Guide to Visiting Canton Tower - Tips, Opening Hours, and Tickets

Canton Tower is one of the top sites to visit in Guangzhou. It’s the city’s best-known landmark, the highest tower in China, and the third-highest tower in the world.

Beyond its height, it’s also instantly recognizable for its distinctive shape. Designer Mark Hemel gave the tower a cinched middle, creating its famous “waist.” Its twisting silhouette is often compared to a woman turning to look over her shoulder. At its narrowest point, the tower is only about 30 meters across, and this distinctive shape is why locals nicknamed it “Xiao Manyao,” or “Slim Waist.”

The tower offers sweeping views over Guangzhou, but you’ll also find restaurants and several rides set high above the city. It’s a great place for photos and worth visiting if you want something more exciting than a standard observation deck. Several of the attractions here even hold world records.

In this guide, based on my own visits, I’ll help you decide what’s worth seeing at Canton Tower and how to make the most of your time there.

Is Canton Tower Worth Visiting?

Yes—especially if you love skyline views, taking photos, or a bit of a thrill.

What makes Canton Tower exciting is that it takes the kind of rides you’d normally find in an amusement park and puts them more than 400 meters above the ground. There really aren’t many places in the world where you can do these things up so high, and for that reason alone, Canton Tower is worth visiting. And if you enjoy a mix of views and thrills, it’s one of the most memorable experiences in the city.

But even if you just go up to the observation deck, it still feels worth the ticket price, as you get wide views over Guangzhou, the Pearl River, and the city skyline.

Best Time to Visit

The best advice that I can give you is to visit on a weekday if you can.

From my own experience, the best time to go up is around 5:00 p.m. to get the best mix of light, views, and atmosphere. When you arrive you’ll get daytime views, then stay as the sun goes down and the lights along the river and across the city come on. Even on weekdays, the tower can get busy, so try to enter before 6:00 p.m. if possible.

If you’re not interested in the night view, a weekday morning is your best option. It’s usually much less crowded, which means less time standing in line and a smoother visit overall.

If your schedule is tight, I’d definitely try to avoid weekends and public holidays, when the lines are really long.

Between collecting tickets, going through security, waiting for the elevator, and lining up for the Bubble Tram, and then queueing again for the elevator on the way out, you could easily end up spending three to four hours waiting.

How to Choose Between the Observation Decks

Canton Tower has several observation decks at different heights, and each one offers a slightly different experience. In general, the higher you go, the better the views and and the bigger the thrill.

Free Viewing Area: Second-Floor Outdoor Plaza

If you want a good view without going up the tower, this is a nice free option. The second-floor outdoor plaza sits right by the river and has wide, open views across the Pearl River toward Guangzhou’s skyline.

The area is also nicely lit after dark, so it’s a perfect spot for a short stroll. It’s also a great view of the tower looking up from the ground level.

Paid Observation Decks Inside the Tower

428m/433m Observation Decks (Floors 107/108)

These two levels are both indoor observation decks, so they’re a good choice if you want the views without being out in the wind. Both levels have a unique theme (White Cloud and Starry Sky) and glass skywalks, which makes it an exciting experience but not too intense.

You’ll also find a Space Post Office here, where you can buy souvenirs or send postcards to friends and family.

450m Outdoor Observation Deck

This level is outdoors, so the views are more open and it’s generally better for photos. That said, some angles on this level are partly blocked by the Ferris wheel, so I recommend heading straight to the Bubble Tram, where you’ll get the thrill of being above the city but a clearer view.

488m Top Observation Deck

This level is also outdoors, and there’s very little to block the view. From up here, the whole city seems to open up below you, so it’s one of the best levels for photography. The views here are particularly excellent at sunset, in the soft evening light, or when the city is lit up after dark.

The Sky Drop free-fall ride is also on this level, so if you love thrill rides, this is definitely one to put on your list for your visit.

Top Attractions at Canton Tower

Canton Tower has several standout attractions.

1. 460m Bubble Tram: most popular ride for couples

The Bubble Tram (Ferris wheel) is one of the most popular attractions at Canton Tower. It’s about 10 meters above the 450-meter observation deck and has 16 glass bubble cabins that move slowly around the top of the tower. The full ride takes about 20 minutes, giving you 360-degree views of the city throughout.

This is a great ride for couples, and it’s also a good option for families with children. For many kids, this ends up being the most exciting part of the whole visit.

2. 485m Sky Drop: most intense thrill ride

This is another of Canton Tower’s best-known attractions, and it’s famous specifically for its height, which has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the highest free-fall ride in the world.

The ride first lifts you to around 485 meters, then drops you about 31 meters in a free-fall descent. While this would be a typical drop at an amusement park, hundreds of meters above the ground it’s uniquely thrilling.

