Guangzhou is China’s third largest city, second only to Shanghai and the capital in Beijing. Its ten million citizens live along the Pearl River just a short distance upstream of the South China Sea. Guangdong province, where Guangzhou is located, is China’s most southerly province, so if you’re visiting in summertime be prepared for hot humid weather and frequent rain. The best times to visit are spring and fall. Nowadays there are many Asian cities that get higher priority on tourist itineraries, but Guangzhou definitely has a lot to offer to its visitors.

In past centuries, when the tea trade was king, Guangzhou’s close proximity to the European colonies at Hong Kong and Macau meant that it was of supreme importance to the western world. In terms of international trade, Guangzhou is still one of China’s most important cities today. It’s known for business more than pleasure, and it hosts China’s largest trade event, the Canton Fair.

Historically, Guangzhou has always had closer ties with outsiders than the rest of China. Guangzhou is the mysterious Canton of yore, when that name was the only thing that most of the world knew about the Orient. Since Guangzhou has been China’s main source of cultural exchange for centuries, foreigners often find it to be a bit more welcoming than China’s more homogeneous cities. This makes it a very family-friendly place, because the kids don’t get quite as large of a dose of culture shock as they might in Beijing. Also, it’s easier to find something they’re willing to eat.

Arts and Entertainment

There is a lot of industry in Guangzhou, resulting in large portions of the city with very little to offer tourists. Much of the sightseeing is found within the older central districts. The city center is actually found on the western side, with the outer districts sprawling out to the north, south and east. Li Wan contains the historic old town, Yue Xiu serves as the main political district and contains the Beijing Lu shopping area, and Tian He’s vast new developments have effectively made it the new city center.

Hai Zhu is found south of the river. This district is where you’ll find Sun-Yat Sen University as well as the Canton Fair Pazhou Exhibition Center. The Canton Fair takes place during the latter halves of April and October, so remember that it can be very difficult to find lodgings at these times.

Food and Drink

Tea is the drink of choice for many people. Zhu Jiang and Tsing Tao are two of China’s biggest beer brands and can be had almost anywhere. They’re both good but not particularly special. Guangzhou offers better drink options and a richer bar scene than most Chinese cities, thanks to the large numbers of foreigners who live here.

Most high-end hotels sell tickets to the Pearl River Dinner Cruise, an experience that includes a delicious dinner and stunning sunset views of the Guangzhou skyline. Cantonese cuisine is famous for its diversity; while many delightful meals can be had here, it pays to order wisely. It’s easy to find a dish made with an animal you’d rather not eat. When in doubt, foreign fast food chains are prolific in Guangzhou and offer more familiar fare. Steer clear of the shadier-looking establishments too, because safety standards in some areas can be much looser than what most visitors are are used to.

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