As a long lasting and sometimes the only foreign trade port of China, Guangzhou is the experimental ground for new foreign trading policies and structures envisioned by the imperial government. The changing policies and structures of foreign trade not only influence the culture and society in Guangzhou but also left marks on its urban development. The location of port area in Guangzhou has shifted several times due to the different needs for the trading activities, and its relationship with the walled city of Guangzhou varied. While the urban history of Guangzhou and its changing port areas are well studied, this article explore the influence of different foreign trading policies and structures behind the decision making of Guangzhou’s port area development. Through a reading of the foreign trade history and urban development of Guangzhou from 6th to 20th century, this article looks at Guangzhou’s foreign trade management and urban development together in a chronological order to understand how different expansion of new ports were created to meet the demands of its foreign trade activities. As conclusion this article argues that the different foreign trading policies and structures had causes the dynamic port-city relationship of Guangzhou in history.