With this perfect weather, don’t you just want to be outside all the time? I know I do! So join me on a hike along the Cloud Pathway, which runs from Yuexiu Park all the way to Baiyun mountain. Its elevated sections are something else and the entire trail is ideal for a sunny morning (or afternoon) with your kids, walking and having fun in the multiple parks along the way.

This time, I ventured out by myself, which hardly ever happens these days. Why did I not bring my son along? Well, sometimes us mummies need that alone time, don’t we, but mostly I just wanted to check what this trail was like and I’m actually glad I did.

Here is my suggested itinerary…

Cloud Pathway (Yun Dao) can start either in the south or one can begin the hike at Baiyun mountain. I decided to start at the south gate of Yuexiu Park and walk up north but instead of getting off at Sun-Yat Sen Memorial Hall on Line 2, I chose to exit at Gongyuanqian on Line 1 (it’s also on Line 2) to check out Comic City. I haven’t been there for 10 years! It’s THE place to be if you’re into manga, anime, cosplay, or any comics, old and new, foreign or Chinese but I’ll save the details of this weird and wonderful place for a separate post.

Me being me, I couldn’t just head directly to my destination . If I find myself in a new area or an area I haven’t been to for a looong time, I want to make the most of that opportunity. After all, who knows when I’ll be there again, right?

And since Liurong Temple (Temple of the Six Banyan Trees) is within walking distance from Gongyuanqian metro station, I decided to take a quick look. Quiet, peaceful, no crowds, monks walking around, people paying respects and making offerings; somehow it felt fitting to be there on a Sunday morning to witness all that. I immediately felt relaxed.

I spotted several people just sitting in the shade of the famous Banyan Trees, reading or enjoying a ridiculously cheap vegetarian meal. Overall, it gave a very chilled vibe.

After a quick taxi ride to the south gate of Yuexiu Park, I found myself at the back of the impressive Sun-Yat Sen Memorial Hall, with its iconic blue roof and lovely grounds. To be honest, I felt quite confused as I thought I’d known what the south entrance looked like but in reality it looks like this:

Sorry parents with babies/toddlers in prams. As you can see, stairs are involved, therefore I’d say this trail is not suitable for buggies of any type unless you wish to carry it with your child in it. There are many flat sections too though so it’s your choice.

Don’t make the same mistake as me and climb the stairs straight to the top!It’s an activity I’d rather avoid if I can so pay attention to the signs and you’ll save yourself starting the hike already out of breath:)

What you need to do at the first crossroads is to turn right and walk towards Guangzhou Museum, pass that and carry on following the signs with a cloud symbol on them-thoughtfully, they are in English too!

You could pause your hike here and visit the Museum, if you wish to educate your kids on Guangzhou’s history. Certain sections would appeal to older kids but I probably wouldn’t go with a child under 7 as it’s not particularly interactive. Also, bear in mind that on weekends this museum can get very busy, with families mostly! Keep checking the signs and follow through the park until you reach an area with toilets in front of you and a large sign in Chinese on the right-hand side, pointing to the path going down-that’s the one you need to take!

If you hear the noise of traffic, you’re heading in the right direction. The path will take you to a main road right next to Xiaobei area. You could finish your hike here and go to enjoy some absolutely delicious Turkish or Arabic food or show your kids the mosques and Xinjiangnese street (BEST, super cheap pistachio ice cream!), which feels like another world but you’d miss the best section of this hike!

Once you cross the busy road, you’ll find yourself in the super quiet Huaguoshan Park, next to Guangzhou TV Tower, where the most impressive elevated paths are located. This is by far my favourite part of this hike!The views are fantastic and kids would enjoy racing with each other/running along the decks high up above the ground!

Doesn’t it look amazing?!And to think this is in central Guangzhou!

Huaguoshan Park is a bit like Baiyun mountain with paved roads and relative ‘wilderness’ surrounding you. Remember that you won’t be able to bring your kids’ bikes or scooters on this hike-they’re banned, but don’t let that put you off. Kids would definitely still enjoy walking the Cloud Pathway as long as you come prepared with songs, bubbles, binoculars, whatever tickles your kid’s fancy!

