Food First, Everything Else Second Getaway

Guangzhou (广州), China - 22 to 28 April 2026

Sometimes the best trips aren’t the most perfectly planned ones—they’re the ones where you show up, eat your way through a city, and laugh through the chaos.

This was one of those trips.

Sometime earlier this year, Serene, Adrian, and I—the self-declared “Three Musketeers”—decided on a late April escape to Guangzhou. As usual, I took charge of the bookings (clearly, I like to make life hard for myself 😏).

The Hotel Saga (aka Trust Issues with Prepayment)

Finding accommodation was not as straightforward as I hoped. I initially secured rooms at LN Five Hotel through Booking.com, but when they requested full payment in advance in March, I hesitated. Something did not sit right So I pivoted.

After some searching, I rebooked via Trip.com and landed on Super Times Design Hotel— no upfront payment required, clean, spacious, and in a fantastic location. That decision? One of the best I made for this trip.

Day 1: Food Finds & Weather Drama

We landed early Thursday morning (23 April), slightly groggy but ready to eat.

The plan was dim sum at Tao Tao Ju (陶陶居) — but we got sidetracked and ended up at Rice Roll Master (荔银肠粉) instead. No regrets. Sometimes the “wrong” turn feeds you just as well.

Rain drove us into Tee Mall (天河城) near Beijing Road, where — ironically — we found Tao Tao Ju (陶陶居) and had our proper dim sum lunch there. Balance restored.

We wandered, shopped a little (mainly figurines), and stumbled into a café with adorable shaped pastries. None of us remember the name — which says a lot — but we remember enjoying it. That’s what counts.

Dinner? Steamboat.
The mala broth was… aggressive. I respectfully declined. Serene and Adrian? Brave souls.

We ended the night with street food—stinky tofu, skewers (串串), and whole coconut drinks to cool down. Guangzhou 1, our digestive system.

Day 2: The “Sports Mall” That Wasn’t

Breakfast was a comforting mix of dim sum and congee before we took a Didi (滴滴出行) — China’s Grab/Uber equivalent to Wanguo Outlet.

Online, it promised a sports shopping haven. Reality? Confusing and underwhelming.

We left with one solid win — Skechers shoes — and lowered expectations.

Lunch was familiar comfort food (very much like Xiang Xiang back home), followed by massages and, naturally, more street food in Beijing Road (北京路步行街).

Highlight: Chaoshan Red Fried Chicken (南乳炸鸡). Crispy, flavourful, worth the hype.

Day 3: Figurines & Familiar Comforts

We explored Yongqingfang, where Adrian found his “Fat Tiger” (胖虎) figurines.

胖虎

Mission Accomplished.

Lunch was voucher-driven (we love a deal), then off to Taikoo Hui (广州太古汇) to check out Songmont before heading back.

Dinner at Xian Miao Shao Ji (鲜苗烧鸡) was a standout.
Crispy chicken, pork ribs, fried bee hoon — simple, done right. The chicken? Easily one of the best meals of the trip.

Day 4: Roasted Pigeon & Round Two Steamboat

We started in Dongshankou with breakfast at Captain, then returned near the hotel for roast pigeon at Da Ga Fan.

If you’ve never tried roast pigeon — don’t overthink it. Just go in with an open mind.

Dinner? Yes, steamboat again. Apparently, once wasn’t enough trauma for me.

Day 5: One Last Food Marathon

Breakfast was xiao long bao (小笼包), followed by Adrian’s second round of beef brisket soup (牛腩)—commitment level: impressive.

We explored another Tee Mall (less crowded, much more pleasant), then returned to the main mall for final figurine shopping.

Dinner was a chaotic, glorious spread — skewers, fried chicken, fruits, bubble tea (Jo’s Cha), and desserts via Meituan. A proper “order everything and deal with it later” kind of night.

Day 6: Goodbye (and Slight Relief)

Packed, checked out, and off to the airport for our 1:30 PM flight home.

Trip Reflections

This wasn’t a shopping trip. It was a food trip disguised as a city break.

One thing I was quietly worried about before the trip? Money.
China is heavily e-payment based, and I honestly thought our group spending would become a mess trying to track who paid for what.

But this turned out to be a non-issue.

We used the Wanderlog to log every expense — who paid, what it was for, and how it should be split. It kept everything transparent and made settling up at the end surprisingly painless.

So instead of stressing over numbers, we focused on what really mattered: eating our way through Guangzhou.

Shopping? Average.
Food? Absolutely worth it.
Company? The reason everything works.

Trip Takeaways & Tips

1. Be flexible with bookings
If something feels off (like full prepayment), trust that instinct. Alternatives exist — and sometimes they’re better.

2. Track shared expenses from Day 1
Use an app like Wanderlog. It removes the awkward “who owes who” conversations later.

3. Food plans are just suggestions
Some of the best meals happen when you don’t follow the plan.

4. Manage expectations for “famous” spots
Not every hyped location delivers. Have a backup mindset.

5. Toilets are… an experience
Squat toilets are common.
Strategy: head to newer malls or upscale locations for seated ones. You will thank yourself.

6. Transport is easy
Didi is reliable, convenient, and affordable.

7. It’s okay to not do everything
We did not chase every attraction — and honestly, we did not miss it.