Baiyun Shan (White Cloud Mountain)  This section of the range of hills that runs through Guangdong Province is right outside town and can sometimes be a peaceful escape from Guangzhou's traffic and buildings. You will not, however, be the only one with this idea and, on the weekends especially, the hills are alive with the sounds of Cantonese. The hike to the highest point should take a little over an hour, but there is the requisite cable car that can do the work for you. Temples, tea houses and lookouts will make sure you never feel alone in the wild, and the views of the city are great and somewhat comforting.