Yangcheng
Getting around
Yangcheng is the historical name for Guangzhou, and its public transport network is extensive and well integrated, so you can rely on it for your whole trip. The metro and urban rail form the backbone, covering the city centre and many outer districts, and they connect to the wider urban rail system, including the Guangfo Line linking Guangzhou and Foshan. Trams and the APM Line complement the metro, buses and trolleybuses fill in the gaps where rail does not reach, and water buses run cross-river ferry routes that are both practical and scenic. Taxis and ride-hailing are convenient for door-to-door trips and late nights. Because these modes share a common electronic payment system, you generally do not need separate tickets for each one.
The easiest way to pay is with a Yangchengtong card, an electronic wallet covering buses, metro and water buses, interoperable with the Lingnan Tong Card and usable in cities across Guangdong Province and the National Public Transport Card (China T-union) network. Pick up a Standard Card at service outlets at metro stations and surface stops, or use the ride code on your phone, which can be integrated with the Health Code. Within a calendar month, cumulative spend on eligible metro and bus services above a threshold earns a discount, and the portion above a higher threshold is discounted further; taxis and ride-hailing are not covered. Customer service centres at major metro stations handle card issuance, refunds, faulty cards and enquiries. Central Guangzhou is generally walkable, with wide pavements and pedestrian areas around major commercial and cultural districts, but the city is large and spread out, so combine walking with the metro or bus for longer hops. From the airport, the metro is the most straightforward way into the city, and the same card or ride code works there too; taxis and ride-hailing are also available for direct trips to your accommodation.
Three days in Yangcheng
Day one: Start in Yangcheng itself, the historic core of Guangzhou in Guangdong Province. Get your bearings on the trams, which are a relaxed way to cover the older streets, and pick up a Yangchengtong Lingnan Tong Card or a National Public Transport Card so you can move around without fuss. Within central Guangzhou, the metro is the quickest way between districts, and the APM Line links key points in the city centre. Taxis are easy to flag when you would rather ride door to door. Keep your Health Code ready on your phone, since you will need it for many everyday services, and note that customer service desks at major stations can help if a card or code gives you trouble.
- Yangchengtong Lingnan Tong Card — the local stored-value card for trams, metro and buses
- National Public Transport Card — a China-wide option if you are travelling beyond Guangdong Province
- Standard Card — the basic version of the transport card, useful for short stays
Day two: Head out of the city proper towards Foshan, which you can reach on the Guangfo Line, the metro link that ties the two cities together. Because the line runs directly between them, you can treat the day as one continuous stretch of travel rather than a major expedition. Spend your time in the older quarters, where the streets are walkable and the pace is slower than central Guangzhou. Carry the same transport card you picked up on day one; it works across the network, so you do not need to buy anything new.
Day three: Stay in Yangcheng and fill the day at an easy pace, using the trams and metro to hop between neighbourhoods rather than trying to cover everything on foot. From central Guangzhou you can reach most of the districts you will want to see without long transfers. If you have time before you leave, sort out your card balance and check your Health Code is still valid, since both are needed for the journey home. Keep the day loose and let the transport network do the work.