Where to Stay in Guangzhou: Districts, Hotels & Activities

Guangzhou strikes that perfect balance between skyscrapers, lively Cantonese alleyways and tranquil riverside strolls you can truly savour. Now, if you’re wondering where to stay in Guangzhou, choosing the neighbourhood here makes a world of difference to your experience.

At Trip.com, we've put together a post to tell you the best area to stay in Guangzhou if it's your first time, accommodation options in Guangzhou city centre, recommended hotels and practical tips for booking without going crazy.

Stay for a moment and you’ll see that finding the perfect base for your trip is easier than it looks.

🗺️ Where to stay in Guangzhou? Tips for Every Traveller

Guangzhou is vast, and each district has its own character, so choosing the right place to stay will help you enjoy the city without wasting time getting around.

To make things clear from the outset, here’s a table with the best areas to stay in Guangzhou by trip type, recommended activities and an indicative price range.

🏯 Best Areas to Stay in Guangzhou

Guangzhou is a vast city, so it’s worth taking a moment to get a good sense of what each neighbourhood offers before you book.

That's why we've put together a clear guide to help you choose the base that best suits your trip.

🌆 Tianhe – Zhujiang New Town: Guangzhou’s Modern CBD

Tianhe and Zhujiang New Town are that slice of Guangzhou where everything seems to run like clockwork. Skyscrapers that disappear into the mist, shopping centres that can keep you busy for an entire afternoon, and an atmosphere that, when night falls, completely transforms the cityscape.

The area is immaculate: wide avenues, cafés polished to perfection, huge shops, and a skyline that, no matter how many times you’ve seen it, still amazes. And with the Canton Tower just a stone’s throw away, getting around from here is a breeze.

🌟 Featured Activities

• Gazing out over Zhujiang New Town at night and watching the whole skyline sparkle.
• Take a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Pearl River and admire the Canton Tower from the opposite shore.
• Step into Taikoo Hui, Grandview Mall or Parc Central, the kind of shopping centres that seem to go on forever.
• Try international restaurants or a chic, design-led café that always proves too tempting.

🚇 Transport connections

• Key stations: Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe Sports Center and Guangzhou East Railway Station.
• There’s a direct line to Baiyun Airport and fast connections to the historic areas.

🏨 Hotels in Tianhe – Zhujiang New Town

• Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou: pure luxury and views you wouldn't expect.
• The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou: very comfortable if you're here on business or looking for something special for a getaway.
• Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe: perfect if you want shopping and the metro right on your doorstep.
• Fraser Suites Guangzhou: ideal for long stays; spacious rooms designed for your comfort.
  
  

🏯 Yuexiu: Historic centre and urban parks

Yuexiu is that corner of Guangzhou where there’s a whiff of history in the air. It isn’t a picture-postcard neighbourhood, but something more authentic: sprawling parks, buildings that have been around forever, and a Cantonese vibe that greets you the moment you turn the corner.

Some areas change quickly, of course, but others are just as they’ve always been. Between Yuexiu Park, the famous Five Rams Statue and the little lanes that surround Beijing Road, you can while away hours without even realising.

🌟 Featured Activities

• Take a leisurely stroll through Yuexiu Park and, while you’re there, pop over to see the statue.
• Pop over to Beijing Road, which blends shops, archaeological remains and plenty of hustle and bustle.
• Step into small temples, neighbourhood markets and museums that are more surprising than they look from the outside.

🚇 Transport connections

• The area is very well served by metro lines 1, 2 and 5; Yuexiu Park and Gongyuanqian are usually the go-to stations for getting around without any hassle.

🏨 Hotels in Yuexiu

• China Hotel: classic, practical and in a very convenient location.
• Gionee Light Guangzhou Beijing Road Pedestrian Street: A mid-range hotel on Beijing Road with an oriental design.
• LN Garden Hotel Guangzhou: more elegant, with spacious rooms.
• Crowne Plaza Guangzhou City Centre: right in the centre, with that modern touch you’ll appreciate.
  
