Guangzhou Old & New: Lingnan Culture to Autonomous Driving

See Guangzhou's past in carved temples, its present in the modern skyline, and its future in autonomous vehicles.

A private customized tour of Guangzhou that moves from traditional Lingnan landmarks: Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Liurong Temple, Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall: through the modern glass towers of Zhujiang New Town, and concludes with hands-on experiences of autonomous driving and drone delivery. Your English-speaking local guide tailors the pace and stops to your interests. Hotel pickup is included. Lunch is not included, though your guide will recommend local restaurants and street food.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Chen Clan Academy1h
2. Temple of the Six Banyan Trees1h
3. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall50m

Explore Guangzhou's culture and technology

• Visit Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
• Stroll through Lizhiwan area
• Explore Temple of the Six Banyan Trees
• Visit Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall
• See modern landmarks in Zhujiang New Town
• Experience autonomous driving and drone delivery

The experience

Guangzhou reveals itself in layers on this tour. You start at Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, where intricate wood, stone and ceramic carvings tell the story of Lingnan culture and the families who built the city. From there, the itinerary moves through Lizhiwan's winding waterways and traditional Xiguan-style buildings, then to Liurong Temple (a 1,460-year-old Buddhist site with a colorful pagoda housing thousands of Buddha statues) before reaching Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall, one of Guangzhou's most significant landmarks. Each stop anchors the city's past.

The tour then shifts to modern Guangzhou. You travel to Zhujiang New Town to see the Canton Tower, Guangzhou Opera House and Guangzhou Library rising against the skyline. On a clear day, you can choose to visit the observation deck of Canton Tower for views across the entire city. This is where Guangzhou's transformation into an international metropolis becomes visible.

What sets this tour apart is how it ends: with cutting-edge technology woven into everyday urban life. You experience autonomous driving firsthand in a Robotaxi on Guangzhou's streets, then watch drone delivery in action as food and drinks are transported through the air to designated points. These aren't museum exhibits or demonstrations. They're live examples of how the city is embracing the future. Your guide explains what you're seeing and how it's reshaping mobility and commerce in real time.

What’s included

• English-speaking local guide.
• hotel pickup in downtown Guangzhou.
• Robotaxi experience.
• drone delivery experience (including coffee).
• for groups of five or more, a private MPV with driver.

Options for this experience

2 options

Full Day Private City TourGuide in English · 09:00An eight-hour journey through old and new Guangzhou, with extended time for cultural sites, city landmarks and modern attractions. Gain deeper insight into the city's culture and heritage with an English-speaking guide and personalized service. Pickup is included.

Half Day Private City TourGuide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 00:00, the last at 11:30A four-hour outing featuring Chen Clan Academy, Lychee Bay Scenic Area, self-driving cars and drone food delivery. Discover more about the city's culture and heritage with an English-speaking guide and personalized service. Includes pickup.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 11:30

Book up to1d before

AgesUp to age 90

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Trippest Travel

Is this one for you?Choose the full-day option if you want to move through all the landmarks, from Chen Clan Ancestral Hall to Liurong Temple to Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall, and still have time to explore Zhujiang New Town and experience both the autonomous driving and drone delivery. The half-day tour works if you prefer to go deeper into one era of the city rather than span all three.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall and why is it important to Guangzhou?

Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is a famous example of traditional Lingnan architecture, built with intricate wood, stone and ceramic carvings that reflect the cultural heritage of the families who shaped the city. It's one of the tour's anchor stops for understanding Guangzhou's historical roots. The hall is closed on Tuesdays, so your guide will suggest an alternative attraction if that's your preferred day.

Can I visit the Canton Tower observation deck, or is it just a drive-by?

You can choose to visit the observation deck of Canton Tower on a clear day. It's optional, so you decide whether to include it based on the weather and your interests that day.

What does the autonomous driving experience actually involve?

You experience a Robotaxi on Guangzhou's streets, riding in an autonomous vehicle to see how self-driving technology is transforming urban mobility in the city. It's a working example, not a simulation.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included, but your guide will recommend local restaurants and famous street food spots based on where you are and what you're in the mood for.

How many people can book this tour, and what transport is provided?

Groups of one to four travelers use local Uber or Didi. Groups of five or more travel in a private MPV with a driver. Either way, hotel pickup in downtown Guangzhou is included.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs between four and eight hours depending on which option you choose (half-day or full-day) and which stops you want to linger at, since the itinerary is customized to your pace and interests.