Guangzhou? Not My Vibe.
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Well, my recent trip to Guangzhou was rather disappointing. Here's an honest account of the experience:
- The so-called "Guangpǔ" accent – referring to the Beijing Mandarin spoken in Guangzhou with a pronounced Cantonese influence – really put me through my paces in communicating. Whenever I tried saying something, they seemed not to fully understand, and vice versa, making the conversation rather challenging.
- The cab drivers I encountered were not particularly warm or welcoming; their demeanor appeared somewhat cold.
- The most terrifying encounter was at the homestay accommodation (a small local-style hotel) I had booked, where there even was a huge roach crawling on the floor downstairs! Crikey!
- Originally intending to stay for another two days, after these incidents, I immediately changed my flight back to Shanghai for the same night. I bid farewell to Guangzhou temporarily ("886").
Later, when I posted about this trip online, the comments section echoed various voices. A sister's (a familiar and affectionate term used by netizens) comment made me feel much warmer inside.
- She mentioned I might not have been very lucky in choosing accommodations with suboptimal conditions, such as the location being a bit far or picking an unpopular time period.
- Taking that into account, I believe Guangzhou should still be a great city to visit. If given the chance again, I would certainly make it a point to explore downtown Guangzhou and get a taste of the true essence of the city!
For those planning to travel to Guangzhou soon, here are some tips: - Watch out for the language barrier!
- Many people in Guangzhou speak Cantonese in everyday life, so when they switch to Mandarin, there will often be notable accents ("Guangpǔ"). If you yourself are not too proficient in Mandarin or aren't used to different accents, communication might get tricky.
- What to do? Download a handy translation app beforehand. Write down the names of your destination and the hotel address in Chinese to show to the driver or pedestrians – it'll make things much easier!
- Cab ride experience can vary depending on luck!
- The unfriendly cab drivers I encountered probably don't represent the whole industry; however it is possible.
- What to do? Use a taxi-booking software and input your destination directly to minimize communication issues. Or, simply present your pre-written address in Chinese to the driver.
- Be cautious of living environment (especially if opting for a homestay)!
- Guangzhou, located in central southern China, has a hot and humid climate, which means bugs (especially large cockroaches!) may be more common than expected. This is especially possible in older houses and guesthouses with average hygiene standards.
- What to do? Before booking a room, read numerous reviews, focusing on feedback regarding hygiene, pest control. If you're worried about bugs, choosing mid-range hotel chains located in the downtown area is probably a safer choice; higher floors may help too.
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I find that B&Bs in China generally don't meet hotel standards. I'd recommend booking a hotel. I stayed in one in Guangzhou for over 300 yuan and never saw any cockroaches.
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Thanks for the advice, sis! I don't usually stay in B&Bs either. The bride actually booked it for us bridesmaids, but I ended up not staying there and headed back to Shanghai that same night. Hopefully, next time I visit, I'll stay in a nice hotel in the city, and I won't run into these kinds of problems.
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What you're saying pretty much sums up my 5 years in Guangzhou, plus the sweltering and humid weather.
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I assumed Guangzhou would be like Shanghai, with lots of people from out of town and Mandarin being widely spoken. I didn't expect to see a massive dead cockroach on the ground – I was so startled I screamed! Then, two people behind me just kept laughing.
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I was expecting you to say something like how accommodating locals are, trying to speak Mandarin (even if it's not their strong suit) with outsiders. But then you said you dislike Cantonese-accented Mandarin – that's not what I anticipated at all.
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Honestly, Cantonese-accented Mandarin can be really hard to understand, making communication quite challenging.
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Isn't it a sign of being accommodating that they try to communicate with you in Cantonese-accented Mandarin, even if it's not standard? You'd understand if you visited some areas in Southwestern China.
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Good point.
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Well, hurry up and leave then.
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Already back! Bye-bye~
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You're so lucky! You actually got to hear Cantonese-accented Mandarin that's hard to understand, and you got to see cockroaches.
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Yep, super lucky.
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Oh, OP, I totally feel you! I'm seriously wondering why I even came here to put myself through this.