  

🛍️ Liwan: Xiguan, Shangxiajiu and Shamian Island

Liwan has a whole different vibe. As soon as you arrive, you can tell life here does its own thing. You know, half-hidden old houses, shops that have been there for decades, and that steamy dim sum aroma wafting out of the alleyways unannounced. Xiguan still retains a lot of old Guangzhou; not everything is immaculate, but that’s exactly what gives it its charm.

Shangxiajiu is all hustle and bustle. If you love pedestrian streets crammed with people, lights, noise and vendors who never stop, this stretch will keep you entertained for ages. And then there’s Shamian, which feels like it’s been lifted from another city. Suddenly, European architecture, towering trees and an unusual hush for Guangzhou.

🌟 Featured Activities

• Grab a bite in Shangxiajiu as you weave your way through the crowds as best you can.
• While away some time in Shamian, an unexpected breath of fresh air.
• Peeking into little temples and markets where everything smells of home cooking.

🚇 Transport connections

• The Changshou Road, Huangsha and Cultural Park stations get you in and out of the neighbourhood with no fuss.

🏨 Hotels in Liwan

• White Swan Hotel: very classic and very peaceful, especially as it’s in Shamian.
• voco Guangzhou Shifu by IHG: a stone’s throw from Shangxiajiu.
• Holiday Inn Express Shenzhen Nanshan: practical, fuss-free.
  
  

🌉 Haizhu: Riverside and Exhibition District

Haizhu is one of those places that blends quiet riverside residential neighbourhoods with Pazhou, the area where the Canton Fair is held. And guess what—if you’re a trader, this place will interest you massively.

The vibe is more relaxed than in Tianhe, but you’ve got everything you need close by: riverside restaurants, parks and direct access to the exhibition centres.

What’s more, being close to the Pearl River is ideal for sunset strolls without having to cross to the other side of the city.

🌟 Featured Activities

• Here you can stroll along the riverside promenades.
• We also recommend checking out events and exhibitions in Pazhou.
• Try restaurants and cafés overlooking the water.

🚇 Transport connections

• Metro lines that connect Pazhou with Tianhe and the historic centre.

🏨 Hotels in Haizhu / Pazhou

• Langham Place Guangzhou: ideal for business travellers with an indoor pool and good access to the metro.
• InterContinental Guangzhou Exhibition Center: next to Pazhou, with river views and event spaces.
• Shangri-La Guangzhou: Urban resort near Pazhou, with gardens, a swimming pool and family-friendly amenities.

🏙️ Where to Stay in Guangzhou for Your Trip Type

Choosing a neighbourhood in Guangzhou will shape your experience, whether you’re backpacking, travelling as a couple, with children or on business.

And the thing is, the city is huge and each area has its own vibe, so it’s wise to be clear about what you fancy before you book. So here’s a summary to help you find your perfect base without getting lost in a thousand options.

🧳 Where to Stay in Guangzhou as a Backpacker?

If you're travelling light and on a tight budget, Yuexiu and Liwan offer the best mix of affordable stays, local atmosphere and easy transport links.

They’re vibrant areas, with that touch of chaos that’s part of the charm when you’re backpacking, plenty of street food options and hostels that won’t have you checking your budget every couple of days. Plus, getting around from there is straightforward, so you won’t waste time going round in circles.

If you’re looking for somewhere affordable to stay in Guangzhou, these two areas are fantastic, both for the atmosphere and for the number of hostels in Guangzhou you’ll find.

For many travellers, Liwan ends up being the best area for backpackers in Guangzhou, hands down.

❤️ Where to Stay in Guangzhou as a Couple?

For a couples’ trip, the magic lies in choosing a neighbourhood with charming views, well-kept hotels and a peaceful atmosphere for an after-dinner stroll.

