Easter Adventures in Guangzhou with the Twins: Museums, Markets, and Merriment in China

This year Easter holiday, we embarked on a family adventure to the dynamic city of Guangzhou with our twins. It was a trip filled with exploration, creativity, and festive fun, offering a wonderful blend of cultural experiences and kid-friendly activities.







Our first stop in Guangzhou was the impressive new Guangdong Museum (广东省博物馆), strategically located in the modern and rapidly developing Zhujiang New Town, right alongside the Pearl River. This architectural marvel, inspired by the intricate layers of a traditional Cantonese ivory puzzle ball, is a sight to behold from the outside, a striking addition to the city's contemporary skyline. Inside, the museum is equally vast, boasting over 166,000 items spread across more than 20,000 square meters of exhibition space. While the museum houses diverse collections spanning art, history, and culture, our visit was particularly captivated by the natural history exhibits. The incredibly well-preserved fossils were a major highlight, featuring fascinating dinosaurs that transported us back to prehistoric times, alongside the awe-inspiring skeleton of a ten-meter-long whale – a truly impressive sight that sparked many questions from the twins. Best of all for families, there's no entrance fee to explore these wonders.






Right next door to the museum stands the equally striking Guangzhou Library (广州图书馆), a testament to modern design conceived by the acclaimed Japanese architecture firm Nikken Sekkei. Its unique facade, designed to resemble stacks of books, is a fitting visual introduction to the treasures held within its eight floors. The library houses an astounding 1.2 million books and is open to the public, providing a quiet and aesthetically pleasing space, although it's worth noting that the majority of the collection is in Chinese. The open atrium and clever use of light create a bright and inviting atmosphere, even if most of the books were beyond our reading level. Getting to this cultural hub in Zhujiang New Town is convenient via the Guangzhou Metro, making it easily accessible for visitors.






The next day took us into the main urban area of Guangzhou for a spot of shopping. The bustling streets and vibrant atmosphere provided a glimpse into the city's energetic pace. Amidst the shops, we made a special stop at a Clay Shop for a creative interlude. The kids participated in a hands-on clay-making class, which was a fantastic way for them to express their creativity and make a personalized souvenir. The shop provided a welcoming environment and all the materials needed. Our son, a big fan of Winnie The Pooh, enthusiastically chose to sculpt the cheerful Tigger character, focusing on his bouncy tail and stripes. Meanwhile, our daughter's imagination led her to create a colorful music box, complete with intricate details and vibrant hues. They were completely absorbed in the activity and had a truly great time shaping their imaginative ideas into tangible forms.






Later that afternoon, the Easter spirit was in full swing at the Canton Place Easter Carnival. Canton Place, an area known for its shops and dining, was transformed into a festive playground for the holiday. The carnival offered a fun-filled atmosphere with a variety of performances and activities that delighted the children. We enjoyed an appearance by the Easter Bunny, admired delicate Chinese sculptured eggs, tried our hand at egg painting, and watched other lively stage performances that added to the celebratory mood. It was a perfect way to embrace the holiday spirit and enjoy some lighthearted entertainment.






Our third day in Guangzhou featured a visit to the Guangzhou Zoo (广州动物园), a sprawling green space covering over 100 acres and recognized as one of the three largest zoos in China. Home to over 5,000 animals representing 400 species, the zoo is divided into various sections including dedicated areas for insects, amphibians and reptiles, birds, members of the cat family, and even a focus on prehistoric life with Corythosaurus (likely referring to dinosaur exhibits or models). The Central Exhibition District is a major highlight, housing a wide array of mammals. We saw magnificent lions and tigers, playful monkeys, lumbering hippos, and iconic pandas, alongside elephants, giraffes, rhinoceroses, zebras, and various species of deer. Navigating the zoo felt like a mini-safari through different continents.




The absolute highlight of the day for our twins was the seal and dolphin show at Ocean World, located within the zoo complex. They were completely mesmerized by the intelligence and agility of the marine animals. Seeing the graceful white beluga whales, in particular, was a novel experience for us all, and their gentle movements in the water left a lasting impression on the kids. The trainers' interactions with the animals during the show were engaging and entertaining. Accessing the zoo is convenient via the metro, with a dedicated station making it easy to reach.




Right before concluding our Guangzhou trip, we enjoyed a peaceful morning at Zhujiang Park (珠江公園). Also situated in the Zhujiang New Town area, this very nicely designed urban oasis provided a serene escape from the city's hustle and bustle. The park is characterized by its abundance of mature trees and well-maintained bushes, offering plenty of shade and a refreshing green environment. The expansive, manicured lawns provide open spaces, while the tranquil ponds add to the park's serene atmosphere. It's clearly a popular spot for locals, with many people enjoying walks or jogs in the morning, soaking in the peaceful ambiance. We had brought some bread along, and the twins absolutely loved the simple joy of feeding the fish in the pond, watching them eagerly gather for the treats. It was a lovely, quiet, and peaceful place to spend our final hours in Guangzhou, reflecting on a wonderful Easter holiday filled with discovery and family fun.