When planning the Guangzhou tour, choosing where to stay in Guangzhou can greatly influence your travel experience.
In brief, Beijing Road is recommended for first-timers; Zhujiang New Town is suitable for travelers who want to explore the city’s modern charm and night view; Shangxiajiu, Yongqing Fang and Shamian Island offer you an in-depth exploration of old Guangzhou; And Pazhou is a perfect option for travelers attending Canton Fair.
In this guide, we will share these areas, as well as recommended hotels, price and practical tips for booking the hotel.
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- The Recommended Areas
- Options for Different Travelers
- Estimated Costs
- Practical Tips
- Travel with China Xian Tour
- FAQs
The Recommended Areas to Stay in Guangzhou for Travelers
Before confirming where to stay in Guangzhou, we should first make clear that the city is divided into old city area and new CBD area. The old city area takes you to historic sites and show you traditional local life, while the new CBD area feasts your eyes on the stunning modern skyline.
Here are the recommended places to stay in the two areas.
Old City: Beijing Road, Shangxiajiu, Yongqing Fang and Shamian Island
New City: Zhujiang New Town and Pazhou
Taste authentic dim sum and roast goose in Guangzhou while exploring Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Shamian Island, and the Cantonese Opera Art Museum for Lingnan culture immersion.
Where to Stay in Guangzhou for Different Types of Travelers
For First-Time Travelers: Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
Beijing Road is the top choice for most travelers. This is not because it is an internet-famous street, but because it meets the three core demands of tourists: within walking distance to many attractions in the old town area; abundant food options, convenient subway connections.
Close to Major Attractions: Nanyue King Museum and Giant Buddhist Temple are located right in the area. Other well-known scenic spots in the city, like Chen Clan Temple, Canton Tower and Shamian Island, can be reached by subway or taxi in 20 – 35 minutes. So, it is an ideal starting point whether you want to discover historic sites or modern charm in Guangzhou.
Diverse Food Options: Beijing Road gathers the most time-honored brands, such as Tao Tao Ju, Lin Heung Lau and Guangzhou Restaurant. From characteristic morning tea to authentic Cantonese cuisine, all can be found here.
Convenient Subway: The area is surrounded by three subway stations: Gongyuanqian (Line 1/2), Beijing Lu Station (Line 6), and Haizhu Square (Line 2/6). You can reach other major attractions on one line directly or with only a single transfer.
Diverse Accommodations: No matter your budget, it is easy to find a suitable hotel around Beijing Road. From youth hostels, mid-end hotels to high-end hotels, they are all available.
Recommended Hotels:
- Mercure Hotel Beijing Road:
- Location: Right on the main street of Beijing Road, only about 200 meters from Beijing Lu (Beijing Road) Subway Station
- Price: about CNY 650+/USD 90+
- Why Choose: Just downstairs is the pedestrian street, and some high-rise rooms offer a panoramic view of the old town.
- Tapestry Collection by Hilton
- Location: Only 2 minutes from Nanyue King Museum, about 500 meters from Beijing Road and 600 meters from Gongyuanqianzhan Metro Station
- Price: about CNY 680+/USD 94+
- Why Choose: This 5-star hotel is equipped with top-notch facilities, including outdoor swimming pool and gym. The room on the south side offers a direct view of the palace exhibition area of the Nanyue King Museum.
For Modern City Charm and Night View: Zhujiang New Town
If you want to experience city’s cosmopolitan energy, Zhujiang New Town Business Circle is your top choice. More specifically, choose the hotels near Zhujiang New Town and Tiyu Xilu Stations. As the financial hub of Guangzhou, this district gathers glass towers, five-star hotels, and upscale malls.
Dazzling Night View: The area faces the Canton Tower across the Pearl River. By night, the skyline glitters on the opposite banks, showcasing the city’s modern charm.
Convenient metro connections: Guangzhou Subway Line 3 and 5 and APM Line are operating in this area, offering you convenient transfer to Canton Tower and other attractions in the city.
