Guangzhou

Understand

As a historic gateway for overseas culture, Guangzhou has long been accustomed to the presence of foreigners — unlike many other Chinese cities where visitors may still stand out. As a result, travelers often find greater personal freedom and space here. Beyond the central districts and their towering skyscrapers, traditional neighborhoods continue to thrive at a slower, more familiar pace, where locals gather outdoors to share tea and conversation. The city is home to China’s largest urban park, a charming island lined with restored colonial-era buildings, a globally recognized skyline, a wealth of world-class galleries and exhibition venues, and a stunning central square. Today, Guangzhou ranks among the most prosperous cities in China and is often regarded as the country’s most liberal, open, and cosmopolitan urban center.

History Formerly known as Canton to the West, the city of Guangzhou has a history dating back roughly 2,200 years.

A legend tells of five celestial beings who descended upon the land that is now Guangzhou, each riding a ram and carrying sheaves of rice. As a gesture of prosperity and abundance, the beings blessed the city and gifted the rice to its people. Upon their departure, the rams transformed into stone, and Guangzhou flourished into a wealthy and influential city. This tale inspired several well-known nicknames for Guangzhou, including Yangcheng (羊城; City of Rams), Suicheng (穗城; Sheaves of Rice City), and Wuyangcheng (五羊城; City of Five Rams). Additionally, thanks to the city's vibrant floral displays, it is often called Huacheng (花城; City of Flowers). Historical records indicate that Guangzhou was founded in 214 BC under the name Panyu (番禺), originally referring to the city within the wider prefecture of Guangzhou. As the city expanded, it eventually adopted the name Guangzhou. Guangzhou played a vital role in the Maritime Silk Road, connecting southern China to India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Due to its ties to the Middle East, a mosque was established in 627, and a small Muslim community remains in the city today. Additionally, Zen Buddhism has deep roots in Guangzhou—Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen, arrived from India and taught the Dharma here, and the sixth patriarch of Zen Buddhism was born in the city, later delivering the renowned Platform Sutra. His monastery is still revered as a local treasure. The city also holds significance in Christianity: the first Protestant missionary to China, Robert Morrison, arrived in Guangzhou in 1807, marking the beginning of Christian influence in the country.

Getting there

By plane

1 Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (广州白云国际机场 CAN IATA), Baiyun, ☏ +86 20 3606 6999. One of China's main intercontinental hubs, 28 km north of Guangzhou, it's the most convenient airport to get into the city by taxi and subway. It is the main hub of China Southern Airlines. (updated Jan 2016) Flying to Hong Kong is another option. From Hong Kong International Airport, there are direct ferries to Guangzhou that allow you to bypass Hong Kong immigration. Alternatively, there are cross-boundary buses that run direct to Guangzhou and other cities in Guangdong from the airport, although you do need to pass through Hong Kong immigration to use these. Bus companies include China Travel Service, Trans-Island Chinalink and Eternal East, fares range from HK$220–250 one way. At Kowloon station of the Airport Express, next to West Kowloon Railway Station, you can transfer to high-speed trains bound for Guangzhou. At Guangzhou Airport, citizens of 54 countries may obtain a visa waiver to visit Guangdong province for up to 240 hours (10 days) if they are in transit to a third country. See the Guangdong article for more details.

By train Guangzhou has impressive high-speed rail services across China, focused on Guangzhou South ("Nan") Railway Station. Chief connections are: Hong Kong (West Kowloon Station) is less than an hour by the fastest trains, via Futian, Shenzhen and Humen, Dongguan; single fares from HK$200 - see Hong Kong#By train. These run every 30 min or so. All the border procedures are at West Kowloon Station, so from Hong Kong to Guangzhou you should check in at the station 90 min before scheduled departure, then on arrival, you don't need to allow much transfer time for an onward train. Going to Hong Kong you're okay till about 20 min before departure, but factor in immigration at the other end if you're going that way to catch a flight. There are also trains between Hong Kong West Kowloon and Guangzhou East ("Dong") Railway Station (but the journey time is longer), and cheap options involving a Chinese train from Guangzhou to Luohu (罗湖) in Shenzhen, walking across the border bridge, then taking a Hong Kong MTR train (East Rail Line). Lots of locals do this. Mainland China: Fast trains run to Wuhan (3 hr), Beijing (8 hr), Xian, Shanghai (7 hr), Nanning (4 hr) and Kunming. The most amazing train is to Lhasa in Tibet, just under 5000 km away over dizzying high-altitude passes. This train runs alternate days from Guangzhou Station (广州站), taking almost 55 hours. A sleeper costs ¥923 and up; see also Overland to Tibet. There are three maj

