What do you do for fun on weekends? Want some exercise while enjoying views of Guangzhou? Silk Road Post recommends 10 top cycling routes for you to explore the city in a relaxing and low-carbon way.
1
Zhujiang New Town→Ersha Island→Haiyin Bridge→Binjiang Lu→Taigucang Wharf (or Butterfield & Swire's Godowns & Wharf)
珠江新城→二沙岛→海印桥→滨江路→太古仓
Taigucang Wharf [Photo/Southcn.com]
Distance: 13km
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Scenery: ★★★★★
You may start from Canton Tower, the city landmark, cycle along and across the Pearl River, and reach Ersha Island where the Xinghai Concert Hall and Guangdong Museum of Art stand on a vast expanse of lush greenery. Approaching dusk, you can cycle to the Haiyin Bridge to enjoy the breeze coming from the river and take in the night view of the city, before riding along the river to Taigucang Wharf, an old warehouse area which has been transformed into a cultural zone full of charm, creativity, nostalgia and modernity.
2
Guangzhou Dadao→Siyou Xin Malu→Xinhepu Lu→Donghu Lu→Haiyin Qiaodi→Datong Lu→Ersha Island→Guangzhou Bridge→Linjiang Dadao
广州大道→寺右新马路→新河浦路→东湖路→海印桥底→大通路→二沙岛→广州大桥→临江大道
Dongshankou. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]
Distance: about 8km
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
Scenery: ★★★★☆
Cycling across streets in Dongshankou, the old city downtown, then all the way to the new central axis of Guangzhou, you may feel like traveling from past to present. When you are in Dongshankou, don’t miss the western-style brick mansions with subtle elements of art deco from the 1920s. The Kui Yuan Gallery(逵园), Tung Shan Christian Church(东山堂), and the Pui Ching Middle School(培正中学), among others, are popular photo spots.
3
Guanzhou station (metro line 4)→Bio Island Park→Shuimo Garden→Xiaozhou Village art zone→Xiaozhou Village
官洲地铁站→生物岛公园→水墨园→小洲村艺术区→小洲村
Riverside bicycle track on Bio Island. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]
Distance: about 8 km
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
Scenery: ★★★☆☆
[Photo/Guangzhou Daily]
Guangzhou International Bio Island is a big suburban garden surrounded by the Pearl River in Huangpu district, and a real retreat from the city downtown. Built with the standard of international first-class gardens, the island boasts picturesque garden views and a circling riverside cycle track. The centuries-old Xiaozhou village nearby also will relax body and mind with its tranquil vibe and classic Lingnan architectural styles.
4
Exit B of Higher Education Mega Center North station (metro line 4)→Waihuan Lu (outer ring)
大学城北站B出口—外环
The Central Lake in the Higher Education Mega Center.
[Photo/Guangzhou Daily]
Distance: about 15 km
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Scenery: ★★★☆☆
The Higher Education Mega Center boasts a greenway of about 32 kilometers, stretching from Huanhu Lu, Neihuan Lu to Waihuan Lu, with multiple attractions and university campuses along the way, including Lingnan Impression Park and Guangdong Science Center. The Neihuan Lu also has cross-country bicycle tracks for professional bicycle tours.
5
Huahai street (greenway along Huadi River)→Xingyu Lu→Dongsha Port→Guangzhou Circle→Donglang→Fangcun Dadao→Julong Ancient Village→Bai’e Tan Square
花海街(花地河绿道)→兴鱼路→东沙港→广州圆大厦→东塱→芳村大道→聚龙古村→白鹅潭广场
Greenway along Huadi River. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]
Distance: about 20 km
Difficulty: ★★★★☆
Scenery: ★★★☆☆
Julong Ancient Village is a well-preserved village from the Qing Dynasty, with a history of over 110 years. Walking or cycling around Julong's alleyways, visitors can explore the unique layout of houses with typical Lingnan styles and admire the rural scenery around. The neighborhood around Bai’e Tan has been renovated and transformed into modern art blocks. Shiweitang, a small section of abandoned railway, is an especially popular place with photobugs.
6
The 2nd Workers' Cultural Palace→Binjiang Lu→Renmin Bridge→Shamian Island→Xiguan Mansion→Yide Lu→Sacred Heart Cathedral→Haizhu Square
市二宫→滨江路→人民桥→沙面→西关大屋→一德路→圣心大教堂→海珠广场
Shamian Island
Photos: Nanfang Metropolis Daily; SOHO Guangzhou
Distance: about 12 km
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Scenery: ★★★★☆
Shamian Island has witnessed the ups and downs of Guangzhou’s modern history. It is a popular place for sightseeing, with lines of European-style buildings from the French and British concessions in the 19th century. After a leisurely tour around Shamian Ialand, you can cycle by Yide Lu(一德路) to buy some dried seafood or simply experience a bit of the daily life of locals in the old neighborhood. When you ride past Changdi Damalu, the ‘Bund’ of Guangzhou, don’t miss some of the old landmarks of the city—Ai Kun Hotel (爱群大厦), Nanfang Dasha Hotel (南方大厦) and Xidi Wharf (西堤码头).
7
Dafushan Forest Park
大夫山森林公园
Dafushan Forest Park. [Photo/Panyu Daily]
Distance: about 10 km
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
Scenery: ★★★☆☆
Hailed as the oxygen bar of Panyu District, Dafushan Forest Park, hugged by mountains and dotted everywhere with artificial lakes, is a wonderful getaway from the city's downtown. It's a treat to ride past the picturesque natural scenery and take a breath of the negative ions, let alone share leisure activities with family and friends there—hiking, flying kites, barbecuing, fishing and boating.
8
Haiou (seagull) Island
海鸥岛
Haiou Island. [Photo/Zhi hu]
Difficulty: ★★★★☆
Scenery: ★★★☆☆
Tucked away in the eastern suburb of Panyu district, Haiou (seagull) Island boasts multiple streams and idyllic rural scenery, with fish ponds, paddy fields and banana trees. You may put up a tent facing the sea, have a picnic or even barbecue, or just cycle around the island or have a leisurely stroll along the seaside path. While you are in this sector of Panyu district, you will have no problem finding popular restaurants that many customers frequently come back to.
9
Whampoa Ancient Port→Haixinsha
黄埔古港→海心沙
From the port, you may ride along the river and visit Zhujiang Party Pier Beer Culture & Art Zone, before passing through the Paizhou Bridge to reach Haixinsha, the venue of the 2010 Asian Games.
10
Zengjiang Gallery
增江画廊
Zengjiang Gallery greenway [Photo/Guangzhou Forestry Bureau]
Distance: about 40 km
Difficulty: ★★★★★
Scenery: ★★★☆☆
Zengjiang Gallery got its name from the picturesque scenery along the Zengjiang River. It starts from the Chuxi Water Conservancy Facility, winds across Baihu Village and then stretches to Huaxin Island Scenic Spot. The route, lined with flower trees blooming all year round, is like a gigantic scroll of landscape painting, which makes a bicycle tour along here relaxing and delightful.
Source: WeChat “广州发布” (ID: ZGGZFABU); photos from various sources.
Author/Editor: Sophia