Diverse High-end Shopping Malls: The densest shopping mall cluster in Guangzhou are right in the area with several high-end shopping malls, like K11, Taikoo Hui and Tianhuan Square.
Recommended Hotels:
- The Ritz-Carlton
- Location: directly opposite the city’s central axis and face the Canton Tower, only 300 meters from Guangzhou Opera House Metro Station
- Price: about CNY 1700+/USD 234+
- Why Choose: The rooms are relatively spacious and offer city view, river view, Guangzhou Tower view or Opera House view. The executive lounge on the 33rd floor offers a 270° view of the Pearl River. Besides, it boasts a spa center, 5 restaurants and bars with one Michelin-starred restaurant. Tourists can also walk to the Guangdong Provincial Museum directly.
- Sheraton
- Location: next to Exit D of Tiyu West Road subway Station, surrounded by several shopping malls
- Price: about CNY 1200+/USD 166+
- Why Choose: It is quite close to the subway station. The outdoor constant-temperature swimming pool is located high above the CBD, allowing you to watch the sunset give way to neon lights in the evening. Also, it has an all-day buffet, an Italian restaurant, and a Cantonese Chinese restaurant.
An 8-day in-depth Guangzhou tour venturing to Liannan Yao villages, Lianzhou Underground River, Shimen Forest Park and Zhengguo Old Street.
For Old Guangzhou – Shangxia Jiu, Yongqing Fang and Shamian Island
Shangxia Jiu, Yongqing Fang and Shamian Island all belong to Liwan District. They all feature unique Qilou Buildings, traditional local residence Xiguan House and Manzhou windows. Here, you can experience the most authentic old-world charm of Guangzhou.
In Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, savor authentic local dishes in time-honored brands, including Tao Tao Ju, Lin Heung Lau, Guangzhou Restaurant.
Head to Yongqing Fang to watch the most well-preserved Qilou Buildings. The charm of local heritage is perfectly integrated with modern coffee shops and boutiques.
Shamian Island is reputed as an open architecture museum and offers a picturesque escape from the fast-paced side of the city. You will meet various European buildings in diverse styles, like Neoclassicism and Baroque, making it an ideal photography spot.
But the old buildings have poor sound insulation and the commercial activities are lively, so it will be relatively noisy at night.
Recommended Hotels:
- White Swan Hotel
- Location: On the Shamian Island, about 400 meters from Huangsha Metro Station
- Price: about CNY1300+/USD 179+
- Why Choose: It is one of the few buildings on the island that offers a view of both the river and the city skyline on the opposite bank. The hotel rooms integrate the Lingnan cultural elements with modern intelligence. You can also taste top-notch Guangzhou morning tea in Yutang Chuannuan and Hongfutu Restaurants in the hotel. Besides, several boarding points for the Pearl River night cruise are within walking distance.
- voco Guangzhou Shifu
- Location: on the main street of Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street
- Price: about CNY 600+/USD 83+
- Why Choose: This hotel also blends Lingnan charm with modern design. Compared with other hotels in old town, it provides larger rooms. And besides the delicacies on the pedestrian street, the hotel itself has 4 restaurants. A bowl of Cantonese sweet soup is served free for guests every night.
For Business Travelers Taking Part in Canton Fair – Pazhou
The Canton Fair is held in Pazhou Exhibition Center. As the area is designed for large-scale exhibitions, there are a lot of modern hotels that provide excellent facilities and business-friendly services and are equipped with easy transport links.
Some high-end hotels also offer free shuttle bus service during the Canton Fair, which will be more convenient and efficient for you. Plus, the Canton Tower is right across the river. So it would also be an ideal spot to appreciate Guangzhou’s most iconic landmark.
Recommended Hotels:
- The Westin Pazhou Guangzhou
- Location: Right in Area C of the exhibition hall of Canton Fair, 5 minutes’ walk to Pazhou Metro Station
- Price: about CNY550+/USD 76+
- Why Choose: The hotel is connected to the exhibition hall through a space corridor It provides large guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing you to view the Pearl River or Canton Tower. Besides, there is constant-temperature infinity pool and executive lounge.
