Guangzhou (Canton), China

Guangzhou, also known as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. It is located in southern China on the Pearl River, about 120 km (75 mi) north-northwest of Hong Kong.

Amongst the city’s most popular attractions, is the Liurong Temple (or the Temple of Six Banyan Trees). It contains a 17-story, eight-sided pagoda dating back to the 3rd Century. The temple proper was built in the 6th Century. The 627 AD Huaisheng Mosque is one of China’s oldest Muslim mosques. It is not open to the public, but it is worth a stroll to see the exterior.

Another popular tourist activity is taking an evening cruise on the Pearl River where passengers ride from the Bai’ertan (White Swan Rangoon) to GuangZhou Bridge, enjoying the Port of GuangZhou on both sides of the Pearl River.

Things to See & Do

* Guangziao Temple
* Liurong Temple
* Shamian Island
* Guangzhou City Art Museum
* Cruise on the Pearl River

General information

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Language – Mandarin
Population - 12,700,000 approx
Land Area – 12,000 km²
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT plus eight hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 86

Port Location – The port of Guangzhou is located in the estuary of the Pearl River.

Travel Links – The New Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is a major hub in Southern China, second only to Hong Kong. The airport is the base of China Southern Airlines and has not only an extensive range of domestic and Asian flights, but some direct international connections including Lufthansa to Frankfurt, Air France to Paris, Emirates to Dubai and China Southern to Los Angeles, Melbourne and Sydney.

Trains cover the 182 kilometers from Hong Kong in about two hours (including a stop at Dongguan). Through Trains to Guangzhou depart from Hong Kong at Hung Hom railway station in Kowloon and arrive in Guangzhou at the East station in Tian He district. Through train services are operated by Hong Kong MTR.

There is a frequent ferry and hovercraft service from Hong Kong, Macau, and Haikou (Hainan Island) at the Zhoutouzui Ferry Pier. There are boats from other mainland cities, such as Xiamen, Shanghai, and Qingdao at the Dashatou Pier

Important Visa Information
Australian and New Zealand passport holders staying on board or going ashore to visit any Chinese ports are required to obtain a single-entry Chinese visa (3 month validity) prior to travel. We recommend you include a copy of your itinerary with your application and confirm the expiration of the visa at the time of issue to ensure that it is valid for your stay in China. Visas cannot be issued upon the ship’s arrival. Please note that any passengers not in possession of a Chinese visa may be denied boarding or incur a fine.