Yuexiu is Guangzhou's oldest central urban district, a 33.8 km² area on the north bank of the Pearl River. It holds the historic core of the city: Beijing Road, Yuexiu Park and Zhenhai Tower, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Guangxiao Temple, the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees and Ersha Island. Metro Lines 1, 2, 5 and 6 run through it, so most of its sights sit a short ride or walk from a station.
For first-time visitors who want history and walkable sights rather than the newer business district of Tianhe, Yuexiu is a central, well-connected base. This guide covers what the district is known for, the main sights, how to get around by metro and who it suits as a place to stay.
Yuexiu in Brief: History and Key Facts
Yuexiu has been the administrative centre of the Lingnan region since the Qin dynasty set up Nanhai Commandery here, and it is still the seat of both the Guangdong provincial government and the Guangzhou city government. The district took its current name in 1960 and its present boundaries in September 2005, when the former Dongshan District was merged into it.
The district borders Tianhe to the east, Liwan and Baiyun to the west and north, and faces Haizhu across the Pearl River to the south. According to the district government, it covers 33.8 km² across 18 subdistricts and 222 communities, with a permanent population of 971,600 at the end of 2025.
Yuexiu also has a long role in trade. The district government counts Beijing Road among the city's main commercial centres, and the Canton Fair was held in the district every spring and autumn from 1957, at the Liuhua complex near Yuexiu Park. The fair has since moved its main venue to Pazhou in Haizhu District, so business travellers today commute out of Yuexiu rather than to it.
Must-See Yuexiu Attractions
The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is one of the district's main landmarks. It was built between 1929 and 1931 to a design by the architect Lu Yanzhi and honours Sun Yat-sen. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall station (Jiniantang) on Line 2 serves it directly.
Guangxiao Temple was founded in 233, and it is where the Sixth Patriarch Huineng was tonsured. Ximenkou station is within walking distance to the south. Respectful dress is a good idea in the prayer halls of any active temple.
The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees dates from 537, and its Flower Pagoda was built in 1097.
Yuexiu's religious heritage is not only Buddhist. Huaisheng Mosque and the Sacred Heart Cathedral are both in the district, and both are worth adding if you are interested in how different communities settled in old Canton.
Beijing Road has been a political, cultural and commercial centre of the city for more than 2,000 years. Today it is a pedestrian shopping street, with Beijing Lu station on Line 6 underground beside it.
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
- Type: Historical landmark (1929–1931)
- Best for: Modern Chinese history, architecture
- Metro: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall station, Line 2
- Guangxiao Temple
- Type: Buddhist temple (founded 233)
- Best for: Religious history
- Metro: Ximenkou station, walk north
- Temple of the Six Banyan Trees
- Type: Buddhist temple (537), Flower Pagoda (1097)
- Best for: Temple architecture
- Beijing Road
- Type: Historic shopping street
- Best for: Shopping, street life
- Metro: Beijing Lu station, Line 6, or Gongyuanqian station, Lines 1 and 2
Museums, Art, and Culture in Yuexiu
The Nanyue King Museum is near Yuexiu Park station on Line 2. It makes a natural add-on to a visit to Yuexiu Park.
The Guangzhou Museum has occupied Zhenhai Tower on Yuexiu Hill since 1928. The tower stands inside Yuexiu Park, so you can combine the museum with a walk through the park.
Ersha Island sits in the Pearl River within Yuexiu District. It holds the Guangdong Museum of Art and the Xinghai Concert Hall, along with residential complexes and small parks.
Parks, Gardens, and Outdoor Spots in Yuexiu
Yuexiu Park covers about 860,000 square metres (around 86 hectares) on and around Yuexiu Hill. Besides Zhenhai Tower and the Guangzhou Museum, it contains the Five Rams Sculpture. Yuexiu Park station on Line 2 is directly beneath it, at Jiefang North Road and Liuhua Road.
People's Park sits above Gongyuanqian station on Zhongshan 5th Road, and Beijing Road is reachable on foot from there, so it is a convenient place to pause between sights.
On the riverfront, Haizhu Square is served by Haizhu Square station, the interchange for Lines 2 and 6. Ersha Island's small parks are another option for a walk by the water.
Getting to and Around Yuexiu
The metro is the simplest way into and around Yuexiu. Lines 1, 2, 5 and 6 serve the main sights, and Lines 10, 11 and 12 also touch the district. For an overview of the network, see the Guangzhou metro guide. The stations most visitors use are:
- Gongyuanqian: the interchange between Lines 1 and 2, under People's Park on Zhongshan 5th Road. It is one of the busiest stations on the network, and Beijing Road is reachable on foot from here.
- Beijing Lu: Line 6, underground beside the Beijing Road Pedestrian Street.
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (Jiniantang): Line 2, for the Memorial Hall.
