Guitou has Guishan Mountain in the northwest, also known as Guitang Mountain. Guitou Street is at the southeast end of Guishan Mountain, so it is named Guitou.

Guishan is named after the many sweet-scented osmanthus trees growing on the mountain.

In 1940, Guitou was a model township when the provincial government moved to Shaoguan - called Renhe Township.

In 1957, it was the county seat of Shaobian Yao Autonomous County.

Guitou Commune was established at the end of 1958. In 1983, Guitou Commune was changed to Guitou District, and in 1986 it was changed to Guitou Town.

In November 1988, Yangxi Township was separated, and Caotianping Village was returned to Fangdong Forest Farm.

In February 2001, the original Fangdong Forest Farm and Yangxi Township were merged into Guitou Town. In May 2005, the Fangdong Village Committee was transferred to Bibei Town during regional adjustment.