About Guangzhou
What to see and do in Guangzhou
Weather in Guangzhou
Airport in Guangzhou
Visa
Guangzhou is the capital and a sub-provincial city of Guangdong (Kwangtung/ Canton) Province in the southern part of the People's Republic of China. The city and surrounding areas, particularly the areas between the city and Hong Kong, through the heavily traded Pearl River Delta region, are often simply called by their provincial name in English, Canton. It is a port on the Pearl River, navigable to the South China Sea, and is located about 120 km (75 miles) northwest of Hong Kong. As of the 2000 census, the city has a population of 6 million, and a metropolitan population of roughly 8.5 million (though some estimates are as high as 12.6 million) making it the most populous city in the province and the third most populous metropolitan area in mainland China. The official estimate of the metro's population at end 2006 by the Provincial Government was 9,754,600.
In the era of tea clippers, Guangzhou was known in the West as "Canton". The food and the language of the area are still known as "Cantonese", and the airport code is CAN.
The city is famous for foreign trade and business, and holds China's largest trade fair, the Canton Fair. However, in between the seemingly endless skyscrapers, shopping malls and building sites there is a lot of culture and history, and while Guangzhou is not usually high on the list of Asian tourist destinations, it is amazing how much the city actually has to offer.
What to see and do in Guangzhou
Guangxiao Temple 109 Guangxiao Lu ' As the sixth patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Hui Neng, trained at this temple in the 7th Century, it is a popular pilgrimage site for Zen Buddhists. The temple has been destroyed several times by fire, and the current buildings date only from the mid 19th century. Admission RMB 4. [Metro 1 Xi Men Kou - Exit C]
Liurong Temple 87 Liurong Lu ' The Temple of Six Banyan Trees, which includes the 17 story, eight-sided Hua Ta, or Flowering Pagoda, is one of the most popular attractions in Guangzhou. The temple dates back to the 6th century, while the pagoda predates it by about 300 years. Admission RMB 5, Flower Pagoda RMB 10. [Metro 1 Gong Yuan Qian - Exit I]
The buildings and streets of the former British and French concession on Shamian Island have been beautifully renovated, creating an oasis of tranquility in an otherwise bustling and hectic metropolis. One of the old structures is Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, located at 14 Shamian Street. Attractions on the island are all free. As an island, Shamian is not particularly spectacular, but what makes it special that for several hundred years this tiny spit of land was the only place in all of China that Europeans could establish settlements. The architecture reflects that era, and it has a very unique atmosphere. [Metro 1 Huang Sha - Exit D]
Across the canal from Shamian is the Chinese Medicine Market. The modern front of the market has quite a few stalls selling dried herbs used in Chinese Medicine. The real charm here lies just behind the modern exterior. The modern exterior is built onto a series of old historical narrow alleyways with shops selling herbs. The Starbucks on Shamian provides a great respite from the hustle and bustle of Guangzhou
Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, located on Dongfeng Zhong Lu, is dedicated to the founder of the Republic of China and local hero Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. It was constructed in 1931 and built on the original site of Sun Yat-sen's presidential office on Yuexiu Hill. Oopen 8AM-6PM. Admission RMB 5 for the park and RMB 20 to go inside the hall) [Metro 2 Ji Nian Tang - Exit C]
Chen Clan Temple Zhongshan 7 Lu. This is very well preserved architecture from the 19th century. It used to belong to a wealthy family by the name of Chen and now houses many articles including ivory sculptures and artistic statues. (Admission RMB 10) [Metro 1 Chen Jia Ci - Exit D]
Shishi Sacred Heart Catholic Church 56 Yide Lu. It is one of the oldest church structures in the city, and the largest of its kind of Southern China. It is currently in use for worship. Visiting hours are limited to Sun from 7AM-10AM. (Admission: Free) [Metro 2 Hai Zhu Guang Chang]
Huangpu Military Academy is located on Changzhou Island. It was founded in 1924 by Sun Yat-sen, along with the Chinese Communist Party at the time. Many famous Chinese war heroes were trained here. Admission RMB 15.
