Guangzhou
Discover Guangzhou
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. Hong Kong and Macau are geographically, linguistically and culturally part of the PRD, but politically and administratively separate.
What to Experience in Guangzhou
Taste of Guangzhou...
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.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Guangzhou into what it is today.
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....
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Guangzhou.
The Canton Fair (China Import and Export Commodities Fair) is held twice a year (spring and fall) in the Pazhou Complex in Haizhu district. It lasts for several weeks each time — for example, the Fall 2018 Fair is October 15 to November 4. Through most of Mao's era and until Deng Xiaoping's economic reforms from 1978, the Canton Fair was almost the only way Chinese and foreign business people could meet and make deals. It is still much the largest trade fair in China; the October 2012 Fair had over a million square meters (11 million square feet) of exhibit space, over 24,000 exhibitors, and over 188,000 overseas buyers. Around $32.5 million worth of business was done at that Fair, and almost certainly much more was done later from contacts made at the Fair. If you are going to the fair, book a hotel well in advance. Hotels tend to be booked and expensive during the Fair. Metro is a good transportation option to go to the fair ground, and many hotels provide free shuttle services.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple Options23.39113.2981 Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (广州白云国际机场 CAN), 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....
Getting Around & Staying
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.
Where to Stay
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. 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.
Money & Budget
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. Many large shopping malls have been built in areas like Yuexiu and Tianhe. 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.
Language & Talk
Locals in Guangzhou speak Cantonese as their native language. As the Guangzhou dialect of Cantonese is far less influenced by foreign languages than that of Hong Kong, this is a good place to learn the language in its "purest" form. Cantonese in Guangzhou is spoken with several different accents, the best known ones being the Dongshan Accent (东山口音) and Xiguan Accent (西关口音). While there are noticeable pronunciation differences between the different accents, if you are already fluent in Cantonese, this should not pose too much of a challenge. As Mandarin is the official language of mainland China and the medium of instruction in all schools, most younger locals will be bilingual in Cantonese and Mandarin.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
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. Scam artists operate in the main tourist areas, so you should exercise prudence and remember that if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. As the capital of the richest province of China, it has attracted an enormous number of immigrant workers from other provinces and some other developing countries. Drug trafficking is a serious offense and foreigners are not exempted from the death penalty.
Glimpses of Guangzhou
skyscraper building during nighttime
city buildings under blue sky during daytime
The sunset city view of Guangzhou with Liede Bridge
landscape photography of buildings during golden hour
a view of a city from a hill
grey clouds hovering over city lights
Guangzhou Circle shining at night.
a large body of water with a city in the background
Guangzhou tower
brown and black wooden house near body of water during daytime
skyscraper building during nighttime
city buildings under blue sky during daytime
The sunset city view of Guangzhou with Liede Bridge