Sculpture Park, for those who have never been, is a large park, obviously, with many sculptures dotted all over. Some are most suitable for children than others (there are quite a few revolution/army-themed) but trust me, there is enough of them to entertain younger visitors. My son went there for a kindergarten trip and a scavenger hunt-type of activity, which sounds like so much fun and this is the perfect place for it! If your kids are older and you feel comfortable letting them wander around the park on their own, you could come up with your own scavenger hunt activity for them, increasing their art knowledge whilst being in nature. No need for trips to the art museum, this is a wonderful open-air one!Free!

Instead of just passing through this area, I decided to explore the park for a bit and I’m so glad I did as it really is bigger than it seems and the sculptures are very interesting. There is even a small art gallery (exhibitions are free and open during regular hours with a break for lunch 12-2pm) and a Micheal Jackson statue! I also spotted a couple of very unusual, amazing birds, who made the most beautiful sounds. I tried to take a photo but you’d need one of those heavy professional cameras with a stupidly long lense to capture them properly! Meanwhile, my phone is so old zooming in is practically impossible…Therefore don’t ask what they were, I’m no ornithologist, I just know they looked exotic and I’ve never seen them anywhere else. What a bonus!

It was a glorious afternoon!

Even though art is the main theme of this park, there are several signs in English with information about the flora and fauna that can be found there-making this park educational in more ways than one! The large lawn with the iconic running horses sculpture is ideal for a picnic. There were many families taking a rest there with kids playing together, running with kites, kicking a ball. As you can see from the photos, it is way quieter there than in most central parks so even if you don’t fancy the hike itself, you might want to visit just to chill there. No bumbing into other families’ tents or eaves-dropping on the neighbours’ conversations here:)

If you stick to the hiking trail, you’ll miss almost all of Sculpture Park, including this fascinating alley full of Lignan-themed sculptures, many of which feature elderly with children in funny poses that resemble real-life situations from the past. Once you pass that, you’ll get to the palm tree area, where kids can try their hand at climbing those super tall trees!

It was time to get back on the trail as my legs were getting tired and my stomach was rumbling but I was determined to finish it:) Upon exiting Sculpture Park, you’ll find yourself back on an elevated path, going across busy roads and lush greenery, leading you to the wonderful Luhu Park.

This part is slightly busier and you could exit here if you were too tired. Many people seemed to be entering here, I guess wanting to enjoy a bit of the trail before they enter the park proper. I was wrong thinking that the Cloud Pathway somehow goes alongside Luhu Park towards Baiyun mountain. In reality you enter the park, can carry on the elevated path to Julong Garden but after that you’re basically walking through the park to it north entrance. I could not see any official signs anymore, only the GD Greenway ones once in the park. This wasn’t a problem for me as I know which way to head north but if you haven’t been to this part of GZ before, you may want to use your phone to navigate you towards Baiyunshan South Gate. Along the way you’ll see…

Feel free to stop in Luhu Park, it is a wonderful place that I described before here. If you haven’t had a break in Sculpture Park, take one here! You won’t regret it. Even better, stay for afternoon tea by the glimmering lake. Let kids try to spot wildlife in the water, hire a kayak or a pedal boat and enjoy the vibe here.

My hike was finally over. I say finally because I couldn’t feel my legs anymore, not because I did not like it. In fact the opposite, I LOVED IT! I highly recommend it to anyone, with the exception of perhaps families with really little kids unless you only wish to do a short part of the trail of course, in which case, go for it. You can carry on to the South Gate of Baiyunshan, past the fantastic Yuntai Garden and the stunning Yulong Garden, take the Baiyun mountain cable car and extend your hike by walking around Guangzhou’s most famous mountain range but since I have visited all of the above places already, some quite recently, I was done.

I hope you enjoyed walking with me through some of Guangzhou’s most beautiful parks and I managed to inspire you to go and try it out yourselves! You won’t regret it!

Let me know your thoughts.x

Info:

Address: Start either at Yuexiu Park South Gate or Baiyunshan South Gate. There are several entrance points along the way too, just check on your phone map.

Getting there: Sun-Yat Sen Memorial Hall, Line 2 or Yuntai Garden, Line 11, if you want to walk north to south.

Parking: Sculpture Park and Luhu Park have paid car parks.

Cost:Free!

Food: Bring snacks with you. There are 7/11 type shops at the metro stations I referred to. Restaurants can be found next to Baiyun mountain south entrance, in Luhu Park and in Xiaobei area.

Facilities: No toilets along the trail but there are some in Sculpture Park, Yuexiu Park and Luhu Park.

Age: Please see above regarding prams. There are stairs. As long as you’re fairly fit-you’ll love it!