It is envisioned as tangential line that runs across southeast Guangzhou and Foshan, allowing for orbital traffic between the suburbs of Shunde, Panyu and Huangpu to avoid the crowded stations in the city center.

The plan for west extension of the first phase from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Meidi Dadao in Shunde District, Foshan was approved in October 2015.

The line then heads east to serve and encourage development around the Xinzao and Hualong areas and cross the Pearl River to terminate at the Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone,[9] which today will be served by the under construction Line 5 Phase II extension.

Subsequently, Line 7's design was greatly revised in 2003, with the alignment east of Dashi was shifted north to Huangpu District via Shaxi, University Town and Changzhou Island.

During initial planning, Line 7 considered the use of 4 car L-type light metro trains for operation.