Guangzhou: Thirteen Hongs Museum & Shamian Island Tour
ID: GYG1154289-1774369
Category:
Country: China
Duration:
04:00 hours
Description
Meet at Thirteen Hongs Museum—hotel-to-museum taxi reimbursed. Learn the Canton System, taxi to Qingping Market, stroll Shamian Island. End at White Swan; taxi back within Tianhe/Haizhu/Yuexiu/Liwan.
Meet your private guide at the south entrance of the Thirteen Hongs Museum (十三行博物馆, Liwan District). Show a photo/screenshot of your hotel→museum taxi/Didi receipt—your fare will be reimbursed on the spot (valid for Guangzhou urban districts: Tianhe, Yuexiu, Haizhu, Liwan).
Start with a guided visit inside the museum (about 1 hour) to decode Guangzhou’s Canton System (18th–19th c.)—how the hong merchants managed tea, porcelain and silk exports, the role of the factories (“hongs”), supercargoes, and the Opium Wars. See maps, models and export art that bring port history to life.
Take a short city taxi (≈15 min, included) to Qingping Market, one of Guangzhou’s best-known traditional markets. Spend around 30 minutes exploring the dried seafood and herbal lanes with your guide—great for photos and for understanding everyday Cantonese ingredients and TCM culture. No purchases are required.
Continue on foot to Shamian Island for a leafy walk (about 1 hour) past the Our Lady of Lourdes Church (exterior), former consulates and banks, wrought-iron balconies and garden courtyards. Enjoy Pearl River views and a relaxed coffee stop—one drink per person is included. Your guide shares stories that connect the museum’s global trade history with Shamian’s foreign-settlement architecture.
The tour ends at the White Swan Hotel (Shamian Island). Your guide will call a taxi and reimburse your fare back to your hotel or to your next destination within Tianhe, Yuexiu, Haizhu or Liwan.
This is a private tour (3.5 hours total incl. short transfers), flexible in pace and photo stops. Expect 2–3 km / 1–2 miles of easy walking on flat paths. All mandatory costs are included: private guiding, two city taxi rides (hotel→museum & end-of-tour ride within the districts above), and one coffee. Museum admission is free.
Please bring your passport/ID for museum security checks, wear comfortable shoes, and prepare for warm/humid weather.
Highlights
- Decode the Canton System at the Thirteen Hongs Museum.
- See real local life at Qingping Market—spices, herbs and dried seafood.
- Stroll Shamian’s churches, consulates and villas with Pearl River views.
- Taxi reimbursed to the museum + drop-off after tour within city center.
- Private guide throughout, flexible pace, plus one coffee included.
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This is a 3.5-hour private walking tour with short taxi transfers between sites. Expect walking on flat streets and some steps.
•Meeting point: Main entrance of the Thirteen Hongs Museum (Guangzhou). Your guide will be holding a sign that says “Mosaic China ”
•Taxi reimbursement (included): We reimburse one standard metered taxi/Didi ride from your hotel (within Yuexiu, Liwan, Tianhe or Haizhu districts) to the museum at the start, and one ride after the tour to one drop-off address within the same districts. Please show the in-app receipt/screenshot;
•Coffee stop (included): One regular coffee or tea per person on Shamian Island.
•The Thirteen Hongs Museum has free entry; ID/security checks may apply—please bring a passport/ID.
•Qingping Market visit is for photos and local-life observation (no shopping required).
•The tour ends near the White Swan Hotel (Shamian); your guide will help you order the taxi for your return.
•Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun/rain protection.
Thirteen Hongs Museum — Main Entrance (十三行博物馆正门).
Look for a guide holding a small “Mosaic China” sign by the entrance.
Taxi reimbursement on arrival: show your taxi/Didi receipt or app screenshot — we reimburse your fare in cash on site (valid for rides starting in Liwan, Yuexiu, Tianhe or Haizhu districts only).
INCLUDED
- Private walking tour with a professional local guide
- Thirteen Hongs Museum entry (free public museum; no ticket required)
- Reimbursement of your taxi fare from your hotel to the Thirteen Hongs Museum within Yuexiu, Liwan, Haizhu or Tianhe (show receipt/app screenshot)
- Taxi drop-off after the tour to your hotel or next destination within Yuexiu/Liwan/Haizhu/Tianhe
- One coffee per adult at a local café (tea/soft drink on request)
NOT INCLUDED
- Taxi costs to/from districts outside Yuexiu/Liwan/Haizhu/Tianhe, and airport/rail hubs
- Extra food & drinks beyond one coffee
- Personal expenses/shopping at Qingping Market
- Gratuities (optional)
- Travel insurance
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.