Wu Xian Guan Temple Weifu Xi Lu . Admission RMB 5, [Metro 1 Xi Men Kou Exit C]
Huaisheng Mosque 56 Guangta Lu. This is one of the oldest Muslim mosques in China, built in 627. The mosque is not open to the public, but you can take a peek outside. [Metro 1 Xi Men Kou Exit C]
Sanyuan Temple ' ingyuan Lu. This is the largest and oldest Taoist temple in the city. [Metro 2 Ji Nian Tang - Exit C]
Xiguan Residence ' See the traditional Cantonese architectures from ancient Guangzhou. This structed was occupied by the upper class. [Metro 1, Chang Shou Lu]
Hualin Temple [Tour Bus No. 2; Metro 1, Chang Shou Lu]
Museums and galleries
Guangzhou City Art Museum ' Located near the Zhehai Building in Yuexiu Park, this impressive gallery has more than 10,000 pieces of art work, including calligraphy, traditional Chinese paintings, sculptures and Tibetan Buddhist art (Thangka). [Metro 2 Yue Xiu Gong Yuan]
Guangdong Museum of Art, 8 Yanyu Lu, Er-sha Island. Open 9AM-5PM, Tue-Sun. The museum is located on Er-Sha Island and focuses on contemporary Chinese art, with a particular emphasis on Guangdong artists. Admission RMB 15. Under 18 is free with paying parents. [Tour Bus No.2]
Nanyue Royal Tomb Museum, 867 Jiefang Bei Lu - Across from Yuexiu Park. This is a tomb of a king of ancient South China. 9AM-5:30PM. Admission is RMB 12, 20 8666 0885) [Metro 2 Yue Xiu Gong Yuan]
Guangzhou Sculpture Park ' Tongxin Lu at the foot of Baiyun Mountain. [Tour Bus No. 1, 3]
President Sun Yat-Sen Museum, 18 Dongsha Jie, Fangzhi Lu. +86 20 3428-1366. Admission is RMB 6. Open 9am-5pm Tue-Sun. Closed Mon.
Guangzhou Uprising Museum, 200 Qiyi Lu. The Museum is at the site of the first Communist government building. Open 9AM'12PM and 1:30PM-4:30PM Tues'Sun. Closed Mon. [Metro 1, 2 Gong Yuan Qian Exit J]
Guangdong Revolutions History Museum, 2 Lingyuan Xi Lu is located in the martyrs memorial park. Sun Yat-Sen was sworn in here in 1921 as the president of Republic of China. The museum tells stories from the Opium War to the founding of the new China. [Metro 1 Lie Shi Ling Yuan Exit D]
Peasant Movement Institute, 42 Zhongshan 4 Lu. This is the original site of Communist training center founded by Mao Tse-tung in the 1920s. Now it is a museum covering the recent China revolutionary history. Open 9AM-4:30PM Tue-Sat. Closed. [Metro 1, Nong Jiang Suo Exit C]
Parks
Huanghua Gang Commemoration Park, 79 Xianlie Zhonglu. This is a park that will set you in a poignant mood. The main attraction is the monument built to commemorate the 72 martyrs who died during the 1911 uprising. Open 6AM-8:30PM. Phone: +86 20 3758-8321; Admission RMB 8) [Tour Bus No. 1]
Yuexiu Park is the largest urban park in China and is a lush green area that flows over acres of hills and includes several lakes. It includes the Ming Dynasty Zhenhai Tower zhen-hai-lou, now home to the City Museum with relics dating back to the 15th century and an up-to-date miniature of Guangzhou. Also here in thepark is the Stone Statue of the Five Rams, the symbol of Guangzhou. Open 6AM-9PM. Admission is RMB 5 for the park. Zhenhai Tower admission is RMB 10. [Metro 2 Yue Xiu Park Station Exit B1]
Yuntai Garden is situated at the foot of Baiyun (White Cloud) Mountain and is famous for its wide variety of rare flowers and trees. Every year there is a beautiful 3-D flower exhibit. During this period, admission is RMB 20, but it is well worth it. Admission is RMB 10. [Tour Bus No. 1, 3]
Huadu Square is a park-cum-recreation square located in the north part the city and near the government office buildings of Huadu District. The square incorporates, among other attractions, an outdoor theater, large fountain, outdoor dance area and statues. There is a large grass area that is similar to a Western style meadow and a subtropical forest and ornamental flower beds.
