Guǎngzhōu Getting there & around

Getting around

Greater Guǎngzhōu, as defined by the Huancheng Expressway, extends some 20km east to west and more than 10km north to south. Since most of the interesting sights are scattered throughout the city, seeing the place on foot is not exactly practical. The metro is the speediest and cleanest way to get around.

Bus & tram

Bus

Guǎngzhōu has a large network of motor buses and electric trolley-buses (Y2 to Y5). Unfortunately the network is overstretched and the buses are usually very crowded and slow.

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Local transport

Metro

At the time of writing, Guǎngzhōu had only two metro lines. Line 1 runs for 18.5km from Guǎngzhōu east train station in the northeast and across Pearl River in the southwest. It goes by many of the city’s major sights along Zhongshan Lu, and is also a convenient way to get to Shamian Island. Line 2 goes essentially north-south for 23km from Pázhoū station in the south to Sānyuán Lǐ station in the northeast. It is good for the main train station, many of the sights around Yuexiu Park, and the riverfront hotels. The two lines intersect at one station: Gōngyuán Qián.

More lines are in the works: line 3 was being tested in 2006 and line 4 should be finished by the time this book goes to press.

Depending on the line, the metro runs from about 6.20am to just before 11pm. Fares are Y2 to Y7, depending on the number of stops you travel (eg Y5 for the 10 stops between the two train stations). A better deal for getting around is to buy a transit pass (Yáng chéng tōng;), which can be bought from kiosks inside the metro stations and post offices. Passes start at Y50 and require a Y30 deposit, which can be refunded if you keep your receipt. The pass can be used for all public transport including taxis.

Taxi

Taxis are abundant on the streets of Guǎngzhōu but demand is great, particularly during the peak hours: from 8am to 9am, and at lunch and dinner.

Taxis are equipped with meters, which are always used, and flagfall is Y7. There is an additional Y1 added on for a fuel surcharge. A trip from the main train station to Shamian Island should cost between Y15 and Y20; from Guǎngzhōu east train station to the island is Y40 to Y45.

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Bicycle

Rental bikes are usually available somewhere on Shamian Island; ask at your hotel for details. At the time of research there was a stall on Shamian Erjie in the northeast corner of Shamian Park (Shāmiàn Gōngyuán) with bicycles for rent for Y15 per hour (plus Y400 deposit).

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