Guangzhou · Guangdong, China
Guangzhou Tours, Tickets & Things to Do
Discover the best Guangzhou tours and things to do in southern China’s vibrant Cantonese capital: cruise the Pearl River past the glittering Canton Tower by night, explore the old-and-new city from the Chen Clan Academy to futuristic skylines, feast on Michelin-starred dim sum, thrill to the Gulong Gorge glass bridge, and step into the canals and gardens of nearby water towns. Compare top-rated experiences and plan your perfect trip.
587 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Guangzhou
Gulong Gorge Skywalk Glass Bridge and Waterfall View Private Tour
from$140/ person
via Viator
Guangzhou
Private Guangzhou Tech Tour AI Robot AutoDrive Drone Delivery etc
from$200/ person
via Viator
Guangzhou
Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market
from$180/ person
via Viator
Guangzhou
Private Flexible Guangzhou Layover Tour of Old and New Highlights
from$158/ person
via Viator
−10%
Guangzhou
Gulong Gorge Private Day Tour – Nature, Adventure & Views
from$152$169/ person
via Viator
Guangzhou
Guangzhou Future Tech Experience: Robotaxi, AI, Drones & Robotics
from$199/ person
via Viator
Browse
Explore Guangzhou by interest
Whatever brings you to Guangzhou — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Pearl River cruise
Canton Tower lights.
ExploreCity & heritage
Old meets new.
ExploreDim sum & food
Cantonese cuisine.
ExploreGulong Gorge
Glass bridge.
ExploreWater towns
Canals & gardens.
ExploreFuture tech
Robotaxi & AI.
ExploreLayover & fun
Stopovers & circus.
ExploreSkyline views
Modern Guangzhou.
ExploreWhat to see
Top attractions in Guangzhou
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Canton Tower
Iconic skyline.
140+ toursView tours
Pearl River
Night cruise.
120 toursView tours
Chen Clan Academy
Cantonese art.
120 toursView tours
Dim Sum
Cantonese cuisine.
90 toursView tours
Gulong Gorge
Glass bridge.
70 toursView tours
Sun Yat-sen Hall
Historic landmark.
80 toursView tours
Water Towns
Canals & gardens.
60 toursView tours
Modern Skyline
Future city.
50 toursView tours
1 day
Guangzhou in 1 day
- 1City heritage tour
- 2Chen Clan Academy
- 3Dim sum lunch
- 4Pearl River cruise
3 days
Guangzhou in 3 days
- 1Day 1: city & cruise
- 2Day 2: Gulong Gorge
- 3Day 3: water towns
- 4Cantonese food
For foodies
Guangzhou for foodies
- 1Dim sum teahouse
- 2Local market
- 3Michelin dinner
- 4Shunde day trip
With kids
Guangzhou with kids
- 1Chimelong safari
- 2Canton Tower
- 3Pearl River cruise
- 4Gulong Gorge
~2 hrs awayGulong Gorge
Glass bridge.
from €80View trips
~1.5 hrs awayFengjian Water Town
Canals & halls.
from €70View trips
~1.5 hrs awayShunde
Food & gardens.
from €70View trips
In city awayPearl River
Night cruise.
from €30View trips
In city awayChen Clan Academy
Cantonese art.
from €25View trips
Panyu awayChimelong
Safari & circus.
from €60View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Guangzhou visitor asks before booking.
Autumn (Oct–Dec)
The best time to visit, with comfortable, dry and sunny weather ideal for sightseeing and day trips.
Spring (Mar–Apr)
Mild but often humid and rainy, with blossom and green scenery, and the famous Canton Fair.
Summer (May–Sep)
Hot, very humid and rainy, with possible typhoons; indoor sights and cruises offer relief.
Winter (Jan–Feb)
Mild and cool, a pleasant if sometimes grey time to explore the city with fewer crowds.
Canton Fair
The huge trade fair in spring and autumn fills hotels — book well ahead if visiting then.
Avoid Golden Week
Chinese national holidays bring big domestic crowds — plan around early October and Lunar New Year.
One day
City heritage, dim sum and the Pearl River.
Three days
Add the Gulong Gorge and water towns.
