Port of Guangzhou, Coastal port complex in Guangzhou, China

The Port of Guangzhou is a river and sea port whose harbor areas line the Pearl River in Guangzhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Shenzhen and Zhuhai. Its terminals include Nansha, Xinsha, Huangpu and the Inner Harbor, with blue steel gantry cranes on rails beside the water, stacked containers and berths for vessels up to 100,000 tonnes at Nansha.

The port began as a trading settlement during the Qin dynasty more than 2,000 years ago. Over the centuries, it grew into one of the most important harbors along the ancient Silk Road trade route.

Guangzhou's role as a sea trade port dates to the Qin dynasty, and Tang and Song records describe the Guangzhou sea route as the world's longest ocean shipping line. The port also contributed to the Canton Hospital, a missionary hospital. Today its container terminals place it among the world's ten largest container ports.

The port is located in a river area that allows large ships to enter even when water levels are low. Keep in mind that this is an active working port, so some areas may not be accessible without special permission.

The port lies where the Dongjiang, Xijiang and Beijiang rivers meet, and all three carry waterways, railways, expressways and air lines that cross here. In 1999 it passed 100 million tons of annual cargo, the second mainland Chinese port to do so.