Bagintravel
Download
Guangzhou

China travel guide

What to see in Guangzhou

The great city of the south, once known as Canton: cutting-edge towers, the Pearl River and the birthplace of dim sum.

Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • 5 must-see places
  • Best time: from March to June and from November to January
  • Typical food: Char siu
Photo: xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0

Guangzhou highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Canton Tower

    One of the tallest TV towers in the world, with an observation deck.

  2. Shamian Island

    European colonial buildings among the trees.

  3. Chen Clan Ancestral Hall

    A 19th-century academy with carvings and ceramics.

  4. Pearl River by night

    A cruise past illuminated skyscrapers.

  5. Shangxiajiu Street

    A pedestrian shopping street with old façades.

Day trips from Guangzhou

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them, Bagintravel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When to travel to Guangzhou

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Guangzhou are from March to June and from November to January. If you can, avoid October (golden week).

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb with warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May no warnings
  6. Jun no warnings
  7. Jul with warnings
  8. Aug with warnings
  9. Sep with warnings
  10. Oct with strong warnings
  11. Nov no warnings
  12. Dec no warnings
  • February

    Lunar New Year (approximate dates)

    Millions of people travel at this time: trains and flights are full and expensive, and many shops and restaurants close for several days.

    What to do: Book transport weeks in advance and expect closures for the first three days.

  • from July to September

    Typhoon season

    In July, August and September typhoons can pass through: transport and outdoor attractions close for a day or two.

    What to do: Leave a flexible day and check the local weather warnings.

  • October

    Golden Week

    From 1 to 7 October the whole of China travels: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the trains are packed.

    What to do: If you can, move your trip by a week; if not, book tickets in advance and visit first thing in the morning.

Typical food of Guangzhou

The dish you have to try there and how to make it at home, to whet your appetite before the trip (or to go back to Guangzhou from your kitchen).

Char siu
Photo: Simon Shek · CC BY-SA 3.0

Char siu

Cantonese roast pork, red and glossy, with a sweet glaze of honey, soy sauce and five-spice. It hangs in the windows of the roast-meat shops and is eaten with rice or in buns.

  • Serves 4
  • 1 h 15 min

Ingredients

  • 800 g pork collar or neck, in thick strips
  • 3 tablespoons of hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons of honey (plus more for brushing)
  • 1 tablespoon of rice wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon of five-spice
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • A few drops of red food colouring or red fermented tofu (optional)

How to make it at home

  1. Mix the hoisin, soy sauce, honey, wine, spices and crushed garlic.
  2. Marinate the pork in the mixture for at least 4 hours (ideally overnight).
  3. Roast it on a rack at 200 °C over a tray of water for 25 minutes.
  4. Turn it, brush with marinade mixed with honey and roast for 20 minutes more.
  5. Brush again with honey and grill for 3 minutes until caramelised. Slice.

The trick: Pork collar is ideal: it has just the right amount of fat.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: a busy local spot with a queue. The dishes you can’t miss are in the China guide.

Frequently asked questions about Guangzhou

What to see in Guangzhou?

Canton Tower, Shamian Island, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Pearl River by night and Shangxiajiu Street.

What to see in Guangzhou in one day?

Don’t miss Canton Tower, Shamian Island, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Pearl River by night and Shangxiajiu Street. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

What’s the best time to travel to Guangzhou?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Guangzhou are from March to June and from November to January. If you can, avoid October (golden week).

What day trips can you take from Guangzhou?

Guangzhou with a guide.

What is the typical food of Guangzhou?

Char siu. Cantonese roast pork, red and glossy, with a sweet glaze of honey, soy sauce and five-spice. It hangs in the windows of the roast-meat shops and is eaten with rice or in buns.

Bagintravel · We travel together

Shall we plan your trip to Guangzhou?

Tell us where and in under a minute you’ll have your day-by-day route, with places to stay, transport, expenses and tips. And we go with you in your pocket, offline too.

The app is currently available in Spanish.

Download Bagintravel See how it works

More in China

Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.