The Temple of Six Banyan Trees (Central Guangzhou)
The Temple of Six Banyan Trees (liu rong si) is a striking and exceptionally well-maintained temple situated in the heart of Guangzhou. It is one of the best preserved historical monuments of China yet the ancient Chinese architecture contrasts sharply with the modern skyscrapers surrounding it. The Temple was originally built 1450 years ago and had a different name but was renamed the "Banyan tree" temple by the dissident poet Su Dongpo during a visit to the site in 1100.

An interesting structure stands in the temple grounds. The Hua Ta Pagoda is an octagonal building rising seventeen-stories high. The sculpture in the wooden eaves and the ceiling here is exquisite and there are hundreds of small Buddha's in various poses, peering out at visitors as they make the climb up the steep staircase.

Lotus Mountain
Lotus Mountain (Lianhua shan) stands in Panyu City at the mouth of the Zhujiang River. Hikers are greeted by the 40.88 meter high Goddess of Mercy statue and Pavilion with 1,000 statues in her image. The mountain is about 45km southeast of Guangzhou so it is best to allow an entire day to get to and from this site. It is easily accessible from Hong Kong by a one and a half hour boat journey up the Pearl River Delta.

Although stone cutting at the Mountain ceased hundreds of years ago yet today, the sheer cliff of the mountain looks almost natural and it resembles a blooming lotus from a distance. There are pagodas, temples and other Ming dynasty constructions dotted about the mountain. Lotus Mountain also served as a line of defense against the British in the Opium Wars and as is known locally as the "Great Wall of Guangzhou".