Guangzhou Metro — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

Established just over two decades ago, the Guangzhou Metro has become one of the longest metro systems in the world, stretching 391 kilometres (243 miles). It has 232 stations on 13 different lines. It operates daily from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. and uses a distance-based fare system with fares starting at ¥2 (2 yuan). It also provides direct access to Canton-Baiyun International Airport via Line 3.

The Guangzhou Metro is a major public transport system in Guangzhou, China, serving approximately 4,290,000 passengers daily.

The Guangzhou Metro operates from 6:00 am to midnight, but not 24 hours a day. The metro is air-conditioned for passenger comfort and allows passengers to walk between platforms. An automated people mover (APM) line, which operates without a driver, has been in operation since 2010.

For passenger safety, the Guangzhou Metro has screen doors on the platforms. Metro fares range from 2.00 to 14.00 Chinese yuan, depending on the distance travelled, and fare collection is by entry/exit gates and RFID tokens. The Guangzhou Metro is operated by the Guangzhou Metro Corporation.

Guangzhou Metro Map

Map of Guangzhou Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Guangzhou Metro map in PDF format.

About Guangzhou (Canton)

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is a bustling metropolis in southern China with a population of around 13 million. This figure rises to a staggering 46 million when the surrounding municipalities, whose residents often work in the city, are taken into account.

Considered one of the world’s largest urban agglomerations, Guangzhou serves as a major business hub, strengthened by its strategic location near the port of Hong Kong. It is also recognised as a major seaport within the People’s Republic of China and is considered a global city that contributes significantly to the country’s economy.

The city’s impressive architectural endeavours, such as the Guangzhou Metro system, have brought it worldwide acclaim. Originally conceived with some hesitation in the 1960s, the metro project finally broke ground in the 1990s after six unsuccessful attempts. The original line was only 5.7 kilometres (3.5 miles) long, and the first service began on 28 June 1997.

Over the past twenty years, the metro system has undergone significant expansion, with the network now covering 391 kilometres (243 miles) and serving 233 stations on 13 lines.

Lines and Stations

The Guangzhou Metro consists of 13 commercial lines that connect the entire city and several neighbouring municipalities through a network of 232 stations.

Initially, the metro only facilitated travel from the outskirts of the city to the city centre. However, its scope quickly expanded and it now connects most of the city’s neighbourhoods.

Line 1

Line 1, which opened in 1997 as China’s fourth metro system, is 18.5 kilometres (11.5 miles) long and runs from the Xilang district to Guangzhou East Railway Station. With the exception of Xilang and Kengkou stations, which are on the surface, all stations are underground. It is marked by the colour yellow on station maps.

Line 2

Line 2 is 31.4 kilometres (19.5 miles) long with 24 stations, running from north to south, from Jiahewanggang district to Guangzhou South Railway Station. It is a completely underground line and is indicated by the colour blue.

Line 3

Line 3 is one of the longest lines in the system, covering a distance of 67.3 kilometres (4.8 miles) with 30 stations. It has the longest underground tunnel in the world and connects Panyu Square with Tianhe Bus Terminal. It can be recognised by its orange colour.

Line 4

Line 4 is 43.7 kilometres (27.2 miles) long and has 16 stations. It runs from Nansha Passenger Port in the north to Huangcun Station, parallel to Line 3. Recognisable by its green colour, this line is partly elevated and partly underground.

Line 5

Line 5 is 31.9 kilometres (19.8 miles) long and serves 24 stations. It is distinguished by its red colour on station maps. It opened in 2009 and is the only line to carry half a million passengers a day.

Line 6

Line 6 covers 41.9 kilometres (26 miles), connects 32 stations and serves densely populated areas of the city. It is recognisable by its brown colour.

Line 7

Line 7, identified by its green colour, is 18.6 kilometres long and has 15 stations. It serves the communities of Guangzhou and neighbouring Foshan, passing through the districts of Shunde, Panyu and Huangpu.

Line 8

Line 8 is L-shaped and covers the northeast of Guangzhou, from Fenghuang Xincun district to Wanshengwei. It is 14.8 kilometres (9.2 miles) long and has 13 stations, all of which are underground. The line is easily recognisable by its turquoise colour.

Line 9

Line 9, one of the newest lines in the system, opened in 2017. It covers a distance of 20.1 kilometres (12.5 miles) and includes 11 stations. The line, which mainly serves the Huadu district, can be recognised by its light green colour.

Line 13

Launched in December 2017, Line 13 covers a distance of 25.6 kilometres (15.9 miles) and serves 11 stations. With an average speed of 100 km/h (62.1 mph), it provides a quick commute between several key points, such as Luochongwai Bus Terminal and the financial districts of Zhujiang New Town and Yuancun. The line is identified by its army green colour.

