Guangzhou

Guangzhou is one of China's great trading cities and the birthplace of the Cantonese cooking that spread across the world. Food is at the centre of daily life here, from yum cha, the ritual of tea and dim sum, to roast meats, congee and slow-cooked soups.

The city combines historic districts such as Xiguan and Shamian Island with the striking modern skyline of Zhujiang New Town.

Autumn, from October to December, is the most pleasant period, with warm, dry weather. Spring is humid and often misty, and summers are hot, wet and prone to typhoons. The Canton Fair, held in spring and autumn, fills hotels and raises prices.

The Guangzhou Metro is extensive and efficient, and taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely available. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is linked to the city by metro. High-speed trains connect Guangzhou with Hong Kong West Kowloon in under an hour, and with Shenzhen in around half an hour.

Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou and Rosewood Guangzhou occupy the upper floors of two of the city's tallest towers in Zhujiang New Town. White Swan Hotel, on Shamian Island, is a historic address on the Pearl River.

Dim sum is essential: Tao Tao Ju is one of the city's historic teahouses, and Guangzhou Restaurant is a century-old institution of Cantonese cooking. For refined modern Cantonese dining, Lai Heen at The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou is a reference.

Walk Shamian Island's colonial-era streets, the Xiguan area and the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, a masterpiece of Lingnan decorative arts. The Canton Tower, the Guangzhou Opera House by Zaha Hadid and the Guangdong Museum show the modern city. An evening cruise on the Pearl River is a classic.

The currency is the renminbi (yuan), and mobile payments dominate. Cantonese is widely spoken alongside Mandarin. Many international websites and apps are restricted in mainland China. Check current visa rules before travel, including transit options via Hong Kong.