Guangzhou

A Fusion of Tradition and Modernity

Guangzhou stands as a major economic hub in southern China, known for its bustling markets and modern skyline. The city has grown quickly over the past few decades while keeping traditional neighborhoods alive along the Pearl River. Visitors can explore historic temples, sample local dim sum or ride public transport that connects busy districts efficiently. Guangzhou’s food scene reflects its role as a gateway to southern China, with fresh seafood and regional specialties available throughout. The mix of old and new makes daily life here dynamic for residents and travelers alike.

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City in China

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.9

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	7

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in major tourist areas, hotels, and by younger locals. However, learning a few basic Mandarin or Cantonese phrases will be helpful in markets and smaller shops.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Guangzhou Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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Great for food culture and modern city life. Explore large markets, try Cantonese cuisine, visit temples and parks and walk along the Pearl River.

Place score

7.9

Best at:

Large cities

Local cuisine

Street food

Luxury shopping

Markets

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

💻 8

Digital Nomads

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

China – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I Type A: Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.87
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary.

Chinese New Year (January/February)	Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations
National Day (1 October)	National holiday with parades and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	DiDi, Uber
Other:	China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Guangzhou, China

☁️

Jan

☁️

Feb

☁️

Mar

⛈️

Apr

⛈️

May

⛈️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

⛈️

Aug

🌦️

Sep

🔥

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	Oct. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - April, Sep.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Canton Fair trade show, mid April to early May and mid October to early November: hotels fill up and prices spike

Typhoon season July to September, with possible flight disruptions and flooding

Chinese New Year (late January to mid February): flower markets in the city, many shops and restaurants close for several days

Don't miss

🌇 Admire the skyline from the Canton Tower’s observation deck
🛳️ Cruise along the Pearl River to see Guangzhou illuminated at night
🏯 Explore the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall’s ornate Lingnan architecture
🥢 Sample authentic dim sum in a traditional teahouse
🛍️ Shop and stroll through the historic Beijing Road pedestrian area
🌺 Relax among tropical blooms at Yuexiu Park and spot the Five Rams Statue

You've been here?

Why travel to Guangzhou?

Guangzhou combines a deep sense of history with a forward-thinking attitude. It’s the birthplace of dim sum and the food scene is a must-experience. The city is also home to beautiful temples, the iconic Canton Tower and sprawling wholesale markets where you can find almost anything. While the air quality can sometimes be an issue, especially in the winter months, the city’s parks and riverside promenades offer fresh air and stunning views.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Sacred Heart Cathedral
2 Temple of the Six Banyan Trees
3 Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
4 Guangzhou Opera House
5 Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
6 Canton Tower

🎡Places for activities

1 Chimelong Water Park
2 Chimelong Safari Park
3 Aoti Main Stadium
4 Tianhe Sports Centre

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 South China National Botanical Garden
2 Yuexiu Park
3 Liwan Lake Park
4 Pearl River
5 Tianlu Lake Tunnel
6 Guangdong University of Foreign Studies(Baiyun Mountain West Gate)
7 Lotus Hill Resort
8 Shimen National Forest Park

🛍️Shopping

1 TaiKoo Hui
2 Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
3 China Plaza
4 Onelink Int'l Toys & Gifts Wholesale Market(Onelink International Plaza)
5 Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street
6 Grandview Mall

🎈Events

Canton Fair
Guangzhou International Light Festival
Guangzhou Spring Festival Flower Fair
Mid-Autumn Festival
Guangzhou Marathon
Chinese New Year Celebrations
Dragon Boat Festival
Guangzhou Food Festival
Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival
Yuexiu Temple Fair

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Ascend Canton Tower for stunning city panoramas day and night.
Explore Chen Clan Ancestral Hall to admire intricate Lingnan architecture and folk art exhibits.
Stroll Yuexiu Park to see the iconic Five Rams Statue and ancient city wall remnants nearby.
Take evening Pearl River cruise past lit-up skyscrapers, bridges and historic waterfront landmarks.

How to travel to Guangzhou

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) is a major hub with flights to many global destinations. High-speed trains connect Guangzhou to nearby cities like Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guilin. The city also has bus terminals and a cruise port for regional travel.

Access summary

From Baiyun Airport (CAN): Metro Line 3 or taxi, about 40–60 minutes.
From Shenzhen: Frequent high-speed trains typically 30–60 minutes.
From Hong Kong: High-speed trains to Guangzhou South around 50–70 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Guangzhou

Guangzhou offers a range of accommodation, from luxury hotels in Tianhe District to budget options near Haizhu and backpacker hostels in Liwan. Consider staying near Yuexiu for history and culture or Tianhe for shopping and business.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Jianguo Hotel Guangzhou

8.4

Huaqiang Plaza Hotel

8.8

Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen

8.7

Hotel Landmark Canton

8.0

Fraser Suites Guangzhou

9.1

Shenzhen Wyndham Grand

Langham Place Guangzhou

8.9

Pullman Guangzhou Baiyun Airport

8.6

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Guangzhou

Guangzhou has a well-connected metro system, buses, taxis and bike-sharing services. The metro is fast and easy to navigate, with signs in English. Popular metro lines include Line 1 (Canton Tower to Guangzhou East Railway Station) and Line 5 (for markets and shopping).

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-69 %

Daily expenses in Guangzhou are around 69% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£33	£70	£177
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£45	£105
🍝 Food per day	£12	£22	£65
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£3	£7

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£11
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.10
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.80
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.50
☕ Cappuccino	£2.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.80

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.32
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£4.30
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£22
🤧 Cold medication	£4.20
💇 Basic haircut	£7.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Guangzhou is generally safe for tourists. Petty crimes like pickpocketing can happen in crowded areas. Avoid unlicensed taxis and be cautious in markets to avoid scams.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Guangzhou are good, especially in international clinics. Tap water is not safe for drinking, so stick to bottled water. Pollution can sometimes cause respiratory discomfort, especially in winter.

Accessibility

Accessibility is improving, with many public spaces and metro stations equipped with facilities for disabled visitors. However, some older buildings and busy markets may present challenges.

Tap water

Do not drink tap water. Bottled water is readily available and many hotels provide bottled water or kettles for boiling water. Use bottled water for brushing teeth as well.