For tourists from all over the world, South China is an opportunity to relax on the beaches of the warm sea, and at the same time to make a successful shopping trip by visiting the special administrative area of Hong Kong. You can get to this corner of the world in different ways and ways. The air gateway to all of South China (and Guangdong Province in particular) is Guangzhou Airport. How to get from it to the city? Is it possible to go to the resorts of the South China Sea directly from the airport? Is this a big hub? How not to get lost in this air harbor? And how to pass the time in it with benefit? What do tourists say about their stay at this airport? Our article will tell about all this.
A bit of history
Officially, Guangzhou Airport is called Baiyun. This name is very poetic, because it means "white clouds" in translation. Earlier, the capital of Guangdong province had a different airport. But after some time, he ceased to cope with the increased passenger flow. It was not possible to expand it, since it was located within the city, among residential buildings. Then it was decided to build a new airport, and liquidate the old one. A hub called Baiyun took its first flight in 2004. It is five times larger than its predecessor. Almost two billion yuan was spent on its construction. South China’s modern air harbor welcomes thirty million travelers a year. Thus, in terms of passenger traffic, it takes the second place in the country (after Beijing Airport). The hub is the base for China Southern Airlines.
What is Guangzhou Airport
Pictures of the air harbor demonstrate its impressive size. The airport consists of one large building connected by galleries with landing wings that surround the hub on two sides - western and eastern. In the main part of the terminal there are all racks for registration. This is very convenient, because at other airports in the world, passengers need to know where to get off the bus (or metro station) in order to get to the desired lounge for check-in. So, you go into the main hall of the terminal, look for your flight on the scoreboard and head to the desired counter. Numerous shops are located right there. The eastern zone A serves passengers departing abroad, while the western, B, is intended for domestic flights. Each zone has its own checkpoints for screening passengers and baggage in order to ensure security. Sleeves for boarding the plane diverge from the side wings. Passengers arrive immediately at the main terminal.
Airport Amenities
The air harbor of South China is amazing. Do not worry that you will not understand the signs in Chinese and get lost. Reviews of tourists describe Guangzhou Airport as a very convenient and comfortable air harbor. Everything here is done so that travelers feel comfortable and safe. The huge food court provides a wide selection of cafes and restaurants in both Chinese and European cuisines. In duty-free shops, time will fly by very quickly, because the prices in them cannot but rejoice. Check areas are equipped to avoid queues. The main terminal has ATMs, branches of financial institutions and car rentals, a post office, a VAT refund point, a police station, and a first-aid post. In the waiting rooms there are kiosks with souvenirs and fresh newspapers.
Guangzhou Airport: how to get to the city
A new hub was built in the Huadu area twenty-eight kilometers from the provincial capital of Guangdong. This allowed the airport to receive and send flights around the clock. The most economical way to get to the city is the metro (second line). The entrance to it is located directly in the main terminal. The subway will cost seven yuan. Guangzhou Airport is connected to the train station by direct express bus. Cars run every half hour, a ticket costs about twenty-five yuan. There are other bus routes that can take you directly to the Pearl Garden and Pearl River, Globelink, White Palace, Sun City, and United Star hotels. But public transport runs only from 6:00 to 23:00. If you arrive at night, you have only one option left to get to the city - a taxi. There are many shipping companies in Guangzhou. Their cars differ in logos and, which is convenient for foreigners, in color. The cheapest are yellow, blue and brown taxis. A trip to them will cost about 150 yuan.
How to get to Hong Kong
Tourists who come to relax in the resorts of the South China Sea should get to the train station (by subway, express bus or taxi). But what about those who are interested in the Guangzhou (airport) - Hong Kong route? How to get to the special administrative zone on the peninsula? The distance between these points is 175 kilometers. You can overcome it on a direct bus, the so-called coach. There are several competing companies engaged in such transportation. Their buses also vary in color. These are “Go-Go-Bass” (red-yellow-white cars), Eternal East Cross-Border Coach (green), China Travel Tours Transportation (white). To get to Hong Kong by train, you must first take the subway to Guangzhou East Railway Station. From there, electric trains are already sent to a special administrative zone.