Guangzhou is my home, It's where I came from. I have been to most of the famous site in this city and I think it's my responsibility to introduce her to my friend! Here are the videos I found introduce this city! Guangzhou.
Guangzhou is a major city in southern China, located in the Pearl River Delta. It is the capital of Guangdong Province and sits along the Pearl River, about 120 km (75 miles) northwest of Hong Kong and 145 km (90 miles) north of Macau. As a key port city and trade hub, Guangzhou has long been a center for commerce and international exchange, playing a vital role in China's economic development.
1. Documents & Visa Requirements
Passport: Must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure from China.
Visa: U.S. citizens need a visa to enter China. You can apply for:
Tourist Visa (L-Visa) at the Chinese embassy/consulate or through a visa service. 中国签证申请在线填表-个人信息 (Chinese VISA online application)
144-hour Visa-Free Transit (if passing through Guangzhou for less than 6 days and meeting eligibility).
Return Ticket & Hotel Booking: May be required for visa or border control.
COVID-19 & Health Regulations: Check for any vaccination or testing requirements before traveling.
Travel Insurance: Recommended for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost baggage.
2. Best Time to Visit Guangzhou
Autumn (October–December): Cool and dry (18–26°C / 64–79°F), best for sightseeing.
Avoid: Summer (June–September) due to heat, humidity, and typhoons.
3. Clothing & Packing List
Spring/Autumn: Light jackets, long-sleeve shirts, comfortable walking shoes.
Winter (Dec–Feb): Light sweaters, jackets (rarely drops below 10°C / 50°F).
Other Essentials:
Umbrella (common rain showers)
Comfortable walking shoes (for markets & sightseeing)
Travel adapter (China uses Type I outlets, 220V)
Personal medications & basic first-aid kit
Mosquito Repellent 驱蚊水 (Must have!! It's very important since the Mosquitos in Guangzhou are crazy)
4. Money & Payments
Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY). Exchange cash before travel or at banks/ATMs in Guangzhou. Prepare some cash just in case the option below didn't work.
1 US Dollar (USD) equals 7.2828 Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY)
Payment Apps: Alipay or WeChat Pay (may need a linked Chinese bank account). This is the most convenient one since most of the China haven't use cash for a long time. If we can't set this up them prepare Credit card
Credit Cards: VISA or Union Pay
5. Communication & Apps
VPN: Google, WhatsApp, and some Western websites are blocked—install a VPN before departure.
Translation App: Google Translate (download offline Chinese pack) or Baidu Translate
Maps: Use Baidu Maps (Google Maps is unreliable in China).
6. Transportation in Guangzhou
Metro & Buses: Cheap and efficient. Get a YangchengTong Card for metro rides. (Our trip will depend on subway system)
Taxis & Ride-hailing: DiDi app (China’s Uber, set it up before arrival).
High-speed Trains: If visiting other cities, book tickets in advance
Flights from New York City (NYC) to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
round-trip tickets generally begin at $941.
8:00 AM – Breakfast at a Traditional Cantonese Tea House
Location: Guangzhou Restaurant (广州酒家)
What to Eat: Dim sum (shrimp dumplings, siu mai, BBQ pork buns, rice rolls, egg tarts)
Why Here? Classic Cantonese tea and dim sum to start the day.
9:30 AM – Chen Clan Academy (陈家祠)
Time Needed: ~1 hour
Why Visit? A beautifully preserved Qing Dynasty ancestral hall with Lingnan-style architecture, intricate carvings, and Cantonese folk art.
How to Get There: Take Metro Line 1 to Chen Clan Academy Station (陈家祠站), Exit D.
11:00 AM – Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (中山纪念堂)
Time Needed: ~1 hour
Why Visit? A grand memorial dedicated to Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of modern China, with impressive traditional Chinese architecture.
How to Get There: Take Metro Line 1 to Gongyuanqian Station (公园前站), then transfer to Line 2 to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station (纪念堂站), Exit C.
12:30 PM – Lunch: Roast Goose & Wonton Noodles
Location: Bingsheng Pinwei (炳胜品味)
What to Eat: Roast goose, wonton noodles, honey BBQ pork (char siu), double-boiled soup.
Why Here? Classic Cantonese roasted meats and rich soups, a staple of local dining.
2:00 PM – Free Exploration or Short Break
You can explore Beijing Road Pedestrian Street (北京路步行街) for snacks, souvenirs, or a tea break.
4:00 PM – Canton Tower (广州塔)
Time Needed: ~2 hours
Why Visit? Iconic landmark with stunning panoramic views of Guangzhou, especially during sunset.
How to Get There: Take Metro Line 2 to Changgang Station (昌岗站), then transfer to Line 3 to Canton Tower Station (广州塔站), Exit A.
Optional: Ride the Bubble Tram or Sky Drop for extra thrill.
6:30 PM – Dinner: Seafood and Claypot Rice
Location: Shangxiajiu Street (上下九步行街)
What to Eat: Claypot rice with Chinese sausage, salt & pepper shrimp, stir-fried vegetables, and herbal soups.
Why Here? Authentic Cantonese home-style and seafood dishes in a traditional setting.
8:00 PM – Pearl River Night Cruise (Optional)
If you have time, take a Pearl River Night Cruise from Tianzi Wharf (天字码头) to enjoy Guangzhou’s skyline.