Guangzhou was called Canton by the Portuguese sailors that traded here in the 16th century, but its history goes back much farther than that. A major settlement has been continuously occupied here for more than 2,200 years – and yet it's the city's modern successes that have the international community talking.

Major manufacturing and industry jobs have been migrating to Guangzhou for years, and it has become especially well-known for hosting the biggest international trade fair in China. When the Canton Fair is taking place in April and October, hotels in Guangzhou are only available to those with an advance booking.

For those in business and trade fields, the allure of Guangzhou is obvious. For tourists, it's a bit more nuanced, but there's still plenty to see and do here on a weekend trip from Hong Kong. The slick, urban veneer is itself a tourist draw, as this city was notorious for its drab architecture just a decade ago. Successful revitalization projects have substantially changed the atmosphere.

The new city's urban center is at Tianhe, where tourists find some of the best accommodation in Guangzhou. The emphasis in Tianhe is on shopping and entertainment, while the best sightseeing opportunities are in East and West Yuexiu. Older sites including Portuguese churches, Buddhist temples and ancient mosques are found in the old city.

Guangzhou – Baiyun Airport is an important regional hub. The airport is less than 20 miles from the central business district and it's served by a few business hotels. A new metro line connecting to the city center makes things even faster.

For more information on hotels and landmarks in the different areas of Guangzhou, click on the interactive Guangzhou map on the left-hand side of the page.