Getting around

Guangzhou has a fairly efficient and rapidly expanding public transportation system. If you intend to stay in Guangzhou for a long time, buy a multi-purpose Lingnan Pass - Yang Cheng Tong (岭南通-羊城通) stored value card, similar to the Octopus Card in Hong Kong. The card can be used in most metro areas in Guangdong province (but not Shenzhen). It can be used not only for public transportation (bus, subway, parking meters and some taxis), but also for public phones and designated shops, places of interests and certain vending machines. The card costs ¥50, which includes an ¥18 deposit and a starting balance of ¥32. You can purchase and recharge the cards in many places, such as some 7-Elevens, Metro customer service counters, and Tiantian Laundry. Returning your card at the end of the trip can be done at any Yang Cheng Tong service centers. The best locations include centers near metro station Gongyuanqian Exit J, Tiyu Xi Exit G, and East Rail Station exit HJ. It may be worth it to keep the card as a souvenir.

By metro

Guangzhou's Metro opened in 1999 and has been expanding at a breakneck pace ever since. Most places in Guangzhou of interest to visitors are within walking distance of a metro stop. The Metro cannot be beaten for its combination of convenience and affordability. Most signs are in both Chinese and English, while announcements are generally trilingual in Mandarin, Cantonese and English. Trains can become extremely crowded during morning and evening rush hours, especially on Line 3. The fare varies by distance, from ¥2 to ¥21. You can tap in and out, using a contact less foreign credit/debit card, with ease, though not all fare gates at some older stations might accept it there is always at least one gate you can tap you in/out through. You can buy tickets from vending machines in the stations. These accept ¥5, ¥10 and ¥20 bills and ¥1 coins, giving change; other machines take phone payment via Chinese app Alipay which you're unlikely to have. You can break up big bills, or change worn bills that the machines won't accept, at the customer service counters. The ticket is a small round plastic token, which you tap over the reader at the gate to enter the platform, and at the exit where you surrender the token into the slot like a vending machine. The Yang Cheng Tong card (see details above) is easier to use, and also gives you a 5-40% discount. As per Chinese standard, you will pass through security when entering metro stations. However, security is somehow laxer, with some stations only needing a pat by metal detector. There are 15 lines in op

See

Guangzhou's long history can be experienced in the Liwan and Yuexiu districts. Traditional buildings are slowly disappearing due to the city's rapid growth, but they can still be found near Yide Road, Renmin Nan Road and Zhongshan Road. They make great photo spots. Shamian Island (Liwan) was the European settlement in Guangzhou in the 19th century, and colonial buildings can be seen there. The Chen Clan Academy (Liwan) is a famous example of traditional Cantonese architecture, and Yuexiu contains several temples which are popular destinations. Yuexiu is also home to 20th century historical sites like the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall. The Tianhe district has become home to a new business district (Zhujiang New Town), with towering office buildings and some new cultural institutions. Guangzhou is a massive city, but it is also home to beautiful natural sites. Baiyun Mountain, located just north of the city center, is a large mountain park with forests, streams, and long hiking paths, as well as a cable car to the top for the less adventurous. The Chimelong theme parks in the city south (Panyu district) include a popular safari park as well as roller coasters and other attractions. The Canton Tower, formally Guangzhou TV Astronomical and Sightseeing Tower, is a 604-meter (1,982 ft)-tall multi-purpose observation tower in Haizhu district. The tower was topped out in 2009 and it became operational on 29 September 2010 for the 2010 Asian Games. The tower briefly held the title of tallest tower in the world, replacing CN Tower in Toronto, before being surpassed by the Tokyo Skytree. It was the tallest structure in China prior to the topping out of the Shanghai Tower on 3 August 2013, and is now the second-tallest tower and the fifth-tallest freestanding structure in the world.

