mall（GOGO新天地）

Photo/gogo517517.com

As the biggest modern shopping complex in the area, GOGO shopping mall is a paradise for foodies and shoppers. Various kinds of food are available on the third floor, and many types and styles of inexpensive and high-quality clothes can be purchased on the first two floors.

Website: http://www.gogo517517.com/

Opening hours: 11:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m. daily

Address: Beigang Village, Higher Education Mega Center, Panyu district

6. Xiaozhou Village（小洲村）

Photo/WeChat official account of Xiaozhou Village

Established in the late Yuan Dynasty and early Ming Dynasty and surrounded by water, Xiaozhou Village, also called "Yingzhou" (the mythological fairyland) in olden times, is an ancient waterside village featuring Lingnan culture. It is also called Xiaozhou Art Village as it is one of the favorite places for contemporary artists who live there to seek inspiration and pursue a creative career. When you walk into the village, you can see various historical sites and cultural relics, including oyster shell houses, temples, bluestone roads, and ancestral halls, which create a soothing and tranquil vibe.

Website: http://www.xzcyou.com/ 

Address: Xiaozhou Art Village, Huazhou lu, Haizhu district

7. Central Lake Park（中心湖公园）