Guangzhou is Guangdong's provincial capital, a much older and larger city than Shenzhen with a continuous commercial history stretching back over a thousand years as a trading port. A high-speed rail day trip lets you see a genuinely different urban character - old Lingnan architecture, riverside promenades and a food culture regarded as one of the strongest in China. It's a full but manageable day given the sub-hour rail link.
| Distance | About 140 km northwest of Shenzhen |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 29 minutes to about 1 hour by high-speed rail |
| Getting there | Mode: High-speed rail; Detail: Frequent high-speed trains run from Shenzhen North Station (and some from Futian) to Guangzhou South Station in as little as 29 minutes |
| Address | Guangzhou South Railway Station, Shibi, Panyu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong |
How to get there
- High-speed rail: Shenzhen North Station to Guangzhou South Station (29 min-1 hr, CNY 72-75/approx. USD 10.75-11.25 second class)
- High-speed rail: Shenzhen Futian Station to Guangzhou South Station (similar duration and fare)
- Intercity coach: long-distance buses from Shenzhen bus stations (1.5-2 hours depending on traffic)
- Metro/local rail combination via Dongguan for a slower, cheaper alternative
Location
Guangzhou South Railway Station, Shibi, Panyu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong
22.9903, 113.2903 View on map
Highlights
- Chen Clan Ancestral Hall - an elaborately decorated Qing-dynasty academy building with carved woodwork and roof sculpture
- Shamian Island - a former foreign concession with tree-lined streets and colonial-era buildings, now a pedestrian area
- Canton Tower - a distinctive twisted-lattice tower on the Pearl River with observation decks
- Yuexiu Park - includes the Five Rams sculpture, a symbol of the city's founding legend
- Beijing Road pedestrian street - a shopping street built over an excavated section of an old paved road, visible under glass