【Guangzhou Travel Guide 2026】
Transport, Things to Do, Food & More

First time to Guangzhou? Here is a travel guide you can't miss-- Baiyun airport transfer, Canton food recommendations, must-see attractions, and best areas to stay, all in one.

Entering Guangzhou - Inbound Tips

Stay in Guangzhou for 24 Hours

Guangzhou's international hub is Baiyun International Airport (CAN), where most international travellers arrive at or pass through. Travellers can enjoy a 24-hour visa-free transit in the airport transit area.

Tips: Make sure to check the map and plan well.

Stay in Guangzhou for 10 Days

For travelers from 54 countries, Guangzhou offers an extended 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit, allowing travelers to pass through to a third destination.

Tips: Grab this chance to explore Guangzhou more thoroughly.

Stay in Guangzhou longer than 10 Days

If you plan to stay in Guangzhou longer than the visa-free transit period, a Chinese visa is needed. Most travelers can apply for L Visa (tourist visa): complete the application form, submit it at the embassy, and once approved, you're all set for your trip!

Tips: Complete the application online to save your time!

Arrival in Guangzhou

After landing in Guangzhou, follow these steps to ensure a smooth entry into the city:

• Prepare Your Documents: Keep your passport, visa (if applicable), and arrival card handy. You’ll receive the arrival card on the plane, so fill it out before proceeding to immigration.
• Immigration Process: At the immigration counter, present your documents and answer basic questions about your purpose and duration of stay. Immigration officers will scan your fingerprints using machines.
• Customs Clearance: After clearing immigration, proceed to customs. Declare any items as required and collect your luggage from the baggage claim area.

👇Check the detailed transit policy and the 54 countries list:

Guangzhou Airport to Downtown

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is located approximately 28 kilometers (17 miles) from downtown Guangzhou. Here are your transportation options:

For more transfer information from CAN to the city centre, check the article below:

Getting Around Guangzhou

Travelling in Guangzhou is quite convenient with its abundant public transport system. Get on the bus for a relaxing old city trip, or take the metro for a short trip to Shunde. Here're all the transport options you may need:

Want to know more about the Guangzhou Metro? Here is the guide you can't miss!

Things To Do in Guangzhou

Guangzhou is known for its fusionic charm-- traditional and modern, western and eastern, whether you're looking for here, Guangzhou will have something for you.

Things to do in Guangzhou #1: Canton Tower

Wanna start your trip with something thrilling? Then don't miss one of the tallest towers in the world! Sky drop ride, panoramic city views, and revolving restaurant dining, this Guangzhou skyline symbol is a must-see.

Things to do in Guangzhou #2: Yuexiu Park

From scenic gardens, traditional pavilions, to the Five Rams Statue stands still in the arms of green trees, taking a deep breath and being ready to run away from the noise of the city, Yuexiu Park is where you're looking for in a peaceful afternoon.

Things to do in Guangzhou #3: Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street

Immerse yourself in the crowds of Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, enjoy Cantonese street food, stroll in the traditional architecture and shop for cheap and chic trinkets

Things to do in Guangzhou #4: The Nanyue King Museum of The Western Han Dynasty

Step into the history of the ancient kingdom in The Nanyue King Museum of the Western Han Dynasty, and explore the secrets in the tomb of the Nanyue King. Top attractions to spend time with your family.

Things to do in Guangzhou #5: Chimelong Safari Park

Most welcome safari park in Guangdong province, get on a jeep car and take pictures with over 500 kinds of animals! Napping koalas, Pandas eating bamboo, tigers roaming all next to your car window. Staff will organize grand parades on squares and distribute small gifts. Bring your family and spend a meaningful day in Chimelong Safari Park!

Where to Stay in Guangzhou

Tianhe District 

Seeking nightlife or convenient shopping? Tianhe District is where you're looking for. Metro connects all major hubs, and taxis wait at the doorways of hotels. Open your curtain and enjoy the breathtaking Guangzhou night skyline without stepping out of your room. When nightclubs shut up, relax on the street strolls, sipping hot soy milk in the early morning of Guangzhou. Locals will also order a youtiao ( a deep-fried flour dough) to match with soy milk, once you try this set, you will never forget it.

Yuexiu District 

If Tianhe represents the modernity of Guangzhou, then Yuexiu keeps Guangzhou's ancient soul. As the heart of the city, Yuexiu district has over 2,000 years of history, from the imperial era, the colonial era, to opening-up, time has built the unique charm of Yuexiu. You can stroll through Yuexiu park to enjoy a peaceful afternoon, Besides Beijing Road pedestrian streets, you'll find China's largest stone church. This district is perfect for travellers to enjoy a city walk, and if you're tired, Lianxiang Lou offers authentic Cantonese dim sum for breaks and to freshen up.

Liwan District

Egg tarts, shrimp dumplings, and woolong tea, Liwan District is the ideal place for foodies. By morning, join locals having morning tea, start a beautiful day surrounded by the steam of Cha Siu bun; By afternoon, head to Shamian Island, sipping coffee in 19th-century European mansions; By evening, step into street stroll to enjoy hot seafood porrige, where shrimp and fish are fresh off the boat. And the great news is all this food is budgetable, a wonton noodle may only need 10 RMB! Come and live in the Liwan District to make every penny count.