Do

Pearl River Night Cruise (珠江夜游) Dashatou Pier (大沙头码头), Tianzi Pier (天字码头), and Xidi Pier (西堤码头) – This is a one- to two-hour cruise in the evening and a great way to see the Guangzhou skyline along the Pearl River, including a light show at Bai-E-Tan. Tickets for the deluxe dinner cruise can be bought from most high-end hotels. Prices from ¥50–200 per person. Higher end cruises usually include dinner buffet. Daytime River "Cruise" As cheap as ¥5, you get a ride down to the last terminal at ZhongSan University and back. Just tell the ticket seller at the jetty, in front of Riverside Hostel, you just want a joyride. On your way back, you can get off on the other side of the river at the heart of the commercial district. After spending a couple of hours walking around or even dinner, it will cost you only ¥1 to cross back to the Riverside Hostel. Ride the public buses. Cheap and generally safe, but beware of pickpockets. The electric trams are even cheaper at flat rate of ¥2. Hop on to any one of the public buses. Drivers are generally very friendly and helpful. So long as you have sufficient small change for the journey, tell the driver you are in just for a joyride. (In Cantonese Yau Cheh Hor literally meaning just for the ride or just for fun. Where the journey terminates, ask anyone what buses will take you back and request the driver to let you know when to get off. So long as you sit not too far away, he (sometimes she) will tell you. Don't worry, everyone is very helpful on these buses. Being paranoid about scams and perceived crimes takes the joy out of what would otherwise be a marvellous holiday.

Festivals Chinese New Year/Spring Festival (春节 Chūnjié) occurs on first day of first lunar month, usually in January or February. This is a 15 day celebration and some districts can be quite deserted as many migrant workers return to their home provinces. The flower fair is popular during the days before New Year. Dragon Boat Festival (端午节 Duānwǔ jié) on fifth day of fifth lunar month, usually in May or June. This festival commemorates the sacrifice of Qu Yuan (屈原), a famous poet who drowned himself in the river by way of making a statement against government corruption during the Warring States Period. The highlights are dragon boat racing along the Pearl River, and eating rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves (粽子). Mid-autumn Festival (中秋节 Zhōngqiū jié) is on the 15th day of 8th lunar month, usually in September or October. Cantonese moon cakes are enjoyed during this holiday. Lian Xiang Lou and Taotao Ju's moon cakes are especially famous (see "E

Buy

Street markets If time and weather permit, walking is perhaps the best way to see the city as the back alleys, which are littered with antiquities, are not accessible by motorized vehicles. Most trades and goods categories are concentrated in a specific area or along one main street. See the |Guangzhou/Liwan and Yuexiu articles for locations.

Malls and shopping centers Many large shopping malls have been built in areas like Yuexiu and Tianhe.

Eat

Individual listings can be found in Guangzhou's district articles Cantonese cuisine is well known for its blend of color, fragrance, taste and presentation, and it is ranked among the top four in the country. In particular, dim sum, a delicate pastry, is famous for being simple yet delicious. Local customs, as well as a long history of contact with the West compared to other regions in China, have played a major role in the development and diversity of Cantonese cuisine. "Chinese food" in Western countries is usually Cantonese food, albeit slightly adapted to Western tastes, meaning that many Western visitors will be familiar with Cantonese food to a certain extent. Authentic Cantonese cuisine is also famous throughout China for another reason — Cantonese people tend to eat absolutely anything. A well-known Chinese joke is that they eat anything that has four legs other than a table, anything that flies other than an airplane, and anything that swims other than a submarine. In addition to that, various internal organs of animals are regularly eaten, such as the liver, kidneys, heart and even brain. This means that Cantonese cuisine is one of, if not the, most adventurous in China due to their expansive use of exotic ingredients, and their extremely broad definition of what is considered edible. This is how Guangzhou earned the distinct name of "Eating in Guangzhou (食在广州)." Unlike Sichuan food and many other cuisines across China, Cantonese food tend to preserve the original flavor of the ingredients and is generally not spicy. The taste of Umami is strongly emphasized in the dishes. Soup is also an important part of Cantonese cuisine. Cantonese soups are distinct by having been cooked for an extended period (typically 4h+). Due to its cosmopolitan nature, cuisines from many different parts of the world are also available in Guangzhou. In particular, due to the large number of Africans living here, there are several restaurants serving various African cuisines to cater to that demographic.

