Region
Pearl River Delta
Stay 3–4 nights in Guangzhou; day‑trip Shenzhen, Dongguan, Zhuhai and Foshan (4–6 h travel each).
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Key facts · China
- Currency
- Chinese yuan (CNY / RMB, ¥)
- Language
- Mandarin in Simplified characters
- Plugs
- A · C · I · 220 V
- Time zone
- UTC+8 nationwide
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
The Pearl River Delta is China’s manufacturing hub, a dense network of high‑speed‑rail‑linked cities, and the birthplace of modern Cantonese cuisine.
Where to sleep
Sleep base
Plan the nights
How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags
Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags
Night sequences
- 3–4 nights
- Base in Guangzhou; day‑trip Shenzhen, Dongguan, Zhuhai, Foshan.
- Summer (June–Sept) brings typhoons; travel may be disrupted.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen | Guangzhou | 45 min by high‑speed rail min | unknown | Window of the World park or OCT Loft art district. |
| Dongguan | Guangzhou | 30 min by train min | unknown | Opium War Museum; shopping. |
| Zhuhai | Guangzhou | 1 h 15 min by high‑speed rail min | unknown | Beach promenade and Chimelong Ocean Kingdom. |
| Foshan | Guangzhou | 25 min by metro min | unknown | Zumiao Ancestor Hall and ceramics market. |
Bags between cities
Courier services operate between Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Zhuhai and Foshan; most hotels can arrange same‑day package delivery to your next base.
When to go
Months and weather
Open When to goClose When to go2 partsSeasons · Climate
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Climate strip
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl River DeltaCoastal Guangdong | cool | cool | warm | warm | warm | wet | hot | hot | storm | warm | warm | cool |
- Pearl River Delta
- Oct–Dec mild, low rain; avoid Jun–Sep typhoon risk.
Getting in and passes
Arrival times and regional passes
Open Getting in and passesClose Getting in and passes2 partsGet in · Passes
Get in
| From | To | How | p50 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International flight | Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) | Direct flights from major hubs; connect to high‑speed rail. | ||
| International flight | Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) | Direct flights; high‑speed rail to Guangzhou (≈45 min). | ||
| International flight | Hong Kong International (HKG) | Ferry or high‑speed rail to mainland ports. |
Regional passes
China Railway High‑speed (CRH) ticket
buyBuy tickets for inter‑city high‑speed trains; no pass covers all Delta routes.
Eat and move on
Regional food and where to go next
Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on2 partsFood · Go next
Regional food
| Dish | Where | Timing / trap |
|---|---|---|
| Dim sum | Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan | Breakfast or lunch specialty; many stalls and restaurant carts. |
| Cantonese roast duck | Guangzhou | Popular local dish; served in many eateries. |
Go next
Guangdong region guide
plannedExplore the wider province beyond the delta
Travel to China
Plan entry, visa and transport for the whole country
Explore Jiangmen
plannedCoastal city with historic sites
Planning aids
Built from this guide's own data
Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids2 partsIn numbers · Going in…
Region in numbers
- Where to sleep
- 1 base
- Nights suggested
- 3–4 nights
- Ways in
- 3 listed
- Best months
- No month rated best
Going in…
Pick a month for the weather in each zone of the region, plus the country-wide rating and holidays.
Pick a month.
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source
Open Deep diveClose Deep dive1 partSources
Sources
Ask about Pearl River Delta
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