Guangzhou
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At a glance
- Country
- China
- Region
- Guangdong
- Population
- 18.8 million
- Best time to go
- October to December
- Main airport
- Guangzhou Baiyun International (CAN)
- Coordinates
- 23.13°N, 113.26°E
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Overview
Guangzhou, long known in the West as Canton, has been one of China's great trading ports for two thousand years. Today it is a huge, humid and confident city on the Pearl River, a short train ride from Hong Kong.
Above all it is a city for eating. Cantonese cooking is one of the world's great cuisines, and mornings spent over dim sum and tea set the pace for exploring old temples, colonial streets and riverside parks.
Things to see
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Photo: Shujianyang, CC BY-SA 4.0 Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
An ornate 19th-century academy covered in intricate wood, stone and ceramic carving.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Unknown photographer, CC BY-SA 3.0 Shamian Island
A quiet former foreign concession of colonial buildings, shady avenues and riverside gardens.
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Photo: Tim Wu, CC BY-SA 4.0 Canton Tower
The twisting, slender tower has observation decks with views across the city and river.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Original uploader was Df112001 at zh.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 Yuexiu Park
The city's largest park, home to the Five Rams statue and the Zhenhai Tower museum.
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Photo: Legolas1024, CC BY-SA 4.0 Temple of the Six Banyan Trees
An ancient Buddhist temple with a tall, decorated pagoda in the old city centre.
Things to do
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Photo: Infomofo from (optional), CC BY-SA 2.0 Morning dim sum
Join locals for yum cha, sharing baskets of har gow and char siu bao over pots of tea.
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Photo: rheins, CC BY 3.0 Pearl River night cruise
Boats glide past illuminated bridges and towers, with the Canton Tower glowing in changing colours.
Find tours -
Photo: 古海岸遗址, CC BY-SA 4.0 Shop on Beijing Road
A pedestrian shopping street where glass panels reveal the remains of ancient roads beneath your feet.
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Photo: 古海岸遗址, CC BY-SA 4.0 Hike Baiyun Mountain
Wooded trails and viewpoints on the city's northern edge, an easy escape from the heat.
Where to stay
Tianhe
The modern business district, with international hotels, malls and good Metro links.
Hotels in TianheYuexiu
The historic centre, close to parks, temples and Beijing Road.
Hotels in YuexiuLiwan and Shamian
Old Guangzhou, with heritage streets and the best traditional food.
Hotels in Liwan and Shamian
Getting around
The Metro is extensive, cheap and signed in English. Use Alipay or WeChat Pay for tickets and taxis.
Metro line 3 runs from Baiyun Airport to Tianhe in around 45 minutes; high-speed trains from Hong Kong arrive at Guangzhou South.
When to go
October to December is warm, dry and sunny, the best time to visit. Summers are long, hot and humid, with typhoons possible, and spring brings frequent drizzle.
Plan your trip to Guangzhou
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.