Guangzhou is the largest city in southern China and the centre of the Pearl River delta. It has long been the country's door to the outside world: the maritime end of the Silk Road ran through here, and the Canton Fair, held twice a year since 1957, is still China's largest trade fair. The city's emblem is the Canton Tower, reaching 600 metres on the south bank. Guangzhou is also where Cantonese cooking and the dim sum tradition began, and yum cha, morning tea, is a daily habit here.
Looking for cheap flights or monthly payment flight packages to Guangzhou?
Suso is a travel-planning platform that turns your Guangzhou trip from Turkey into a buy now, pay later flight package: the ticket is issued by travel agencies, booking sites or airlines, and the payment plan runs on consumer credit from partner finance institutions. One click in the basket completes the purchase and the financing together; you pay over 3 to 24 months. No credit card limit needed.
See flights to Guangzhou →When to visit Guangzhou
October to December is the best window, dry and around 20C. April to September is hot and very humid with monsoon rain. January and February stay mild, rarely dropping below 10C.
Things to do in Guangzhou
Canton Tower
The 600 metre tower on the south bank of the Pearl River is known for its narrow waisted twisting form and was the tallest TV tower in the world when it opened. An open air observation deck and a ferris wheel sit at the top.
Shamian Island
This sandbank island, a British and French concession in the nineteenth century, is preserved with its colonial buildings and pedestrianised avenues of plane trees. It is quiet compared with the rest of the city and is walked end to end.
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
Built in 1894 by families bearing the Chen surname, the hall is a showcase of Cantonese craft in its ceramic roof figures and wood carving. It houses the Guangdong Folk Art Museum today.
Yuexiu Park and the Five Rams
The Five Rams sculpture in the city's largest park tells Guangzhou's founding legend and serves as its symbol. The Ming era Zhenhai Tower and remains of the old city wall stand inside the park.
Sacred Heart Cathedral
Built of granite between 1863 and 1888, this Gothic cathedral is among the largest stone churches in China. Locally it is known as Shishi, meaning stone house.
Baiyun Mountain
The cluster of hills north of the city reaches about 380 metres and is considered Guangzhou's lungs. Walking paths and a cable car lead up, and the Pearl River delta is visible from the top.
Flights from Turkey to Guangzhou
The flight from Istanbul to Guangzhou Baiyun is about 10 hours 35 minutes on the great circle route, operated by Turkish Airlines. Seats and hotels become noticeably harder to find during the Canton Fair, so it is worth checking the fair calendar when choosing dates.
Guangzhou FAQ
How many days do you need in Guangzhou?
Two days cover the tower, Shamian Island and the Chen Clan Hall. Adding Baiyun Mountain and an eating route makes three days a comfortable pace.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
Baiyun International Airport is about 28 kilometres from the centre. Metro Line 3 connects it to the city and the journey takes around an hour.
Can you continue to Hong Kong from here?
Yes. The high speed train reaches Hong Kong from Guangzhou in about an hour. Hong Kong has its own entry regime, so the documents needed for the crossing should be checked in advance.
Buy now, pay later flights to Guangzhou
Fly now, pay later. Plan your trip, pay over up to 24 months. One click at checkout sets up the plan, no credit card limit needed.
Search flights to Guangzhou →