Zhenhai Tower (镇海楼), also nicknamed the Five-Story Pagoda, is one of Guangzhou’s most iconic historic landmarks—sitting on Yuexiu Hill inside Yuexiu Park and housing the Guangzhou Museum today. It was first built in 1380 during the early Ming dynasty, and it has long been a city symbol thanks to its commanding hilltop position.
If you want a practical visit (no fluff): this guide covers how to get there by metro, opening hours, ticket prices, best photo spots, and common mistakes.
What is Zhenhai Tower (and why it’s worth your time) ✅
Zhenhai Tower is a historic watchtower-style building on Yuexiu Hill. Historically, it functioned as a strategic vantage point above the old city; today it’s the main exhibition area of Guangzhou Museum.
Quick “why go” list
- 🏙️ One of the best elevated viewpoints in central Guangzhou (especially in clear weather).
- 🏛️ Museum inside for a compact Guangzhou history overview.
- 🌳 Yuexiu Park combo: you can pair it with other park highlights in the same walk.
Best things to do here 🗺️
1) Climb the tower for city views 📸
Even if you spend only 20–30 minutes inside, the tower’s hilltop setting makes it one of the easiest “high-impact” viewpoints in central Guangzhou.
2) Do the museum floors as a “fast timeline” 🏛️
Treat it like a quick, structured introduction: scan the main exhibits, then move on to the park. (Perfect if you have a packed Guangzhou itinerary.)
3) Combine with Yuexiu Park highlights 🌿
Many visitors bundle Zhenhai Tower with the park’s classic landmarks (like the Five Rams area). Yuexiu Park is big—so plan a loop rather than backtracking.
How to get there 🚇🚌🚕
Metro (recommended) 🚇✅
The official Guangzhou Museum visitor guide gives clear metro routing:
- Metro Line 2 → Yuexiu Park Station (越秀公园站) → Exit B2, then walk to the park’s main entrance area.
- Alternative entrances exist depending on your route, but Line 2 + Yuexiu Park Station is the simplest for most visitors.
Bus 🚌
The museum’s official guide also lists multiple buses stopping at Yuexiu Park Station (bus stop), then you enter the park and walk up to the tower.
Taxi / ride-hailing 🚕
Set destination to:
- 广州博物馆 镇海楼展区 (Guangzhou Museum – Zhenhai Tower area)
This reduces the chance your driver drops you at the “wrong side” of Yuexiu Park.
Opening hours ⏱️
According to the official Guangzhou Museum information for the Zhenhai Tower exhibition area:
- Closed Monday
- Tue–Sun: 09:00–17:30
- Ticket sales + entry stop at 17:00
- Open on national public holidays (as noted by the museum)
✅ Best time to arrive: before 15:30, so you have time for the tower + a relaxed park walk.
Tickets / prices 💳
For the Zhenhai Tower exhibition area, the official Guangzhou Museum guide lists:
- Adult ticket: 10 RMB
(Discount policies can change; if you want the exact current discount rules, check the museum’s own pages on the day.)
A simple “best route” inside Yuexiu Park (to reach the tower smoothly) 🧭✅
Because Yuexiu Park has multiple gates and paths, here’s a foolproof approach:
- 🚇 Metro to Yuexiu Park Station (Line 2)
- Walk into the park and follow signage toward Zhenhai Tower / 广州博物馆
- Go tower first, then explore the rest of the park after (when crowds build, the tower queues can feel slower)
Tips & common mistakes ✅⚠️
✅ Use the Chinese name in maps
Search 镇海楼 or 广州博物馆 镇海楼展区 for better pin accuracy.
⚠️ Arriving too late
The museum states 17:00 stop ticketing/entry, so a late afternoon “quick visit” often fails.
✅ Pick a clear day if you care about photos 📸
Views from the hill are best when haze is low (Guangzhou humidity can soften skylines).
⚠️ Thinking it’s only a “tower photo stop”
If you skip the museum entirely, you miss the “why this place matters” context. A quick 20–30 minute museum scan is usually worth it.
✅ Pair it with nearby history stops
If you like museums, you can build a strong half-day around Yuexiu (park + one additional nearby museum) without long commutes.
FAQ ❓
Where is Zhenhai Tower in Guangzhou?
It’s inside Yuexiu Park (Yuexiu Hill area) and functions as a main exhibition area of Guangzhou Museum.
What are Guangzhou Museum (Zhenhai Tower) opening hours?
Tue–Sun 09:00–17:30, closed Monday, with 17:00 stop ticketing/entry (per official info).
How much is the ticket?
The official museum guide lists 10 RMB for the Zhenhai Tower exhibition area adult ticket.
When was Zhenhai Tower built?
It was first built in 1380 (early Ming dynasty).
Conclusion
If you want one historic landmark that’s easy by metro, sits inside a great central park, and doubles as a small but meaningful museum, Zhenhai Tower (Guangzhou Museum) is a perfect pick. Go mid-morning, do the tower first, then enjoy a slow Yuexiu Park walk after. 🏯🌿
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