Guangdong
Guangdong is the province for Cantonese food, historic Guangzhou and modern Shenzhen, and a practical base for a southern China trip with a side visit to Hong Kong.
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Guangdong is a coastal province in southern China, facing the South China Sea and bordering Hong Kong and Macau. Its capital, Guangzhou, has been a trading port for centuries, and Cantonese food is closely tied to the city, from dim sum to roast meats and yum cha, the morning tea ritual. Shenzhen, just across the border from Hong Kong, grew from a fishing town into one of China's largest technology cities. Inland, the Kaiping diaolou, fortified watchtowers that mix Chinese and Western architecture, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Guangdong suits travelers who want big cities, a plan driven by food, and easy day trips to Hong Kong. Autumn, from October to December, is the most comfortable season, with lower humidity and milder days. Summers are hot and wet, and typhoons can reach the coast from summer into early autumn. Plan about a week for Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and add two or three days for the Kaiping towers or the coast.
Guangdong in five
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arriveMany shops, taxis and food stalls take mobile payment first, and cash is used less than you may expect. Link a foreign card to Alipay or WeChat Pay before you leave home so you can pay on arrival.Money and costs
- Get an eSIM and download Chinese map appsGoogle Maps and many foreign apps do not work on the mainland. Download Amap or Baidu Maps and save offline maps before you leave home.Phones and eSIM
- Book high-speed rail on 1230612306 is the official China Railway app and website. Guangzhou South and Shenzhen North are the main high-speed stations between the two cities, and you show your passport at the gate.Getting around
- Carry your passport on day tripsHotels register foreign guests at check-in, and rail tickets are tied to your passport. Keep a photo copy at the hotel and carry the original when you leave it.
- Plan the Hong Kong crossing at Lo Wu or FutianShenzhen has the main rail crossings to Hong Kong at Lo Wu and Futian. Check Hong Kong's entry rules separately and leave extra time for both immigration halls.Shenzhen travel guide
Neighborhoods
Shenzhen
- Price band: $$
Guangzhou
- Price band: $$
Things to do in Guangdong
See all attractions in Guangdong
Need to know
- Currency
- Yuan renminbi (CNY)
- Entry
- Visa-free stays for many passports; others need a visa. Check the list before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, drier
- FebruaryDamp, foggy
- MarchDamp, humid
- AprilRainy, humid
- MayHot, humid
- JuneHot, rainy
- JulyHot, typhoon risk
- AugustHot, typhoon risk
- SeptemberTyphoon risk
- OctoberWarm, dry
- NovemberMild, dry
- DecemberCool, dry
Right now in Guangdong
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 26°
- Humidity
- 67%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 65%
Guangzhou
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°23°65%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Wed30°24°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu30°24°87%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Fri30°24°76%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Sat29°23°42%Saturday: Clear. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 42%.
- Sun31°22°18%Sunday: Clear. High 31°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Mon27°18°16%Monday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 16%.
Updated 01:13 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- FoshanBy metro or intercity train from GuangzhouTemples, Lingnan-style architecture and local food, a short trip from Guangzhou.
- Hong KongBy rail via Lo Wu or FutianA separate city with its own rules, reached on foot or by rail across the border.Read the guide
- MacauBy rail and border crossing, via ZhuhaiCasinos, Portuguese-era old streets and Macau's coastal views, reached through Zhuhai.
Before you go to Guangdong
Rules for Guangdong, checked
- Carry your passport when you check into a hotel and when you buy high-speed rail tickets. Hotels and rail staff check it.
- Declare cash and valuables above the allowance on your arrival form. Check the General Administration of Customs website before you fly.Source
- Drug offences carry heavy penalties in China. Never carry a bag or parcel for someone else.
Plan around Guangdong
High-speed rail, metro and airport links between the two cities
Read the guideMobile payments and cashWhich payment apps to set up and where cash still helps
Read the guideGuangzhou travel guideOld city, Shamian Island, parks and Cantonese food
Read the guideShenzhen travel guideModern districts and the Hong Kong crossings
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free stays and what to check before you fly
Read the guideAll of ChinaThe wider country and onward routes from the south
Read the guideGuangdong FAQ
Is Guangdong worth visiting?
Yes, for a city trip. Guangzhou has old Cantonese food, temples and parks, and Shenzhen is a modern city next to Hong Kong. Both work well as bases.
How many days do you need in Guangzhou?
Two to three days covers Shamian Island, Yuexiu Park, the old city and the Canton Tower. Add a day for a trip to Foshan or Shenzhen.
Guangzhou or Shenzhen: which is the better base?
Guangzhou suits older districts, food and the main airport. Shenzhen suits modern districts and the Hong Kong crossings. Both are linked by high-speed rail.
Do I need a VPN in Guangdong?
Google services and many foreign apps are blocked on the mainland. Set up Amap or Baidu Maps and a Chinese payment app before you travel, and download offline maps.
Can I go to Hong Kong from Shenzhen?
Yes, by train or metro to the Lo Wu or Futian checkpoints. Hong Kong has its own immigration process, so check its entry rules before you cross.
Do I need a rental car in Guangdong?
No, for Guangzhou or Shenzhen. The metro and taxis cover both cities. Consider a car only for trips to small towns outside the main cities.