Thank you both for the response. The language issue is the main reason that I thought about going through Hong Kong. While I can speak a little of the language, it is far from fluent. I would of course prefer to not go to Hong Kong.

If I do go directly, is it hard to get tickets and find the train with limited language skills? You stated that the south Guanzhou station if far from Guanzhou proper. Could I take a taxi or get a car service or it just too far or the traffic is too bad consider that option?
Thanks again