Airbnb: Zhongshan W Ave, Guangzhou. Website: website here.
The cheapies are out there, you just need to know where to look. On Airbnb, for example, you can find this place offering accommodation for 40-50RNB (US$7-8) per night. The entry reads: "" villages in city" called by Chinese is a little complex.let me explain it to you from its begain .first before China reformation ,China economy is very weak,and city is very small ,so at that time,those village just outside of city but neighbor it.after China reformation ,China economy increase,so the city also expand to biger and biger,at last the expanding city just swallow those villages,but according to municipal administration,those villages still not belong to city,so people of those villages still be peasant not citizen,city authorities can not manage them,so if you do business in those villages ,you do not need to pay taxe,just need to pay house rent.in this case almost everything in those villages are very cheap.so it is why i recommend this family hotl for you..."

Jin An Hostel: Near Canton Fair, Yijing Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510300.
Dorm beds for about $10 per night.

Guangzhou Dawu Youth Hostel: .
Get a private room for 110RNB.