World · 27 Places · Best Year-round
Guangdong is China's most populous province and its economic powerhouse, located in the far south along the South China Sea. It encompasses the vast Pearl River Delta megacity region, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, and Dongguan. The province is the birthplace of Cantonese cuisine, culture, and language, and has been the gateway between China and the world for centuries. From the UNESCO World Heritage Danxia Mountain to the gleaming skylines of Guangzhou and Shenzhen, Guangdong offers a dizzying blend of ancient tradition and hyper-modern city life.
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
The 27 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
At 600 meters, Canton Tower is the tallest structure in China and second tallest TV tower in the world. Its distinctive twisted lattice design has become the defining symbol of modern Guangzhou. Visitors can ride the outdoor observation deck, take the bubble tram, and enjoy panoramic views of the Pearl River and city skyline.
Built between 1890 and 1894, this masterpiece of Lingnan architecture served as a school and ancestral worship hall for the Chen clan. The complex features extraordinarily detailed carvings in wood, stone, brick, and clay, as well as vibrant ceramic roof friezes. Now houses the Guangdong Folk Arts Museum.
A small sandbank island in the Pearl River that served as a foreign concession area for British and French traders in the 19th century. Today it's a tranquil enclave of European-style colonial buildings, shaded banyan trees, and charming cafes — a striking contrast to Guangzhou's modern skyline.
Guangzhou's largest and oldest urban park, covering 86 hectares. Home to the iconic Five Rams Statue (symbol of Guangzhou), the ancient Zhenhai Tower (city museum), and several artificial lakes. A beloved gathering spot for local residents practicing tai chi, ballroom dancing, and morning exercise.
A mountainous scenic area just 17km from central Guangzhou, with the highest peak reaching 382 meters. Guangzhou residents flock here for hiking, fresh air, and views over the city. The park includes Mingzhu Tower, Moxing Ridge, and Yunhu Lake.
A stunning octagonal building constructed in 1931 to honor the founding father of the Republic of China, Dr. Sun Yat-sen. The blue-tiled roof and grand architecture blend Chinese classical and Western styles. Set in landscaped gardens in the heart of the city.
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Guangzhou's flagship luxury hotel in the heart of the Pearl River New Town CBD, offering unrivaled views of the Canton Tower. Features a rooftop infinity pool, award-winning Cantonese restaurant, and direct access to Guangzhou's financial district.
Check rates on Booking.comOccupying floors 70-98 of the International Finance Centre tower, this is one of the highest hotels in the world with breathtaking 360-degree city and Pearl River views. Home to the Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant Lung King Heen.
Check rates on Booking.comA design-forward luxury hotel on the Pearl River waterfront with direct views of Canton Tower. The WET outdoor pool is one of Guangzhou's most Instagrammable spots. Lively bars and DJ nights on weekends.
Check rates on Booking.comShenzhen's most prestigious address, combining residential luxury with legendary St. Regis butler service. The hotel's Iridium Spa and classic Astor Bar are institutions in Shenzhen's luxury scene.
Check rates on Booking.comCafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Founded in 1935, Guangzhou Restaurant is the city's most venerable institution for Cantonese cuisine and dim sum. The cavernous ballroom-style dining hall fills with locals for yum cha from 7am. A landmark of Cantonese culinary heritage.
Established in 1880, Tao Tao Ju is one of Guangzhou's most historic teahouses. The four-story heritage building on Dishifu pedestrian street is beautifully restored and serves both classic and innovative dim sum.
A Guangzhou institution set in a classical garden with waterways and pavilions. The dim sum trolley service has operated for decades, and the roast goose and barbecued meats are among the best in the city.
Consistently rated one of Guangzhou's top restaurants, Bing Sheng serves elevated Cantonese cuisine with premium ingredients. Famous for live seafood and exceptional wok technique. Multiple locations across Guangzhou.
The Guangzhou outpost of China's most celebrated Peking duck restaurant, elevated with Cantonese influences and an art-gallery ambiance. Exceptional wine cellar and sophisticated crowd.
The definitive Chaoshan dining experience in an ancient city setting. The slow-braised Lu Wei goose is legendary — order ahead for a whole bird. Teochew-style cold crab and oyster porridge are equally unmissable.
Book a food tour in Guangdong We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Guangdong has one of China's most developed transportation networks. The Pearl River Delta is served by an integrated system of high-speed rail, intercity metro, city metros, buses, ferries, and taxis. Shenzhen and Guangzhou have world-class metro systems. High-speed rail connects the major cities in under an hour. International and domestic airports serve all major cities.
Daily spend by tier in USD, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15-40 | $50-120 | $150+ |
| Food (per day) | $10-25 | $30-60 | $80+ |
| Transportation | $5-15 | $20-50 | $75+ |
| Activities | $5-15 | $20-50 | $75+ |
| Daily total | $50-100 | $100-200 | $300+ |
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for China.
The best time to visit Guangdong is Year-round.
The top attractions in Guangdong include Canton Tower, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Shamian Island, Yuexiu Park, and Baiyun Mountain. Each offers a unique experience, from historic landmarks to natural wonders.
The cities below have their own guides — hotels, attractions and where to eat, in depth.
Dongguan is a prefecture-level city in the Pearl River Delta, sitting between Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Long known as 'the world's factory' for its electronics, furniture and toy manufacturing, it is also home to the Qing-dynasty Keyuan Garden, the Humen sites of the First Opium War, the lakeside Songshan Lake science park, and a strong Cantonese and Hakka food culture. It has no commercial airport of its own; visitors arrive by high-speed rail or via Shenzhen, Guangzhou or Hong Kong airports.
Foshan is a prefecture-level city in the Pearl River Delta, directly southwest of Guangzhou and linked to it by the Guangfo metro line. It is the birthplace of Cantonese martial arts and lion dance, home to the Ming-Qing Zumiao Ancestral Temple, the ceramics kilns of Shiwan, and Shunde, widely regarded as the cradle of Cantonese cuisine. Visitors fly into Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Hong Kong and reach Foshan by metro or intercity rail.
Guangzhou is the sprawling capital of Guangdong Province and the historic heart of Cantonese culture, sitting on the Pearl River in southern China. For more than 2,000 years it has been one of China's great trading ports — the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road and, in later centuries, the only Chinese port legally open to Western trade. Today it is a hypermodern megacity of glass towers along the Pearl River, wrapped around an old town of Lingnan-style ancestral halls, colonial-era Shamian Island, and some of the best Cantonese food anywhere on earth, from dim sum teahouses to street stalls serving wonton noodles and roast goose.
Shenzhen is a sprawling megacity on China's southern coast, directly across the border from Hong Kong. Transformed from a fishing town of about 30,000 people into a metropolis of over 17 million in four decades, it is China's original Special Economic Zone and the country's leading technology hub, home to Tencent, Huawei, DJI, and thousands of electronics manufacturers.