- Langham Place Guangzhou
- Location: 5 minutes’ walk from both the exhibition hall and the Xingangdong Metro Station
- Price: about CNY 500+/USD 69+
- Why Choose: Luxury rooms offer you a direct view of Pearl River. 5 restaurants and bars in the hotel provide both Cantonese cuisine and western dishes. The Ming Court is a Michelin-starred restaurant. What’s more, you can find swimming pool, spa center, gym and mini golf course.
Verify Canton Fair suppliers with guided factory inspections, distinguishing genuine manufacturers from trading companies through on-site production line and quality control evaluations.
Estimated Accommodation Costs
After getting to known where to stay during the Guangzhou trip, accommodation costs are another important consideration for travelers. It varies a lot based on the hotel types. Below is a table for your reference.
Hotel Types |
Estimated Cost |
5-star and luxury hotels |
CNY 1000 – 3000/USD 138 – 414 |
4-star hotels |
CNY 500 – 900/USD 69 – 124 |
Mid-end hotels (3-star) |
CNY 300 – 600/USD 41 – 83 |
Economical chain hotels |
CNY 150 – 350/USD 21 – 48 |
Characteristic homestays |
CNY 250 – 600/USD 34 – 83 |
Practical Tips for Booking Your Stay
- Confirm Foreign Guest Policy: International chain hotels are basically licensedto host foreigners, while other hotels may lack the necessary registration system. Check eligibility with the hotel when booking.
- English Service: Staff at most international hotels and high-end hotels are typically fluent in English. While mid-end hotels offer basic English service for check-ins. Economic hotels and homestays usually have limited or no English-speaking staff.
- Security Deposit: A refundable deposit of CNY 500 – 2,000/USD 69 – 276 is usually charged when checking in and will be returned if there are no incidental charges or damages at check-out.
- Book Early: Guangzhou is always busy, and popular hotels can sell out very quickly, especially during festivals, public holidays and Canton Fair. So, try to make your booking as early as possible.
- Metro Access: Guangzhou has one of the most developed metro networks inChina, which can connect you to almost every corner of the city. So you may want to pick a hotel close to a metro station (ideally within a 5–10 minute walk).
- Use Trusted Platforms: Book through official hotel websites or a reliable travel agency like China Xian Tour to avoid scams.
Treat your family to Guangzhou's Chimelong Safari Park with its incredible wildlife displays, plus the city's iconic Canton Tower, Chen Clan Academy, and delicious Cantonese dim sum.
Discover the Best of Guangzhou with China Xian Tour
Guangzhou has long become one of the most popular travel destinations of a China tour, since it offers offers incredibly diverse cultural and historical highlights, while also providing people with the best modern views of a city. However, since it can be a little overwhelming to plan a thorough itinerary that covers all highlights by yourself, we strongly recommend you to travel with China Xian Tour.
With the help of our local travel experts, you’ll get a perfect journey, which is made completely based on your own preference, and we’ll also provide you with private transfers and professional guides. From start to finish, we’ll take care of all the preparation for you so that you can fully enjoy the unforgettable local cultures.
FAQs About Guangzhou Travel
Are there Ubers in Guangzhou?
No, Uber is not available here. Consider using local ride-hailing apps such as DiDi, it functions similarly to Uber. An English-language option is available.
What are some must-see attractions in Guangzhou?
Canton Tower, Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, Shamian Island, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, and Yuexiu Park.
What are some popular local dishes to try in Guangzhou?
- Dim Sum (Yum Cha) – famous dumplings and buns.
- Cantonese Roast Duck / Char Siu – Classic.
- White Cut Chicken (Bai Qie Ji) – Simple yet flavorful.
- Wonton Noodles – Savory and comforting.
- Double-Skin Milk (Shuang Pi Nai) – Traditional dessert.
