Guangzhou or Canton, the capital of the Guangdong Province, is one of the most modern cities in China. Guangzhou is a center of commerce, culture, and tourism. Located only a few hours away from Macau, Hongkong, and Senzhen, you will find many ways to visit the city. In this how to visit Guangzhou page you can learn some basic information about Guangzhou.

It is recommended to request for visa before you arrive at China, in particular Guangzhou. You can contact local Chinese embassies or consulate to obtain visa. Tourist visa is valid for 30 days and you can request extension for one time.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/practical-information/visas Official currency is Renminbi or Yuan. You can exchange your money at banks or official money changers. You will need to carry some cash as informal establishments usually don’t accept credit cards. Do not exchange your money through unofficial channels are they are most likely scam.

Guangzhou people rarely speak English outside of people working in business or tourism industries. They commonly speak Mandarin Chinese, the official language of China, or local dialects. Cantonese language originates from this place, so Guangzhou is a great place to learn Cantonese.

Crime rates are increasing in Guangzhou. Be careful of pickpockets or other petty crimes when you are in crowded place and avoid walking alone late at night. Be cautious with your valuables. Never make a derogatory statement about China or Chinese government. Maintaining healthy skepticism and use common sense are the best way to avoid troubles.

You can enter Guangzhou by trains, ferries, buses, or planes. There are many international flights to the Baiyun International Airport. Ferries and trains connect Guangzhou to Hongkong, Macau, and Senzhen.

If you stay for a couple of days and do a lot of traveling within the city, it is recommended to get a Yang Cheng Tong card. This card is useful when you travel by subway and buses. You can also use this card for public phones and some vending machines.

Guangzhou has a subway system that connects major points of the city. It is the most efficient and comfortable way to get around the city. Taking bus is the cheapest way to get around Guangzhou, but it is not recommended for distance travel.

Taxis are an excellent way to get around as they are very economical. Taxi drivers don’t speak English, and a lot of them don’t even speak Cantonese. To avoid miss-communication, get a written address for your hotel and destination, such as business cards. Most taxis do not accept Yang Cheng Tong card.

One thing to note is not to ride on illegal rides such as cars that are not marked as a taxi. Danger aside, these transport often cost you a lot more than using taxis or other public transportation.

As the center of commerce and tourism, Guangzhou has many accommodation options to choose from. Hotels in Guangzhou are quite economical for Western standards. For budget travelers, you can stay at hostels, youth hostels, or budget hotel. For most travelers, it is recommended to stay at least at mid-range hotels which offer more comfortable accommodations and services. There are also some luxury hotels such as Grand Hyatt Guangzhou, Asia International Hotel, and Han Feng International Hotel. Choose the hotel that is close to the city centers or at least subway stations.

One thing to note that all accommodation prices can go up to 200% or even 400% during the Guangzhou International Trade Fair that is held every year from April 15-May 5 and October 15-November 5.http://wikitravel.org/en/Guangzhou Prices may also go up and the hotel rooms might also be fully booked during Chinese holiday season, such as Lunar New Year.

Cantonese cuisine is famous around the world. There are many restaurants that serve excellent Cantonese and Chinese cuisine around Guangzhou. Don’t miss dim sum or traditional Cantonese snacks that include varieties of dumplings, steamed or fried delicacies, and steamed stuffed bread (pao). There are also some congee restaurants that operate 24 hours. However, Cantonese is known to eat many kinds of meat that are often unfamiliar. If you are not sure what kind of meat being served, you better opt for vegetables or vegetarian dishes which are widely available.

Many people visit Guangzhou to shop at its wholesale centers, most notably fashion and accessories. Although you might not buy for resale, shopping in Guangzhou is an activity you don’t want to miss. Apparel and accessories in Guangzhou are cheap because it’s the center of production. Be careful for shopping for international brands as there are a lot of fake branded items. To shop for genuine international branded items, go to La Perle mall.http://www.lifeofguangzhou.com/node_10/node_35/node_152/more1.shtml?nodeid=571&p=1

A local handicraft you should not miss while shopping in Guangzhou is the traditional Canton embroidery or Yue embroidery.http://www.lifeofguangzhou.com/node_10/node_35/node_152/node_346/2006/09/28/11594267515255.shtml Other excellent handicrafts in Guangzhou are jade sculpture, ivory sculpture, and Canton enamel or Guangzhou traditional colorful potteries.

As the center of art and culture, there are many museums that display traditional and modern arts in Guangzhou. You can find many art exhibitions along with traditional and international shows and events in Guangzhou. You can catch most art exhibitions in Guangdong Museum of Art and Guangzhou. museums.http://www.lifeofguangzhou.com/node_10/node_35/node_116/index.shtml There are also many international and traditional concerts, opera, and other performance arts in theaters around Guangzhou. The best concert hall in Guangzhou is the Xinghai Concert Hall.

For animal lovers, visit Chimelong Xiangjiang Safari Park where 28 tigers are recently born.http://www.lifeofguangzhou.com/node_10/node_35/node_155/node_422/2010/02/11/126587390774252.shtml The zoo is also home to 350 tigers, including white tigers that are currently facing extinction. Visit Yuntai Garden, Yuexiu Park, and Martyr’s Park to breath some fresh air and enjoying the scenic view of traditional Chinese gardens.