Guangzhou nightlife guide — 7+ what to do in Guangzhou at night & things to do in Guangzhou at night

Guangzhou is a prosperous metropolis full of life–the capital city of Guangdong Province situated along China’s southern coast. Home to an extraordinary seaport on the banks of the Pearl River, this city possesses a prime location, easily connected to Hong Kong, Macau, and other countries via the South China Sea. Coming to Guangzhou, you can easily find famous shopping destinations, exotic resorts, and lively bars. Moreover, Guangzhou is not only vibrant and bustling during the day, but this city also doesn’t rest when night falls. And if you want to enjoy the nightlife charms of Guangzhou fully, don’t miss the below experiences. So, what to do in Guangzhou at night, where to go in Guangzhou at night? Let’s check out our Guangzhou nightlife with the suggested list of 7+ top things to do in Guangzhou at night as follows!

Watch a traditional opera show at the Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Theatre (# what to do in guangzhou at night)

Not only is it one of China’s top ten typical architectural works, but the Opera House in Guangzhou is also a cultural destination in Asia as a blend of traditional and modern culture. Located downstream of the romantic Pearl River, the Guangzhou Opera House with its fancy architectural contours and clear, deep sounds promises to bring visitors memorable experiences with each piece of Chinese theatrical play and unforgettable performance.

Coming here, visitors have the opportunity to visit and explore the unique and classy architecture of the building and, at the same time, enjoy very special performances. The opera shows here are characterized by a strong southern Chinese style with dialogues and singing in Cantonese. The voice is deep and melodious, the rhymes change rhythmically while the melodies are harmonious and graceful. You will find professional performances in this theater. Although you may have difficulty understanding the words and stories in the performance, it is still a wonderful experience of local art and culture.

Night cruise on the Pearl River (# things to do in guangzhou at night)

As a small branch of the Pearl River–China’s third longest river with a length of more than 2,000 kilometers, the Pearl River is an impressive highlight in the heart of the bustling city of Guangzhou. Cruising on the Pearl River is a memorable experience in the city of 12 million people.

The Pearl River is most beautiful at night. When night falls, riverside buildings with colorful neon lights tilt their reflections on the water’s surface, shining sparklingly. Sitting on a boat traveling along the banks, enjoying the cool breeze, and admiring the city’s unique architecture on the romantic and relaxing riverside will definitely be a memorable cruising experience.

Visitors can take a night cruise on the Pearl River from one of five wharves, namely Tianzi Wharf, Dashatou Wharf, Zhongda Wharf, Fangcun Wharf, and Xidi Wharf. If you’re staying at a star-rated hotel in Guangzhou, don’t hesitate to ask the staff for assistance with itinerary information and ticket sales.

Relax in pubs and bars (# where to go in guangzhou at night)

If you are someone who loves excitement and having fun with friends, pubs and bars are places you must drop by when traveling to Guangzhou. There are three famous bar streets: Binjiang Street, Huanshi Street, and Bai’e Tan, which are popular nightlife areas of this city. Among them, Binjiang Street is located on the banks of the Pearl River and has a very charming and poetic atmosphere. Huanshi Street has a more convenient location right in the city center. If you want a more unique space, Bai’e Tan Street located near Changdi Street on the banks of Bai’e Tan (White Goose Pond) with exotic layouts will be a great choice for you.

In addition, you can also check out some of the best clubs in Guangzhou below:

• Amigo: A French-style pub located on Bai’e Tan Street with a lower floor divided into compartments by wooden fences and winding stairs. Saddles, whips, Western historical paintings, and antique wine bottles are decorations that you can find in every corner of the pub. You can also enjoy Zhujiang in a small restaurant on the west side upstairs.
• Golf Club: Located at the north gate of Yuexiu Park, Huanshi Zhong Road, it has a large outdoor garden with a golf club and a quiet and lovely setting.
• Baby Face: Aiqun Villa, No.8 Changdi Road.
• Bridge House: The south gate of Guangdong Art Gallery, No. 38, Yanyu Lu, Ersha Island.
• Party World: 1st Floor, Huihua Business and Trade Building, No. 80, Xianlie Zhong Road.

Watch a circus performance at Chimelong Paradise amusement park (# guangzhou nightlife)

Chimelong Paradise is the most popular theme park in Guangzhou, consisting of a safari park, water park, and circus. This is a popular and fun attraction if you are traveling with your children. Many families with children enjoy the activities and rides in the morning and watch the circus show in the evening.

