Guangzhou Baiyun Airport is connected to downtown Guangzhou by Metro, bus, taxi and English hire car transfer. The best choice for you will largely depend on where in Guangzhou you are travelling to, the time of day, and how comfortable you are immersing yourself in the Chinese speaking world!With Guangzhou becoming the leading regional hub in Southern China (soon to overtake Hong Kong), there is an ever increasing number of business travellers, holidaymakers and people with layovers visiting Guangzhou, the culinary capital of China.MetroGuangzhou Baiyun airport is connected to the city via Metro Line 3. The Metro stations are located directed under the airport terminals, with Airport South being for Terminal 1 and Airport North for Terminal 2. The Guangzhou Metro is new, fast, clean and efficient. Travel time from Baiyun airport to Tiyu Xilu (Tianhe) is roughly 40 minutes. Fares vary depending on how far you are travelling, but will be around 7RMB.The Metro operates from 6am – 11pm (check at the Metro station for exact timing of the last service for that station), and ticketing machines have and English option.The Metro is definitely the cheapest way to travel between Guangzhou airport and the city. It is also the fastest way to Tianhe, and a good option during peak hour traffic from other parts of Guangzhou as well.If you are staying in other areas such as Liwan and Haizhu, you may still find the Metro to be a reliable option, however you will need to change lines, possibly multiple times, making the journey longer (1 hour or more).TaxiTaxi is a convenient option to travel between Guangzhou Airport and downtown Guangzhou outside peak hour traffic. There are official taxi queues located outside the airport arrival halls. Taxi fares will be around RMB150 depending on where in Guangzhou you are travelling to and traffic conditions. In addition to this, you are expected to pay for any road tolls. The journey time can expected to be around 40 minutes. This is a good option in the evenings and during the middle of the day. If you are travelling by taxi between downtown Guangzhou and the airport during morning rush hour, or in the evening between 4:30pm – 7:30pm we suggest you allow for extra time, as the traffic can be heavy. By law, taxis in Guangzhou must use the meter. In general most taxi drivers will adhere to this, however there are some that will try to take advantage of foreigners seeking fixed price fares. If you encounter this, grab a different taxi or ask the police for assistance. You should assume that your taxi driver will not speak or read any English. Unless you are fluent in Cantonese or Mandarin, it is highly recommended that you have the name and address of your hotel written in Chinese. A contact telephone number can also be useful as there are literally hundreds of hotels in Guangzhou and your taxi driver is unlikely to know all of them.We get a lot of layover food tour clients asking us how to travel to the city, and we normally recommend that a Taxi or the Metro will be the easiest for them.Car Hailing AppsGuangzhou was Ubers most popular city ranked by the number of trips, until the Government forced Uber to stop its illegal operations in Guangzhou. There are however numerous legal car hailing apps that you can use in Guangzhou. Most of the apps are in Chinese only, making it challenging for non Chinese peaking travellers. Didi Chuxing (one of the biggest car hailing companies in China) has recently released an English version of their app. The app has an English interface as well as other bilingual functionality such as real time messaging translation to assist you communicating with your driver. There is also bilingual support available for customers via telephone and email. You can download the app from Google Play store.There is a specific parking lot at Guangzhou Airport dedicated to users of car hailing apps. At the time of writing it was P4 for Terminal 1. Follow the signs upon arriving as it is clearly marked.The cost to travel between Guangzhou Airport and downtown Guangzhou using Car Hailing Apps will be similar to taxis. Most apps will give you an estimate of the fare in advance. When we checked the Didi app at the time of writing it was estimating a fare of RMB101 to Haizhu Square in low traffic. As with taxis, you are expected to pay for any road tolls in addition to the fare.Again we recommend that you carry with you the hotel name, address and contact details in Chinese so as to minimise any issues.We personally normally use car hailing apps to travel between the airport and the city, unless there is heavy traffic in which case we use the Metro.Hire Car Transfer – English SpeakingEnglish speaking hire care transfers are also available. Such