The ride lasts just over 10 seconds, but it’s more than enough time to get a quick adrenaline rush and shaky legs afterward. If you have a heart condition or are afraid of heights, I wouldn’t recommend this one.

Sky Drop Restrictions

You won’t be allowed to do the Sky Drop if any of the following apply:

You are under 1.4 meters tall or over 1.95 meters tall
You weigh more than 95 kg
You are 65 or older
You are pregnant
You have a fear of heights, high blood pressure, or heart disease
You use a prosthetic limb or have limited mobility

3. Alpha Discovery Park (Landmark α)

This is also one of the most popular experiences at Canton Tower. It includes several activities high above the ground, so there are options for visitors with different comfort levels. But as someone afraid of heights, every activity here feels intense to me.

Skywalk: the closest you’ll get to walking in the sky

Out of all the experiences here, this is probably the least intense. It’s an aerial viewing path 325 meters above the ground, and the full loop is about 90 meters long.

It’s not an ordinary viewing path, but rather a narrow walkway made only of metal grating, with no guardrails. It’s only about 80 centimetres wide, and some sections slope as steeply as 45 degrees. The moment you step onto it, there’s open air beneath your feet and wind rushing past you, so it really does feel like you’re walking in the sky. The full experience takes about 30 minutes.

Along the way, you’ll also find the Sky Eye and several outdoor viewing platforms. The Sky Eye is probably the most intense part of the Skywalk. Using a special safety system, you’re taken outside the tower onto a very small platform, only big enough for one person, with no guardrails, no glass, and nothing between you and the city far below.

There are also two observation platforms outside the tower along the route. One has guardrails and one doesn’t, so you can choose whichever feels more comfortable.

Air Adventure: a ropes course high above the ground

Air Adventure is another very popular experience inside Alpha Discovery Park. It’s a high ropes course similar to those found in lots of places around the world, but instead of being tucked away in a forest, it’s a few hundred meters above the ground.

In the course, you climb and work your way through a series of obstacles at 168 to 330 meters high. As soon as you take your first step and see the city below you, you’ll realize just how high you are.

There are three different routes:

Green Route: 188 meters — beginner
Blue Route: 198 meters — intermediate
Red Route: 298 meters — advanced

Each route is unique, and as the height increases, the obstacles become more difficult too. If it’s your first time, the Green Route is the best place to start, but if you already enjoy this kind of activity and want something more challenging, try the Red Route.

You’ll also be given an action camera, so your whole climb can be recorded and you can keep the video as a souvenir.

What to Know Before You Try It

If you’re planning to do Air Adventure, here are a few practical things to know ahead of time:

Wear comfortable clothes, and avoid skirts or dresses.
Wear non-slip sneakers.
It’s best to bring your own gloves to protect your hands, although you can also buy them on-site.
There are lockers here, and for safety reasons you won’t be allowed to carry personal items during the course, since anything dropped from that height could be dangerous.
It’s also a good idea to have a bottle of water and a snack ready for after, especially something sugary so you can get some energy back.

After the course, you can also get an official souvenir certificate from Alpha Discovery Park.

Ticket Prices

Skywalk

RMB 388 per person

Air Adventure

Green Route: RMB 488 per person
Blue Route: RMB 588 per person
Red Route: RMB 688 per person
Companion Ticket: RMB 200 per person

If you finish one Air Adventure route and still want more, you can get 50% off a second route.

All the prices above include the benefits that come included with a White Cloud Starry Sky sightseeing ticket.

You can buy tickets through Canton Tower’s official WeChat mini program or at the on-site ticket counter. The mini program doesn’t offer combo tickets, so if you want to try multiple activities, check Trip for combo tickets for experiences like Skywalk and the 460-meter Bubble Tram that are cheaper than buying everything separately.

Important: Bring your passport. You’ll need it for ticket collection and entry.

Other Things to Do

Celebrity Wax Museum

The Celebrity Wax Museum is more of a casual stop inside Canton Tower. It features impressively realistic wax figures of well-known Chinese and international celebrities.

The collection covers notable people from a range of fields, and it’s a fun place to stop for a few photos.

Science Exhibition Hall (Floors 109 and 110)

This area is great for anyone who is interested in the tower itself beyond just the views, because you can see Canton Tower’s hybrid vibration control system, including the dampers that help the tower cope with strong winds and earthquakes at high altitude.

The exhibits also cover several of the tower’s other engineering systems, including rainwater recycling, wind power, solar photovoltaic curtain walls, structural health monitoring, hybrid vibration system control system, and the super high-speed double-deck elevator. Together, these form Canton Tower’s six main green technology systems.

Most of the exhibits have both Chinese and English explanations, so they’re easy for international visitors to follow.

