China Guangzhou Skyline day, night Guangzhou China , Aerial views of Guangzhou night

Guangzhou (Chinese:; Cantonese pronunciation: or (About this soundlisten); Mandarin pronunciation: (About this soundlisten)), also known as Canton and formerly romanized as Kwangchow or Kwong Chow, 6 is the capital and most populous city of the province of Guangdong in southern On the Pearl River about 120 km (75 mi) northnorthwest of Hong Kong and 145 km (90 mi) north of Macau, Guangzhou has a history of over 2, 200 years and was a major terminus of the maritime Silk Road, 8 and continues to serve as a major port and transportation hub, as well as one of China s three largest cities.