transfer sometimes use an English speaking driver, but normally would have a Chinese speaking driver and a translator. Prices start at around 400 RMB. This may be a good option for the most nervous of travellers, but otherwise it is really an unnecessary expense.BusThere are numerous express bus services transferring people between Guangzhou Baiyun airport and downtown Guangzhou. Fares vary but will be around 20-30 RMB. Despite being a cheap option, we would take the Metro any day over the bus as using the Metro is easier, more frequent and definitely will be faster during peak hour. If you prefer to go by road, then taxi or using a car hailing app will be more convenient.Some of the bus routes that are available include:No. 1Guangzhou Railway Station (Yuexiu district - not to be confused with Guangzhou East Train Station in Tianhe district). Transit time approximately 45 minutes to final stop.NO. 2AGarden Hotel, Crowne Plaza Guangzhou City Centre, Guangzhou Zoo, TeeMall, TianHe Computer Centre. Transit time approximately 50 minutes.No. 3Fangcun Coach Station, Rosedale Hotel (Haizhu district near Chang Gang Metro Station). Transit time approximately 70 minutes.No. 5DongFang Hotel, Haizhu Square, Guangzhou Hilbin Hotel (Yuexiu district - Yuexiu South Road). Transit time approximately 60 minutes.No. 6Grandview Mall, Citic Plaza (Tianhe district). Transit time approximately 55 minutes.No. 9Guangzhou North Railway Station (Huadu district). Transit time approximately 50 minutesNo. 10Guangzhou International Convention and Exhibition Centre (Pazhou, Haizhu district), Canton Tower, Guangzhou Textile and Fabric Centre (near Sun Yat Sen University West Gate). Transit time approximately 60 minutes For some ideas of things to do in Guangzhou, check out our Guangzhou Layover Guide, or our Insiders Guide to Guangzhou. About Eating AdventuresEating Adventures offers half day walking food tours in Guangzhou. With Guangzhou being famous as having the best food in China, there is no better way to immerse yourself in Cantonese culture and cuisine than a food tour through the backstreets of Guangzhou. All tours are led by local licensed guides that are fluent in English (no expats). 

Sham Shui Po is the latest ‘must visit’ destination in Hong Kong. The poorest district, and until recently an area that was rarely frequented by both tourists and locals, it has become home to some of the best up and coming restaurants in Hong Kong (especially for desserts!!), artist communities and markets. If you are looking for something a bit less refined, but more culturally rich, Sham Shui Po is a great choice for a day out in Hong Kong.Here is a list of 10 things to do in Sham Shui Po compiled by the Eating Adventures team:1. Eat in Sham Shui PoSham Shui Po is an up and coming foodie destination in Hong Kong. Cheaper rents have allowed small eateries and street vendors to thrive.For breakfast, a popular option is Hop Yik Tai (G/F, 121 Lam Street Sham Shui Po) where the Cheung Fun are a favourite with locals. They claim to sell up to 5000 servings of cheung fun each day!Cart Noodles is our clear favourite in Sham Shui Po. There are several restaurants offering this and you can expect very long queues around lunch time and in the late evening. Our insiders tip is to try some of the more unusual ingredients like pomelo skin. Cart noodles is also the most popular tasting on our Sham Shui Po food tour.For something different we like the Lo Soi Goose at 鹅公馆 (Shop C, G/F, Yuk Chuen Building, 237-241 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po). Lo Soi Goose is also known as Chiu Chow style braised goose. If you are adventurous the duck tongue here is also fantastic.Another popular option is Lau Sum Kee bamboo noodles (G/F, 48 Kweilin Street Sham Shui Po). This is one of the last restaurants in Hong Kong that still makes noodles using bamboo poles. A family run business, now in it's third generation, the grandfather started with a street stall in Guangzhou in the 1940s. Everything here is made fresh and they are also known for the generous amount of shrimp in their wonton. In winter, Sham Shui Po is one of the best places in Hong Kong to try Snake Soup. There are several traditional snake restaurants in this district, some of whom also display live snakes. Try Shea Wong Sin (G/F, 50 Kweilin Street, Sham Shui Po).You are spoilt for choice when it comes to dessert in Sham Shui Po, and like elsewhere in Hong Kong, you can expect long queues at night. Our favourite place for dessert is Heart’s dessert (G/F, 57 Fuk Wing Street, ).For the best eating experience in Sham Shui Po, join one of our Sham Shui Po food tours for a great mix of street food and local favourites.2. Golden Computer ArcadeThe Golden