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Guangzhou

Guangzhou travel guide

Capital and largest city of Guangdong

Flights from$1,048 round trip
Best time to visitNovember to February
Nearest airportCAN · 18 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+8
Population18,676,605

About Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is the capital and largest city of Guangdong in southern China. Located on the Pearl River, about 120 kilometres (75 mi) northwest of Hong Kong and 145 kilometres (90 mi) north of Macau, Guangzhou has a history of over 2,200 years and was a major terminus of the Silk Road.

Cheap flights to Guangzhou

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $1,048 from New York, travelling 27 Nov – 4 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

Airlines travellers compared most often: Asiana Airlines.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 12 Oct and 11 Nov 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

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Where to stay in Guangzhou

Popular hotels in Guangzhou, out of 890 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Guangzhou

Best time to visit Guangzhou

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Guangzhou is November to February, when average daytime highs are around 70–77°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 53° – 70° 2
Feb 55° – 70° 6
Mar 60° – 75° 13
Apr 69° – 84° 18
May 73° – 84° 23
Jun 77° – 88° 27
Jul 79° – 91° 28
Aug 78° – 90° 25
Sep 77° – 90° 22
Oct 73° – 86° 9
Nov 64° – 77° 6
Dec 56° – 71° 2

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Guangzhou weather forecast

  • Wed 11 Nov 73° 54° 0%
  • Thu 12 Nov 80° 60° 0%
  • Fri 13 Nov 77° 66° 92%
  • Sat 14 Nov 80° 65° 92%
  • Sun 15 Nov 82° 65° 37%
  • Mon 16 Nov 78° 71° 62%
  • Tue 17 Nov 83° 71° 73%

Know before you go

Currency
Chinese yuan (CNY)1 US dollar ≈ ¥6.69
Language
Chinese
Calling code
+86
Driving
On the right
Time zone
Asia/ShanghaiUTC+8
Capital
Beijing

Upcoming public holidays in China

  • New Year's Day元旦
  • Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)春节
  • Labour Day劳动节
  • Dragon Boat Festival端午节
  • Mid-Autumn Festival中秋节
  • National Day国庆节

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Guangzhou

These are the airports closest to central Guangzhou. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • CAN Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport18 mi (29 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Guangzhou

Guangzhou has a fairly efficient and rapidly expanding public transportation system. If you intend to stay in Guangzhou for a long time, buy a multi-purpose Lingnan Pass - Yang Cheng Tong (岭南通-羊城通) stored value card, similar to the Octopus Card in Hong Kong. The card can be used in most metro areas in Guangdong province (but not Shenzhen).

By metro

Guangzhou's Metro.mw-parser-output .error-deadlink{color:red;background:yellow;display:none;white-space:nowrap}[dead link] opened in 1999 and has been expanding at a breakneck pace ever since. Most places in Guangzhou of interest to visitors are within walking distance of a metro stop. The Metro cannot be beaten for its combination of convenience and affordability.

By bus

There is also a comprehensive public bus service that covers Guangzhou from end to end. By far, it is the cheapest way to move around. Bus fares are ¥1 for the older buses and ¥2 for the air-conditioned ones, although the older buses have been mostly retired.

By BRT

The Bus Rapid Transit system went into service in early 2010. It is essentially a long segregated bus lane (not an elevated busway like in Xiamen) running along the Tianhe Road and Zhongshan Avenue corridor towards the eastern suburbs.

Guangzhou travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Guangzhou?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Guangzhou is November to February, when average daytime highs are around 70–77°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.

What is the weather like in Guangzhou?

July is usually the warmest month in Guangzhou, with average highs of 91°F (33°C). February is the coolest, with average lows of 55°F (13°C). The wettest month is typically June, with about 433 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Guangzhou?

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) is the closest airport, about 18 miles (29 km) from the centre of Guangzhou.

How much are flights to Guangzhou?

The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Guangzhou in the last 30 days was $1,048 from New York, travelling 27 Nov – 4 Dec.

What currency is used in Guangzhou?

Guangzhou uses the Chinese yuan (CNY). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ¥6.69.

What time zone is Guangzhou in?

Guangzhou uses the Asia/Shanghai time zone (currently UTC+8). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Guangzhou?

Guangzhou has a fairly efficient and rapidly expanding public transportation system. If you intend to stay in Guangzhou for a long time, buy a multi-purpose Lingnan Pass - Yang Cheng Tong (岭南通-羊城通) stored value card, similar to the Octopus Card in Hong Kong.

Where should I stay in Guangzhou?

Popular areas for hotels in Guangzhou include Tianhe, Yuexiu and Haizhu. Well-reviewed options include Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich and Asia International Hotel Guangzhou.

How many hotels can I book in Guangzhou?

Destina Holidays currently lists 890 properties in and around Guangzhou, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.