Guangzhou Metro Map 2026 – Lines, Schedule & Tourist Guide

Hello geng ✋, I’m a fellow Malaysian who just came back from Guangzhou, and let me tell you… the Guangzhou Metro is a total lifesaver for traveling around the city. 🚇
At first, I thought it would be complicated (Guangzhou is HUGE compared to KL 🤯), but once you get the hang of it, the metro is cheap, clean, efficient, and super convenient. Here’s my full guide so you won’t get lost when you come!

🗺️Guangzhou Metro Map 2025

source from Wikipedia

The Guangzhou Metro is one of the largest metro systems in China 🚇 — with 15+ lines and 300+ stations! By 2025, it connects not only central Guangzhou but also nearby cities like Foshan.

👉 Pro tip: Download the official Guangzhou Metro app or use Gaode Maps (高德地图) — both apps have updated maps, train schedules, and route planning.
(Think of our KL LRT + MRT + Monorail combined… but way bigger and better 😂)

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🚆List of Guangzhou Metro Lines & Stations

Some of the main lines you’ll definitely use as a tourist:

• Line 3 (Orange) – Super important! Connects Baiyun International Airport (CAN) to the city center (Tiyu Xilu) and Guangzhou South Railway Station.
• Line 1 (Yellow) – Runs east-west through key spots like Tianhe Sports Center and Liwan District.
• Line 2 (Blue) – Connects Guangzhou South Railway Station with the northern districts.
• Line 5 (Red) – Known as the “busy line,” connecting key business and residential areas.
• APM Line – Mini-automated line within Zhujiang New Town, great for exploring skyscrapers and malls.

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Major Guangzhou Metro Stations

• Tiyu Xilu (Lines 1 & 3) → One of the busiest hubs, directly linked to huge shopping malls like TeeMall.
• Zhujiang New Town (Lines 3 & 5 + APM) → The modern CBD with Canton Tower nearby.
• Canton Tower Station (Line 3 & APM) → For the iconic Canton Tower 🌆.
• Guangzhou South Railway Station (Lines 2 & 7) → Gateway to high-speed trains across China.
• Airport South Station (Line 3) → Direct access to Baiyun International Airport.

Pro tip: If you’re heading to Canton Fair, stop at Pazhou Station (Line 8) — the exhibition center is right there!

🧭How to Use Guangzhou Metro

① Find the Metro Entrance

Look for the big red “M” sign (地铁 / Metro). Entrances are everywhere near malls, roads, and railway stations.

② Buy a Ticket or Tap In

• Single Journey Ticket 🎟️ → Buy from machines (English available).
• Yang Cheng Tong Card (羊城通卡) 💳 → Works like Touch ’n Go, reloadable, and valid on buses too.
• QR Code 📱 → Alipay/WeChat Pay users can scan directly at the gate.

③ Navigate Inside

Follow colored signs. Each line has a unique color & number. Signs and announcements are in Chinese + English.

④ On the Platform & Train

Trains come every 3–5 minutes. Wait behind the safety line, let people exit first, then board.

⑤ Exit the Metro

Tap your card/scan QR/insert ticket. For paper tickets, the gate will swallow them when you leave.

🔄Guangzhou Metro Transfer Guide

Need to change lines? Just follow the Transfer (换乘) signs.
Some stations like Tiyu Xilu and Zhujiang New Town are massive, so expect long walks between platforms. Don’t worry — everything is bilingual.

💳How to Pay: Ticket, Metro Card & QR Code

Single Journey Ticket 🎟️ – Cheapest option if only riding once.

You can easily buy your ticket at the self-service ticket machines at Guangzhou Metro stations. The machines provide clear instructions in English - just select your destination on the touch screen, choose your payment method (cash or mobile payment methods such as WeChat/Alipay), and collect your single journey ticket. Simply swipe your ticket when entering the station and insert it when leaving. Station staff are always available to help you if needed. However, remember to keep your single journey ticket (green round coin) when you travel.

Yang Cheng Tong Card 💳 – Best for multiple rides, also works on buses & ferries.

You can buy and recharge Yang Cheng Tong cards at self-service machines inside Guangzhou Metro stations. These cards require a 20 RMB deposit and can be used on the metro, buses, and ferries. Simply swipe your card at the turnstile to enter and exit. When recharging, please use cash or mobile payment (WeChat/Alipay) at the self-service card vending machine.

Here we have to talk about the current preferential policies of Guangzhou Metro: within one calendar month, if you use the same platform entrance code or the same Yangcheng Tong card to take Guangzhou Metro, bus, or water bus, the cumulative actual ticket expenditure of more than 80 yuan but less than 200 yuan will enjoy a 20% discount, and the amount exceeding 200 yuan will enjoy a 50% discount.

NFC Mobile Payments (Apple Pay & Android)

If you prefer digital payments, NFC-enabled phones (Apple Pay, Huawei Pay, Samsung Pay, etc.) can directly support Yangchengtong. Add your card to your phone’s wallet and tap to pay—no QR code needed! Recharging is easy via the phone’s wallet app.

QR Code 📱 – Fastest way if you have Alipay/WeChat Pay.

Alipay QR Code Ticket

Open Alipay App → ➊ Click "Transport"→ ➋Select "Guangzhou Metro" → ➌ Activate "Metro QR Code" → Click "Get now" → Agree to terms →➍ Scan at the Gate

WeChat QR Code Ticket

Activate the Guangzhou Metro QR code on WeChat→Use WeChat QR code to take Guangzhou Metro

Overseas Bank Cards Payments Accepted for Ticket Purchases

💰Guangzhou Metro Ticket Price

Still very affordable compared to KL 😍

• Base fare: RMB 2 (~RM 1.40) for the first 4 km.
• Up to 12 km: RMB 3 (~RM 2).
• Beyond 24 km: RMB 5–7 (~RM 3.50–5).

Tourist Passes:

• 1-Day Pass → RMB 20 (~RM 13) unlimited rides.
• 3-Day Pass → RMB 50 (~RM 35) unlimited rides.

⏰Guangzhou Metro Hours & Schedule

• First trains: Around 6:00 AM.
• Last trains: Around 11:30 PM (some lines until midnight).
• Frequency: Every 2–5 minutes during the day, 7–10 minutes late at night.

🎡 Getting to Guangzhou Attractions by Metro

Canton Tower 🗼 → Line 3 or APM, stop at Canton Tower Station.

Beijing Road (Shopping) 🛍️ → Line 6, stop at Beijing Road Station.

Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street 👟 → Line 1, stop at Changshou Lu Station.

Chen Clan Academy (Heritage) 🏯 → Line 1, stop at Chen Clan Academy Station.

Guangzhou South Railway Station 🚄 → Line 2 or 7.

Chimelong Safari Park 🦁 → Line 3 to Hanxi Changlong Station.

For Malaysians planning a trip, don’t be scared of the Guangzhou Metro. It’s way more advanced than our LRT/MRT, but also very user-friendly. With a metro card, mobile QR, and a good map app, you’ll explore Guangzhou like a local 🚇✨.

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