Xiangjiang Wild Animal Safari Park is in Panyu district.
Guangzhou Martyrs' Memorial Garden Zhongshan 2 Lu ' This park is dedicated to those who fought and died in the Communist Uprising in 1927. [Metro 1 Martyrs' Park Station Exit D]
Grand World Scenic Park, 888 Daguanyuan Nan Lu. Open 8:30AM-5:30PM. [Bus 548, 224, 245]
Mountains
The Baiyun Shan (White Cloud Mountain) is a great place to relax and enjoy a day among lush, rolling hills. It also offers great views over the city. The road to the top is restricted to park trams and pedestrians. To get to the top lookout point, you can use the main roads or trails. There are many places to rest and refreshments are available along the way. It is a great place to see people enjoying nature and playing games, such as badminton, football (soccer) and even bungie jumping. There are many bus routes to and from different parts of the city, as well as taxis usually available near the park gate. Open 6AM-7PM. ark entrance RMB 5. Cable car round trip is RMB 40, tram from RMB 20. Other attractions RMB 5 - RMB 10) [Tour Bus No. 1, 3]
Lianhua Shan (Lotus Mountain) features an impressive quarry from which red sand stones were mined about 2,000 years ago, a pagoda from 1612, and a barrack from 1664. The obligatory statue of Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of compassion, at the side of the Buddhist temple is also not to be missed. From Guangzhou, take bus 308 or 302 and exchange bus at Panyu. The bus takes about two hours and costs RMB 14. There is a ferry service from Guangzhou at Tianzi Pier at Beijing Lu Nan for RMB 25. The boat leaves at 8:15AM and returns at 3:15PM. Admission is RMB 30.
In terms of climate, the best time to visit Guangzhou is in October and November. Alternatively, April and May are also good months. Guangzhou has a sub-tropical climate with humidity levels at their highest in the summer, so unless you enjoy Turkish steam baths, this is a season to avoid! Typhoon season is from June to September. Please note that the Canton Trade Fairs take place annually in 3rd and 4th weeks of April and October, so finding accommodation at these times can be difficult (See the warning section under Sleep).
January 18 C to 10 C
February 18 C to 11 C
March 22 C to 15 C
April 26 C to 19 C
May 29 C to 23 C
June 31 C to 25 C
July 33 C to 25 C
August 33 C to 25 C
September 31 C to 24 C
October 29 C to 21 C
November 24 C to 16 C
December 21 C to 11 C
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (IATA: CAN, ICAO: ZGGG) is the main airport of Guangzhou, the capital of the province of Guangdong, People's Republic of China. Both airport codes were inherited from the previous Guangzhou airport, and the IATA code reflects Guangzhou's former romanization Canton. The airport is the main hub of China Southern Airlines and a focus city for Shenzhen Airlines.
In 2007, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport was the 2nd busiest airport in Mainland China in terms of passenger traffic, with 30,958,467 people handled. As for cargo traffic, the airport was the 3rd busiest in China and the 30th busiest worldwide. Guangzhou airport is also the 2nd busiest airport in terms of traffic movements in China.
Guangzhou New Baiyun International Airport (CAN) has been in operation since August 5, 2004. The new airport is located between Renhe Town of Baiyun District to the north and Xinhua Town of Huadu District to the east, 17 kilometers (10.6 miles) away from the old airport and 28 kilometers (17.4 miles) away from Haizhu Square, the center of Guangzhou City. Airport Expresses are available. Fares range from RMB 10 to RMB 30 by distance.
There are direct buses heading for Zhuhai at RMB 80 per person, running approximately every two and a half hours. The last bus leaves at about 20:30.
Flights from Guangzhou New Baiyun International Airport (CAN) connect Guangzhou with more than 70 domestic cities and over 20 international cities. Direct international flights are to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Melbourne, Bangkok, Osaka and Hong Kong.
Since March 22nd, 2007, passengers who pass directly through the territory of China on an international service or stay in Guangzhou less than 24 hours do not need a visa. They must however have a connecting flight and a booked seat.
