Yuexiu Park is the largest and most historic urban park in central Guangzhou. Located in the heart of the old city, the park combines natural scenery with some of Guangzhou’s most important historical landmarks.
For many visitors, Yuexiu Park is the best place to understand the historical identity of Guangzhou. The park contains the famous Five Rams Statue, the symbol of the city, along with ancient city walls, historic towers, lakes, and monuments connected to China’s modern history.
Unlike modern theme parks or landscaped gardens, Yuexiu Park feels like a natural green space shaped by centuries of local history. Hills, lakes, and trees cover a large area, creating an environment where people come to walk, relax, and escape the busy streets nearby.
Because of its central location, Yuexiu Park is also one of the easiest places for travelers to visit while exploring Guangzhou’s historic districts.
This guide explains where Yuexiu Park is located, how to reach it, what to see inside the park, and how to plan a relaxed walking route through its most famous landmarks.
Where Yuexiu Park Is and How to Get There
Yuexiu Park sits in Yuexiu District, one of the oldest areas of Guangzhou. The park occupies a large section of land north of the historic city center and is surrounded by government buildings, residential neighborhoods, and cultural landmarks.
Because the park is located near the center of the city, transportation is simple.
The easiest way to reach Yuexiu Park is by metro.
Metro Access
Guangzhou Metro Line 2 stops at Yuexiu Park Station.
Visitors exit the station through Exit B1 and arrive directly at one of the main park entrances. The Five Rams Statue area and several major attractions are located within walking distance from this entrance.
Opening Hours
Yuexiu Park is open every day.
Opening hours are usually from 06:00 to 22:00.
Many local residents come early in the morning for exercise or walking, while travelers often visit later in the day when temperatures are cooler.
Entrance Tickets
Entrance to Yuexiu Park is free.
However, some attractions inside the park require separate tickets. For example, Zhenhai Tower, which houses the Guangzhou Museum, usually charges a small admission fee.
Because the park is large, visitors should plan enough time to explore several areas comfortably.
Five Rams Statue. The Symbol of Guangzhou
The most famous landmark inside Yuexiu Park is the Five Rams Statue.
This sculpture stands on a hillside within the park and represents the official symbol of Guangzhou. The statue is about eleven meters tall and carved from granite.
The sculpture shows five rams carrying stalks of rice.
According to local legend, five celestial beings once arrived in Guangzhou riding rams and brought rice to the people during a time of famine. After delivering the rice, the rams turned into stone and remained in the city.
Because of this story, Guangzhou became known as the “City of Rams.”
Today the Five Rams Statue serves as a cultural emblem of the city. Visitors from across China and around the world often come here to photograph the sculpture.
The best photo angles are often found on the stone steps located beside the statue, where the surrounding trees create dramatic lighting conditions.
Historic Landmarks Inside Yuexiu Park
Yuexiu Park also contains several important historical sites that reveal the long history of Guangzhou.
Zhenhai Tower
Zhenhai Tower stands on one of the hills inside the park and has become one of the most recognizable historic buildings in Guangzhou.
The tower was originally built during the Ming Dynasty in the fourteenth century and is sometimes called the “First Scenic Building of Lingnan.”
The structure features five levels with red walls and green tiled roofs.
Today the tower houses the Guangzhou Museum. Visitors who enter the building can learn about the city’s development through historical exhibitions.
From the upper levels of the tower, visitors can also enjoy wide views of the surrounding city.
Ming Dynasty City Wall
Near Zhenhai Tower visitors can see sections of Guangzhou’s ancient city wall.
These walls date back to around 1380 during the Ming Dynasty and represent some of the oldest surviving structures in the city.
One particularly interesting feature is the tree root formations that grow along the wall. Over centuries, banyan tree roots have wrapped around the ancient bricks, creating a natural scene where trees appear to embrace the wall.
This combination of nature and architecture creates a striking visual contrast between past and present.
Sun Yat sen Memorial Monument
Another important landmark inside the park is the Sun Yat sen Memorial Monument.
The monument stands about thirty seven meters tall and commemorates Sun Yat sen, the revolutionary leader who played a central role in modern Chinese history.
Visitors can reach the monument by climbing a long staircase known locally as the Hundred Step Stairway.
From the top of the steps the surrounding view opens across the park and nearby city areas.
Lakes and Scenic Areas
Beyond historical monuments, Yuexiu Park also offers large green spaces and scenic lakes where visitors can relax.
The park contains several lakes including Beixiu Lake, Dongxiu Lake, and Nanxiu Lake.
Walking paths surround these lakes and allow visitors to enjoy quiet views of water, trees, and surrounding hills.
One popular activity is renting small boats on the lake. Boat rentals are inexpensive and provide a peaceful way to experience the park from the water.
Many visitors choose to explore the lake area in the late afternoon when sunlight reflects across the water and the surrounding trees create shade.
Because the park contains both hills and lakes, the landscape changes constantly while walking from one area to another.
Recommended Walking Route Through Yuexiu Park
Because Yuexiu Park is large, having a simple walking route helps visitors see the most important landmarks without feeling lost.
A relaxed route begins at the East Gate entrance.
From the entrance walk toward the Five Rams Statue and spend time exploring the sculpture area.
Next continue toward the Sun Yat sen Memorial Monument and climb the staircase to reach the monument platform.
From there walk toward the Ming Dynasty city wall near Zhenhai Tower.
After exploring the tower area, continue walking downhill toward the lake areas.
Many visitors finish their walk by renting a boat or relaxing near Beixiu Lake before leaving the park through the North Gate.
This route usually takes about three hours at a comfortable pace.
Tips for Visiting Yuexiu Park
Yuexiu Park covers a large area with hills and walking paths. Comfortable walking shoes make the visit much more enjoyable.
Photography is particularly good near the Five Rams Statue and Zhenhai Tower during the late afternoon when sunlight becomes softer.
Boat rides on the lake are most comfortable after about 16:00 when the weather becomes cooler and the evening light appears.
Because the park is popular with local residents, weekends often bring larger crowds.
Visitors who prefer quieter surroundings may consider visiting earlier in the morning.
Why Yuexiu Park Is One of Guangzhou’s Most Important Landmarks
Yuexiu Park represents the cultural and historical heart of Guangzhou.
Within a single park visitors can see the city’s official symbol, ancient defensive walls, historic towers, revolutionary monuments, and peaceful natural scenery.
Few places in Guangzhou combine history, culture, and nature in such a compact area.
For travelers exploring the historic side of the city, Yuexiu Park offers a deeper understanding of Guangzhou’s identity and the stories that shaped its development.
Walking through the park reveals why this green space remains one of the most beloved landmarks in Guangzhou.
