This paper elaborates the meaning of strategy-led urban design towards 2049 through exploring complex political-economic contexts and abundant planning practices in recent Guangzhou. It consists of four parts around this theme: the first is the strategic contexts of conducting urban design in Guangzhou; the second is the stages and trends of urban development of Guangzhou; the third is specific strategies utilized to lead and organize urban design in Guangzhou in last decade; and the last is a vision for the high-quality urban design towards 2049.