Tianhe – Zhujiang New Town is ideal for its modern skyline, while Haizhu, right by the river, offers a relaxed atmosphere that’s especially enjoyable at sunset.

And if you’re after something more classic with a romantic touch, Shamian Island (in Liwan) is charming.

They’re perfect spots for long dinners, evening strolls and hotels with that special something. Here you’ll find Guangzhou’s most romantic areas, along with plenty of river-view hotels in Guangzhou that are brilliant if you’re after a more intimate getaway.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Where to stay in Guangzhou with your family?

If you're travelling with children, it's best to opt for comfort and plenty of space. Panyu – Chimelong is an obvious choice: theme parks, spacious hotels, pools, shows, and everything you need to keep the little ones entertained.

On the other hand, Shamian (Liwan) is also very family-friendly, with pedestrianised areas, parks, and a laid-back pace you’ll really appreciate when you’re travelling with little ones.

If you prefer somewhere more central, Yuexiu combines accessibility with plenty of cultural options, without the pace being too overwhelming. In any case, the first two areas are usually the favourites for families looking for a simple trip.

Perfect if you’re looking for where to stay in Guangzhou with children, or if you’re interested in family-friendly hotels in Guangzhou and the best area to stay in Guangzhou with the family, hassle-free.

👔 Where to stay in Guangzhou on a business trip?

For business trips, getting straight to the point saves time. Tianhe – CBD is the financial centre and where most meetings are concluded. Haizhu (Pazhou) is the exhibition district and home to the Canton Fair, so many business travellers don’t even consider another location.

And if your trip is short or you have an early flight, staying in Baiyun, right by the airport, is the most practical option.

These three areas are the key reference points when you’re prioritising efficiency over tourism.

They’re ideal if you need the best area in Guangzhou for business, if you’re looking for business hotels in Guangzhou, or simply if it suits you to book accommodation near the Canton Fair so you don’t waste a minute more than necessary.

💡 Practical Tips for Your Stay in Guangzhou

Getting around and finding a good hotel in Guangzhou isn’t too tricky, though it’s worth keeping a couple of key points in mind before you land.

The city is huge, buzzing with life, and the weather changes more than you’d imagine, so these tips will save you from more than a few slip-ups.

📅 Best time to visit Guangzhou

Guangzhou has a subtropical climate you notice from the moment you arrive: warm, humid summers that can be pretty intense, and mild winters when a light jacket is all you need. Spring and autumn are, without doubt, the most pleasant times to explore the city, as the heat isn’t oppressive and the rain eases off.

If you're wondering when the best time to visit Guangzhou is, the answer is usually between March–April and October–November.

💳 Payment and currency

Here, everything revolves around the Chinese yuan, though interestingly, cash is used less and less these days.

In most hotels and shops you can pay by card without any issues, but if you’re up for trying payment apps like WeChat Pay or Alipay, you’ll find they work brilliantly.

That said, always keep some change on you in case you fancy buying something at a more traditional market.

🌐 Language and communication

In big hotels, you can usually get by in English, but in local neighbourhoods it’s a different story. Nothing to worry about: with a translation app and a bit of patience, you’ll make yourself understood without much fuss.

At the end of the day, Guangzhou is a city accustomed to welcoming travellers, and people usually lend a hand, even if it’s just with gestures.

🚇 Getting around the city

The metro is by far the most comfortable and fastest way to get around. The lines cover pretty much everywhere, from Tianhe to the riverside area, and they run like clockwork.

For short or late-night journeys, taxis and apps like Didi work well and are hassle-free.

📱 Bookings and discounts

Remember, if you want to avoid last-minute hassles, it’s best to have your flights, hotels and trains booked in advance. And because the city moves fast, platforms like Trip.com are brilliant for comparing options and bagging deals that appear and disappear in no time.

Have a wonderful trip around Guangzhou!!

Plan Your Guangzhou Trip