3 fascinating places to visit in Guangzhou, and how to get there from Hong Kong

With visa-free access to China being offered to nearly 60 countries, here are some interesting things to do in Guangzhou on a visit

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The Huaisheng Mosque in Guangzhou blends traditional Chinese architecture with Islamic motifs and is a must-see on a visit to the Chinese city. Photo: Erika Na

Published: 7:15am, 31 Dec 2024

Travel within south China’s Greater Bay Area took off in a big way in 2024 and a new visa-free arrangement is only likely to increase visitor numbers.

While Shenzhen has dominated the headlines – particularly regarding how food and leisure there were cheaper than in Hong Kong – other cities are expecting interest from tourists in 2025.

Guangzhou is one of them. Its new “Line 11” – a 31-station underground line that loops around the city – will make it even easier to visit attractions including one of China’s earliest Islamic mosques, built during the Song dynasty (960-1279); the Qing dynasty concession areas – granted to the French and British in the late 19th century; and the first five-star hotel in China, built in the 1980s.

Up to December 31, 2025, citizens from 38 countries can enter China without a visa for business, tourism, or to visit family and friends, and can stay up to 30 days.

The full list of countries included in the arrangement is: Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Brunei, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia and Japan.

Additionally, citizens from 20 countries that are not included in the list – such as the US, UK and Canada – can visit China on a recently announced 10-day visa-free transit arrangement.