Chimelong Circus in Guangzhou is considered the world’s largest circus venue with more than 300 famous circus artists performing from around the world and more than 500 professionally trained animals. The circus also employs machinery and high-tech stage lighting techniques to create a magical atmosphere, with exceptional acrobatic performances. Popular shows at Chimelong International Circus include unique magic shows such as Prologue, Kazakstan Horsemanship, Aerial Love-Aerial Glass Balls, Leap Through Time and Space, Hollywood Circus, Samba Parade, Sky Ballet, Cannon Act, and so on.

Visiting Chimelong Park, visitors can walk around and explore the Safari Park and water park in the morning and watch the circus in the evening. Chimelong Circus is open from 5 pm to 9 pm.

Shopping on walking streets

Known as the “shopping paradise” of Asia, shopping is certainly one of the must-try experiences for any tourist when coming to Guangzhou. Beijing and Shangxiajiu are two famous walking streets in Guangzhou, recommended by many locals.

Let’s visit Beijing Road if you want to shop for high-end or branded goods instead of common items at the markets. Here, you will find famous commercial centers such as Mayflower Plaza, Guangming Plaza, Plaza department store, etc. Beijing is the modern face of Guangzhou with its neighborhoods, modern shopping, famous brand stores, and trendy snack eateries. If you are a shopaholic, this is an ideal shopping place for you.

If Beijing Road has futuristic features, Shangxiajiu Commercial Pedestrian Street exudes ancient vibes. Along the more than 1.2 kilometers long road, you can also find many commercial centers and large stores with nostalgic architecture bearing Southern European and Cantonese styles. In Shangxiajiu, you can find many traditional local dishes along with items that are not too expensive. Besides, along Shangxiajiu Street there are also around 10 other shopping streets nearby.

Attend a concert in the Xinghai Concert Hall

If you are a lover of classical or symphonic music, enjoying a concert in the Xinghai Concert Hall will be a good experience for you. The place is equipped with world-class systems, including a huge sound system with sophisticated musical instruments. In addition, Xinghai Concert Hall also has a chamber concert hall and a recording studio.

Each week, there are one to four concerts by world-famous orchestras, bands, and performers. You can look up the performance schedule on the Xinghai Concert Hall’s website to update the most accurate information.

Admire the ancient architecture on Shamian Island

Once a British and French colony in the past, Shamian is a small island connected to Guangzhou Province by several bridges. Colonial history has given the buildings here a series of bold European architectural imprints. The streets are lined with statues, pavilions, wooden benches, and fountains. More than 150 European-style buildings, of which 43 are classical baroque, neoclassical, and some buildings feature Chinese architecture.

Today, Shamian has become a famous tourist attraction in Guangzhou. Coming here, visitors can stroll on ancient streets and experience fresh air and beautiful scenery with deep impressions. At night, after the bustling tour groups leave, Shamian Island takes on a truly romantic beauty. Walk around the nostalgic streets and classic buildings, and you will find yourself back in the old days of a European town. You can also enjoy the vibrant nightlife in bars with totally ‘genuine’ and unique views on this beautiful island. Shamian is also a location chosen by many couples to take their wedding photos.

As an international gateway, a place where traditional Chinese culture intersects with the world, and where the quintessence of Western and Eastern culture converges, Guangzhou is an attractive tourist destination for any tourist. As Asia’s shopping paradise, possessing a unique architecture that blends Western and Eastern styles and a rich variety of cuisine, it is truly a charming city not only in the morning, bright sunlight, but even when sleeping soundly during the night of Guangdong Province.

Hopefully, you can choose a few attractive destinations in this article to fully experience the beauty of Guangzhou–the city home to 12 million people. We wish you a happy and meaningful journey!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Guangzhou you can refer to

• Guangzhou Sunac Snow Park Admission Ticket
• Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park
• Chimelong Hotel Guangzhou
• Guangzhou Sunac Water Park Admission Ticket
• Chimelong International Circus Guangzhou
• Chimelong Water Park Ticket in Guangzhou
• Chimelong Birds Park Guangzhou
• Private City Transfers between Guangzhou and Hong Kong
• Guangzhou Chimelong Hotel Buffet
• Qingyuan Gulong Gorge Drifting Glass Grand Canyon
• Guangzhou Sunac Land Admission Ticket
• Chimelong Paradise Guangzhou
• Guangzhou Science Center Ticket
• Canton Tower
• Chimelong Safari Park and Birds Park Tickets in Guangzhou
• Guangzhou Zhengjia Penguin Ice and Snow World Tickets

Read more Guangzhou travel guide here.