The Most Beautiful Garden in Guangzhou: Bao Mo Garden

The Bao Mo Garden is a gorgeous garden in the Panyu district of Guangzhou. It was built at the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911 AD) and designed to follow the traditional Chinese humanistic belief of the “harmonious union of God and man.”

Here you’ll find charming bridges, mazes of paths, gorgeous rose gardens, and little koi fish swimming everywhere. It perfectly reflects the best of Chinese beauty and culture – and to be honest, before I came to China this is pretty much what I expected China to look like, so it’s a bonus to see things like I imagined before!

BEFORE YOU GO

Entrance: 54 RMB
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Directions: Take Line 3 to Shiqiao Station. Take bus 12 or 67 to the last stop, 宝墨园 Bao Mo Garden. It’s about an hour on the bus.
Bring: A new selfie stick tripod your friend got you for your birthday (thanks Lauren you da best!)

When I arrived around 8:45 a.m. the garden was so quiet. Only a few other people wandered the paths and I was immediately excited by all the beautiful architecture I saw. Sometimes (all the time) when I visit a new place I get overwhelmed and antsy in anticipation of all the photos I can take.

I watched several Chinese couples walking together, holding hands or working their smartphones. A sweet old Chinese man walked into my shot and I was waiting (a little impatiently) for him to move, and then I had to tell myself RACHEL STOP. LOOK HOW CUTE HE IS. LET HIM ENJOY THE MOMENT YOU WILL HAVE YOURS. THIS GARDEN HAS BEEN HERE HUNDREDS OF YEARS IT’S NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

Coming here this morning was a fantastic reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment. And I still had plenty of time to take all the photos my heart desired.

 

I also put together just a little video of me hopping around the garden (well not literally hopping.)

I’m so glad I got there early for good pics! It’s the same as any other attraction in China – the earlier you go the less crowded it is. By 10:30 the place was crawling with big groups and families and it was hard to get pictures without other people. And since I went early it meant I left before everyone else and got a good seat on the bus ride back 😉

Some of the most beautiful places I’ve been to in Guangzhou take a little time and effort to get to, but they’re well worth the trip. I love finding new places like this to explore and the reminder they give me to be still and soak in the moment.

I know I say this about every new place I visit in Guangzhou, but this is seriously one of the best places I’ve been to, especially when seeking Chinese architecture and an escape from the bustling city.

Until the next adventure.