Line 14

Line 14, a suburban line, aims to promote urban development in the townships neighbouring Guangzhou. The line is 21 kilometres (13 miles) long and has 10 stations. Trains on this line travel at a speed of 120 km/h (74.6 mph), connecting residents of Jiahewanggang to the city centre in just 1 hour. The line is easily recognisable by its dark brown colour.

Line APM

The Automated People Mover System (APM) line operates in the Zhujiang New Town district, the financial centre of Guangzhou. It is only 3.9 kilometres (2.4 miles) long and has 2 stations. Its distinctive colour on station maps is sky blue. It is notable for being fully automated.

Guangfo Line

The Guangfo Line, formerly known as the Guangzhou-Foshan Railway, connects the cities of Foshan and Guangzhou over a distance of 20 miles (32.2 kilometres). It has 21 stations – 10 in Guangzhou and 11 in Foshan – and can be identified by its fluorescent green colour on station maps.

Connectivity

Guangzhou’s metro lines are well connected, as is the metro system with other modes of transport. These connections were established to alleviate the heavy traffic congestion that was previously common in the city.

Line 1

Xilang Station: Interconnects with the Guangfo Line.
Huangsha Station: Provides a transfer to Line 6.
Gongyuanqian Station: Provides a transfer to Line 2.
Dongshankou Station: Provides a transfer to Line 6.
Yangji Station: Provides a transfer to Line 5.
Tiyu Xilu Station: Interconnects with Line 3.
Guangzhou East Railway Station: Interconnects with Line 3.

Line 2

Guangzhou South Station: Provides a transfer to Line 7.
Shibi Station: Interconnects with Line 7.
Changgang Station: Interconnects with Line 8.
Haizhu Square Station: Interconnects with Line 6.
Gongyuanqian Station: Interconnects with Line 1.
Guangzhou Railway Station: Interconnects with Line 5.
Jiahewanggang Station: Provides a transfer to Line 3.

Line 3

Hanxi Changlong Station: Interconnects with Line 7.
Kecun Station: Provides a transfer to Line 8.
Canton Tower Station: Provides a transfer to the APM Line.
Zhujiang New Town Station: Interconnects with Line 5.
Tiyu Xilu Station: Interconnects with Line 1.
Tianhe Coach Terminal Station: Interconnects with Line 6.
Linhexi Station: Provides a transfer to the APM Line.
Guangzhou East Railway Station: Interconnects with Line 1.
Yantang Station: Interconnects with Line 6.
Jiahewanggang Station: Provides a transfer to Lines 2 and 14.
Gaozeng Station: Provides a transfer to Line 9.

Line 4

Haibang Station: Interconnects with Line 3.
Higher Education Mega Center South Station: Interconnects with Line 7.
Wanshengwei Station: Interconnects with Line 8.
Chebeinan Station: Provides a transfer to Line 5.

Line 5

Tanwei Station: Interconnects with Line 6.
Guangzhou Railway Station: Interconnects with Line 2.
Ouzhuang Station: Provides a transfer to Line 6.
Yangji Station: Interconnects with Line 1.
Zhujiang New Town Station: Interconnects with Line 3.
Chebeinan Station: Interconnects with Line 4.
Yuzhu Station: Interconnects with Line 13.

Line 6

Tanwei Station: Interconnects with Line 5.
Huangsha Station: Interconnects with Line 1.
Haizhu Square Station: Interconnects with Line 2.
Dongshankou Station: Interconnects with Line 1.
Ouzhuang Station: Provides a transfer to Line 5.
Yantang Station: Interconnects with Line 3.
Tianhe Coach Terminal Station: Provides a transfer to Line 3.

Line 7

Guangzhou South Railway Station: Interconnects with Line 2.
Shibi Station: Interconnects with Line 2.
Hanxi Changlong Station: Provides a transfer to Line 3.
Higher Education Mega Center South Station: Interconnects with Line 7.

Line 8

Shayuan Station: Interconnects with the Guangfo Line.
Changgang Station: Interconnects with Line 2.
Kecun Station: Provides a transfer to Line 3.
Wanshengwei Station: Provides a transfer to Line 4.

Line 9

Gaozeng Station: Provides a transfer to Line 3.

Line 13

Yuzhu Station: Interconnects with Line 5.

Line 14

Jiahewanggang Station: Provides a transfer to Lines 2 and 3.</p >

APM Line

Canton Tower Station: Provides a transfer to Line 3.
Linhexi Station: Interconnects with Line 3.