It is known that starting from July 9th, 2007, a new international service will begin operation to some countries in Southeast Asia. In that case, the passengers can fly to Yangon, Vientiane, Angkor, Phuket without changing plane. Now, the passengers can look up the specific scheduled flights and reserve tickets on the computer sales system. Getting the tickets in advance is also feasible.
Airport Inquiry Number: 36066999 (Mandarin, Cantonese and English languages are available.)
Airlines and other destinations of Guangzhou
International passenger flights
Aeroflot Moscow-Sheremetyevo
Afriqiyah Airways Tripoli
AirAsia Kuala Lumpur-Sepang
Air France Paris-Charles de Gaulle
Air Madagascar Antananarivo, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, St Denis de la Reunion All Nippon Airways Nagoya-Centrair, Tokyo-Narita
Asiana Airlines Busan, Seoul-Incheon
Batavia Air Jakarta
Cebu Pacific Manila
China Southern Airlines Amsterdam, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Delhi, Dubai, Fukuoka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Jeju [begins March 26], Kathmandu, Kitakyushu, Kuala Lumpur-Sepang, Laoag, Los Angeles, Luanda, Manila, Melbourne, Nagoya-Centrair, Osaka-Kansai, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Penang, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Saipan, Sendai, Seoul-Incheon, Siem Reap, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo-Narita, Vientiane, Yangon
EgyptAir Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Cairo
Emirates Dubai
Ethiopian Airlines Addis Ababa, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi
Garuda Indonesia Jakarta
Japan Airlines Nagoya-Centrair, Osaka-Kansai, Tokyo-Narita Kenya Airways Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Nairobi Korean Air Seoul-Incheon
Lufthansa Frankfurt, Star Alliance
Malaysia Airlines Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur-Sepang, Kuching Qatar Airways Doha
Singapore Airlines Singapore TAAG Angola Airlines Luanda [Starts in 2009 with 1 China frequency given left]
Thai AirAsia Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi Thai Airways International Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi
Tiger Airways Singapore
United Airlines San Francisco [begins June 2009] Vietnam Airlines Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City Vladivostok Air Khabarovsk
Cross-strait charter passenger flights
Airlines Destinations
China Airlines Taipei-Taoyuan
China Southern Airlines Taipei-Taoyuan
EVA Air Taipei-Taoyuan
Uni Air Taipei-Songshan
Domestic passenger flights
Air China Beijing-Capital, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Daxian, Guilin, Guiyang, Hangzhou, Hohhot, Jiuzhaigou, Luzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai-Hongqiao, Tianjin, Wanzhou, Wenzhou, Yibin, Yuncheng
China Eastern Airlines Haikou, Hangzhou, Hefei, Huangyan, Jinan, Kunming, Lanzhou, Lijiang, Mangshi, Nanchang, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai-Hongqiao, Shanghai-Pudong, Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan, Wenzhou, Wuxi, Wuhan, Yichang, Yinchuan, Xi'an
China Southern Airlines Baoshan, Beihai, Beijing-Capital, Changchun, Changde, Changsha, Changzhi, Changzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dali, Dalian, Dandong, Datong, Diqing, Enshi, Fuzhou, Ganzhou, Guilin, Guiyang, Haikou, Handan, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Hohhot, Hotan, Huangshan, Jiamus, Jilin, Jinghong, Jining, Jinjiang, Korla, Kunming, Kuqa, Lanzhou, Lhasa, Lianyungang, Lijiang, Liuzhou, Luoyang, Meixien, Mianyang, Mudanjiang, Nanchang, Nanchong, Nanjing, Nanning, Nantong, Nanyang, Ningbo, Qiemo, Qingdao, Qiqihar, Sanya, Shanghai-Hongqiao, Shanghai-Pudong, Shantou, Shenyang, Shijiazhuang, Tachang, Taiyuan, Tianjin, Tongren, 'r'mqi, Yining, Weihai, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Wuxi, Wuyishan, Wuzhou, Xiamen, Xi'an, Xiangfan, Xining, Xuzhou, Yancheng, Yanji, Yantai, Yichang, Yinchuan, Yongzhou, Yiwu, Zhangjiajie, Zhanjiang, Zhengzhou, Zhijiang
