Pearl River (Zhujiang)

According to local legend, the river got its name from a huge boulder in the middle of the river, smoothed by water erosion to resemble a round pearl in the middle of the river. One of the most popular ways to enjoy the Pearl River in Guangzhou is by cruise, which allows you to pass beneath the 10 bridges that span the water while seeing landmarks, like the White Goose Pool and Canton Tower, from the water. Evening cruises can be combined with dinner or Cantonese opera performance for a full night out on the town.

• The Pearl River offers a romantic experience for couples and first-time visitors.
• Cruise excursions generally last between 90 minutes and three hours, depending on the activities included.
• Book your river cruise ahead of time and skip the line at the ticket booth.

To get to the Pearl River in Guangzhou, take the metro Line 2 or 6 to Haizhu Square Station and leave through Exit A. Several city buses make a stop at nearby Tianzi Matou (Tianzi Wharf) Station.

While boats ply the waters throughout the day, the best time to experience the sights of the river is at night, when the Guangzhou skyline is colorfully lit up.

Visitors who prefer to keep their feet on solid ground can still soak up the sights of the Pearl River by taking a stroll along the Scenery Corridor. This 14-mile (23-km) path is lined with historic points of interest, including the Huangpu Military Academy, Xinghai Concert Hall, and Shamian historic site.

Yes, the Pearl River is near Hong Kong. It runs through Guangzhou, the capital of China’s Guangdong province, into the Pearl River Delta and out to sea at the Pearl River Estuary. Hong Kong and Macau sit on either side of the entrance to the Pearl River Estuary.

It depends. If you’re already visiting Guangzhou, a Pearl River night cruise is a magical way to soak up this important city's high-tech skyline and spectacular light shows. But it’s not one of the world’s great rivers or a river that anyone would swap cities to experience.

Prices for Pearl River cruises in Guangzhou vary according to the time of day, the boat, your position, and food options such as buffet dinners. Tickets can cost around 70 RMB and can be bought in person at the pier, with cruise packages including transfers costing US$70.

Night is the best time to visit the Pearl River and take a Pearl River cruise. Spectacular lighting displays take over the Canton Tower and surrounding buildings soon after dusk, so timing your cruise for just before or after sunset will let you see the skyline with and without lights.

Guangzhou has hot, rainy summers and cooler, dry winters. October and November are great months to take a Pearl River cruise, as the nights are still reasonably warm, but the weather is drier and clearer. Avoid the first week of October, China’s biggest week for tourism.

No, Guangzhou’s Pearl River is not safe to swim in. It’s polluted, the water quality is poor, and there are currents and boat traffic to contend with. However, thousands of brave souls have swum across the Pearl River at organized crossing events and lived to tell the tale.