Canton Tower Lookout
Canton Tower is Guangzhou's slender, twisting skyline icon on the Pearl River, with observation levels high above the city. Go at dusk to see the city switch from daylight to neon.
China
Guangzhou
Guangzhou is the great trading city of southern China, a Pearl River metropolis that has welcomed merchants for more than two thousand years and is the birthplace of Cantonese cuisine.
Its old western districts hold arcaded shopping streets, carved clan halls, temple courtyards and the leafy colonial island of Shamian, while the modern east rises around Zhujiang New Town and the slender, twisting form of Canton Tower. Visitors come to eat dim sum in a bustling teahouse, cruise the lit-up river at night, walk through Yuexiu Park and the ancient tomb of a Nanyue king, and spend a day with giant pandas and roller coasters at the Chimelong resort. Day trips reach the kilns and kung fu heritage of Foshan, the UNESCO watchtowers of Kaiping and the glass bridge of Gulong Gorge. Twickly gathers the best sights, tours, hotels and local guides in one place, so you can plan a trip that mixes heritage, food and skyline with confidence.
Don't miss
Canton Tower Lookout
Canton Tower is Guangzhou's slender, twisting skyline icon on the Pearl River, with observation levels high above the city. Go at dusk to see the city switch from daylight to neon.
Pearl River Night Sightseeing Cruise
A Pearl River night cruise shows Guangzhou at its most dazzling, with Canton Tower, bridges and lit-up riverfront towers sliding past. It is a relaxed hour on the water after dinner.
Shamian Island Heritage Walk
Shamian is a small, tree-lined island of European-style buildings on the Pearl River, once a foreign concession. A leafy, photogenic walk that feels far from the city's bustle.
Cantonese Yum Cha and Dim Sum Tasting
Yum cha, the Cantonese tradition of tea and dim sum, was practically invented in Guangzhou. A guided tasting with a market visit explains the dishes, the teas and the etiquette.
Things to do in Guangzhou
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Pearl River Night Sightseeing Cruise
A Pearl River night cruise shows Guangzhou at its most dazzling, with Canton Tower, bridges and lit-up riverfront towers sliding past. It is a relaxed hour on the water after dinner.
Chimelong Paradise Theme Park
Chimelong Paradise is one of the largest theme parks in southern China, with big roller coasters, family rides and shows in Panyu. A full day out for thrill seekers and families alike.
Chimelong Safari Park
Chimelong Safari Park is a large wildlife park in Panyu, known for its giant pandas, big cats and walk-through and vehicle zones. A good full-day choice for families and animal lovers.
Chimelong International Circus
Chimelong International Circus is a large-scale show of acrobatics, animal acts and stagecraft near the Chimelong resort. A popular evening for families after a day at the parks.
Chen Clan Academy and Guangdong Folk Arts Museum
The Chen Clan Academy is Guangzhou's finest example of Lingnan architecture, a Qing-era ancestral hall covered in carved wood, stone, brick and ceramic sculpture. A short guided visit makes the detail come alive.
Museum of the Nanyue King Tomb
The Museum of the Nanyue King Tomb displays a remarkable Western Han burial, including a jade burial suit. It is Guangzhou's best window into the ancient kingdom that once ruled the south.
Shamian Island Heritage Walk
Shamian is a small, tree-lined island of European-style buildings on the Pearl River, once a foreign concession. A leafy, photogenic walk that feels far from the city's bustle.
Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street
Shangxiajiu is Guangzhou's classic old-town shopping street, lined with arcaded Lingnan-style buildings, snack shops and lanterns. Lively day and night, it is the place to feel the city's trading heritage.
Yuexiu Park and Temple of the Six Banyan Trees
Yuexiu Park holds the Five Rams statue and Zhenhai Tower, while the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees nearby is home to the Flower Pagoda. Together they make a classic half-day of old Guangzhou.
