Core answer: Guangzhou is a major city in southern China, the capital of Guangdong province, located on the Pearl River near Hong Kong and Macau. Overview

• Location and status
  • Guangzhou sits in south-central Guangdong, on the Pearl River delta, about 120 km (75 miles) northwest of Hong Kong and 145 km (90 miles) north of Macau. It is the capital and largest city of Guangdong province.

• History and significance
  • With a history spanning over 2,200 years, Guangzhou has long been a key commercial and trading hub in China, historically one of the country’s main port cities and an important terminus on the Silk Road.

• Modern context
  • Today, Guangzhou remains a major economic and transportation center in southern China, contributing to manufacturing, trade, and finance, and serving as a gateway city for international commerce in the Pearl River Delta region.

Key facts at a glance

• English name: Guangzhou (historically Canton)
• Province: Guangdong
• Country: People’s Republic of China
• Geographical notes: Located on the Pearl River estuary in the Pearl River Delta

If you’d like, I can provide a concise map-like description of its neighborhoods or a quick travel overview (hotels, transit, and top sights).