Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong Province in southern China. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 12.7 million, making it the third largest city in China after Shanghai and Beijing. It is a part of the Pearl River Delta, which also includes Shenzhen, Dongguan, Hong Kong, Macau, Foshan, Jiangmen, Huizhou, Zhongshan and Zhuhai.

In the era of tea clippers, Guangzhou was known in the West as "Canton". The food and the language of the area are still known as "Cantonese" and it is perfectly acceptable to use either the western or Chinese terms interchangeably. The Cantonese are proud and hard working people known throughout China and the world over for their famous cuisine and talent for business. Guangzhou has been a major international trading hub for centuries, and it holds China's largest trade fair, the Canton Fair. 

While in modern times it is mostly known for its skyscrapers and shopping malls, the city is not bereft of culture, and Guangzhou boasts a large number of cultural and religious sites, and, in addition, is home to several internationally recognized music venues, museums, and galleries.

- Wikivoyage