Liwan District, Guangzhou

Chinese Name: 荔湾区 (lì wān qū)
Population: 970,000
Area: 59.1 square kilometers (22.81 square miles)
Location: in the center of Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, south China
Area Code: 020
Zip Code: 510145
GDP (2018): CNY122.33 billion (USD 18.49 billion)

Liwan District is located in the west of Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province. It is close to Yuexiu District and Haizhu Distirct in the east. Liwan District Guangzhou, commonly known as Xiguan, got its name Lixhi Wan because red litchis grow on both banks of the river. As one of the three old urban areas of Guangzhou, Liwan District has well preserved the Lingnan cultural features and old commercial blocks.

Lai Chi Kok Wan Chung, Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family, Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street are highlights of Liwan travel. Visitors can experience local culture and art and appreciate excellent buildings in the Guangzhou Thirteen Hongs Museum, Cantonese Opera Art Museum and Shamian Island.

 Lai Chi Kok Wan Chung
Lai Chi Kok Wan Chung is a good place to experience local culture and relax. There are parks, theatres, former residences of celebrities, museums, studios. The most distinctive is the riverside Lingnan style residential buildings, featuring typical Lingnan water town.

  Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family
Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family was built in the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912). It is the largest, most complete and exquisite ancestral temple in Guangdong Province. The Temple is composed of 19 buildings, each of which is independent and interconnected. The seven unique techniques of Lingnan, represented by wood carving, brick carving, stone carving, pottery sculpture, Huisu (a traditional sculpture art in Guangzhou), copper and iron casting and colored painting, have been fully displayed there.

 Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street
As one of the most prosperous areas in the old city, Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street is a combination of Shangjiu Road, Xiajiu Road and Dishifu Pedestrian Street. The old buildings of the main streets are mainly arcades with a unique style. It is full of medium and high-grade department stores and restaurants. The goods, especially clothing, are mainly middle and low-end, which are relatively cheap. Visitors can feel the local business culture and taste delicious snacks.

 Shamian Island
Shamian Island is a wonderful place for sightseeing and taking photos as it used to be the concession of England and France, leaving a lot of European style buildings. 

The best time to visit Liwan District China is from September to November. The weather is cool and windy and the average temperature is about 25C (77F) at that time. From February to March, Liwan District is humid and rainy. And typhoons are frequent in the summer of Liwan District, from June to August. The average temperature of winter, November to January, is 17.5C (63.5F). With more sunny days in winter, it is also a good time to have a Liwan District travel.

Upon arrival at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, visitors can take express buses 3 to Liwan District, taking 1.5 hours. Or take Metro Line 3 and to Metro Line 1 at Tiyuxilu Station to there. Visitors are also able to reach Liwan District China by Metro Line 2 and then transfer to Metro Line 1 at Gongyuanqian Station from Guangzhou Railway Station.

The transportations methods in Liwan District include Metro Line 1, buses and taxis. It takes CNY12 for the first 3 km and CNY2.6/km for the following distance by taxis. CNY20-25 is needed from Guangzhou Railway Station to Liwan District. It takes CNY 100-130 from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport to there.

See more: Guangzhou Metro

The famous Liwan District Guangzhou snacks include Tingzai Porridge, Pantang Horseshoe Cake, Crunchy Menglembu Groundnuts, Congee with Lean Pork and Chan Tim Kee Fishskin.

 Tingzai Porridge
The ingredients of the Tingzai Porridge include fish, lean meat, sliced Fried Bread Stick, peanuts and scallions. When cooking, pour the hot porridge into the ingredients and scald it. It is famous for its fresh, smooth and delicious taste.

 Crunchy Menglembu Groundnuts
It is a kind of traditional cake in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. Its taste is sweet, fragrant and crispy. The main raw materials are flour, peanut, sesame, walnut.

 Chan Tim Kee: Chan Tim Kee Fishskin, traditional Guanxi Tingzai Porridge, and Steamed Vermicelli Roll.
Address: No.67, Baohua Road

 Wucaiji: Deep-fried Wonton, Wonton Noodles, Noodles with Soybean Paste
Address: No. 20, Helongli, Datong Road

 Jian Noodle Bar: Yi Mein
Address: No.301-303, East Changshou Road

 Kaiji Dessert Shop: Mung Bean Soup, Ginger Milk
Address: Building F, East of Pantang Road