【Guangdong】Canton Tower

Rising 600 meters above the Pearl River, Canton Tower—affectionately called "Little Waist"—is an architectural marvel blending Dutch design ingenuity with Cantonese cultural motifs. Its lattice-twisted steel frame evokes flowing water, while the world’s highest horizontal Ferris wheel (450m) offers panoramic views of Guangzhou’s skyline. The 433-meter observation deck features glass floors for vertigo-inducing city vistas, and nightly light shows transform the tower into a digital canvas depicting Lingnan seasons. At the revolving Michelin-starred restaurant, chefs reinvent dim sum with liquid nitrogen techniques, merging gastronomy with sky-high spectacle.

The base cultural plaza hosts workshops on Cantonese porcelain painting and embroidery, while nearby Pearl River cruises pass colonial-era buildings and historic universities, narrated in bilingual commentary. During the Dragon Boat Festival (May/June), laser projections synchronize with river races, creating a fusion of heritage and innovation.

Tips: Visit at dusk for sunset-to-neon transitions; combo tickets (Ferris wheel + sky drop) offer best value; Metro Line 3 to Canton Tower Station.