An important trade center on the Pearl River, the Guangdong capital is an intriguing blend of historic treasures and modern marvels. Check out avant-garde architecture such as the iconic Zaha Hadid-designed Guangzhou Opera House, the multilayered Guangdong Museum, and the soaring Canton Tower. Admire Chinese art at the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, visit the Gothic Sacred Heart Cathedral Museum, and tour a 2,000-year-old tomb at the Western Han Dynasty Mausoleum of the Nanyue King. Immerse yourself in local culture by popping into a restaurant or teahouse in the charming, European-style Shamian Island neighborhood and perusing the interesting wares at the Qingping Chinese Medicine Market. Take in the area’s stunning natural beauty with a hike up breathtaking Baiyun Mountain or a cruise along the mighty Pearl River. If you’re here with kids, see the giant pandas and white tigers at Chimelong Safari Park and enjoy the rides and colorful performances at Chimelong Paradise.