Guangzhou with Kids
Safari park, theme parks & a city kids won't want to leave

This is the headline of a kids' trip to Guangzhou — a huge safari park in Panyu district with more than 20,000 animals across 500 species, a drive-through zone (lions, tigers, giraffes, zebras) and walk-through enclosures up close. It is home to giant pandas, koalas and rare white tigers, and children get far nearer the animals than at an ordinary zoo. Plan most of a day, as the grounds are vast and there is an internal train to ride.

In the same resort there are three more places older kids will scream for — Chimelong Paradise, a theme park with looping coasters as well as a gentler zone for little ones; the Chimelong Water Park, which Guinness records as the world's busiest by attendance (70+ water rides, wave pools and a lazy river — ideal in summer); and the Chimelong International Circus, an evening show with 300-plus performers from more than 20 countries that leaves kids wide-eyed. Pick one a day and it is more than enough.

A giant science museum on University Island (Daxue Cheng) that Guinness records as one of the largest in the world — with 12 permanent galleries, four theatres (including a dome and a giant 4D screen) and an outdoor science park. There are dedicated "Children's Paradise" and "Kids World" zones for younger visitors, and everything is hands-on. It is an excellent indoor day when the heat is up, and easily fills most of a day.

Kids who love heights will love this — Canton Tower stands 600 m tall, a "slim-waisted" tower that is the symbol of the city. The kids' highlight is the Bubble Tram, 16 clear crystal pods that circle the edge of the crown at 455 m over about 20 minutes, with views in every direction. Older kids and adults can go up to the 488 Lookout, recorded by Guinness as the highest outdoor observation deck in the world. Come in the late afternoon for both the daytime view and the city lights.

Honestly, the evening kids enjoy most in Guangzhou is a boat ride — a cruise down the Pearl River through the centre of the city at dusk, watching the riverfront towers light up on both banks, the glowing bridges, and Canton Tower shifting through its colours. Toddlers love the cool breeze and the twinkling lights, older kids love the photos. There are several departures and tiers, from open-deck seating to dinner cruises, and a ride runs about an hour. A gentle way to end a busy day.

Here is an in-city zoo set in a real wooded hillside — shaded and easy to walk. Guangzhou Zoo is one of the largest in China, with giant pandas as the stars (visit in the morning to see them munching bamboo; by afternoon they tend to nap), plus red pandas and a great many other animals. The best part is that Metro Line 5 drops you right at the gate, and entry is just ¥20 with kids free. It is a great-value half-day, with none of the travel time Chimelong needs.

The largest park in central Guangzhou, where kids can run loose with no traffic to dodge. The highlight is the stone Five Rams statue (五羊石像), the city's emblem and a favourite photo spot, plus a lake with pedal boats, gentle hills to climb, the old Zhenhai Tower and wide lawns for a picnic. Entry is free, it makes a relaxed morning or afternoon for younger children, and it sits right by the metro.

For little ones too small for the big rides, Guangzhou has several lakeside parks that are free or very cheap — Liuhua Lake Park, near Guangzhou Railway Station, has a broad lake for pedal boats, birds and a bird garden, lawns to run on and a corner of kiddie rides. Over on the old-town side, Liwan Lake Park (荔湾湖) has pretty canal scenery too. It is the afternoon where the kids recharge and the parents get to sit under a tree.

On a rainy or scorching day, the Beijing Road pedestrian street in the old town is fun to wander — snack stalls, toy shops, and glass panels in the pavement showing the ancient road beneath your feet. Around it are big malls with kids' zones, arcades and restaurants to duck into the air-conditioning. Over in Zhujiang New Town, malls like Taikoo Hui and K11 have play areas and ice-cream parlours. A comfortable early evening after a day outdoors.

The best news for families is that Guangzhou is the home of dim sum and of mild, balanced Cantonese cooking — not spicy, and easy for children to eat almost anything. Going for yum cha (tea and dim sum) in the morning or at lunch is a family event in itself, and kids get to choose their own baskets — prawn har gow, pork siu mai, char siu buns, baked chicken feet, egg tarts and a bowl of hot congee that is perfect for little ones. The bigger restaurants often have high chairs. It is a meal the whole family enjoys together.