Canton Tower Guangzhou 2026: Observation Deck, Tickets & How to Visit

Canton Tower Guangzhou at dusk — tourist phone snapshot from the Pearl River promenade — Canton Tower from the Pearl River walkway — a typical phone shot at sunset.

Canton Tower (广州塔), also called Guangzhou Tower, is the city’s signature TV and observation tower on the south bank of the Pearl River in Haizhu. The twisted “waist” silhouette faces Zhujiang New Town CBD — Guangzhou’s go-to skyline viewpoint.

Pair it with a Greater Bay Area loop: Hong Kong weekend, Hong Kong with kids, or budget Hong Kong days. Theme parks nearby are covered in our Chimelong & Ocean Park guide. Coming from the east coast? See a Shanghai weekend route.

Height and fun facts

Height: about 600 m with the antenna (often 604 m) — one of the world’s tallest TV towers and Guangzhou’s modern icon.
Hyperboloid “twisted waist” design; LED shows read clearly from the riverside and the CBD opposite.
Bubble Tram — a horizontal Ferris wheel around ~460 m, among the highest of its kind; cabins ride the outer rim.
Optional Sky Drop and a top outdoor deck to ~488 m if the classic observation halls aren’t enough.
Opened for the 2010 Asian Games; today it’s both a broadcast tower and a full visitor complex.

Street-level photos are free — more no-ticket ideas in our free things to do guide.

When to visit in 2026

Sunset + light show is the sweet spot: deck from 16:00, then riverside LEDs after dusk (usually until ~23:00).
October–April is milder; summer is humid, but evenings by the river still work.
Weekdays mean shorter Bubble Tram lines; Mondays often start rides later (15:00 or 17:00).
Season overview: best time to travel.

How to get to Canton Tower

2026 baseline: Canton Tower Station on Line 3 / APM, Exit B. Confirm transfers in Guangzhou Metro or Amap on the day.

Mode	Route	Price	Time / notes
Metro Line 3	Canton Tower Station (广州塔), Exit B → underground walkway to the tower	≈ ¥2–6 in-city	Easiest option; 2–5 min walk from the exit
APM (Zhujiang New Town)	CBD people-mover → same Canton Tower Station	Metro fare	Handy from Tianhe / Liede business district
DiDi / taxi	Yuejiang West Rd / complex entrance	Meter / app	15–40 min from downtown depending on traffic
From CAN airport	Airport Express metro → transfer to Line 3	≈ ¥10–15 total	≈ 50–70 min without heavy traffic
Riverside tram / walk	Pearl River promenade to the tower base	Tram ~¥2; walk free	Best for sunset and light-show photos

Prep maps and payments with our smartphone travel checklist and grab an eSIM for China.

Compare flights to Guangzhou and hotels in Haizhu near Canton Tower early — an evening tower visit pairs cleanly with a riverside overnight.

Tickets and observation decks

Tickets are real-name: book online ahead (Trip.com / official channels). Walk-up windows are often unavailable. 2026 price bands (subject to change):

Ticket	Price	Notes
Observation 428–433 m (Cloud / Starry Sky Hall)	≈ ¥135–150	Basic indoor ticket; glass floor; best value
450 m open-air platform	≈ ¥228	Outdoor deck; some angles blocked by structure
Bubble Tram combo 460 m	≈ ¥283–300	Observation + rooftop horizontal Ferris wheel
Top “一塔倾城” combo 488 m	≈ ¥398	Bubble Tram + Sky Drop + top outdoor deck
Opening hours	09:30–22:30	Last entry ~22:00; rides may start later on Mondays

Indoor 433 m is enough for views. Take Bubble Tram for the ride-plus-panorama combo; the 488 m package if you want Sky Drop too. Guided options: excursion aggregator.

What to do up top

Glass floor & 428–433 m halls — Pearl River, CBD, and the city’s new axis; bring a light layer (it’s cooler aloft).
Bubble Tram — roughly 15–20 minutes per loop; weekend sunset queues run longer.
Sky Drop & top deck — top combo only; check height/health rules on site.
Street photos — after you descend, walk the promenade; lit tower shots often beat indoor glass reflections.

Where to eat nearby

Haizhu and the riverside lean Cantonese with tower views. Per-person price bands (menus change):

Where	What to order	Ballpark
Plaza / food court at Canton Tower base	Quick lunch, coffee, light Cantonese sets	≈ ¥30–70 / person
Party Pier (琶醍) · Pearl River	Bars, seafood, night views of the tower	Roughly ¥80–180 / person
Dim sum near Haizhu / Zhujiang New Town	Har gow, siu mai, char siu bao	≈ ¥40–90 / person
Street snacks · Xingsheng area	Noodles, skewers, desserts	Snacks ¥15–40
Tower revolving restaurant (buffet)	Dinner with a view; admission sometimes bundled	≈ ¥300–500 / person

More on dim sum and regional Chinese food: China regional food guide. Tipping norms: tipping in China.

Where to stay: Haizhu vs downtown

Sleep near Canton Tower if your evening is deck + light show + riverside dinner. If daytime is old town / Shamian, stay closer to Yuexiu or Tianhe and metro in for sunset.

Tower / Haizhu riverside: shortest walk after the show.
Zhujiang New Town (north bank): a few APM/metro stops, great “across the river” photos.
Transit hubs: if Guangzhou is a hop toward Guilin or further inland.

Compare hotels near Canton Tower in Haizhu. Add travel insurance before you fly.

Mini itineraries

2–3 hours: metro → indoor 433 m → riverside photos → quick bite at the plaza.
Evening: arrive 16:00–17:00 → deck / Bubble Tram → Party Pier dinner → light show from the bank.
With neighbors: fold into a Bay Area loop with Hong Kong for a couple; multi-city planning tips here. Intercity trains via rail tickets.

Build a Guangzhou itinerary with Canton Tower

Tell AlpacaBag your dates and pace — we’ll slot the tower, Haizhu food, and riverside evening into a city plan with a PDF map.

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FAQ

Is Canton Tower the same as Guangzhou Tower?

Yes. Canton Tower (广州塔) is Guangzhou’s TV and observation tower on the south bank of the Pearl River in Haizhu District. Locals and English guides also say Guangzhou Tower — same landmark.

How tall is Canton Tower?

About 600 m with the antenna (often listed as 604 m). Indoor decks sit around 428–433 m, the open platform ~450 m, Bubble Tram ~460 m, and the top outdoor deck up to ~488 m.

How do I get to Canton Tower by metro in 2026?

Take Guangzhou Metro Line 3 or the APM to Canton Tower Station (广州塔) and use Exit B — an underground passage leads into the complex. From Baiyun Airport, ride the Airport Express and transfer to Line 3.

How much are Canton Tower observation tickets?

Basic indoor 428–433 m tickets run about ¥135–150. Bubble Tram combos are roughly ¥283–300; the full package with Sky Drop and the top deck is about ¥398. Prices shift — book ahead with your passport (walk-up windows are often unavailable).

When is the best time for the light show?

Arrive around 16:00–18:00 for sunset on the deck, then watch the LED show from the riverside after dusk (typically from sunset to ~23:00, peak 19:00–22:00). Weekdays are calmer than weekends and holidays.

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