South China Botanical Garden

Choose Your Route at the Entrance

At the main gate, decide your route: the Half-Day Route (3-4 hours) hits the core highlights efficiently; the Full-Day Route (5-6 hours) covers most of the 30+ specialized gardens. Both start from the main gate.

Half-Day: Palm Garden → Dragon Hole Qilin → Greenhouse

From the gate, head to Palm Garden (棕榈园) for tropical atmosphere, then to Dragon Hole Qilin (龙洞琪林) — the most iconic landscape with a red bridge over a lake and towering redwoods, a listed 'Guangzhou Eight Scenery' view. Finish at the Greenhouse Complex (温室群景区).

Full-Day: Add Specialized Gardens

Add visits to the Rhododendron Garden (杜鹃园), Camellia Garden (山茶园), Aquatic Garden (水生植物园) with its wooden boardwalk through lotus ponds, Bamboo Garden (竹园), and Ginger Garden (姜园) before reaching Dragon Hole Qilin in late afternoon.

Experience the Greenhouse Complex

The Greenhouse Complex (温室群景区) recreates tropical rainforest, desert, and alpine environments. Highlights include the Avatar-like waterfall in the tropical hall, cacti and succulents in the desert hall, and rare dancing plants (会跳舞的植物) in the alpine section. Dress warmly — the alpine hall has air conditioning.

Relax at Dragon Hole Qilin

End your visit at Dragon Hole Qilin (龙洞琪林) for sunset. The red bridge, caramel-colored deciduous conifers (落羽杉), and lake reflections create a picture-perfect scene, especially in autumn when the foliage turns golden-orange.