If you find yourself in Hong Kong with a few extra days, why not take a trip up into southern China to its southern commercial hub, Guangzhou? Formally known as Canton, the city has been the destination for traders for centuries, situated as it is on the Pearl River.
A new generation of business travelers is certainly present in this sprawling metropolis today, but Guangzhou has become more than simply a place of interest to business travelers only. There is a nascent tourist industry, and there are activities and accommodations that will fit travelers on a budget, even backpackers. The real attraction of Guangzhou however is simply to wander its parks and indoor and outdoor shopping malls, marveling at the scale of the development that characterizes the new China. Nowhere is this more evident than in this city, and even a few days is enough to form an impression of just how economically vibrant the country has become.
Guangzhou is just a pleasant half-day train ride up from Hong Kong, taking you through bustling Shenzen, and by the time you arrive at the central station in Guangzhou you will already have been impressed by the size of the city as well as its modernity. There is a metro system in Guangzhou though taxis are relatively inexpensive too, although it's best to have your destination written down in Cantonese if you'd like to avoid unnecessary head scratching and driving around!
I was surprised at just how many good hotels are located in Guangzhou at prices that offer excellent value for money by Western standards. It is not at all difficult to find a room for US $30 per night, expensive by Chinese standards generally (compared to rural areas), but certainly on par or better than what you'd find in the West for that price. I would suggest heading down to Shamian Island, an oasis of quiet in this rather hectic city. It was formerly a trading outpost for Europeans in the 19th century, and the colonial architecture and wide streets certainly took me by surprise. There are several budget hotels and even hostels on the island, as well as some nice restaurants by the river.
While in Guangzhou don't miss a nighttime Pearl River cruise dinner, for reviews of the neon lit skyline: Chinese skyscrapers have a lot more color at night than their staid Western counterparts.
A cultural activity you will enjoy is the Yue Ju, or Cantonese opera, which might remind you just a little bit of Japanese kabuki. Ask around, some of the larger hotels will be able to point you in the right direction.
The mix of old and new you find in Guangzhou makes the city a legitimate travelers' destination now, a lot more than just a place to conduct business. Cheap Guangzhou hotels, reasonably priced restaurants and street food, as well as fairly easy local transport, puts the city on the map for budget travelers as well. I'd suggest going sooner rather than later; the pace of change here makes it clear that the city will be transformed again in just a few years.