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Destination:
Guangzhou

Info & Travel Options

Overview

Guangzhou is China's third largest city, with an appealing mix of retail frenzy and capitalist energy tempered by ancient traditions and intact historical districts. Capital of the Guangdong Province in southern China, adjacent to Hong Kong and Macau (75 miles north-west of Hong Kong), the city of Guangzhou was formerly known in the West as Canton (the home of Cantonese cuisine) and has a rich heritage in tea production. Today the city skyline is dominated by massive skyscrapers which play host to vast business and trade enterprises.

Guangzhou also has numerous shopping malls, as well as cultural and historical attractions, for visitors to enjoy. Cantonese cuisine and opera are highlights of the Guangzhou social scene, and the city's history (dating back to 214 BC) can be discovered at sites such as the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Some of Guangzhou's best shopping areas include Shangxia Jiu Lu, Beijing Lu and Renmin Nan Lu, while Teem Plaza and China Plaza are the most popular department stores.

Travellers to Guangzhou will probably find the summer season a bit hot and rainy but the winters, from December to March, are mild and sunny - a wonderful time to explore this fascinating city. There are a number of buses and taxis to transport tourists in the city, and there are flights and trains from Guangzhou to other major Chinese destinations such as Beijing and Shanghai.

GettingAround

There is an efficient and expanding public transportation system that makes getting around in Guangzhou relatively simple. The Yang Cheng Tong card, available from convenience stores throughout the city, offers discounted travel using local buses, subways and even some taxis. The subway covers much of downtown, and the stations are clearly marked with the Guangzhou Metro logo. The bus system has more comprehensive service, but are slow if you travel long distances. Buses require exact change or a Yang Cheng Tong card. Taxis are a popular form of transport in Guangzhou for visitors, as they are cheap and reliable. Many drivers will not speak English, however, so it is best to have your destination written in Chinese to show them. Renting a car is possible, but driving in the downtown area can be confusing and possibly dangerous for those unfamiliar with Chinese as the road signs are not in English. China has a reputation for being bicycle-friendly, but Guangzhou has many fewer amenities like bicycle lanes. You can rent a bicycle on Shamian Island, but for longer stays it is preferable to buy one as rentals are often in bad repair. It is also possible to explore some areas of the city on foot, but the various districts are far apart.

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Travel Guide powered by www.wordtravels.com, copyright © Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. By its very nature much of the information in this guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Globe Media does not accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.