Guangzhou Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Guangzhou featuring skyline, a skyscraper and a city
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(40 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
Yuexiu Park

Yuexiu

4/5(31 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Guangdong Provincial Museum 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(16 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
Default Image

Guangzhou Central Business District

Noted for its spas and coffee shops, there's plenty to explore in Guangzhou Central Business District. Top attractions like Tianhe Stadium and Tee Mall 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
Guangdong Folk Art Museum featuring heritage architecture, street scenes and a temple or place of worship

Liwan

5/5(1 area review)

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

2/5(4 area reviews)

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

Panyu
Soluxe Hotel Guangzhou
Soluxe Hotel Guangzhou
5 out of 5
No.199 Huangpu Road Central, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong
The price is AU$143 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
AU$143
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Guangzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (819 reviews)
"Good location. Clean. Food in western cafe has lots of variety. Very happy"

Reviewed on 13 Mar. 2024

Soluxe Hotel Guangzhou
The Garden Hotel Guangzhou
The Garden Hotel Guangzhou
5 out of 5
368 Huanshi Dong Lu, Guangzhou, Guangdong
The price is AU$188 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
AU$188
per night
8 Apr - 9 Apr
Stay at this luxury hotel in Guangzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 9 restaurants. Popular attractions Beijing Road Pedestrian Street and Shangxiajiu ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Siempre cómodo el hotel, pero mucha construcción alrededor."

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2024

The Garden Hotel Guangzhou
Langham Place, Guangzhou
Langham Place, Guangzhou
5 out of 5
No.638 Xingang East Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong
The price is AU$173 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$173
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Guangzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (952 reviews)
Great hotel, walking distance to the fair grounds.
"Great hotel within a few mins walk to the fair grounds. Even though they were super busy the service was great l, especially the club lounge. I would definitely stay again and would recommend to others."

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2024

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.
Guangzhou Hakka Apartment Beijing Road
Guangzhou Hakka Apartment Beijing Road
3.5 out of 5
No.238 Beijing Road, No.1407, Kam Rueng Apartment Plaza, Guangzhou
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Guangzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary ...
7.6/10 Good! (101 reviews)
"The property is on a busy district and so very convenient to get around. Bejing Road is a walkable street, I just love it. However, taking the elevators is a challenge. Long-wait is the norm. The facility in our unit is dated and needs upgrading and major improvement."

Reviewed on 11 Mar. 2024

Guangzhou Hakka Apartment Beijing Road
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, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Zhongtian Shopping Mall and Waterscape ...
9/10 Wonderful! (25 reviews)
"Perfect for young families. Very clean location and helpful staff."

Reviewed on 13 Mar. 2024

Ascott ICC Guangzhou
Star Residence ICC Guangzhou
Star Residence ICC Guangzhou
3.5 out of 5
No. 239, Tianhebei Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Guangzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Canton Tower and Beijing ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (20 reviews)
"Very nice place to stay! Friendly staffs!"

Reviewed on 5 Mar. 2024

Star Residence ICC 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.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Guangzhou

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
23
" "5 - Excellent 28.75%
4 - Good
46
" "4 - Good 57.5%
3 - Okay
8
" "3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 2.5%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 1.25%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
9 Jan 2020

Lots to do and see ..good different option as stopover for Europe

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
3 Jan 2020

Didn't feel comfortable walking the streets with my partner. Certainly didn't get the vibe that tourists were very welcome. Not a lot to see or do. Shopping was either high end prices or low priced fake brands. Nice parks in city centre.

4/5 - Good

Jeff
31 Dec 2019

Good place for food

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
4 Dec 2019

Have been before really enjoyed and will visit on return trip.

5/5 - Excellent

Samuel
9 Nov 2019

Wow. It was my first time in China, and I was amazed. Pros: happy people, modern, great food, transport metro system is excellent, almost non existent poverty, safe, happy elderly people. Tips: Wechat translate, ExpressVPN or data roaming

4/5 - Good

Nick
3 Nov 2019

Great city!