Baiyun Mountain and Yuntai Garden
Baiyun Mountain, the White Cloud Mountain, is Guangzhou's green lung, with hillside paths, viewpoints and the flower-filled Yuntai Garden. An easy escape from the city for a half day of fresh air.
Cantonese Yum Cha and Dim Sum Tasting
Yum cha, the Cantonese tradition of tea and dim sum, was practically invented in Guangzhou. A guided tasting with a market visit explains the dishes, the teas and the etiquette.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$White Swan Hotel
Shamian Island
A long-established riverside hotel on leafy Shamian Island, a calm base close to the old town yet away from its traffic.
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$$$Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou
Zhujiang New Town (Tianhe)
A luxury hotel high in a landmark tower in Zhujiang New Town, with sweeping views over the Pearl River and Canton Tower.
Check rates →Park Hyatt Guangzhou
Zhujiang New Town (Tianhe)
A refined high-rise hotel in the Zhujiang New Town skyline, known for contemporary design and calm, spacious rooms.
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$$$Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou
Tianhe
A luxury hotel in the Tianhe business district known for service, dining and spa facilities, handy for the new-town sights.
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$$The Garden Hotel Guangzhou
Huanshi East Road (Yuexiu)
A large, long-established hotel on Huanshi East Road with extensive grounds, a convenient base for Yuexiu and Tianhe.
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$$$Shangri-La Guangzhou
Central Guangzhou
A full-service luxury hotel known for warm Shangri-La hospitality, spacious rooms and a strong choice of restaurants.
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$$Sheraton Guangzhou Hotel
Tianhe
An upscale international-brand hotel in Tianhe, a practical base for shopping, dining and the metro.
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$$Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe
Tianhe
A well-known international-brand hotel in Tianhe with restaurants, meeting facilities and easy access to the city's main shopping district.
Check rates →Four Points by Sheraton Guangzhou Financial City, Tianhe
Tianhe (Financial City area)
A mid-range international-brand hotel in the Tianhe area, offering good value and straightforward comfort for sightseeing and business.
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$$Dong Fang Hotel Guangzhou
Liuhua (Yuexiu)
A large, long-established hotel in the Liuhua area with gardens and quick access to the railway station and Yuexiu sights.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Canton Tower LookoutStay
Four Seasons Hotel GuangzhouZhujiang New Town (Tianhe)
Do
Pearl River Night Sightseeing CruiseStay
White Swan HotelShamian Island
Do
Shamian Island Heritage WalkStay
Park Hyatt GuangzhouZhujiang New Town (Tianhe)
Guangzhou guides
First Time in Guangzhou: What to Know Before You Go
A practical first-timer guide to Guangzhou: how the city is laid out, how to get around, what to see first, what to eat and how to handle the heat, the language and payments.
Where to Stay in Guangzhou: Neighbourhoods and Hotel Picks
Choose the best area to stay in Guangzhou: Shamian and Liwan for old-town atmosphere, Zhujiang New Town and Tianhe for skyline and shopping, Yuexiu for value and transport.
Three Days in Guangzhou: An Itinerary of Heritage, Food and Skyline
A three-day Guangzhou itinerary covering the old town, Yuexiu, Canton Tower, the Pearl River and a day trip or park, with food stops and practical timings.
Eating and Drinking in Guangzhou: A Guide to Cantonese Food
A guide to eating in Guangzhou: yum cha and dim sum, roast meats, congee, noodles, street snacks, desserts, soups and tea, with etiquette and ordering tips.
Best Time to Visit Guangzhou: Weather, Seasons and Festivals
Find the best time to visit Guangzhou: comfortable autumn and winter, a damp spring, hot humid summers with typhoon risk, trade-fair crowds and flower markets.
Day Trips from Guangzhou: Foshan, Kaiping, Gulong Gorge and More
Plan day trips from Guangzhou: Foshan's temples and kilns, Kaiping's UNESCO towers, Gulong Gorge's glass bridge, Panyu's ancient town and Baiyun Mountain, with travel times and tips.
