3. Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
Dim sum is the crown jewel of Cantonese cuisine.
The birthplace of Cantonese food, Guangzhou is thought by many as the best place to eat in China. The city of 12 million has a passionate food culture, with equal excitement reserved for the opening of a hole-in-the-wall congee joint and a high-end restaurant.
The local cuisine is characterized by fresh clean flavors, seafood, barbecued meats and the wonderful tradition of yum cha, which is tea drinking accompanied by dumplings and small dishes.
Congee is the way locals love to start their day, and one of the most popular vendors is Ru Xuan Sha Guo Zhou. Here, one can get a bowl of signature seafood congee any hour of the day.
Yum cha addicts are spoiled for choice but the extensive selections at both North Garden Restaurant (where shrimp dumplings are the specialty) and Bing Sheng are exemplary.
Roast meats are Bing Sheng's most popular order -- their roast goose is marinated with five-spice, boiled, air-dried, then roasted by a flame oven to give a succulent crisp skin.
For something more home style and removed from the madness of downtown, head to Ji Cun for steamed chicken and simple farmer-style dishes.
More on CNN: How to eat dim sum: The best five dishes
Ru Xuan Sha Guo Zhou Haizhu Branch (如轩砂锅粥), 562 Dongxiao Lu, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 广州海珠区东晓南路562号, +86 20 8408 2969, 24 hours
North Garden Restaurant (北园酒家), 200-202 XiaoBei Lu, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 广州市越秀区小北路200-202号, +86 20 8356 3365, open daily 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Bing Sheng Pinwei (炳胜品味), 1-2/F Shipai Hotel, 168 East Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 广州市天河区天河东路168号石牌酒店1-2楼, +86 20 8751 8682, open daily 11 a.m.-4 a.m.
Ji Cun Restaurant (鸡邨大饭店), 550 Ying Bin Lu, Panyu District, Guangzhou 广州番禺区市桥镇迎宾路550号; +86 20 8466 1010; 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., open daily 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
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