Bring your creative teens to this mekka for young fashionistas. A historical area, which gained new vitality thanks to becoming one of the ‘it’ spots among young locals. Get lost in the countless alleyways admiring Western villas, popping in to beautiful boutiques, trendy shops, unique cafes and funky eateries.

My first visit to Dongshankou took place many years ago, curtesy of friends who invited me to a charming café/boutique for afternoon tea there. Despite having returned to that area several times over the years, I have never been able to find that café again! A similar situation happened on my second visit-this time I was alone exploring the beautiful villas there and stumbled upon an absolutely stunning tea house-never to return there again simply because I couldn’t find it in the labyrinth of charming lanes! Frustrating but at the same time, all this wandering around has allowed me to discover completely new places every single time! This is the thing with Dongshankou. A new, exciting place awaits hidden down random streets and inside residential-looking buildings. I can easily imagine this place being perfect for a treasure/scavenger hunt and why not involve your teens?

Historically, Dongshankou was a separate district until fairly recently. It used to be a marshland until wealthy Overseas Chinese started setting up businesses there in 1920s, building villas and opening educational institutions. Even now, Dongshankou is home to some of the city’s top schools, which explains why it is also one of the most expensive areas in Guangzhou! Trust me when I say you’ll be transported into a different world as soon as you enter!

Now, I’m way past my teenage years but if you take into account all the youth walking around, taking hundreds of photos and selfies around every corner there each weekend, I feel quite confident in saying that your teens would like this area. And if they’re not so keen on walking (and there’s A LOT of walking to be done there), you could turn a visit to Dongshankou into a cycling trip-most of the streets are flat and quite safe to cycle on. I once did just that and loved the experience though it was during the week so the streets were significantly quieter than on any given weekend. You could then continue your ride on the nearby Ersha Island. I can imagine some being put off by the groups of youngsters taking countless selfies both on the streets and inside businesses but if you’ve been in China for a while, like me, this won’t bother you anymore:)

If your (older) child is into art or a creative type, they won’t be disappointed. Dongshankou is full of funky front shops, fancy interiors, minimalistic boutiques right next to small galleries, street art and so much more! It is also a paradise for coffee lovers with tens of cafes dotted all over! I have never used any map or searched for any social media hotspots (it is very popular on Xiaohongshu!) when visiting this charming area and yet have always thoroughly enjoyed simply getting lost there.

I have taken my son there when he was little and though I couldn’t honestly recommend this place as a destination for younger kids, he was totally fine looking at the art pieces in galleries, enjoying snacks and drinks available there and the more interesting architectural elements of the buildings, like a dragon carved into a massive doorway or a lovely courtyard with koi fish, hidden at the back of a tiny hotel. I would be lying saying the place is pram-friendly, it is not as the pavements are narrow and streets are quite busy during the weekend (with visitors, not cars) so bear this in mind if you’re thinking of taking your little one there.

The great thing about Dongshankou is that it is located right next to Dongshanhu (Dongshan Lake) Park-one of my favourite parks in the city centre. It is perfect for strolling, with ducks and swans, flowers, some nice buildings allowing you take in the views from a higher level and even an art gallery, which has a great cafe overlooking the lake! My favourite memories of that park are my son getting soaked in the fountain and listening to a huge choir of elderly folk practicing there in the morning. Outside the park’s main entrance, you’ll find old-fashioned Cantonese dessert shops, restaurants and…more cafes!

During your next trip to the city centre, why not skip the big shiny malls and head just a little bit further, to a truly charming, historically-important neighbourhood and treat your eyes to a real visual feast-and your stomachs to some yummy treats too:) Last time, I went there I had lunch in a small bistro and had the most amazing barramundi dish ever-not an ingredient you see often in Guangzhou!

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Info

Address: Dongshankou, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou

Best time to visit: Weekend afternoons/evening if you want to see it buzzing, with all businesses open. Weekend mornings if you want to see it without the crowds and enjoy a quiet stroll. Note that some businesses only open in the afternoons.

Getting there: The best metro station is Dongshankou, Exit E on Line 5. You’ll end up on a busy street, turn right and walk towards old-looking buildings. You’ll end up at a crossroad-feel free to explore areas in any direction! You could also start your day with the park, walk through it, exit through North-East Gate and then enter Dongshankou area. To reach the park take Line 6 or 10 to Donghu Station. You could cycle all the way from Ersha Island or Huacheng Square

Price: FREE

Food: Tonnes of cafés, traditional Cantonese restaurants and snacks near the park as well as many Western eateries within DSK.

Age: Kids 9+

Tip:

-Try the many sweet treats sold at cafés and hole-in-the-wall spots, like croissant ice cream or macaroons. Alternatively try a traditional black sesame creamy soup for 5rmb (sold near Exit E) or a Cantonese tangshui (sweet soup) for around 12rmb very close to Dongshanhu’s North-East Gate.