The first known city built at the site of Guangzhou was Panyu founded in 214 BC. Panyu was expanded when it became the capital of the Nanyue Kingdom in 206 BC. The Han Dynasty conquered Nanyue in 111 BC and Panyu became a provincial capital and remains so until this day. In 226 AD, the city became the Guang Prefecture and people grew accustomed to calling the city Guangzhou, instead of Panyu.

The city traded frequently with foreigners by the sea routes. The foreign trade continued through every following dynasty and the city remains a major international trading port to this day.