Arrive China
Guangzhou is warmer, cheaper and more food-obsessed than the northern cities. It's also the easiest airport-to-city trip in the country — a single metro line straight into the centre.
| Airport | Baiyun (CAN) |
| Airport → city | Metro Line 3, ¥7–10, ~50 min to Zhujiang New Town |
| Metro | Cheap and dense — pay with Alipay/WeChat QR |
| Language | Cantonese + Mandarin; English is patchy |
| Best time | Autumn and winter — mild; summer is hot and humid |
One line
Go for yum cha (dim-sum breakfast) before 11 a.m. — it's the whole point of being in Guangzhou.
Airport to the city
Baiyun International Airport (CAN) is north of the city, connected directly by metro Line 3 — no airport-express surcharge, just a normal fare.
- Metro Line 3: ¥7–10, 45–55 minutes to Zhujiang New Town (珠江新城) or Tiyu Xilu (体育西路) — the business and shopping heart.
- Taxi / Didi: ~¥120–150, 40–60 minutes depending on traffic.
Getting around
Line 3 is the airport spine; Line 1 runs east–west through the old centre, and the APM shuttle serves the Zhujiang New Town skyscraper strip. Pay by Alipay/WeChat QR (see the payment guide).
The Canton Tower has its own stop on Line 3 / the APM, right on the river.
Where to stay
- Tianhe / Zhujiang New Town (天河·珠江新城) — modern, malls, the skyline.
- Beijing Road / Shangxiajiu (北京路·上下九) — old town and food streets, gritty but full of character.
- Shamian Island (沙面) — quiet colonial-era streets by the river.
What to see
- Canton Tower (广州塔) — the city's landmark; ¥150 for the indoor Sky Viewing decks (428–433 m), ¥228 to go up to the 450 m outdoor platform.
- Shamian Island (沙面) — free, European colonial architecture, a calm afternoon wander.
- Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (陈家祠) — ¥10, the best-preserved clan academy, ornate carvings. Closed Tuesdays.
- Pearl River night cruise (珠江夜游) — the skyline from the water, best after dark.
- Baiyun Mountain (白云山) — ¥5 entry, a walk-up view over the whole city.
What to eat
- Dim sum / yum cha (早茶) — har gow (虾饺) shrimp dumplings, cheung fun (肠粉) rice rolls, siu mai (烧卖). Go before 11 a.m.
- Poached chicken (白切鸡) — silky, minimalist, a Cantonese art form.
- Roast meats (烧腊) — roast goose and char siu pork from a street-side shop.
Quick tips
- Dim sum is a morning thing — arrive early for the full carts-and-steamers experience.
- Locals speak Cantonese — Mandarin works too, and a phrase or two of either helps.
- Hot and humid most of the year — plan outdoor sights for morning or evening.
- Cash is rare — set up Alipay/WeChat before you land.