What to Eat in Guangzhou

Rice Noodle Roll (Cheong Fun)

If you're a rice lover, cheong fun is your must-try in Guangzhou. It is a soft, silky-smooth rice roll, you don't even bite, it'll just melt in your mouth. Shrimp, beef, pork, and eggs, add everything on your rice roll like it's a taco, usually the topping is soy sauce (every restaurant has its own recipe), but you can always choose peanut butter, hot sauce, or even Chinese Satay Sauce (Shacha sauce) as you like.

Cantonese Egg Tart (Dan Ta）

You may already know this crispy Portuguese-style dessert well before you've been to Guangzhou, but seriously, Cantonese egg tart is a totally another dessert. Not as sweet as the original recipe, Cantonese cut the amount of sugar, and keeps the surface of the egg tart fresh yellow without brown sugar. The tart is also different, with little butter, the Cantonese egg tart has a light flavor, while crispy.

Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow/Xia Jiao)

The signature food of Dim Sum, since being invented in the early 20th century, shrimp dumplings have spread all over the world. You may have Har Gow anywhere has Chinese restaurant, but you may only have one chance to get it in its birthplace, Guangzhou. Grab the chance to enjoy its translucent skin and stuffed shrimp filling!

Double-Skin Milk (Shuang Pi Nai)

Guangzhou is perfect for a sweet tooth, too. Double-Skin Milk is a Shunde-originated dessert, which was invented to keep milk for a longer time. It is a buffalo milk pudding with mild sweetness and a rich, creamy texture. After steaming, the buffalo milk will form another layer, which is called "milk skin" in Chinese; that's why the dessert is named Double-Skin milk. If the creamy texture is not your favorite, lots of Cantonese dessert houses offer mango or adzuki beans as toppings to create a more refreshing flavour.

White Cut Chicken (Bai Qie Ji)

"Bai" means white in Chinese; this chicken cuisine has a simple color yet rich flavour. Without heavy seasoning, the quality of materials becomes more important. Before the chicken is cooked, the chef will choose the best free-range chicken to make sure it has tight muscles. After poaching with ginger, scallions, and wine, the natural flavor of the chicken is enhanced. I'll say each chef has their own secret recipes for Bai Qie Ji, any restaurant, even the street stalls, may hide the delicious Bai Qie Ji that will surprise you. But if you're looking for some qualified restaurant, there are my personal picks:

Wen Ji Yixinji

10 Xuanyuanqiao, 76 Baohua Road, Guangzhou

4.3/5: Excellent

$12
Check details Now!

Wonton Noodles (Yuntun Mian)

You may already be familiar with Wonton soup in a Chinese restaurant, but this Wonton Noodles is a different thing. Imagine stuffed Wonton with springy, chewy noodles, chilli sauce, peanut butter, garlic, and scallions, all flavours in one bite. After you try authentic Wonton Noodles for once, you may not be able to help but get it in the morning, noon, and evening. Luckily, the delicious cuisine is sold all day in every corner of Guangzhou.

Restaurant recommendations and more local foods, plz check:

Where to Shop in Guangzhou

Canton Fair Complex

China's largest trade complex, 11 km from Guangzhou city, hosts all international exhibitions and conferences all over China. If you happen to visit Guangzhou while the Canton Fair, the largest trade fair in China, is happening, don't miss the chance to get involved. All overseas buyers flood the complex for new products of high quality. Here you can buy clothes, suitcases, and handbags at much cheaper prices than in other places. And for the last 1 or 2 days, the samples will be sold at an incredibly low price. If you want to shop for global products at low prices or network with professional buyers and small business owners all over the world, the Canton Fair is your must-visit.

Grandview Mall

This is a shopping mall, not an aquarium! But the Grandview Mall does have a built-in aquarium, whose 360° underwater tunnel allows you to say hi and interact with mermaids, and you can also enjoy the shocking mermaid performance runs 5 times a day. As the largest shopping center in Southern China, and the second largest in Asia, Grandview is someplace you can spend all day in, from the restaurant to delicate shops, from supermarkets to an aquarium, even a 5-star hotel in the west tower.

Beijing Road Cultural Tourism Zone

If your time only allows you to visit only one pedestrian street, I'll recommend the Beijing Road Pedestrian Street. It is convenient to reach by Metro Line 6, get off at Beijing Lu station, you'll find yourself underground on the street. There are a lot of snack and drink vendors, international retail outlets, and even a traditional religious Buddha temple, The Big Buddha Temple. Strolling with crowds in the 1,200-year-old ancient temple, feeling the strange atmosphere where the scent of incense blends with the aroma of roasted chestnuts.

Guangzhou Weather Guide and Pro Tips

Guangzhou has a humid and warm climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters. Here’s what to expect:

Must-Have Apps in China

Alipay: Your go-to payment app for transactions in China. Link your international credit card for seamless payments.

WeChat Pay: Same as Alipay, offers convenient payment for your China trip.

Trip.com: Book flights, hotels, and train tickets with this user-friendly travel app designed for international travelers.

Amap (Gaode Maps): The best navigation app for real-time directions and recommendations.

DiDi: Use this app for convenient taxi services, similar to Uber.

Meituan & Ele.me: Order food delivery from local restaurants with these popular apps.

Preparing for Your Trip to Guangzhou

Before start your journey to Guangzhou, ensure you’re well-prepared:

• Visa & Entry Tips: Familiarize yourself with China’s visa-free transit policies and entry requirements.

• Getting Connected: Set up a VPN before arriving to access blocked websites. Consider purchasing a China eSIM for data connectivity.

• Money Exchange & Tax Refunds: Exchange currency at local banks for better rates. For tax refunds, shop at stores with a "Tax-Free" sign and follow the refund process at customs.