Day 5--November 19, 2014 Guangzhou
We would be spending the whole day right here in Guangzhou today. Breakfast at the hotel was plentiful with more than enough choices, but it was a little cramped with so many patrons there. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our breakfast before a busy day touring the city.
A shot of the hotel garden from the breakfast area.
Scenes from our hotel room
The city of Guangzhou as our bus drove through.
Guangzhou train station
First stop for the day--jade/jewelry shop.
Next, we were taken to the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, a popular attraction in this city. We had been here a couple of times before and had the opportunities to go inside. It was not too disappointing that we were only given time to take pictures of the exterior of this building.
Then, the Yueh Shiu Park where the statue of the '5 goats/rams' is located. Guangzhou is nicknamed as the city of goats/rams.
Leaving the park
Lunch was at this very busy restaurant for dim sum. Dim sum was served in big plates, a very unusual manner.
I thought what was written on this chalkboard was interesting. This is apparently for the employees of the restaurant--"You are hired to solve problems, not to create them."
Some menu items posted outside the restaurant.
We then had some free time at the pedestrian street--Upper and Lower 9th Road. We came here a few years back and kind of knew our way around. This is actually an interesting place for people-watching.
We shopped a little and enjoyed some snacks at an eatery where we had been before.
A long line of people waiting to get inside this restaurant. Wow!
Guangzhou is a modern city with plenty of high rise buildings.
The TV Tower, icon of Guangzhou.
After dinner, we ended our day with an amazing cruise on the Pearl River.
They had designated seats/tables on the tickets and we were fortunate to have a table near the front of the boat.
Some of us did not bring warm jackets because of the itinerary change and left them at the hotel. It was quite cold in the evening on this cruise.
Lights along the river were lit up at a certain time providing an excellent light show for the evening.
One of the many sightseeing boats on the river.
Our boat going under a bridge.
Beautiful!
An excellent ending for the tour. Our group all went our separate ways the next morning. I have to say that this is a good tour for the price. Yes, we had to endure all the shopping stops and sale pitches but with all the hotel stay, touring, and meals covered, it was of good value. Except one thing, I think they need to take away the 'gourmet' part of the tour. There was nothing 'gourmet' about this and it was very misleading. Everything served was typical tour food.
