After bidding 长沙 goodbye, I am on the China's bullet train once again to 广州. It was dusk when I reached. While doing homework online to find out the various nightime activities in 广州, I chanced upon an affordable ferry cruise along 珠江, a major river in 广州. The cruise timing suits me as well.
So after alighting at the intercity train station, I connected to the local metro, which is once again housed in the vicinity, to the ferry pier. The nearest metro station is ~15 minute pleasant walk along the river to the ferry building. The river promenade is lighted beautifully and there are many people wandering along.
Inside the small ferry cruise terminal
Many companies ply their ships along the river. And the ships vary vastly. There are beautifully decorated ships and there are plain-looking ships. Tickets can be bought at the counter and the prices for different ships vary slightly as well. There are almost half hourly departures at night so the wait is never long and the ship is not too crowded as well.
Here we go !
These row of buildings syncronise their digital displays. At one point, 'fishes' swam from one building to another. How cool is that ?
The major attraction on the cruise is the Canton tower. A dazzling display of lights at night. Each ship ply the same route. Going in one direction, returning to the pier to pick up more passengers, then going in the other direction before returning. The whole cruise took nearly 2 hours.
Definitely worthwhile to board the cruise and enjoy the night scenery!
Anyway, I alighted the cruise at a late hour and briskly walked back to the train station, just in time to catch the second last metro train to the airport, with a connection en-route. A well-spent night in 广州 !