Over the Easter weekend holidays, I made a short trip to the Southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, to explore the bustling and busy city and savour authentic cantonese cuisine. It would also be my first visit to Guangzhou.
Did self check-in at one of the many check-in machines at Terminal 3 to print the boarding pass, and with no check-in luggage, proceeded through immigration to the transit hall.
T3 was busy with mainly SQ departures in the morning.
Our flight would be departing from one of the furthest gates at A21.
30 March 2018
Singapore Airlines
SQ 850
Singapore (SIN) - Guangzhou (CAN)
A330-300
9V-STT
Economy Class
Flight Time: 3H39M
Views of SQ's A330 regional workhouse which would be operating the flight to Guangzhou this morning.
Boarding started soon but even though boarding sequence was announced, it was not actively enforced. Ended up a free-for-all during Economy boarding, which was rather unusual for SQ. Newspapers and earphones were available at the door.
Greeted upon boarding and proceeded to our seats at row 55. A pillow and blanket was available on each seat.
View out the window fom my seat, with cargo loading still in progress.
Flight map. Seat was the 2006-version economy seat, and was comfortable enough for the flight.
Boarding in progress.
The April version of inflight magazines and IFE selection were already loaded.
Customary hot towels offered after boarding was completed.
Browsing through the IFE selection.
The flight was pretty full in Economy at least. Pushed back with the new safety video featuring Singapore attractions played.
We had a rather lengthy taxi to Rwy20C, crossing the road and passing T4.
Taxi and holding short of the runway.
Departing from Rwy20C, bound for Guangzhou.
Climbing out of Changi.
Decided on a light hearted comedy Pitch Perfect 3 this morning.
Above the clouds.
A round of juices and water was offered shortly after seatbelt signs were turned off. I had a cup of water, which was served warm.
Cruising
Menus were distributed, which includes the meal selection for this flight as well as the returning sector. On this breakfast flight, the very predictable and boring egg selection or noodles were offered. There were barely any changes in the breakfast selection for the past 20yrs as far as I remember.
To have something different (and probably more tasty) for breakfast, I pre-ordered the Hindu non-vegetarian meal. The special meals were served first prior to the main meal cart.
The breakfast offered was a delicious prata with spicy minced lamb and potatoes dish, served along with a tub of vegetables pickles, cut fruits, yoghurt and roll with butter and preserve.
Cut fruits, roll with condiments.
The delicious lamb with pratha and potatoes.
Plain yoghurt.
My friend pre-ordered the Indian vegetarian meal, and was served a main of pizza-styled bread with dhal-like dish. It was quite tasty as well.
Crew serving the rest of the cabin.
Ending with a cup of tea.
Continuing with Fat Amy on the IFE.
After the movie, visited the lavatory, which was well-stocked with amenities as usual.
View of the cabin.
More than halfway through the flight.
Started on the second movie Jumanji.
Flew over Hong Kong as we started the descent into Guangzhou.
Descending into Guangzhou. It was pretty cloudy and gloomy.
The cloudy and smoggy skies did not allow views of the city even though we were pretty low during the approach.
A very smooth landing in Guangzhou Baiyun Intl Rwy02R.
Taxied to the gate and passing the new Terminal 2 which would be opened soon.
Parked at the international section of the terminal.
Disembarked.
Last view of the A330.
The lobby was very grand and impressive.
A pleasant surprise awaits as I was upgraded to a suite, probably due to my Expedia Gold status and the hotel is a participating Expedia VIP hotel.
Nespresso machine and TWG teas offered in the room.
View from the room.
First meal after arrival was at a local eatery near the hotel. Had cantonese congee, rice rolls and more.
After the meal, we proceeded to ShangXiaJiu pedestrian street.
Strolling along the shopping street.
Night view of Customs House.
Along the Zhujiang River.
Exploring the colonial styled buildings on Shamian Island.
A very filling dinner at the well-known Guangzhou Restaurant. The serving portions were humongous!
Night scene of shopping street.
The next morning, we proceeded to the Canton Tower, the most well-known landmark of the developed Guangzhou.
However, the highlight was the mouth-watering dimsum at Shang Dian Restaurant at the foot of Canton Tower!
Canton Tower from Cultural Park.
Views of the skyscrapers at Zhujiang New Town.
Beijing Road pedestrian street.
Huge Buddhist temple near Beijing Road.
Having a selection of Cantonese desserts. The most popular dessert in Guangzhou is the steamed milk pudding, along with various toppings.
A quaint residential neighbourhood.
Dinner at a very popular eatery offering all sorts of cantonese cuisine.
Back to Zhujiang New Town for the night views.
Skyscrapers and a rainbow Canton Tower.
On the last day, we had a dimsum breakfast at the hotel Chinese restaurant.
Thanks for this FR.
Indeed a great service as usual with SQ!
Those special meals are a good way to taste something different especially if you say the menu has been the same for years.
Nice bonus of a not well known city.
A solid performance by SQ as expected.
Thanks Terry for sharing this FR and the amazing bonus. Looks like you had a great culinary experience there.
Amazing FR, good job brother!!! ??????