Guangzhou Transportation Guide

Transportation

    Getting around Guangzhou isn't difficult, though the city is too big to walk everywhere, and bicycles are not recommended because of the heavy traffic conditions. Most often, you'll find yourself using Guangzhou 's cheap and painfully slow bus and trolleybus network, but where possible you should plump for Guangzhou 's metro . Opened in 1999, the speedy east-west line runs west from Guangzhou East train station and

    Tianhe, through the centre along Zhongshan Lu, then turns south past Shamian Island and across the river. The sixteen stations can be hard to locate at street level; keep an eye out for the logo, two converging lines that look a bit like a vase with no base. Magnetic-card tickets can be bought for single or multiple journeys at all stations - the latter is no cheaper, but saves you from queuing each time - and fares are currently ? irrespective of distance, though this will certainly change. Two new lines are currently under-construction. The second north-south line , running from the airport straight through town along Jiefang Lu, is expected to be put into operation by early 2005. And the third line, running from Tianhe transport center to the south, will be open by 2006 .

Metro

    The Metro system in Guangzhou currently runs from Guangzhou East Railway Station to the other side of the Pearl River . Here are a few tips on how to use it and what you can buy at each of the stops.

    At most of the stations you will need to get some change from the kiosk - the kiosks don't normally sell the tickets but they are more than willing to change your money. At the ticket machines you enter the cost of your journey 3rmb, 4rmb, 5rmb or 6rmb insert your coins and hey presto you have your ticket!

To work out how much you need to pay:

    You can start anywhere on the Metro and travel for three stops inclusive the cost will be 3rmb, six stops inclusive the cost will be 4rmb, eight stops inclusive the cost will be 5rmb and nine to 16 stops inclusive the cost will be 6rmb.
    Whenever I have been traveling on the Metro someone with excellent English has always asked me where I am going and if I know where to get off so if you are unsure have a go at asking either when you are changing your money or even on the train.
    The trains are exceptionally clean and they have a policy of no smoking, eating, or drinking on the trains.
    Here is a list of the stations in pinyin and Chinese and a brief description of what you can buy or which roads are nearby each of the stations. Have fun using it - its much better than sitting in a taxi in a traffic jam.

Bus and Tour Bus
    Although the Guangzhou bus network is cheap and covers almost every comer of the city, expatriates might found it is difficult to travel by buses because there is a lack of English guide at the stations. Carrying a bilingual map with you is very helpful.

    Portable versions of varying detail and quality are sold for 1-5 by hawkers at the train and bus stations, and at numerous bookshops, hotels and stalls around the city; Unfortunately, none illustrate all of Guangzhou's 200-plus bus routes .

    A good way to see Guangzhou is on the tour bus. There are two tour bus routs in Guangzhou , which links most Touristic attractions within the urban area.

Renting a Car in Guangzhou




More often than not, renting a car means standing in long lines, discovering that the car you reserved is not available and learning that the price quoted over the phone doesn't include additional charges such as Guangzhou Insurance , coverage for more than one driver and refueling fees.

Although we can't guarantee a pleasurable experience every time you rent a car in Guangzhou , the following information can reduce the number of times you encounter problems at the rental counter by learning about your rights and several tips.

Useful Information
Avis
1 st New Building, 9 Hua Li Lu, Zhu Jiang Xin Cheng  
Hertz  1st Floor, Jingxing Hotel, No 89 Linhe Xi Lu, Tianhe District
  Holiday Inn Hotel 1st Floor, Huanshi Dong Overseas Chinese Village , 28 Guangming Rd ,