Best Expat Neighborhoods in Guangzhou: Where Foreigners Actually Live

Most foreigners end up living in the same handful of areas for one boring reason: Guangzhou is big, and commuting steals your soul. The expat “default” is Tianhe CBD / Zhujiang New Town because it’s packed with offices, malls, and services, and it’s one of the city’s most concentrated business zones. If you’re here for trade, Pazhou matters too because the Canton Fair Complex is on Pazhou Island. And if you want to live like a normal human and not an exhausted taxi passenger, you’ll care about metro access because the city’s core neighborhoods are stitched together by major lines and stations.

This is a directory-style list based on what I see expats actually choose, plus what I recommend when friends ask “where should I live?” I double-check the practical details (stations, common naming, local listings) against Zhujianger, but I’m not going to spam citations all over your life.

Quick picker: choose your vibe

If you want the fast answer, pick the line that sounds like you:

• “I want modern + easiest life” → Zhujiang New Town / Liede
• “I want central but cheaper than Zhujiang New Town” → Tiyu Xilu / Shipaiqiao / Gangding (Tianhe)
• “I want old Guangzhou charm and calm walks” → Shamian / Liwan
• “I want ‘central expat’ without the ultra-luxury bubble” → Taojin / Ouzhuang (Yuexiu)
• “I’m here for trade fairs / Pazhou commute” → Pazhou (Haizhu)
• “I have a family and want space” → Panyu (Nancun Wanbo / Hanxi Changlong area)

Best expat neighborhoods in Guangzhou (directory table)

Neighborhood	Chinese	Best for	Rent vibe	Why foreigners pick it	Key metro stations (EN / 中文)
Zhujiang New Town	珠江新城	first-timers, business, “easy mode”	$$$	modern, walkable pockets, malls, international services	Zhujiang New Town / 珠江新城; Liede / 猎德
Liede	猎德	high-end living + river vibe	$$$	newer buildings, good food streets nearby	Liede / 猎德; Tancun / 潭村
Tiyu Xilu–Tianhe Road	体育西路–天河路	convenience + shopping	$$–$$$	malls, transit hub energy, very practical	Tiyu Xilu / 体育西路
Shipaiqiao–Gangding	石牌桥–岗顶	students, young professionals	$$	cheaper Tianhe options, super connected	Shipaiqiao / 石牌桥; Gangding / 岗顶
Taojin	淘金	central + calmer + expat-ish	$$–$$$	older but comfy, good access to Tianhe/Yuexiu	Taojin / 淘金
Ouzhuang	区庄	central, hospitals, “I need convenience”	$$	good connections, lots of daily-life stuff	Ouzhuang / 区庄
Shamian	沙面	charm, walking, quiet	$$–$$$	colonial-era island vibe, peaceful	Huangsha / 黄沙 (nearby)
Liwan (around Shangxiajiu-ish)	荔湾	old Guangzhou culture	$–$$	food, markets, local life	Changshou Lu / 长寿路; Huangsha / 黄沙
Pazhou	琶洲	Canton Fair commute	$$–$$$	close to fairgrounds, newer developments	Pazhou / 琶洲; Xingangdong / 新港东
Panyu	番禺	families, space, newer compounds	$–$$	larger apartments, calmer, good malls	Nancun Wanbo / 南村万博; Hanxi Changlong / 汉溪长隆

Now the details, the way a real person explains it.

1) Zhujiang New Town (珠江新城): the default “expat HQ”

This is the area I recommend when someone lands and says, “I don’t know anything, I just want life to be easy.” It’s modern Guangzhou: towers, malls, offices, and a lot of services aimed at people who don’t want to struggle.

Best for: first year in Guangzhou, business people, people who want predictable comfort
Reality check: it’s expensive, and some buildings feel a bit “hotel-lobby sterile”
Stations to save: Zhujiang New Town / 珠江新城, Liede / 猎德

If you’re working in central Tianhe or you just want to be close to everything international-ish, this is the safest bet.

2) Liede (猎德): “Zhujiang New Town, but more livable”

Liede sits right next to the CBD and has a more “neighborhood” feel in parts. I like it because it balances modern apartments with better local food options, and you can still get into the CBD fast.

