Yongqingfang｜Travel through a thousand years of old Canton for free, with a detailed artsy street-walking guide
In Guangzhou, Yongqingfang is a time capsule hidden within the arcade buildings! On one side, the Cantonese opera echoes under the wok ear walls, while on the other, the aroma of coffee from creative shops fills the air. You can stroll and snack for free while capturing stunning traditional-style photos, offering unbeatable value～
📍Location: Yongqingfang, Enning Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou (Metro Line 1, Huangsha Station Exit B)
🌟Three must-experience treasure highlights✨
1️⃣ Living museum in the blue brick alley
- Behind the door of Bruce Lee’s ancestral home, yellowed old photos tell the story of the kung fu star’s childhood. “Fingertips brush the moss on the brick wall, suddenly hearing history whisper softly.”
- In the copperware shop of the intangible cultural heritage handmade street, the clinking sound of the master craftsman’s hammer blends magically with the vinyl records playing in the adjacent creative store.
- At dusk, the red lanterns of the Cantonese Opera Art Museum light up, and young ladies in cheongsams take photos on the covered bridge, as if stepping back into the set of Rouge.
2️⃣ The secret to artsy youth’s perfect shots
- 📸 Moon Bridge: White walls and black tiles paired with red lanterns, standing on the arch bridge to capture reflections, a hundred likes on social media guaranteed.
- 🌈 Colorful arcade buildings: The outer walls of the arcades on Enning Road are painted with giant comics. Wearing bright clothes and walking on the stone pavement, every shot is an Instagram masterpiece.
- 🏮 Popular brick wall: The neon sign with the three big characters “Yongqingfang,” perfect for silhouette photos at night, creating a full atmospheric vibe.
3️⃣ A foodie map of Xiguan delicacies
- 🥟 Chen Tian Ji: 25 yuan for fish skin that’s crispy enough to bite your tongue, paired with 10 yuan boat congee, a classic Cantonese breakfast.
- 🍜 Wu Cai Ji: 15 yuan for a bowl of wonton noodles, shrimp roe broth so fresh it’ll make your eyebrows raise, with whole shrimp wrapped inside the wontons.
- 🍧 Shawan Milk Queen: 20 yuan for double-skin milk, the milk skin is thick enough to hold a spoon, ginger milk pudding made fresh on the spot for the perfect spicy kick.
🛏️ High cost-performance accommodation recommendations✨
- 🏨 Guangzhou Hotel (Haizhu Square Branch): Two metro stops away, 200 yuan/night including breakfast, a classic hotel with river views.
- 🏨 7 Days Premium (Shangxiajiu Branch): 15-minute walk to the scenic area, 180 yuan/night, clean and affordable.
🍜 Must-eat street snacks list✨
- 🍢 Radish beef offal: 10 yuan for 3 skewers, beef lung soaked in broth, adding chili oil takes the soul out of you.
- 🌰 Sugar-roasted chestnuts: 15 yuan per bag, freshly roasted and sweet to the point of indulgence, a perfect hand warmer.
- 🥤 Sugarcane and imperata water: 8 yuan per cup, clears heat and soothes the throat, leaving your voice smooth.
💰 Budget traveler’s expense list✨
✅ Admission: 0 yuan (free forever!)
✅ Transportation: 6 yuan round trip by metro
✅ Accommodation: 180 yuan/night (90 yuan per person)
✅ Meals: Morning tea 30 yuan + lunch 50 yuan + snacks 20 yuan = 100 yuan
Total: 286 yuan (including accommodation)｜106 yuan (pure sightseeing)
———
When leaving, I bought an oil-paper umbrella. Around the corner, I met a girl in Hanfu filming a short video. Sunlight filtered through the Manchu window, casting light spots on her skirt. The most charming thing about Yongqingfang is this gentle collision of tradition and modernity—here, every blue stone slab is soaked with stories, every creative shop hides surprises, waiting for you to measure time with your footsteps and savor nostalgia with your taste buds!