Beijing Road Pedestrian Street: Best Guide to Beijing Road
Beijing Road Pedestrian Street is a commercial district centered around Beijing Road. Stretching 1,500 meters (0.9 miles) in a north-south direction, Beijing Road runs from the Guangdong Provincial Department of Finance in the north to Tianzi Pier in the south.
Lined with numerous shops and restaurants, this street offers both an exciting shopping experience and a wide variety of culinary delights.
Quick Facts on Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
- Location: Beijing Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
- Opening Hour: All Day
- Ticket: Free
Best Time to Visit Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
Beijing Road Pedestrian Street is the busiest commercial center in Guangzhou, with an average daily foot traffic of 350,000 people. On weekdays and weekends, it is busiest in the evening. If you want to avoid the crowds, it's best to go on a weekday morning.
However, visiting during the day doesn't offer the same vibrant atmosphere as at night, and fewer street vendors mean you may not experience the lively street life and local vibe.
Highlights on the Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
Beijing Road Pedestrian Street is a thoroughfare that seamlessly connects the ancient with the modern. A stroll here is like taking a journey through its past and present. Besides exploring the shops on both sides, you can also check out the historic buildings. Taking a closer look at them can help you better understand the stories behind this street.
The Ancient Buddha Temple
The Ancient Buddha Temple houses three magnificent Buddha statues, each standing 6 meters tall and weighing 10 tons. Crafted from brass, these are the largest existing brass Buddha statues in Guangdong Province. When night falls, and the lights come on, the entire temple is illuminated in a splendid golden glow, creating a particularly atmospheric scene.
The Millennium Ancient Road Ruins
In the middle section of the pedestrian street, there is a glass walkway. Beneath this walkway lie eleven layers of ancient roads, dating from the Tang Dynasty all the way to the Republican era.
Through the glass, you can clearly see what the ancient streets looked like hundreds of years ago. With the bustling crowd around you and a thousand years of history beneath your feet, this contrast between the ancient and the present feels particularly powerful.
Qilou
Both sides of the pedestrian street are lined with Qikou, a distinctive type of traditional architecture in Guangzhou. These buildings feature covered walkways on the ground floor, created by connecting the porticos to form a long corridor. Above the corridor are residential or commercial floors, while below, shops sit side by side.
The Love Tree on Beijing Road
At Exit A of the Beijing Road subway station, there is a particularly interesting tree. Its canopy has naturally grown into a shape that strikingly resembles a heart, making it a perfect spot for taking photos.
What to Eat in Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
The must-try main dishes on Beijing Road Pedestrian Street are rice rolls, crab roe rice, and clay pot rice. For afternoon tea, the must-try foods are shrimp dumplings, barbecue pork buns, and siomai.
Many restaurants are packed with people during meal times. Peak hours are generally from 12:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 18:00. If you prefer a more leisurely meal, it's best to go before the peak hours or wait until they've passed; otherwise, you might have to queue for a table.
Rice Rolls 肠粉
Recommended Restaurant: Yinji Rice Rolls
Cheung Fun is a popular Cantonese breakfast dish. They are made by steaming a thin layer of rice milk, which is then rolled up, usually with a filling of meat or shrimp. They are served with a drizzle of sweet soy sauce.
With each bite, the soft rice roll skin, combined with the flavorful filling and sauce, creates a fragrant and tender taste that is incredibly satisfying.
Clay Pot Rice 煲仔饭
Recommended Restaurant: Minji Clay Pot Rice
Clay pot rice is made by cooking rice in a clay pot slowly over an open flame. The cooked rice grains are distinct and separate, with a layer of crispy crust at the bottom—this crust is considered the soul of the dish. Mixing it with soy sauce creates a wonderfully crunchy and aromatic experience.
Crab Roe Rice 蟹黄饭
Recommended Restaurant: Xie San Bao
The crab roe in crab roe rice is the richest and most aromatic essence of the crab. It has a texture reminiscent of a mix between crab butter and crab roe. It tastes soft, fragrant, and richly oily. When mixed into hot steamed rice, every bite is infused with the fresh and savory flavor of crab.
Shrimp Dumplings 大虾饺
Recommended Restaurant: Tao Tao Ju
Shrimp dumplings have a thin wrapper. Once steamed, the wrapper becomes translucent, allowing you to vaguely see the large, pink shrimp filling inside. With one bite, the wrapper is soft and slightly chewy, while the shrimp inside is incredibly fresh, crunchy, and springy, releasing a burst of savory juice.
Barbecue Pork Buns 叉烧包
Recommended Restaurant: Lianxianglou
A single Char Siu Bao is as big as a palm, with a fluffy and snow-white exterior. Tear it open to reveal a generous filling of rich barbecue pork sauce, which strikes a perfect balance between savory and sweet, making it thick yet not greasy. These buns are best enjoyed hot, as the warmth brings out their maximum flavor.
Siomai 烧麦
Recommended Restaurant: Dian Dou De
Siu Mai features thin, yellow wheat wrappers enveloping a filling of seasoned pork or shrimp kissed with savory sauce. What makes it special is the open top, which reveals a hint of the filling inside. Each bite delivers a delightful blend of savory, juicy, and aromatic flavors for an exceptionally satisfying taste.
Where to Buy on the Beijing Road Pedestrian Road
There are several large shopping malls on Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, such as Tianhe City, Brightmart Plaza, and Grandbuy Department Store. These malls mainly sell name-brand jewelry, clothing, shoes, and electronics, so you can always find something you like.
If you're on a budget, you can also browse the shops and stalls along the street. Here you'll find souvenirs and local specialties at reasonable prices with guaranteed quality, and you can even bargain a little.
Most shopping malls accept credit cards, but to make purchasing more convenient, it's best to set up mobile payment on your phone. You can't be sure you'll always be shopping in the malls, and street stalls generally only accept cash or mobile payments (like Alipay or WeChat Pay).
How to Get to Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
By Bus: Take Bus 6, 14, 29, 64, 104, 253, 519, Night 107, Night 22, Night 5, or Night 8 to Qiyi Lu Station, then walk about 440 meters to reach Beijing Road Pedestrian Street. Or take Bus 14 or Night 5 to Jiaoyu Lu South Station, then walk about 260 meters to arrive.
By Subway: Take Line 1 or Line 2 to Gongyuanqian Station, exit from Exit D, and then walk about 680 meters to reach Beijing Road Pedestrian Street.
From Guangzhou South Railway Station to Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
Take a Taxi: Takes about 40 minutes, costs CNY60.
By Subway: Take Metro Line 2 from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Gongyuanqian Station, and exit from Exit D. Takes about 45 minutes, and costs CNY5.
From Baiyun Airport to Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
Take a Taxi: Takes about 1 hour, costs CNY100.
By Subway: Take Metro Line 3 from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport to Jiahewanggang Station, then transfer to Line 2 and get off at Gongyuanqian Station, and exit from Exit D. Takes about 56 minutes and costs CNY7.
Related Reading: Guangzhou Subway
Booking Your Guangzhou Tour
There are so many wonderful places to visit in Guangzhou! Besides Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, you also have the Canton Tower, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Sacred Heart Cathedral, and Shamian Island – all well worth a visit. So, how should you plan your route to see them all? And what's the most convenient way to travel between these attractions?
Share your idea with our travel consultant, and she will help arrange your itinerary perfectly. All you need to do is pack your good mood and follow the guide with peace of mind.
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