Lizhi
Introduction
Lychees are the fruit of the tree Litchi chinensis, the only member of its genus and a relative of the soapberry family. The fruit is edible, sweet with a mild tartness, and known for a floral aroma often compared to roses.
Getting around
Lizhi is a walkable, well-connected neighbourhood in Guangzhou's Liwan District, clustered around Lizhi Bay and Liwan Lake Park. Most of the sights — the old street, the ancestral temple, the antique market and the lake park — sit close enough together to explore on foot, and walking is genuinely the best way to experience the area. The main caveat is that the nearest metro station is a short walk rather than an immediate one, so plan on a few minutes on foot at either end of your metro trip, or use a bus stop, which puts you much closer to the action.
- Metro: The simplest way in and out of the district. Changshou Road is the closest station, roughly an eight-minute walk from the old street; Zhongshan 8 is about eleven minutes; Ruyifang is a longer walk of around seventeen minutes. Lines 1, 5 and 6 serve the area, with service from early morning until late at night, so an evening out is easy to manage. Buy tickets at station machines or gates in the usual way — no special pass is needed.
- Bus: The most granular option, with stops scattered right at the doorstep of the old street. City Third Palace is barely a minute's walk away, followed by Pantang Terminal (about two minutes), Pantang (about four minutes), Fengyuan Road (about six minutes), Shiliji (about eight minutes) and Zhongshan 8th Road (about nine minutes). A wide range of routes passes through, including 2, 8, 15, 25, 55, 61, 66, 74, 104, 105, 107, 109, 128, 133, 196, 204, 226 and 541, with routes 25, 2, 541, 61, 74, 8 and Express Peak 37 specifically noted as stopping near the site. Night 39 and Night Route 6 serve the area after dark; Night 39 is effectively the bookend service, handy if you're arriving very early or heading home very late. Pay your fare on board as usual.
- Taxi and ride-hailing: Practical throughout the district and a useful fallback for the last stretch to your hotel, especially late at night or if you're carrying luggage. Because the metro stations sit a short walk from the old street rather than right beside it, a taxi can save you that final leg — give the driver the name of the street or a nearby landmark such as Panxi Restaurant or Liwan Lake Park East Gate.
- Ferry: For a slower, more scenic approach, Ruyifang Pier is served by the S3 Air ferry line. It's a longer walk from the old street — roughly twenty-seven minutes — but the ferry runs from about early morning until around evening, making it a pleasant alternative if you're coming from along the water.
- From the airport: The source material does not describe airport connections to Lizhi, so no specific airport route can be given. As a general approach, take the metro or an airport bus into central Guangzhou and then transfer to Line 1, 5 or 6 for Changshou Road, Zhongshan 8 or Ruyifang — or take a taxi or ride-hailing car directly to your accommodation. Confirm current airport transfer options locally when you arrive.
Wear comfortable shoes — the neighbourhood rewards wandering on foot.
Three days in Lizhi
Day one: Base yourself in Liwan District and get your bearings on the Metro, using Changshou Road and Zhongshan as your anchors. Walk the streets around Ruyifang and take in the character of the neighbourhood before heading to Liwan Lake Park, entering by the East Gate. Panxi Restaurant is the place to stop for a proper meal, and in the evening you can follow the Night Route to see the city after dark.
Day two: Head out to Lizhi Bay for the day, where the lychee is the thing to seek out - look for litchi in season and eat as much as you can. When you have had your fill, make your way back via Ruyifang Pier, where the Ferry and the Air make for an easy return. If you would rather not walk, a Taxi is a practical option, or you can Pay your way onto the Bus.
Day three: Take the Metro out to Pantang Terminal and explore Pantang, then follow Fengyuan Road and Shiliji Road towards Express Peak for the views. City Third Palace is worth a stop along the way. Because the lines are straightforward, you can move between these stops without much trouble, and you can Buy your tickets as you go.