A week
Add more of Guangdong and nearby cities.
Foodies
Add Shunde and more Cantonese dining.
Tech fans
Add a future-tech robotaxi tour.
With kids
Mix Chimelong, the tower and a cruise.
Metro
Guangzhou’s vast, modern metro is fast, cheap and the easiest way to cross the city, with English signage.
Tours & transfers
Tours with pickup are the easiest way to reach the Gulong Gorge and water towns out of town.
Ride apps
Ride-hailing (Didi) is widely used and convenient, though a Chinese payment app helps.
High-speed rail
Guangzhou’s rail links connect quickly to Hong Kong, Shenzhen and across China.
Central base
Staying near the Pearl River or a metro hub keeps sights and dining within easy reach.
Getting there
Baiyun International Airport connects to the city by metro and taxi in around an hour.
Yuan & mobile pay
China uses the yuan (RMB); mobile payment (Alipay/WeChat) dominates, so set one up or carry some cash.
Use a VPN
Many Western apps and sites are blocked in China — install a VPN before you arrive to stay connected.
Offline maps
Download offline maps and a translation app, as some services are restricted; the metro is easy to navigate.
Book day trips ahead
Gulong Gorge and water-town tours are mostly private — reserve ahead, especially at weekends.
Mind the Canton Fair
Hotels fill and prices soar during the spring and autumn fair — plan around it.
Embrace the food
Guangzhou is a food paradise — don’t miss dim sum and a local market tour.
Pearl River cruise
Popular night cruises sell out — book ahead.
Food tours
Small-group dim-sum tours have limited spots — reserve early.
Gulong Gorge
Private day trips fill up at weekends — book ahead.
Water-town trips
Shunde and Fengjian tours have limited places — reserve early.
Tech tours
Niche future-tech tours sell out — book ahead.
Canton Fair & holidays
Fair season and Chinese holidays are very busy — plan early.
Pearl River cruise
Around $25–50 for an evening cruise, often with transfers.
City tour
About $40–80 for a private half- or full-day city tour.
Food tour
Roughly $40–70 for a guided dim-sum and market tour.
Gulong Gorge
Around $70–120 for a private full-day gorge tour.
Water-town trip
About $60–110 for a private Shunde or Fengjian day tour.
How to save
Use the metro, join group tours and combine nearby sights.
When to visit
Guangzhou through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Spring (Mar–Apr)
Mar–Apr
- Best for
- Mild, Canton Fair.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Humid & rainy.
Summer (May–Sep)
May–Sep
- Best for
- Indoor sights.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hot, humid, typhoons.
Autumn (Oct–Dec)
Oct–Dec
- Best for
- Best weather.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal time.
Winter (Jan–Feb)
Jan–Feb
- Best for
- Cool, quieter.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Mild & grey.
People also ask
Guangzhou travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Guangzhou?
The highest-rated experiences are a Pearl River night cruise with the Canton Tower, an old-and-new city tour, a Cantonese dim-sum food tour, the Gulong Gorge glass bridge, and a water-town day trip.
What should I book in advance in Guangzhou?
Reserve Pearl River cruises, food tours, the Gulong Gorge and water-town day trips ahead, especially during the Canton Fair and Chinese holidays.
How many days do I need in Guangzhou?
One day covers the city, three add the Gulong Gorge and water towns, and a week lets you explore more of Guangdong.
Is Guangzhou worth visiting?
Yes — southern China’s Cantonese capital blends ancient heritage like the Chen Clan Academy with a futuristic skyline, the glittering Pearl River and Canton Tower, the world’s best dim sum, the thrilling Gulong Gorge glass bridge, and graceful water towns nearby.
When is the best time to visit Guangzhou?
Autumn, from October to December, brings the most comfortable, dry weather, while summer is hot and humid.
What food is Guangzhou famous for?
Guangzhou is the home of Cantonese cuisine and dim sum, famed for fresh, delicate flavours and its yum cha tea culture.
Do you need a VPN in Guangzhou?
Yes — many Western apps and sites are blocked in China, so install a VPN before arriving to stay connected.
587 Guangzhou experiencesfrom $30 · free cancellation
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