What to eat White Cut Chicken (白切鸡) This is one of the most popular Cantonese dishes. It is lightly flavored to allow one to savor the true taste of the chicken meat, and is usually served with a dipping sauce of ground ginger and spring onion on the side. Many Cantonese restaurants have their signature dish based on this, such as the Wenchang Chicken from Guangzhou Restaurant, Real Taste Chicken from Bingsheng Restaurant and Qingping Chicken from various restaurants. Yum Cha / Dim Sum (饮茶/ 点心) "A pot of tea with two pieces (一盅两件)" is Guangzhou's dim sum culture. Man

Drink & nightlife

When it comes to drinks, Guangzhou is one of the best cities in China to knock back a few. With a relatively large population of foreigners here, the city offers a wide variety of nightspots that cater to all tastes. Tsing Tao and Zhu Jiang are the two major Chinese beer brands that are sold almost everywhere. Both are fairly standard light lagers. Carlsberg is also brewed in Guangzhou, which explains the reasonably large amount of Carlsberg taps in the bars.

Pubs tend to be in Yuexiu and Tianhe district, while dance clubs are clustered in Yuexiu, particularly around the Garden Hotel (Metro 5 Taojin).

Tea houses The culture of tea drinking, also known as Yum Cha (饮茶), runs deep in Guangzhou. After all, the city was at the center of the massive tea trade that existed between China and Europe during the 19th century. Wong Chun Loong Herbal Tea is a traditional herbal tea chain that has over a dozen branches in the city, including 17 Wenchang South Road, 109 Huagui Road, 51 Dishifu Road, 504 Xihua Road. Starbucks provides free Wi-Fi. Popular locations include Taojin Road by the Guangzhou Friendship Store, Huanshi East Road in the Peace World Plaza, across the street from the Garden Hotel, and Shamian Island. Check their website for complete listing. Check out some local fusion items including a wide selection of Chinese tea, Green Tea Tiramisu and Shredded Ginger Pork Panini.

Sleep

Individual listings can be found in Guangzhou's district articles

Hotels can be found across the city, but particularly in the Yuexie and Tianhe districts. Youth hostels are uncommon in Guangzhou, unlike many other big cities in China. Most hostels in the city are illegally operated and unlicensed, mostly located in residential apartment buildings. The management usually discourages most socializing activity, worrying that any noise may lead to complaints from their neighbors and result in government crackdown.

Go next

The watchtower dwellings of overseas Chinese from the early 20th century in Kaiping (开平). Take a 2-hour bus from Fangcun Bus Station (芳村汽车站) (Metro 1 Kengkou Exit B) ¥60. Foshan (佛山) is an hour away from Guangzhou. Famous for its Ancestry Temple (祖庙), it is also the hometown legendary martial artists Wong Fei-hung and Ip Man. Take the Foshan Metro at the Xilang Station of Guangzhou Metro Line 1. Hong Kong (香港) is barely an hour away by high-speed train or around 2 hours by conventional railway, though you need to factor in border delays. You will also exit Mainland China, so your visa needs to be multi-entry if you intend to come back. Humen (虎门) in Dongguan (东莞) is famous for its Opium War era relics (虎门销烟). It is a bridge away from the Nansha District. Most high-speed trains to Shenzhen or Hong Kong stop at Humen. Shaoguan (韶关), visited for its nature including the beautiful Danxia Mountains, and home to a large ethnic Yao minority. An hour north by high-speed rail. Shenzhen (深圳) is less than an hour away by bus or train, on the border with Hong Kong. Check out theme parks such as Window of the World, the China Folk Culture Villages and Splendid China. Zhongshan (中山) is the hometown of Sun Yat-sen, the leader of the revolution than toppled the Qing Dynasty, and founding president of the Republic of China. Zhuhai (珠海) is another special economic zone to the south, bordering Macau. You can get a bus from any of the major stations in the city. You can also take a high speed train at the South Station (Metro 2 Guangzhou South Railway Station) and it only takes about 45 minutes (¥44). Chaozhou (潮州) is famous for its wood cutting art, city walls, river bridge and nice parks. Take a high speed train at the South or East Station and it only takes about 3 hours to Chaoshan, the high speed train station between Chaozhou and Shantou. Frequently running city buses connect to downtown (take north exit).