Guangzhou

Travel Guide

Guangzhou featuring modern architecture, a skyscraper and a city
Beijing Road Pedestrian Street featuring nightlife, shopping and modern architecture
Tianhe showing a city and night scenes as well as a small group of people
Guangzhou showing a city, a skyscraper and street scenes
Baiyun Mountain

Discover modern architecture and enormous shopping centres amid old temples and beautiful parks in the ancient city of Guangzhou.

Guangzhou is an economic and commercial powerhouse, flourishing particularly in trade, finance and tourism. New skyscrapers are springing up, the streets are packed with shoppers and the good times are rolling for one of China’s largest cities.

Guangzhou is situated on the Pearl River in Southern China. From its founding during the Qin Dynasty (221–206 B.C.), the city has become an important hub for international trade. After substantial reforms in the 1970s, Guangzhou became an economic role model for the rest of the country.

One of the most visible signs of this city’s energy and modern attitude is Canton Tower. Make this colossal building one of your first stops. From its summit not only will you have an incredible bird’s-eye-view of the city, you’ll also have the opportunity to ride the world’s highest Ferris wheel in the form of the tower’s Bubble Tram.

Guangzhou may have its sights set on the future, but it has not severed its links with the past. Local heritage can be seen in the city’s temples, mosques, classical architecture, and traditional arts and crafts.

Discover more than 2,000 years of the city’s history with a visit to The Western Han Museum of the Nanyue King Mausoleum. It houses the tomb of an ancient king and many of the relics that were buried along with him. Visit the lavishly decorated Chen Family Temple, which was once an ancestral shrine but now holds a museum dedicated to the area’s long tradition in arts and crafts.

Take in some of Guangzhou’s many modern attractions. Shop for bargains on Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, and treat the family to a day out at the Chimelong Paradise theme park. For quieter moments surrounded by beauty, head for the hills, lakes and lawns of Yuexiu Park (Yuexiu Gongyuan).

Although Guangzhou still has a reputation for its air pollution, the city has done much in recent years to improve this. There are pollution controls and a vastly improved subway system. Guangzhou’s subway is actually one of the quickest and most efficient ways to get around, and it connects to most of the major attractions.

Where to stay in Guangzhou

Tianhe

Tianhe

4/5(27 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Tianhe. Tianhe Park is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Tianhe Park Station or Yuancun Station to see more of Guangzhou.

Tianhe
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Yuexiu

4/5(30 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Beijing Road Pedestrian Street and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Yuexiu. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Peasant Movement Institute Station or Beijing Lu Station.

Yuexiu
Canton Tower showing modern architecture, night scenes and cbd

Haizhu

4/5(12 area reviews)

Haizhu is a destination travellers like for its spas, and you might hop aboard the metro at Datang Station or Kecun Station to explore sights like Canton Tower.

Haizhu
Guangdong Folk Art Museum featuring heritage architecture, street scenes and a temple or place of worship

Liwan

3.5/5(3 area reviews)

Consider exploring the abundant dining options in Liwan. If sightseeing is on the list, Guangdong Folk Art Museum is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Chen Clan Academy Station or Hualinsi Buddhist Temple Station to see more of the area.

Liwan
Chimelong Paradise showing rides and railway items

Panyu

3/5(1 area review)

Panyu is well liked for its mountain views and parks. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Chimelong Paradise and Chimelong Water Park are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Panyu Square Station or Shiqiao Station to get around.

Panyu
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Guangzhou Central Business District

Noted for its spas and coffee shops, there's plenty to explore in Guangzhou Central Business District. Top attractions like Zhongtian Shopping Mall and Tianhe Stadium are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Tianhe Sports Center Station or Linhexi Station to see more of the city.

Guangzhou Central Business District
The Garden Hotel Guangzhou - Discover 26 cultural treasures with hotel Golden Tour Guide
The Garden Hotel Guangzhou - Discover 26 cultural treasures with hotel Golden Tour Guide
5 out of 5
368 Huanshi Dong Lu, Guangzhou, Guangdong
The price is S$152 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$152
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Guangzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 9 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Very good hotel"

Reviewed on 11 Jun, 2025

The Garden Hotel Guangzhou - Discover 26 cultural treasures with hotel Golden Tour Guide
Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich
Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich
5 out of 5
988 Guangzhou Da Dao Zhong, Guangzhou, Guangdong
The price is S$118 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$118
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Guangzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (980 reviews)
"Close to nearly everything . Safe area. Lots of taxis available"

Reviewed on 12 Jun, 2025

Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich
Langham Place, Guangzhou
Langham Place, Guangzhou
5 out of 5
No.638 Xingang East Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong
The price is S$121 per night from 11 Jul to 12 Jul
S$121
11 Jul - 12 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Guangzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Overall pretty good choice around this area"

Reviewed on 5 Jul, 2025

Langham Place, Guangzhou
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ascott ICC Guangzhou
Ascott ICC Guangzhou
4.5 out of 5
No. 239, Tianhebei Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Guangzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions Beijing Road Pedestrian ...
9/10 Wonderful! (102 reviews)
"Nice place"

Reviewed on 27 Jun, 2025

Ascott ICC Guangzhou
Somerset Haizhu Centre Guangzhou - Free shuttle bus to and from the exhibition hall during the Canton Fair
Somerset Haizhu Centre Guangzhou - Free shuttle bus to and from the exhibition hall during the Canton Fair
3.5 out of 5
No. 164 Diejing Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Guangzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (121 reviews)
"Clean & huge space. Service is great & walking distance to 2 malls."

Reviewed on 7 Jul, 2025

Somerset Haizhu Centre Guangzhou - Free shuttle bus to and from the exhibition hall during the Canton Fair
Cloudy International Apartment
Cloudy International Apartment
4.5 out of 5
Zhongshan 5th Road, 70, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Guangzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 restaurants, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Beijing Road Pedestrian Street ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (54 reviews)
"The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. We bought things that was sent to the hotel before we arrived. They were so helping us locate the items."

Reviewed on 3 Jul, 2025

Cloudy International Apartment
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Guangzhou

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
18
5 - Excellent 27%
4 - Good
39
4 - Good 58%
3 - Okay
10
3 - Okay 15%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

I didn't leave the airport.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Vibrant, beautiful city especially at night! But boy is there driving system crazy out there! Guess it’s all part of the experience. Top tip: create translation cards of phrases and locations you want to go! MUST DO! Must visit: bubble tram

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Hard to travel for tourist, but great for business deals

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Do not take high heels shoes whatever time of year your visiting. And buy a good guide book because you are going to need it. Their is so much to do and see the metro system is excellant and usfull . If you are using taxi make sure they turn the mete

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Should visit! Every things cheap..delicious foods.

4/5 - Good

PMC

Great food, lots of shopping centres, extremely hot and humid in August. Subway is cheap and easy to navigate but can be extremely busy.