the main reason i suggested shenzhen is mainly logistics, i.e. if u are planning for a day trip, u sd probably think about shenzhen instead of guangzhou. however, if u plan to stay overnight, guangzhou is a better place than shenzhen.

what u wd see in shenzhen is post-80 china. but guangzhou is a much older and more sophisticated city, with a number od cultural sites as well.
1. white swan is the best hotel, by the river....also walk by the river bank reminds u of what GZ is like 50 years ago...similar to bunk in shanghai...
2. places to see: sun yat-sen memorial hall, huanghuagang memorial, yuexiu park (an ancient tower and the ram sculture)
3. as for food/etc...similar to Shenzhen but GZ of course has more of the authenic cantonese food