Family-friendly Hotels in Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is the capital of Guangdong Province and the third-largest city in China. Located in the Pearl River Delta, Guangzhou is about two hours from Hong Kong and Macau.

With over 2,200 years of history, the city is home to ancient temples, busy shopping streets, and modern high-rises. It’s also a food lover’s dream, famous for its Cantonese dishes like dim sum and local snacks.

You can wander through Xiguan’s old neighborhoods with traditional qi lou buildings, stroll along the quiet streets of Shamian Island with its colonial-style houses, or take a boat ride on the Pearl River to see the city lit up at night. Food streets like Panfu Road and Huifu East Road are perfect for trying local favorites like rice rolls and Sampan porridge.

Getting to and Around Guangzhou

Getting to Guangzhou is now even easier. Starting May 15, 2024, foreign cruise tour groups arranged by legitimate Chinese travel agencies can enter Guangzhou and Shenzhen visa-free for 15 days. Trip.com is one of the best local travel agencies in China to help you book hotels and make your trip worry-free.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) is the city’s main airport, about 28 km north of downtown. It’s a hub for China Southern Airlines and connects to cities worldwide, including Los Angeles, Vancouver, London, Paris, Sydney, and several Asian destinations. From the airport, you can take a taxi or the metro (Line 3) directly into the city.

If you catch a red-eye flight to Guangzhou, staying at a hotel with free airport pick-up can make your trip much simpler~

Click to find more hotels near Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

High-speed trains roll into Guangzhou South Railway Station from all over—Hong Kong in under an hour, Beijing in 8 hours, and Shanghai in 7. Regional trains stop at Guangzhou East, and if you’re up for an epic ride, long-distance trains from Guangzhou Railway Station can even get you to Tibet.

Guangzhou has several railway stations, the busiest among them are: Guangzhou East Railway Station and Guangzhou South Railway Station.

Once in the city, you can grab a Yang Cheng Tong card if you’re staying a few days. It works on the metro, buses, and some taxis, saves you money, and spares you the hassle of carrying small change.

For most visitors, the metro is the best option, while taxis are great for late-night rides or short trips.

• Metro: The metro is the quickest and easiest way to get around, with fares ranging from ¥2–21 (~$0.30–$3) depending on distance. It’s clean, efficient, and signs are in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Just avoid rush hours when trains are packed.
• Bus: Buses cost ¥1–2 (~$0.15–$0.30) and are a good way to reach areas not served by the metro. Be sure to have exact fare or use a Yang Cheng Tong card for convenience.
• Taxi: Taxis are reasonably priced, starting at ¥12 (~$1.60) for the first 3 km. Many drivers don’t speak English, so have your destination written in Chinese. For reliable service, look for yellow taxis with local drivers.
• Bike & Ferry: Public bike rentals near metro stations are perfect for exploring parks or the Pearl River area, and cost around ¥30/day ($4). Ferries are a scenic and budget-friendly way to cross the river, costing just ¥0.5–1 ($0.10).

Pearl River

Top Things to Do in Guangzhou

Guangzhou is full of amazing places to visit, from scenic river views to animal parks and towering landmarks. There’s plenty to see and do, so here are some of the top spots you shouldn’t miss!

• Canton Tower: The Canton Tower soars 600 meters above the city. It’s known for its slim, twisted design. Take a walk up the zigzag stairs for unique views, or brave the transparent glass skywalk for a thrilling perspective. At the top, panoramic views of the city await at 450 meters, and the sky wheel offers a fun way to soak it all in. Feeling daring? Try the sky drop for a heart-pounding experience.
• Chimelong Safari Park: If you love animals, Chimelong Safari Park is the place to go. It’s huge and home to amazing creatures like pandas, koalas, and elephants. You can feed giraffes, take a safari train to see animals up close, or catch one of the park’s famous animal shows. The park is clean, the animals are well cared for, and there’s plenty to see and do. Kids especially will have a blast here—plan to spend a few hours to enjoy it all.

Chimelong Safari Park

• Pearl River: No trip to Guangzhou is complete without a visit to the iconic Pearl River. Stretching over 2,400 kilometers, it’s the lifeblood of southern China. The best way to experience its beauty is with a night cruise, where you’ll be treated to stunning views of the city’s illuminated skyline. The 70-minute ride shows Guangzhou’s landmarks like the Canton Tower and sparkling bridges. For a more local vibe, head to Haizhu Square or Huacheng Square, where you can enjoy a riverside walk and watch the city come alive.
• Shamian Island: Shamian Island is a quiet escape from Guangzhou’s busy streets. Once home to foreign traders in the 19th century, it’s filled with charming colonial-style buildings and tree-lined streets that are perfect for a slow stroll. You’ll find cozy cafes and restaurants serving Western food. It’s a favorite for history buffs and anyone looking for a break from the city’s fast pace.

Shamian Island

Best Time to Visit Guangzhou

The best time to visit Guangzhou is during the autumn season, from October to December. During this time, the weather is comfortable and less rainy, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. The city also hosts several festivals during these months, such as the Guangzhou International Light Festival in November and the Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival in December.

Avoid visiting during July to September as Guangzhou experiences high temperatures and heavy rainfall due to the typhoon season. The winter months (January to March) can be quite cold.

Better to Know Before Visiting Guangzhou

Time in Guangzhou

Guangzhou operates on China Standard Time (CST), which is GMT+8.

• New York (EST): 13 hours ahead (12 hours during daylight saving).
• United Kingdom (GMT): 8 hours ahead (7 hours during daylight saving).
• Australia (AEST): 2 hours behind.
• Thailand (ICT): 1 hour ahead.

double-layered milk pudding

Must-Try Cantonese Dishes in Guangzhou

Cantonese cuisine is famous for its blend of color, fragrance, taste, and presentation, earning its spot as one of the top four culinary traditions in China. The cuisine’s roots are deeply influenced by local customs and Guangzhou’s history of contact with the West. Interestingly, what many Westerners know as “Chinese food” is often Cantonese cuisine, slightly tweaked to suit foreign palates.

Unlike the spiciness of Sichuan food, Cantonese dishes are known for preserving the natural flavors of ingredients, often highlighting the umami taste. Soups play a significant role in the cuisine, simmered for hours to achieve their rich depth of flavor.

• Desserts (甜品, 糖水): No Cantonese meal is complete without dessert. In Guangzhou, desserts are often light and comforting. Popular choices include double-layered milk pudding (双皮奶) and ginger milk curd (姜撞奶), both silky and mildly sweet. Other options like tofu pudding (豆腐花), red bean paste (紅豆沙), and black sesame paste (芝麻糊) are also worth trying. For something refreshing, go for sago (西米露) or guilinggao (龟苓膏), a herbal jelly.
• Siu Mei / Shao Wei (烧味): Cantonese barbecue, or Siu Mei, is famous worldwide. You’ll instantly recognize it by the roasted ducks, char siu (barbecued pork), and roast goose (烧鹅) hanging in restaurant windows. Each variety, including crispy roast pig (烧肉), is packed with flavor and perfect for meat lovers.
• Yum Cha / Dim Sum (饮茶/ 点心): Known as “a pot of tea with two pieces” (一盅两件), locals often spend hours enjoying tea while chatting or reading the newspaper. Dim sum includes a huge variety of small dishes—often over 100 options in a single restaurant! The bite-sized portions let you sample everything from har gow (shrimp dumplings) to char siu bao (barbecued pork buns) and dan tat (egg tarts).

char siu (barbecued pork)