Best for: people who want upscale but not soulless
Stations: Liede / 猎德, Tancun / 潭村
Why it works: newer housing stock + river-side vibes + strong location

3) Tiyu Xilu + Tianhe Road strip (体育西路 / 天河路): convenience addict’s dream

This is for people who want to be connected to everything: malls, metro lines, restaurants, and “I can solve any problem within 20 minutes.” The downside is crowds. You don’t live here for peace. You live here for efficiency.

Best for: shoppers, office workers, people who want maximum convenience
Stations: Tiyu Xilu / 体育西路
Good to know: it’s busy basically all the time

4) Shipaiqiao–Gangding (石牌桥–岗顶): cheaper Tianhe, younger vibe

When people ask me for “Tianhe but not luxury pricing,” this is where I point. You get great metro access and a very practical location, but buildings can be older and streets feel more “student/tech” than “executive.”

Best for: students, younger expats, budget-conscious professionals
Stations: Shipaiqiao / 石牌桥, Gangding / 岗顶
Tradeoff: less polished housing, more noise, more chaos

5) Taojin (淘金): central Yuexiu that still feels comfortable for foreigners

Taojin is one of those areas that doesn’t scream “expat bubble,” but foreigners still like it because it’s central and livable. It’s a solid middle ground if you want Yuexiu’s older-core convenience without going full old-town.

Best for: people who want central location but not Tianhe’s price tag
Stations: Taojin / 淘金
Vibe: calmer streets, older buildings, daily-life friendly

6) Ouzhuang (区庄): central, practical, and good for daily-life logistics

Ouzhuang is more “function” than “fashion.” It’s well-connected and full of the kind of places you actually need (services, clinics, shopping, transport links). If you’re busy and just want life to work, it works.

Best for: busy professionals, people who want central access
Stations: Ouzhuang / 区庄
Tradeoff: less “cool neighborhood” energy

7) Shamian (沙面): pretty, quiet, and slightly unreal

Shamian is a small, historic-feeling island area in Liwan that’s calm and walkable. It’s not where most expats live long-term (limited housing + tourist vibe), but if you want quiet charm, it’s a rare slice of it.

Best for: peaceful walks, “I want charm,” short stays
Nearest station: Huangsha / 黄沙
Note: beautiful, but not the most practical base for daily commuting

8) Liwan (荔湾): old Guangzhou life, food, and culture

Liwan is where you live if you want Guangzhou to feel like Guangzhou, not like “any global city with the same glass towers.” It’s cheaper in many parts, rich in street food and traditional areas, but housing quality varies wildly.

Best for: culture lovers, budget seekers, food-first people
Stations: Changshou Lu / 长寿路, Huangsha / 黄沙
Tradeoff: older apartments, sometimes less “foreigner-friendly” services

9) Pazhou (琶洲): for trade people and fair season survivors

If you’re here for sourcing, exhibitions, or anything Canton Fair-related, Pazhou suddenly becomes very attractive. It’s not the most exciting neighborhood socially, but it’s practical, newer, and saves commute time to the fairgrounds. (And during fair season, saving commute time is the same thing as saving sanity.)

Best for: Canton Fair / exhibition workers, trade visitors, business stays
Stations: Pazhou / 琶洲, Xingangdong / 新港东
Tradeoff: less nightlife and “neighborhood” feel

10) Panyu (番禺): more space, more family-friendly, more “suburban Guangzhou”

Panyu is where people go when they want larger apartments, newer compounds, and a calmer pace. The tradeoff is distance. If your job is in Tianhe, living here is a lifestyle choice, not a convenience choice.

Best for: families, people who want space, quieter living
Stations: Nancun Wanbo / 南村万博, Hanxi Changlong / 汉溪长隆
Tradeoff: longer commutes to central Guangzhou

My personal rules for choosing (so you don’t regret your lease)

1. Choose based on commute first, vibes second. Guangzhou traffic will humble anyone.
2. If you’re new: start in Tianhe (Zhujiang New Town / Liede / Tiyu Xilu). It’s the easiest landing zone.
3. If you care about “real Guangzhou,” test Yuexiu/Liwan after you’ve learned the city.
4. Don’t rent a place you’ve only seen in perfect photos. Guangzhou apartments can be… optimistic.