Kaiyuan Temple in the old city is one of the finest intact Buddhist complexes in Guangdong, its courtyards layered with centuries of donated objects, lacquered pillars, and hanging lanterns. The main hall houses a large bronze Buddha flanked by gilded bodhisattvas, the whole interior thick with the smoke of incense coils burning from the rafters. The temple is an active place of worship rather than a preserved monument — the distinction matters.
The surrounding lanes are among the most atmospheric in the old city, with temple-facing shophouses selling incense, paper offerings, and the clay pots associated with Teochew cooking. The temple complex backs onto the older residential quarter, and the alleys east of the main hall are quiet enough that you can hear your own footsteps. Free entry.