Guangzhou Maps

Guangzhou, historically known in English as Canton, is the capital and largest city of Guangdong Province in southern China. It lies on the Pearl River, about 120 kilometres northwest of Hong Kong and 145 kilometres north of Macau. In the 2020 census, Guangzhou's administrative area had a population of about 18.7 million, which makes it one of the most populous cities in the country. It is one of China's national central cities and a major part of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.

The city's history goes back more than 2,200 years. It was founded as Panyu in 214 BC, during the Qin dynasty. It later served as the capital of the Nanyue kingdom. For centuries it was an important port on the Maritime Silk Road. From 1757 to 1842, under the Canton System, it was the only Chinese port open to most Western merchants. After the First Opium War, the Treaty of Nanking of 1842 made Guangzhou one of the treaty ports open to foreign trade. In the early 20th century, the city was a center of revolutionary activity linked to Sun Yat-sen. The Whampoa Military Academy was founded there in 1924.

Guangzhou is a major commercial and manufacturing center. Since 1957 it has hosted the China Import and Export Fair, also called the Canton Fair, which is held every spring and autumn.

The city is a major transport hub in southern China. It is served by Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the country, and the Port of Guangzhou, one of the world's largest ports by cargo throughput. It also has an extensive metro system and high-speed rail links.

Guangzhou is regarded as the cultural center of the Cantonese-speaking region. It is known for Cantonese cuisine, including dim sum. Its traditional nicknames include the "City of Rams" and the "City of Flowers." Well-known landmarks include the Canton Tower, which is 600 metres tall and was completed in 2010. Guangzhou hosted the 2010 Asian Games.

Main sights in Guangzhou