Computer Arcade (146 – 152 Fuk Wa Street) is the ultimate place to buy cheap computer hardware, games, consoles and tools in Hong Kong. It is really congested on the weekends and you will literally need to push your way along the narrow corridors. You can find computer hardware on the lower ground floor and games and consoles upstairs. This is also the place to go if you need repairs or a custom built computer.3. Shop for Toys on Fuk Wing StreetIf you need to do some toy shopping for kids, then Fuk Wing street is a great place to find a wide variety of toys at reasonable prices. There are numerous small shops on both sides of the street. We found some great Japanese train sets that we couldn’t find elsewhere in Hong Kong or online.4. Explore Apliu StreetApliu street has a long history with it originally being a village that was known for raising ducks (“Ap Liu” translates to “duck cage”). The current flea market running down Apliu street is a great place to find new and used electronic goods, photography equipment, sounds systems and LED lights. While you are there make sure you take a look at Paul’s Vinyl Hero. This tiny shop which is run by a Vietnamese Chinese refugee has more than 300,000 records.5. Check out the Street Art in Sham Shui PoThe HKWalls street art festival has contributed to murals and street art being painted on numerous buildings in Sham Shui Po. The most famous is the Man Fung Building (180 Tai Nan Street), which was transformed by Spanish street artist Okuda San Miguel.  There are 40 original art works spread throughout Sham Shui Po that were all completed as part of HKWalls in 2016.Our insiders tip is to go for a walk before all the shops open, as some of the art is on roller shutters and garage doors.6. See Historic BuildingsSham Shui Po is a great place to see and photograph historic Hong Kong buildings. There are several good examples of old tong lau style building to be seen. These buildings have shops on street level with residences above. Our favourite is 58 Pei Ho Street, which was built in the 1920s. This shop was originally a pawn shop and is now used for dried seafood.Other historic buildings that are worth seeing include:170 Yee Kuk Street – This grade 2 historic building was also built in the 1920s. There is still red characters on the walls from the name of the old framing shop.Lui Seng Chun (119 Lai Chi Kok rd) – This grade 1 historic building was built in 1931. Recently restored the building is currently has a Chinese tea shop on the ground floor and the upper floors are used by the Hong Kong Baptist University school of Chinese medicine.7. Explore an underground Art GalleryFor something different, go and check out the underground art gallery 100ft Park, at 220 Apliu Street. This tiny gallery, with only 300ft of display space is used both as an artist hang out and as a place where local artist can exhibit their work.8. Buy some leatherTai Nan Street has several leather wholesalers selling both leather hides if you want to create something as well as beautiful handcrafted leather products. Some shops also offer lessons as well as selling tools. Two well known shops are Teepee Leather Workshop (217 Tai Nan Street) and Arli Star Leather Factory (236 Tai Nan Street).9. See Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum Addres: 41 Tonkin St, Sham Shui Po, Hong KongThis 2000 year old tomb was accidently discovered in 1955. Visitors are no longer allowed to enter the tomb, but you can view it through a glass panel. The tomb is similar to other Han Chinese tombs found in southern China and is said to be evidence that Chinese civilization had spread to Hong Kong as long as 2000 years ago. There is no body in the tomb.10. Walk the night marketSham Shui Po is home to an illegal late night market. The market can be found in Pei Ho and Kweilin streets from around 9:30pm until late. Bring a torch and watch your pockets. This market has featured on some documentaries and is one of those things that most locals know of but have not seen. You will find a huge variety of treasures and trash being sold there. We have seen shoes, bicycles, watches, art and jewellery to name but a few. Most of the goods sold are second hand, and our guess is that some may be stolen. Traders are from a mixture of backgrounds, with lots of stalls being run by Indians and refugees. One thing is certain, this is not the Hong Kong that most people imagine and it will definitely be an experience you will remember.A word of CautionSham Shui Po is the poorest district in Hong Kong. Whilst it is changing rapidly with artists and great food moving in, there is still some petty crime. Be careful with your belongings, especially at night and when walking through congested markets.