- Yuexiu Park: Line 2, beneath Yuexiu Park at Jiefang North Road and Liuhua Road, near the Nanyue King Museum and the former Liuhua Canton Fair complex.
- Haizhu Square: the interchange between Lines 2 and 6, at the riverfront square.
- Dongshankou: the interchange between Lines 1 and 6, for the Dongshan area.
- Ximenkou: within walking distance south of Guangxiao Temple.
- Guangzhou Railway Station: served by Lines 2 and 5.
Guangzhou Railway Station is in Yuexiu, at 159 Huanshi West Road. Two points matter if you plan to use it. Line 11 opened on 28 December 2024, but its trains do not yet stop at Guangzhou Railway Station while the station is renovated, and no opening date has been set. The station's bus terminal also closed on 31 December 2024 for the same works, so use Lines 2 or 5 to reach it.
How to Plan a Smooth Yuexiu Attractions Day
Group sights by metro station to cut back-tracking. Line 2 links several of them: Yuexiu Park station for Yuexiu Park, Zhenhai Tower and the Nanyue King Museum; Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall station for the Memorial Hall; and Gongyuanqian for People's Park and Beijing Road.
A practical order is to start at Yuexiu Park in the morning, when the weather is cooler, then take Line 2 to the Memorial Hall. Guangxiao Temple and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees can fill the next block of time, with Ximenkou station as the reference point for Guangxiao Temple. Finish on Beijing Road, where Beijing Lu (Line 6) and Gongyuanqian (Lines 1 and 2) give you a choice of lines for the trip back.
If you have more time, add Ersha Island for the Guangdong Museum of Art, or the riverfront at Haizhu Square. Wear comfortable shoes, carry water in hot weather and check each sight's own opening hours before you go, as they vary by venue.
Who Should Stay in Yuexiu
Yuexiu suits travellers who put history and walkable sights first. The district holds the city's historic core, and four metro lines serve its main sights, which makes it a convenient base for a first visit. It also works for rail travellers, since Guangzhou Railway Station is in the district.
The Tianhe District to the east is Guangzhou's newer business district and the better fit if you want a modern business setting. To the west, the Liwan District is a neighbour that pairs well with a Yuexiu stay.
If you are in Guangzhou for the Canton Fair, remember that the fair's main venue is now in Pazhou, Haizhu District, not at the old Liuhua complex in Yuexiu. Factor the commute in before you book. For other areas, see the Guangzhou neighborhood guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yuexiu a good area to stay in Guangzhou for first-time visitors?
Yes. Yuexiu is Guangzhou's oldest central district and contains most of the historic sights — Beijing Road, Yuexiu Park, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Guangxiao Temple and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees — and it is served by Metro Lines 1, 2, 5 and 6, making it a central base for sightseeing.
Which metro station is best for Beijing Road?
Beijing Lu station on Line 6 is underground beside the Beijing Road Pedestrian Street. You can also take Line 1 or Line 2 to Gongyuanqian station and walk.
Which metro lines serve Yuexiu District?
Lines 1, 2, 5 and 6 serve the main sights. Wikipedia lists seven lines touching the district (1, 2, 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12). Key interchanges are Gongyuanqian (Lines 1 and 2), Haizhu Square (Lines 2 and 6), Dongshankou (Lines 1 and 6) and Guangzhou Railway Station (Lines 2 and 5).
What is Gongyuanqian station?
Gongyuanqian is the interchange between Guangzhou Metro Lines 1 and 2, located under People's Park in Yuexiu District. It is one of the busiest stations on the network and the closest Line 1/2 stop to Beijing Road.
What are the main things to see in Yuexiu?
Highlights include Beijing Road, Yuexiu Park with Zhenhai Tower (Guangzhou Museum) and the Five Rams Sculpture, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Guangxiao Temple, the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, Huaisheng Mosque, Sacred Heart Cathedral, the Nanyue King Museum and Ersha Island.
How big is Yuexiu Park?
Yuexiu Park covers about 860,000 square metres (around 86 hectares) on and around Yuexiu Hill. Yuexiu Park station on Line 2 is underneath it.
Is Guangzhou Railway Station in Yuexiu?
Yes. Guangzhou Railway Station is at 159 Huanshi West Road, Yuexiu District, and is served by Metro Lines 2 and 5. Line 11 trains do not yet stop there while the station is renovated, and its bus terminal closed on 31 December 2024 for the same works.
What is on Ersha Island?
Ersha Island sits in the Pearl River within Yuexiu District and holds the Guangdong Museum of Art and the Xinghai Concert Hall, along with residential complexes and small parks.
Yuexiu is the oldest part of central Guangzhou and still its administrative centre. With Beijing Road, Yuexiu Park, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Guangxiao Temple and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees all inside the district, and Metro Lines 1, 2, 5 and 6 linking them, it is the most straightforward place to see the historic city.
For the latest official information, see the Yuexiu District official site and Yuexiu District on Wikipedia.
