Yuèxiù Park

You'll find gardens, shaded wood paths, historical monuments and museums in this vast urban park. On top of a hill in the centre of the park is the red-walled, five-storey Zhènhǎi Tower (Zhènhǎi Lóu), built in 1380. It was used as a watchtower to keep out the pirates who once pillaged China's coastal cities. In 1928 the tower was rebuilt to accommodate the Guǎngzhōu City Museum, which has an excellent collection of exhibits tracing the history of Guǎngzhōu from the Neolithic period. There are sweeping views of Guǎngzhōu from the top storey. On the east side of the tower is the Guǎngzhōu Art Gallery (Guǎngzhōu Měishùguǎn). In addition to Cantonese embroidery and carved ivory decorations, it also has displays outlining Guǎngzhōu's trading history with the West. Take metro line 2 to Yuèxiù Gōngyuán station.