Guangzhou Travel Guide

Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong province and one of China’s biggest trading cities. It is home to the Canton Fair, famous Cantonese food and a modern riverside skyline. This guide covers what US travelers need to know, whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure.

Do US Citizens Need a Visa for Guangzhou?

For most trips, yes. US citizens need a Chinese visa to visit Guangzhou. Most US applicants qualify for a 10-year multiple-entry visa that allows stays of up to 60 days per entry.

• Tourists usually apply for a tourist (L) visa.
• Canton Fair buyers and other business visitors usually apply for a business (M) visa, with an invitation letter from the fair or a Chinese company.
• 240-hour visa-free transit: If you are traveling through Guangzhou to a third country or region (for example, US → Guangzhou → Bangkok), you can stay up to 240 hours without a visa. You need a confirmed onward ticket, and you must enter through an eligible port such as Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN). A round trip back to the US does not qualify.

Visa Express handles China tourist and business visas for US citizens, with processing in as little as 6–8 business days.

The Canton Fair

The China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) is one of the world’s largest trade shows. It is held twice a year, in spring (usually April–May) and autumn (usually October–November), in three phases with different product categories. The venue is the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou, Haizhu District, reached by Metro Line 8 (Xingangdong or Pazhou stations) or Line 11 (Pazhou).

Hotels near Pazhou fill up and raise prices during the fair, so book early. Apply for your business visa well ahead of time, too.

Getting From the Airport to the City

• Metro: Line 3 runs from Baiyun Airport into the city center. It’s the cheapest option and avoids traffic. For the Canton Fair, change to Line 8 at Kecun.
• Taxi or DiDi: Usually 40–60 minutes to downtown, depending on traffic.
• Airport buses: Routes run to major hotels and districts.

Guangzhou’s metro accepts contactless Visa and Mastercard cards at the gates, as well as Alipay and WeChat transit codes.

Top Things to Do in Guangzhou

• Canton Tower: The city’s landmark TV tower, with observation decks and views over the Pearl River.
• Pearl River night cruise: See the skyline lit up from the water.
• Shamian Island: Quiet, tree-lined streets with colonial-era buildings.
• Chen Clan Ancestral Hall: An elaborately carved 19th-century hall that now houses a folk art museum.
• Yuexiu Park: The city’s largest park, home to the Five Rams statue and Zhenhai Tower.
• Food: Guangzhou is the home of Cantonese cooking. Try morning dim sum (yum cha), roast goose and rice noodle rolls.

Getting Around and Nearby Trips

• Metro: An extensive network with English signs. Buy tickets at machines, tap a contactless card, or use a transit QR code.
• DiDi and taxis: Easy to use. Have your destination written in Chinese.
• High-speed trains: Shenzhen is about 30–45 minutes away, and Hong Kong (West Kowloon) about 50 minutes. Trains also run to Guilin, Changsha and beyond. See our guide to getting around China.

Practical Tips for US Travelers

• Payments: Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay before you fly, and link a US Visa or Mastercard. Carry some cash as a backup.
• Internet: Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook are blocked. A travel eSIM usually gives you access.
• Language: Locals speak Cantonese and Mandarin. English is limited outside hotels and the Canton Fair, so a translation app helps.
• Hotels: Hotels register foreign guests with the police when they scan your passport.
• Weather: Hot and humid from May to September, with heavy rain and possible typhoons. October to December is the most comfortable time to visit.
• Emergencies: Police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119.

Get Your China Visa With Visa Express

Heading to Guangzhou or the Canton Fair? Visa Express prepares and submits China tourist and business visa applications for US citizens in all 50 states. See our China visa requirements, fees and processing times.