Guangfo Line

Xilang Station: Interconnects with Line 1.
Shayuan Station: Interconnects with Line 8.

Schedule

The Guangzhou Metro operates on a schedule that is incredibly convenient for its daily commuters.

Although the metro does not operate 24 hours a day, which might be necessary given the immense size of the metropolis, it does start service quite early, at 6:00 a.m. Trains run continuously until midnight from Monday to Sunday.

Although the opening and closing times are fixed, the frequency of the trains varies. From Monday to Friday, trains arrive every 2-3 minutes during peak hours (7am to 10am and 4.30pm to 7.45pm). During the rest of the day, the frequency drops to an average of 3.30 minutes until 10pm to 12am, when trains arrive every 6 minutes.

At weekends, trains arrive every 3 minutes throughout the day.

Fares

The Guangzhou Metro fare system is based on the distance travelled. The minimum fare starts at ¥2 for the shortest trips, while the maximum fare for the longest trips can be as high as ¥17.

However, there are several payment options to suit every passenger’s needs. These include

Single ticket: These basic tickets can be purchased from any of the ticket machines in each station. It is a plastic token that uses radio frequency. The passenger must place the token over the turnstile sensors when entering and exiting the metro and the system will automatically calculate the amount to be paid. There is a 10% discount for groups of over 30 people.
Yang Cheng Tong and Lingnan Pass: This is a smart card option that can be used on the metro as well as other modes of transport, from buses to trams, and offers a 5% discount at the end of each month. This card also provides a 50% subsidy on subway and bus travel for full-time students and people aged 60-64.
Day pass: The Day Pass allows unlimited travel for a specified period. Passengers can choose between a 24-hour day pass for ¥20 or a 72-hour day pass for ¥50. These passes cannot be recharged and the validity period begins when the pass is first used. If no journeys are taken after purchase, a refund is available.
Monthly Pass: Monthly passes offer a certain number of trips per month, regardless of the distance travelled. There are three types of monthly travel pass: 20 trips per month for 55 ¥. 35 trips per month for 88 ¥. 50 trips per month for 115 ¥.

Rules and Regulations

It is forbidden to eat or drink while travelling on the Guangzhou Metro.
Persons under the influence of alcohol are not allowed to enter metro facilities, trains and stations.
Smoking is not allowed in metro facilities.
The transportation of illegal substances on the Guangzhou Metro is prohibited.
Attempting to forcibly open platform or train doors is prohibited and may result in a fine.
Blocking passengers from entering or leaving the train is not allowed.
Causing disorder or disturbance at stations is strictly prohibited.
Aggression towards other passengers will result in heavy fines and, in serious cases, police intervention.
Photographing or filming inside the system without express permission is prohibited.
Animals are not allowed on system premises, except guide dogs.
Only police officers are allowed to carry firearms on the metro.

Airport Connection

Guangzhou Metro Line 3 provides a direct connection to Canton-Baiyun International Airport.

To get to the airport from the city centre, simply travel south to Airport South Station (机场南). This route, accessible from a stop in the Tianhe district, usually takes no more than 50 minutes. It is convenient as the trains disembark inside the airport. Similarly, you can get off at Airport North Station (机场北), which is located in Terminal 2 of the airport.

Although the metro is the fastest and cheapest way to travel from Canton-Baiyun International Airport to downtown Guangzhou, it is important to note that there are restrictions on luggage transport within the system.

Those with excessive luggage should take a taxi from one of the many taxi ranks outside the terminal. It is also important to remember that most people in this metropolis only speak Mandarin Chinese and English may not be sufficient to navigate the city.

Tourist Attractions

As a major city, Guangzhou offers its residents a variety of leisure activities, such as the breathtaking views from the iconic Canton Tower. The tower is located at the surface level Canton Tower Station on Line 3.

Constructed of steel and concrete, the tower stands 600 metres tall and is a marvel of modern architecture. Inside, it houses many leisure facilities, including a wax museum on the first floor, jewellery and souvenir shops and restaurants of all kinds. The most remarkable is the revolving restaurant, which is almost 500 metres high and offers a panoramic view of the city.

Another Guangzhou landmark is the Chimelong Safari Park Zoo. Located near Dashi Station on Line 3, it is home to around 20,000 animals of 500 different species – pandas being the most popular. The park is renowned for the high standard of care given to its animals, many of which roam free.

Visitors can explore Chimelong Safari Park on foot or in their own vehicles. It is the first zoo in China to allow drivers to take a self-drive tour. They can watch daily performances and participate in various activities, which are frequently updated.