Load up your travel group chats—because we’ve got the lowdown on another fun destination you should visit soon!
Besides its iconic status as one of China’s top trading hubs, Guangzhou is a bustling riverside city perfect for travelers to explore, thanks to its many scenic sights, food havens, and shopping spots. Whether you go for business or leisure, it has attractions and activities that will surely make it worth adding to your bucket list.
Just like the rest of China, Guangzhou widely uses digital and cashless payments for almost everything. That’s what makes GCash a travel essential in this dynamic city—because with GCash and its partnership with global digital payment platform Alipay+, you can enjoy a secure and seamless payment experience wherever you go in China, including the modern metropolis of Guangzhou.
From restaurants to retail shops, tourist spots, and even modes of transportation, millions of merchants accept GCash payment abroad enabled by Alipay+. With zero service charges and low foreign exchange fees for all transactions, you can freely dedicate your entire travel budget to shopping, food, or more.
If you’re ready to make great memories in Guangzhou, pack your bags and save this list of our GCash It Yourself (G.I.Y.) Travel top picks and tips for this vibrant city!
Experiences for your travel bucket list
Get ready to see Guangzhou’s prestige as a major commercial and trading hub for yourself by visiting the Canton Fair at Pazhou Complex. This biannual event is the largest trade fair in China, and it holds major global significance in bridging import and export relationships.
In here, you’ll find thousands of exhibitors for various industries—including manufacturing, electronics, houseware, and fashion, all in one place.
While exploring the exhibition complex, you can grab a snack or drink from various stalls using GCash as your mode of payment. It’s very easy and convenient with the Scan-to-Pay feature, which allows you two ways to pay: First is by scanning the merchant’s Alipay+ QR, which will prompt you to input the payment amount. The foreign exchange rate will be shown on your screen for easy reference, and you can complete your transaction as soon as you confirm your payment.
Another way is to generate your own GCash Global Pay QR. Simply open the GCash app on your phone, tap the QR icon on the dashboard, tap “Generate QR”, and tap the “Pay abroad with Alipay+” option. Once your GCash Global Pay QR is generated, show it to the cashier for scanning. That’s all it takes to complete your payment, and you’ll even get a receipt for your transaction so you can check it afterward.
Aside from exploring the Canton Fair, it’s worth experiencing Guangzhou just as locals do, including riding public transit to your travel destinations. Worry not, because you can also buy train tickets using GCash for a convenient way to go around the city.
If you enjoy viewing scenic sights, you should also come aboard the Pearl River Night Cruise. Pay your tickets using GCash enabled by Alipay+ and embark on a trip that will delight you with stunning views of the city skyline, landmarks like the Canton Tower, and beautiful bridges.
For those who love nature and cultural spaces, taking a leisure stroll at Shamian Island is also a must. This elliptic sandbar in Guangzhou’s Liwan District is full of lovely historical buildings and has lines of cafés, restaurants, and food stalls in its vibrant streets if you need a quick bite or drink while exploring. Don’t forget to buy souvenirs as keepsakes for your trip!
Food and shopping spots to explore
Traveling to Guangzhou isn’t complete without going on a food trip and a shopping spree. Make sure to swing by Beijing Road Pedestrian Street in Guangzhou’s Yuexiu District for a wide selection of restaurants, street food, and brand stores carrying great local specialties. We recommend dining at Xiaolongkan Old Hot Pot, where you can order delicious classic hot pot.
You can also check out TeeMall, also known as Tianhe Shopping Mall, for dining and shopping. Our favorites include Taotaoju Restaurant, which has Hakaw and Roasted Goose dishes that delighted our taste buds, and M Stand, where you can indulge in coffee and sweets like the Apple Cinnamon Mousse cake.
Another mall you can visit is Yoma Mall in Pazhou, which houses food and drink destinations like Chagee Milk Tea. Try their signature original leaf fresh milk teas and catch their awesome collaborations, including the current one with the famous Chinese animated fantasy action adventure film “Nezha 2.”
Best known as a sightseeing destination with a fusion of modern and historic, vintage vibes, the local neighborhood of Dongshankou also offers a memorable shopping and dining experience.
Drop by cafés like Fastfoot Jijijiao Coffee Company to recharge your energy with a delicious drink and explore the area’s many creative and artistic boutique shops. Carrying everything from handcrafted jewelry to vintage clothing and home decor, most of these unique shops are run by local artisans and have travel and OOTD photo-worthy facades.
If trendy streetwear fashion is your style, we recommend swinging by the famous local brand MASONPRINCE’s shop here in Dongshankou. Aside from bringing you nice new clothes to take home, the shop itself features a hip mix of grandeur and vintage vibes that will surely catch your eye.
When shopping and dining in Guangzhou, make sure to use GCash Global Pay for low forex fees, no service charge, and ultimate convenience. For a more rewarding experience, don’t forget to claim and use vouchers from GCash’s A+ Rewards as well.
Simply tap A+ Rewards on your GCash dashboard, select your destination, and explore available deals. Claim vouchers through the app and show them to the merchant so they can scan the QR code for payment. As a special treat, a P200 discount awaits you on your first overseas QR transaction with GCash’s Scan-to-Pay feature. This promo is available only until June 30, 2025, so take note of it for your next trips!
Download GCash from the App Store now to gear up for a convenient and rewarding trip abroad. For more information, you can also visit GCash’s official Facebook page.
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