Getting There
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is China’s second busiest airport with connections to major cities around the world. Twelve high-speed trains travel between Guangzhou and Hong Kong daily; the trip takes two hours.

Where to Stay
Guangzhou’s newest hotels are located in Pearl River New Town. W Guangzhou (26 Xiancun Rd., Tianhe District; 86-20/6628-6628; starwoodhotels.com; doubles from US$243) opened this year with über-cool styling by Yabu Pushelberg, a pulsing soundtrack that follows you everywhere, and buzzing nightlife options.

Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou (89 Tianhe Rd., Tianhe District; 86-20/3808-8888; doubles from US$326) adjoins TaiKoo Hui luxury shopping mall. Interiors by Tony Chi exude sophisticated elegance and there’s an outdoor pool and sundeck.

Set atop the 103-story IFC tower, Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou (5 Zhujiang West Rd., Tianhe District; 86-20/8883-3888; doubles from US$290) dazzles with a 24-floor atrium and sky-high views over the city. Relax with a flower-themed treatment at the hushed Hua Spa.

Where to Eat & Sip
Bei Yuan Restaurant (202 Xiaobei Rd., Yuexiu District; 86-20/8333-0087) serves classic Cantonese seafood and dim sum in a 1928 courtyard residence that overlooks lantern-strung gardens. At contemporary art enclave Redtory (128 Yuancun Siheng Rd., Tianhe District, 86-20/8557-4417), Ant Kitchen (No. E8-106) is a hip diner for healthy lunches; across town,  the café at Kui Yuan Gallery (9 Xuguyuan Rd., Yuexiu District, 86-20/8765-9746) makes a charming spot for coffee or tea.

By night, the three-story Fei Ultralounge at W Guangzhou is a swanky party palace with live DJs, while the brand-new Cloud Star Bar (222 Yuejiangxi Rd., Haizhu District; 86-20/8933-8222) provides  an alfresco perch atop the Canton Tower.  –AF

This article originally appeared in the October/November 2013 issue of DestinAsian (“Cool in Canton”)