Guangzhou One-Day Spiritual Retreat: Mirror Garden and Surroundings

If you love walking as much as I do, especially city walks that take you through time, you must experience one of Guangzhou's hidden treasures - Mirror Garden. This is not only a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and relax your mind and body, but also a paradise filled with art and Zen. Follow my itinerary, bring your good mood and curiosity, and embark on a healing journey for the soul! Itinerary: Morning: Mirror Garden First, take the subway to Panyu Square Station, then transfer to a bus or take a taxi to Huashan Avenue, Panyu District, Guangzhou. If you are driving, you can navigate directly to 'Mirror Garden' or 'Sihai Equestrian', park in the nearby parking lot, and walk a few minutes to reach the destination. A small step opens a door to tranquility. Mirror Garden itself was designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto. It is hidden among lush greenery, seemingly ordinary, but every detail can touch your heart. The buildings in the garden consist of white houses, red houses, and oyster shell houses, each blending naturally and exuding a warm glow. The pond, bamboo forest, and boardwalk change with the seasons, offering enchanting scenery. The charm of this place lies in the fact that it is not just an art space, but also a place where you can calm your mind. You can read, meditate, or simply sit and watch the changing light and shadows in the bamboo forest. The most surprising thing is that there is no entrance fee, and you can even enjoy free perilla soda water, making it a perfect leisure experience. Noon: Hui Space After leaving Mirror Garden, a few minutes' walk will take you to another interesting architectural art space - Hui Space. The design of this place is inspired by the shape of the Chinese character '回' (hui), with a unique structure that blurs the boundaries between nature and man-made, creating a strong visual impact. The architecture here has become part of nature, with abandoned houses integrated with branches and wooden structures, creating a wonderful vitality. Especially the Japanese-style wooden terrace, where you can sit and watch the rustling leaves and listen to the sound of flowing water, feeling completely immersed in this tranquil space. Afternoon: Transformers and Han She Next, head to the nearby Transformers sculpture. This super tall sculpture resembles the giant soldiers from Hayao Miyazaki's animations, with a peculiar and vibrant form. Standing in front of it, you can't help but imagine it awakening from ancient times. The surrounding wild grass adds a sense of life to this artwork. Then, walk a few minutes to a completely different place - Han She, a very unique restaurant composed of many small wooden houses, with a giant banyan tree inside. Here, you can enjoy a unique lunch and sit on the wooden terrace, feeling the tranquility and beauty under the light and shadows. Evening: Swan Lake Finally, visit Swan Lake, a natural ecological lake filled with swans. The surrounding grass is lush, and there are thatched huts by the lake for visitors to rest. In the evening, the lake surface glows softly, creating a dreamy fairyland. Here, you can take a leisurely walk, drink tea, and enjoy the peace of being close to nature. Summary: This day's itinerary is filled with artistic vibes, but each attraction will not make you feel tired. Instead, it is a completely relaxing experience. Whether it's the Zen aesthetics of Mirror Garden or the artistic collision of Hui Space, each stop allows you to have a dialogue with nature and your inner self. And all of this is almost free, making it the most cost-effective spiritual retreat in Guangzhou. If you want to avoid the noisy commercial attractions and take a slow-paced trip, you can refer to my route and experience another side of Guangzhou in this tranquil haven.