Canton Tower: Tickets, Opening Hours and Best Time to Go
Last checked October 19, 2026 against official sources. How we check
Quick answer
Canton Tower (广州塔) is open daily 09:30 to 22:30, according to its official site. Take Metro Line 3 or the APM line to Canton Tower Station. The official pages list no prices, so check its ticket pages or desk first. Resellers list about ¥150 for the 433 m halls and about ¥228 for the 450 m outdoor deck.
Key facts
| Time needed | 1.5 to 3 hours, longer if you add the Ferris wheel or a cruise |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 09:30–22:30 daily (official site header; resellers say last entry 22:00) |
| Nearest metro | Canton Tower 广州塔站, Lines 3 and APM; follow the 广州塔 signs (exit letter not confirmed) |
| Tower phone | (020) 89338222 (official contact page) |
| Rides | 460 m Ferris wheel, Sky Drop on the mast (separate tickets) |
| In Chinese | 广州塔 广州市海珠区阅江西路222号 |
What is Canton Tower and why go?
Canton Tower (广州塔, Guǎngzhōu Tǎ) is the TV and sightseeing tower on the south bank of the Pearl River, opposite Zhujiang New Town. You go for the view of the river, the new business district and the old city, and for the lights at night. It is the easiest landmark in Guangzhou to reach by metro, and it works as a first evening if you land late. See the things to do in Guangzhou overview for how it fits with other sights.
Photo: Tim Wu · CC BY-SA 4.0 DetailsWhich deck or ride should you choose?
The official site describes five separate experiences. Pick by what you want to see, not by height alone.
| Experience | Height | What the official pages say |
|---|---|---|
| White Cloud and Starry Sky halls (白云星空观光大厅) | 428 m and 433 m | Two indoor halls with a transparent glass walkway that hangs out over the drop |
| 450 m outdoor platform (450米户外观景平台) | 450 m | The cheapest way to stand in the open air at the top; you walk up steps around the platform |
| 488 m outdoor platform (488米户外观景平台) | 488 m | The highest open-air platform |
| Ferris wheel (摩天轮) | 460 m | 16 transparent pods, 6 people each, about 20 minutes per turn |
| Sky Drop (极速云霄) | On the mast | A drop ride listed on the official site; details not checked |
If you only want one thing, the 433 m halls are the usual starting point because they are indoors. Add an outdoor platform if the sky is clear. Skip the Sky Drop unless you want the ride itself.
How much are tickets?
The official site does not print prices on the pages we could read. The “ticket guide” page (购票指引) points to online booking, and the sister cruise pages point to the WeChat mini-program 广州塔珠江游 and the ticket desk on the first floor. Prices are therefore not confirmed by the tower.
Reseller pages checked on October 19, 2026 list the following. They are third-party prices and change by seller and date:
| Ticket | Reseller price |
|---|---|
| 433 m White Cloud and Starry Sky halls, adult | About ¥150 |
| 450 m outdoor platform, adult | About ¥228 (includes the 433 m halls, per the same listings) |
| Child and senior | Often half price; children under 1.2 m often free (reseller notes) |
Check the tower’s official booking pages or the ticket desk before paying a reseller. Paying with a foreign card on Chinese platforms can fail; the Alipay and WeChat Pay guide explains how to set it up.
What are the opening hours?
The official site shows “营业时间：09:30~22:30” at the top of every page. Reseller listings add that the last entry is 22:00. Individual rides and platforms can open and close at different times, and the outdoor platforms may close in bad weather. Treat 22:00 as the practical deadline.
How do you get there by metro?
Take Metro Line 3 or the APM line to Canton Tower Station (广州塔站). The tower’s cruise-pier page says to leave the APM line station by the “广州塔景点出口” (Canton Tower attraction exit).
The tower’s own pages do not give an exit letter for Line 3. Do not rely on an exit letter from other sites. Follow the 广州塔 signs inside the station and check the exit map when you arrive. The Guangzhou Metro guide explains how to pay at the gates with a foreign card.
Show the driver the address if you take a taxi: 广州市海珠区阅江西路222号.
When is the best time to go?
Choose the time by the weather first. A clear late afternoon lets you see the city in daylight and stay for the lights. The tower is open until 22:30, so you can do both on one ticket if the seller allows re-entry; ask when you buy. On a hazy day the view is poor and a river cruise gives a better look at the tower. Check a forecast app before you pay, and see what to do in your first 24 hours if you land late.
Photo: 钉钉 · CC BY-SA 4.0 DetailsWhat is nearby?
The tower’s own pier, the Fortune Pier (广州塔财富码头), is on the river bank north-east of the tower, at 广州市海珠区阅江西路222号 (the same address). The tower sells combined tower-and-cruise tickets, called 江塔联游, at the first-floor ticket desk. See the Pearl River night cruise guide for the boat side.
For food, the tower has revolving restaurants and a bar, according to its site. Prices are not listed, so check the menu before you sit down.
Traps and how to avoid them
- Buying from the first reseller you find
Prices vary by seller and by day. Use the tower's official booking pages or the ticket desk at the tower, and compare before paying.
- Expecting one ticket to cover everything
The 433 m halls, the 450 m and 488 m outdoor platforms, the Ferris wheel and the Sky Drop are separate products. Check which one the ticket names.
- Arriving in bad visibility
On a hazy or rainy day the view is poor and outdoor platforms can close. Look at the forecast first and keep the ticket date flexible if the seller allows it.
FAQ
What is the Canton Tower metro station?
Canton Tower Station (广州塔站), served by Metro Line 3 and the APM line. The tower's own pages name this station but not an exit letter, so follow the signs for 广州塔 inside the station.
What are the Canton Tower opening hours?
The official website header says 09:30 to 22:30. Reseller pages add that the last entry is 22:00. Ride and platform hours can differ, so check on the day.
Is the Canton Tower worth going up?
It depends on the weather and what you want. The 433 m halls give a covered view and a glass walkway. The outdoor platforms add open air and cost more. On a hazy day, skip it and look at the tower from the river instead.
Can I see the tower without a ticket?
Yes. The tower is visible across Zhujiang New Town and from the Pearl River. A night boat from the tower's own pier is one way to see it lit up.
Sources
- Canton Tower official site (hours, address, contact; archived October 15, 2025)
- Canton Tower official: 450 m viewing platform
- Canton Tower official: Ferris wheel
- Canton Tower official: White Cloud and Starry Sky halls
- Canton Tower official: Pearl River cruise pier and Metro directions
- Trip.com: Canton Tower tickets and guide (reseller prices, last entry 22:00)
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it.
