I love the freedom that comes with traveling alone, the pacing and choices that become entirely your own. And I generally feel very safe and content exploring parks, museums, streets, and even alleyways when I’m by myself. But I had no idea what to expect of wandering around Guangzhou. Here’s what I discovered along the way in my solo female travel in Guangzhou.

If you’re still deciding whether to go solo, with friends, or on a tour, I’ve written more about that here.

Safety First

Guangzhou is one of the safest major cities in China, and I felt very comfortable everywhere I went. Of course, you do want to keep an eye on your belongings — every city in the world has pickpockets, so I am always reasonably cautious. Common sense should apply: stay away from dark, unfamiliar places at night; rest a hand on your bag; remain alert in crowded tourist areas. But I was never really worried in Guangzhou.

I also never felt like I was being scrutinized or stared at. Unlike my trip to rural Fujian, where many people wanted to take my picture, it felt like people were used to foreign visitors in the big city.

Eating & Getting Around

Solo dining in Guangzhou felt completely normal. Especially at lunch, people seem to dine quickly — they eat their food and move on, so you’re less likely to become self-conscious as you watch other diners chat. You’ll also see other women dining alone. Noodle shops and restaurants are often crowded — in fact, that’s a good way to decide where to eat  — so you won’t feel conspicuous.

If you’re wondering what to eat, look at what other diners are having. You’ll be happy if you stick to dim sum and noodle places, where you can ensure moderate portions. If you order an entire delicious meal of spicy Sichuan fish, you may not be able to finish the dish.

Getting around is even easier than eating out. The metro is safe and English-friendly. DiDi, China’s version of Uber, makes taxi rides a breeze (download on Google Play or the Apple App Store). I always felt safe when I was out walking during the day, even heading down random alleys …

.. and quiet park paths.

I also took multiple trips after dark, both on foot and using DiDi. While I never stayed out super-late, I was very comfortable exploring once the sun went down.

Unexpected Delights

One of the best things about traveling solo is that people are more likely to chat with you. That can be more challenging in China — chatting may require hand gestures and translation apps — but you never know who you’ll meet. I even ended up dancing with a smiling stranger in the middle of Yuexiu Park.

I also enjoy the opportunities to carve my own journeys. Venturing out on my own allows me to wander down out-of-the-way streets just to see what I might find. Had I been more destination-driven with other people, I might never have stumbled on this troupe practicing a fan dance …

… these men playing a serious game of Xiangqi (Chinese chess) …

…or truly local market streets thronged with everything from tiny pointy Black Termite mushrooms to colorful chains for sale.

I have more about these kinds of small surprises in my post about what I wish I’d known before traveling to Guangzhou.

When Things Go Wrong

I would love to say that everything is easy, but you’ll inevitably run into hiccups. WeChat in particular can be baffling, and some restaurants and ticket-booking sites use this app as their only ordering option. I spent many extra minutes looking for the translation button, trying to make sense of the impenetrable translations, or wondering why there was no way to translate the Chinese at all.

Menu translations sometimes stopped me in my tracks. “Special pig hands,” anyone? Or “high calcium cylindrical bone”?

Fortunately, no one ever made me feel rushed. In multiple instances, someone directed me to a staff member who spoke at least a few words of English. Or I just pointed at things and prayed.

Did things work out every time? No — I ended up with one disappointing eggplant dish that made me sad (I’d really wanted some noodles). Google Maps and Apple Maps both sent me far out of my way on a goose chase to find the cathedral (which ended up being closed).

It helped to remind myself that not everything had to be perfect.

Top Tips for Solo Female Travel in Guangzhou

• If it fits your budget, stay in a hotel with a concierge. They can provide indispensable advice and counsel.
• Book a tour on your first day to orient yourself to the city. If possible, ask the tour guide to teach you how to use the menu and how to order at shops without English menus.
• Carry tissues for public toilets.
• Choose a hotel near the places you want to visit. I stayed in the central business district, which was very crowded and safe, but mostly put me in the middle of a bunch of shopping malls. Next time, I would stay on Shamian Island or near Liwan Park to minimize the need for transport.

Who Might — and Might Not — Enjoy Solo Female Travel in Guangzhou

I had a great time on this trip. If you’re wondering about being a woman in this megacity, I never felt like I was treated differently because I was female. No one intruded on my personal space (except on the metro, where personal space does not appear to exist for anyone). Strangers were happy to help when I indicated my need for directions or menu assistance.

That said, you might not love this trip if you:

• Don’t like big cities.
• Feel hesitant about navigating almost entirely without speaking English. (I wrote all about this in my post on visiting Guangzhou without speaking Chinese).
• Don’t enjoy occasional uncertainty (especially around food or what other people might be saying to you).
• Don’t feel comfortable with new apps (I found Alipay, WeChat, and DiDi essential).

Would I Do This Again?

I spent five and a half days in Guangzhou and found myself wishing I had one more. I would happily recommend Guangzhou for solo female travelers, especially if you’re confident in exploring and prepared for the occasional bump in the road. From parks and museums to skyscrapers and vibrant markets, it’s an easy place to get to know modern China.