Guangzhou (广州; pronounced Gwóngjāu in Cantonese and Guǎngzhōu in Mandarin; traditionally known in English as Canton) is the capital of Guangdong Province in southern China. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 18.7 million (26.9 for the whole urban area), making it China's fourth-largest city after Chongqing, Shanghai and Beijing. It is a key part of the Pearl River Delta region, which also includes Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan, Jiangmen, Huizhou, Zhongshan, and Zhuhai.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Like many Chinese cities, Guangzhou municipality includes a vast rural area in addition to the urban core. There are 11 districts in Guangzhou. Among them, Liwan, Yuexiu, Tianhe are the city's core, of most interest to tourists.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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). The culture of tea drinking, also known as Yum Cha (饮茶), runs deep in Guangzhou.
Guangzhou, which was the first open port in China, is generally tolerant of different cultures. Despite its reputation among the Chinese for being crime-ridden during the 90s, Guangzhou's crime rate compares favorably with any Western city of similar size, and violent crime is very rare. Pickpockets are active in shopping areas and transportation hubs. The best defense, as always, is to avoid flashing your valuables in public. You should use only official taxis, and change money at banks instead of money changers in the street.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Guangzhou typically sees ~33°C daytime highs and 28 rainy days.
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