East Star Airlines Guilin, Haikou, Sanya, Wuhan, Zhengzhou Hainan Airlines Beijing-Capital, Changsha, Dalian, Guiyang, Harbin, Haikou, Hangzhou, Hefei, Nanchang, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Sanya, Shenyang, Taiyuan, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xi'an, Xiamen, Yinchuan, Zhengzhou
Deer Jet Chengdu, Chongqing, Haikou, Hangzhou, Kunming, Lijiang, Sanya, Zhangjiajie
Kunpeng Airlines Baise
Shandong Airlines Jinan, Linyi, Qingdao, Yantai
Shanghai Airlines Guilin, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Sanya, Shanghai-Hongqiao, Wenzhou, Xiamen
Shenzhen Airlines Baotou, Changchun, Changsha, Changzhou, Chengdu, Dalian, Guiyang, Guilin, Haikou, Harbin, Hohhot, Huangyan, Jinan, Kunming, Lanzhou, Nanchang, Nanjing, Nanning, Sanya, Shanghai-Hongqiao, Shenyang, Tianjin, Wuhan, Wuxi, Xi'an, Zhengzhou, Zhoushan
Sichuan Airlines Chengdu, Chongqing
Spring Airlines Shanghai-Hongqiao
United Eagle Airlines Chengdu, Liuzhou West Air Chongqing
Xiamen Airlines Fuzhou, Jinjiang, Wuyishan, Xiamen
International cargo flights
Air France Cargo Dubai, Paris-Charles de Gaulle [Suspended, to be resumed in Summer if Cargo picks up]
Asiana Cargo Seoul-Incheon
FedEx Express Almaty, Anchorage, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Cebu, Clark, Delhi, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Kuala Lumpur-Sepang, Los Angeles, Manila, Memphis, Mumbai, Newark, Osaka-Kansai, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Penang, San Francisco, Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai-Pudong, Singapore, Subic Bay, Sydney, Tokyo-Narita
JAL Cargo Tokyo-Narita
Korean Air Cargo Seoul-Incheon, Sydney
Lufthansa Cargo Almaty, Frankfurt, Mumbai
MASkargo Kuala Lumpur-Sepang
Saudi Arabian Cargo Bangkok, Riyadh UPS Airlines Anchorage, Honolulu, Ontario, Seoul-Incheon, Sydney
Cross-strait charter cargo flights
Air China Cargo Taipei-Taoyuan
China Airlines Cargo Taipei-Taoyuan
China Southern Cargo Taipei-Taoyuan
EVA Air Cargo Taipei-Taoyuan
Domestic cargo flights
China Postal Airlines Shanghai-Hongqiao, Nanjing
Yangtze River Express Hangzhou, Xiamen
To be able to travel to Guangzhou you need to have a valid China Visa, issue from your local government at the China Embassy, Chinese visa fall into four types: diplomatic visa, courtesy visa, service visa and ordinary visa. Ordinary visa is further divided into the following 8 categories each marked with a letter:
(1) Tourist and family visit visa (L-visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who comes to China for tourist purpose, family visit or other personal affairs.
(2) Business Visa (F-visa ) is issued to a foreign citizen who is invited to China for visit, research, lecture, business, exchanges in the fields of science, technology, education, culture and sports, or attending various kinds of trade fairs or exhibitions, or short-term study, intern practice for a period of no more than 6 months.
(3) Student Visa (X-visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who comes to China for the purpose of study or advanced study for a period of six or more months.
(4) Work Visa (Z-visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who comes to China to work and his or her accompanying family members, or to give commercial performances in China.
(5) Transit Visa (G-visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who is to transit through China on his or her way to a third country (or region).
(6) Crew Visa(C-visa)is issued to crew member performing his/her duties on board an international train, or on an international airliner, to a sailor on board an international ocean-liner or freighter, and also to their accompanying family members..
(7) Journalist Visa (J-visa)is issued to foreign journalists. J-visa has two categories: J-1 visa and J-2 visa. J-1 visa is issued to resident foreign journalists in China and their accompanying spouses and under-age children, J-2 visa to foreign journalists who visit China for temporary news coverage.
(8) Permanent Residence Visa(D-visa)is issued to a foreign citizen who has been approved by China's public security authority to reside in China permanently.
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free download of basic survival Chinese conversation in China.