Located approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is the largest city in southern mainland China, yet it remains one of the countryโs most underappreciated destinations. As one of the regionโs most important manufacturing and trading hubs, the city is also home to a rapidly evolving, though still relatively young, gastronomy and art scene. From Istanbul, Turkish Airlines (THY) operates daily direct flights to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, departing at 1:45 a.m., with a flight time of approximately nine hours and 50 minutes.
A general view of Guangzhou city center, China, Nov. 17, 2025. (Photo by ฤฐlker Topdemir)
The journey from the airport to the city center usually takes between 45 minutes and one hour. Before traveling, it is essential to download Alipay and WeChat, as familiar apps such as Google and Uber do not function in China; almost all daily needs can be managed through Alipay. I also strongly recommend purchasing an e-SIM for mobile connectivity.
As Chinaโs third most populous metropolis, Guangzhouโs skyline is defined by the striking 112-story Canton Tower. Holding the title of the worldโs tallest television tower, it is also home to the planetโs highest horizontal โBubble Tram,โ offering a truly unique experience.
A glimpse of a historic architecture in Guangzhou, China, Nov. 18, 2025.
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