Guangzhou, China has been a major destination for business travelers literally for centuries. Formally known as Canton, it was used by the French and English as a trading hub due to its location on the Pearl River. Today visitors come from more than just business though: this city is becoming a popular place for tourists to visit too. This is because in the 21st century there is no better place to view the incredible growth of China than Guangzhou.
Located just a few hours by train from Hong Kong, this city is one of China's major metropolises, and it certainly feels like it. Still, after finding a good cheap hotel in Guangzhou it's easy for a tourist to get around by taxi or the Metro, and there are plenty of an enormous malls as well as a surprising amount of city parks and greenery to spend time in.
Cantonese cuisine is world-famous, and there is no end to the fine restaurants as well as more casual street food that you can experience during your stay. If Cantonese food is a little too spicy or adventuresome for you, don't worry, you'll certainly find cuisine options befitting a larger international city as well.
As far as accommodations go, cheap Guangzhou hotels are not hard to find, and I've got a little tip for you: Shamian Island, located right on the Pearl River, was actually the location of the British and French traders outpost that I mentioned earlier. It is now a pleasant, much more quiet little corner of Guangzhou, with several reasonably priced hotels to be found amidst its colonial style architecture. On a recent trip my wife and I stayed at the Guangdong Victory Hotel, which is not far from a very nice 'restaurant row' area right on the river, with great seafood and cheap prices too. I'd really recommend Shamian Island, it gives you a quiet place to get going in the morning before facing the Guangzhou traffic.
For an interesting mix of history and a glimpse of what the future holds for China, tourists could do a lot worse than spending a few days in Guangzhou. Our recent trip I was very surprised at just how modern city was, and it became very clear to me that my impression of China was seriously in need of an upgrade.