Private Tour Guide

As a local Cantonese, I usually keep my eyes open for scenic spots in and around Guangzhou, especially places steeped in traditional culture. As the saying goes from the Analects, "How glad we are, to welcome friends from afar".

Recently I discovered a place filled with numerous traditional alleys, Lingnan architecture, ancestral halls, folk residences and so on. Located in the Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, the Lingnan Impression Garden（岭南印象园）embodies the essence of local culture. In only one day there, tourists can get a comprehensive view of ancient Lingnan folkways.

Handmade flour dolls

Traditional dance performance

Shadow play

Amongst the many attractions, visitors can see traditional buildings, woodcarvings, paper-cuttings, Shiwan pottery and palm fans, as well as wear Lingnan costumes and have lunch at restaurants with palace lanterns carved from wood – all familiar features from my childhood.

The Lingnan Impression Garden was formerly known as the University City Museum (大学城博物馆). Once free of charge, the garden underwent major renovations and now costs 45RMB/adult for a ticket.

The garden really is a special spot to learn about local culture. However, it is a bit difficult to find as there are not many English road signs or information about it.

Are you ready to see spinning peg-top, rolling hoop, comic book, peep show, cock olive and Xiguan clogs? What's more? Cantonese opera, bridal sedan-chair, Lingnan dance, lion dance, parade, Puning Yingge dance, Chinese acrobats and magic show. There're on and on interesting things for you to discover in this trip. The prosperous Lianxi Street and Lingnan folk life are vividly presented in Lingnan Impression Garden, bringing you back to the old days of Lingnan. The turntable candies, dough figurine, candy floss, straw-made grasshopper... all of these are seen in the Garden. The beautiful sights and old days' memories are so vivid to surprise you. As the autumn is nearer, come and join the trip to Lingnan Impression Garden with Luhu Club. The trip includes the show "Impression-Lingnan", which gives you brand new explanation to the Canton culture, Chaozhou & Shantou culture and Hakka culture. It's a new combination of classical Canton music, region specialty, folk art and Lingnan cluture, to make you feel the Lingnan spirit deep down in the heart.