4D Theater (Floors 18-22)

Floors 18 to 22 of Canton Tower include 3D and 4D theaters. The space has a cool futuristic design, but if you’re visiting as a tourist, I wouldn’t recommend spending part of your trip watching a movie here. Unless it really appeals to you, it can feel like a bit of a waste of time when there’s so much else to see and do in the tower.

Dining

Besides the views and attractions, you can also dine inside Canton Tower. Some of the main options include:

TWIST Buffet & Revolving Restaurant: on the 106th floor, with wide views over the city while you dine.
Hui Yue Xuan Cantonese Restaurant: on floors 103 to 103A, serving a more refined Cantonese meal.
Sky Bar: on the 107th floor, better for drinks and casual sightseeing.
Lutes French Restaurant: on the 105th floor, serving French food with rotating views as well.

These restaurants are all on the expensive side, but they come with the White Cloud Starry Sky sightseeing ticket. If you also want to visit the higher observation decks, you’ll need to pay extra.

One big advantage to eating at the tower is that you won’t have to join the regular entry line, and can just use the fast-access lane and head straight up.

Things to Know Before You Visit Canton Tower

1. Bring your passport. You can buy tickets online in advance or on-site, but either way, you’ll need your passport for ticket collection and entry.

2. Canton Tower uses timed entry. After buying a ticket for a specific time slot, you need to enter before the latest entry time for that slot. For example, if your ticket is for 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., you must enter before 6:00 p.m.

3. If you can, visit on a weekday. Weekends and public holidays can get very crowded. During peak hours, you may end up spending up to three hours waiting in line during your visit.

4. Wear practical shoes. If you’re planning to do activities like Air Adventure, I’d strongly recommend wearing sneakers, which will make your experience safer and more comfortable.

5. If you’re not interested in the night view, go in the morning. Weekday mornings are usually less crowded, so you’ll save yourself a lot of waiting time.

6. Check the weather before you go. I wouldn’t recommend visiting on a rainy day if possible. Some attractions may not be open, and the views won’t be nearly as good either.

7. Food and drinks inside the tower are expensive. If you want to save a little money, it’s worth bringing your own water and snacks.

How to Get to Canton Tower

By metro: Take Metro Line 3 or the APM Line to Canton Tower Station, then take Exit B.
By bus: Take Bus 11, 262, 468, or Tourist Bus Line 1 and get off at Canton Tower West Stop.
By tram: Take Haizhu Tram Line 1 and get off at Canton Tower Station.
By taxi or ride-hailing app: Just set your destination to Canton Tower.

Opening Hours

Canton Tower is open from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and tickets are sold until 10:00 p.m.

Some attractions have their own opening hours:

Bubble Tram	Regular days: 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday: 3:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The last Monday of each month: 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Sky Drop	Regular days: 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday: 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The last Monday of each month: 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Alpha Discovery Park	Monday to Friday: 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Weekends and public holidays: 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Because attraction hours can change for maintenance, weather, or special events, it’s always worth checking the latest schedule before you go.

Ticket Prices

433m White Cloud Starry Sky Sightseeing Ticket — RMB 150

This ticket includes:

The observation decks on 107F and 108F
The glass skywalk
The Science Exhibition Hall on 109F and 110F

Free Admission

Seniors aged 75 and above
Children under 6 years old or under 1.2 meters tall
Each adult can bring up to two children who qualify for free admission

Half-Price Admission

Visitors celebrating their birthday
Seniors aged 60 to 74
Minors aged 6 to 18
Full-time students (undergraduate level and below)
Children between 1.2 and 1.5 meters tall

Combo Tickets

If you want to do more than one attraction, a combo ticket can be much better value than buying everything separately.

Combo Tickets	Adult	Child (1.2m–1.5m)
433m White Cloud Starry Sky Ticket + 450m Outdoor Observation Deck	RMB 228	RMB 114
White Cloud Starry Sky Deck + 450m Outdoor Deck + Sky Drop	RMB 298	RMB 149
White Cloud Starry Sky Deck + 450m Outdoor Deck + Bubble Tram (Recommended!)	RMB 268	RMB 134
White Cloud Starry Sky Deck + 450m Outdoor Deck + 488m Top Observation Deck	RMB 328	RMB 164
White Cloud Starry Sky Deck + 450m Outdoor Deck + Sky Drop + Bubble Tram + 488m Top Observation Deck	RMB 398	RMB 199

Final Thoughts

If you’re visiting Guangzhou, Canton Tower is absolutely worth a visit. Between the skyline views, the observation decks, and the high thrill rides, it’s one of the most memorable experiences in the city.

Now that I’ve covered what makes Canton Tower special, which attractions are worth your time, and a few practical tips from my own visits, I hope it makes planning your trip a little easier.

If you still have any questions about visiting Canton Tower, feel free to leave a comment, and I’ll reply as soon as I can!