China has an ancient and rich culture that is totally foreign to many travellers. Yes, there are differences in etiquette between the west and china (be super careful crossing the road...), but China is far from an uncultured country. Here are 12 etiquette tips for travellers from the Eating Adventures food tours team.  1. BargainingThere is a misconception by foreigners that most prices in China are negotiable and you need to bargain in an aggressive manner. In fact, the opposite is true. Locals in China will rarely need to negotiate prices on a daily basis. Prices at local food markets are fixed, and negotiation will likely be received with some contempt from the stallholder.  You can expect to be able to negotiate if buying electronic goods and at some clothing stores.  The only places where negotiation is always recommended is at locations that specialise in selling for tourists (where you really should be avoiding anyway). So yes, if you have found your way to fake clothing market that no local would be caught dead shopping in, then you are going to need to negotiate prices, but otherwise, leave your bargaining skills for Thailand.2. Crossing the roadTake care when crossing the road, even at pedestrian crossings and traffic lights. At pedestrian crossings cars in general will not give pedestrians the right of way. Check for cars prior to crossing, and never assume that a car will stop for you.3. TippingTipping in restaurants is not part of Chinese culture and rarely expected and often not accepted. We have even been chased out of restaurants by waiters holding change when we intentionally left a tip. Leave tipping for the USA.You can tip hotel staff,  tour guides and taxi drivers if they provide exceptional service.4. Take off your shoesMany people in China do not wear shoes inside their homes. The same is true for temples. If you are lucky enough to get invited to someones house, please remove your shoes if they do, even if they smile and say it is not necessary.Pointing or showing people the bottom of your feet is considered rude and should be avoided.5. Splitting restaurant billsIn general restaurant bills are not split in China. If you are invited out for a meal your host will expect to pay and may be offended if you suggest to share the bill. When going out with family and friends people will go to great lengths to be the one paying the bill. 6. Receiving gifts or business cardsYou will notice that if anyone gives you a business card or gift it will be extended with both hands. You should receive the business card or gift in the same manner. It is customary not to open gifts when you receive them.7. ChopsticksThe most important etiquette tip for using chopsticks is never plant your chopsticks standing up in a bowl of rice. To chinese people this looks like burning incense for the dead.When you are not using your chopsticks, neatly rest them on the table or on top of your bowl. Never play with your chopsticks, use them to point or use them as if they are drumsticks.8. ClothingIn general clothing in worn in China is a bit more conservative that western countries. Whilst you will still find plenty of chinese girls wearing mini skirts, as a foreigner you can expect to attract attention if you are wearing skimpy clothing. The main exception is swimming attire, for which you will find China both less fashionable and more conservative. Remember, you are travelling China, not Brazil.9. Sitting on the floorThe floor is considered dirty. If you are a backpacker, please remember that you are no longer in India. Do not sit directly on the floor. If you must sit on the floor, put down some newspaper or cardboard first, as you will see other locals doing. Otherwise, find a seat or stand like everyone else. And for all the backpackers that we see doing yoga, handstands and other strange stretches barefoot in the airport departure lounge, whilst this is always a great laugh for us, please have some respect for fellow travellers.10. GreetingsIt is always good practice to learn how to greet people in the local language. In China you can use "Ni Hao" anywhere, but if you are travelling in a province with its own dialect, learning a bit of that dialect will go a long way with the locals.Always greet elders first. Shaking hands is acceptable and common, but other forms of contact are not. You should address people by their surnames unless you know them well.11. Money as a giftIt is very common that people give each other money in the form of “Hong Bao” (red packets) at weddings, birthdays, Chinese festivals or even when you join or leave a company.  There is normally a going rate for different occasions.  The amount should go up if you have a close relationship to the person.12. Too personal and no privacy?Chinese people have a lower expectation on privacy or what questions are too personal. At hospitals, there is often a crowd of people waiting behind you even if it is your turn to consult the doctor. People will discuss health issues in public that are seen as quite embarrassing in the Western world.  Don’t be surprised to get questions from even strangers about your marital status and family planning.​If you are travelling to Shanghai, Beijing or Shenzhen, you should be aware of some common travel scams found in China.