Guangzhou: It's Great! ...Just Don't Expect Me Back.

Velma Thompson

You're so right. As someone born in Guangzhou, I feel this deeply. I really want to move to a quiet little town.

Emma Kihn

Actually, I really like Guangzhou. Its inclusive atmosphere makes me feel like this is what a true big city should be. Plus, I've met many very friendly locals.

April Corwin

I find Guangzhou really laid-back. Lots of people in flip-flops, dressed very casually. For someone like me with 'trendsetter phobia,' it's very welcoming. My friend and I absolutely love the beef hot pot there.

Jermaine Satterfield

Guangzhou is pretty fun, but it sounds like you went to the wrong places.

Barry Kuphal

Weren't those the recommended places like Beijing Road, Shamian Island, Yongqing Fang, Zhujiang New Town, Haixinsha, and the major plazas? I was most satisfied with Bai'e Tan and Haixinsha. Where do you guys go for fun?

Dana Sanford

I really don't get people who travel and then trash the tourist spots. Where isn't crowded during summer vacation? Isn't our heat famous all over China? Since you knew it would be hot and crowded, and you still chose to come... Besides, Guangzhou already has a large population, add to that the holidays, and it being a popular tourist destination. If you like Shanghai so much, then just go to Shanghai. Why rant online? If you like shopping, then go to Shenzhen or Shanghai. Guangzhou indeed doesn't have as many plazas as Shenzhen, but it offers a different kind of culture and flavor. If all you're looking for is air-conditioned malls, WiFi, and fewer people, then really, don't come to Guangzhou, because you clearly won't appreciate its rich cultural heritage and unique tourist attractions.

Bob Heller

Well, I didn't know before I came either. And I'd like to ask you: if you can't stand hearing negative opinions, why do you even bother reading them and torturing yourself?

Ms. Wanda Kilback

Oh my god, I feel the complete opposite! Guangzhou is great, I'll definitely come back. When I'm with a group, I always get a 7-seater. It's super fast, and the drivers' service is way better than in Beijing.

Israel Koss

Well, if you're comparing it to Beijing, then yeah, that makes sense. Beijing is pretty boring, after all.

Karen Bruen

As someone from Hangzhou, I've been up late looking at guides – heading to Guangzhou the day after tomorrow! I've already been to Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, so how could I miss out on visiting and eating my way through Guangzhou?!

Miss Alison Collier

Honestly, there's no need to follow guides from Xiaohongshu. They're mostly useless. You'll understand when you visit the places they recommend.

Mr. Nathan Waelchi

I don't get why ride-hailing is hard. Usually, I use Ruqi, and for 7-seaters, Gaode or Didi. Locals avoid the 'deathly' Line 3. Many internet-famous spots are actually terrible; locals don't go there.

Helen Gleason

I've already explained the specific reasons. Plus, it's just me and my child traveling; I never even considered getting a 7-seater.

Steve Beatty

That's clearly a sweeping generalization. I respect and understand your feelings, but to draw such conclusions based on just a few days' experience shows a fundamental lack of respect and understanding of Guangzhou.
You weren't really here to travel; you were just here to take photos for your social media to show off. Guangzhou is modest and low-key, without too many 'prestige projects' for you to photograph. It's normal that you prefer Shenzhen, which is shiny and glamorous, since you only look at the surface and don't understand depth and substance.
Since you're from Jiangsu, why don't you recommend those restaurants, including dessert shops, that you claim taste no different from Guangzhou's Cantonese cuisine? Let everyone go and compare. It's normal you can't appreciate the uniqueness of 'Food in Guangzhou'; after all, you're just here for photos and don't know how to savor the flavors.
If your taxis always took 10-15 minutes or more to arrive, and it wasn't during peak hours, then it's probably just your bad luck.
Discussing urban management with you would be like casting pearls before swine. Let's just drop it.

Barry Kuphal

I took a few token photos on the first day and none after that. It's not like I've never seen the world. What do you mean I was just here for photos? Is Guangzhou really something I'd need to show off? You're the one I'm casting pearls before swine by talking to you.

Sadie Ortiz-Waelchi

Guangzhou won't miss you.

Samuel Kihn

And I think there's one too many of you here. How about you show yourself out?

Mr. Nathan Waelchi

Regarding the e-scooters, as a Guangzhou local, I have to agree, they're a mess. Even my friend visiting from the US for a week was shocked by how they dart around chaotically. But saying Guangzhou's food isn't as good as Shanghai's? That's where I absolutely disagree! As someone who also travels to Shanghai frequently for business, even with meal budgets over 1000 RMB per person, I have to say, the food there often isn't great! It's so sweet, I worry about getting diabetes! Guangzhou's food scene caters to all budgets: you can get an authentic bowl of fish ball noodles from a time-honored stall for 10 RMB, or a luxurious Cantonese meal for 1000 RMB – it has everything. Moreover, in Guangzhou, and even across Guangdong, if there's even one person at the table who speaks Mandarin, everyone, regardless of age or how poor their Mandarin is, will try their best to speak it. In Shanghai, they just speak Shanghainese whether you understand or not, as if it's your fault for not understanding their dialect!

Miss Alison Collier

Did I say it wasn't as good as Shanghai? I said it was just average, no different from similar restaurants in my own city. And speaking of language, I don't think any city compares to you guys – you even type in Cantonese! Just scroll down and see for yourselves. Who do you all think you are, acting so high and mighty?