It is the commercial, political and cultural centre of Guangdong[2][better source needed] and noted for its high-quality education.

However, according to archaeological discoveries, it has been confirmed that there were inhabitants settled in Guangzhou region at least three to four thousand years ago.

[4] The area would serve as the seat of government for numerous successive administrative divisions, including Lingnan Circuit [zh] and Xingwang Fu (Chinese: 兴王府).

[4] Beginning in the late 1990s and early 2000s, a number of sub-Saharan Africans began to move to Guangzhou, many of whom settled area of Xiaobei,[7] within Yuexiu District.

[5] Creative Power Entertaining is headquartered in the Wuzi Building[note 1] in the Yuexiu District.

[10][11] The Mainland China offices of Dairy Farm Group are located at the Guangdong Mechanical Sub-Building[note 2] in the district.

[12] Due to the notable Muslim population within the Xiaobei neighborhood, the area has attracted a cluster of Halal butchers, restaurants, and various stores.

[13] Previously the École Française Internationale de Canton, the French international school of Guangzhou, was located at the GoldArch Riverdale[note 3] development on Ersha Island.