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One kilometre east from Wuxian Guan along Huifu Dong Lu is Dafo Si , the Big Buddha Temple (daily 8am-5pm; free; Gongyuan Qian metro). Like Wuxian Guan, this is cunningly hidden up a cul-de-sac on the north side of the road, but look for the bulbous golden statue of Maitreya at the gates. Professional beggars at the door put on quite a show if they see you coming, but sit around chatting amiably and sharing cigarettes when they think nobody is watching. Otherwise, this little temple's recently tiled hall isn't very engrossing. Of more interest is the usually deserted City Museum (daily 9.30am-4.30pm; Y8; Nongjing Suo metro), set back in a square behind a full-sized steel dragon-boat sculpture, farther east on Yuexiu Lu. There's a weird mix of subjects here, the first floor showcasing Guangzhou's industries with photos, washing machines and stuffed toys. Head upstairs and there's a natural history museum , incorporating cases of rarities and an innovative walk-through "jungle" with spotlit creatures hidden in the undergrowth. A Yangzi River dolphin looks more like a badly stuffed sofa, but the English captions convey an unexpected appeal for conservation in a country which usually puts development ahead of all other considerations. Other rooms house exquisitely fine art objects, including superb porcelain, finely carved jade and Ming household ornaments. The lack of visitors and explanatory notes somewhat deadens it all, but it's remarkable to see such a high standard of exhibits.
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