Guangzhou: Expectations vs. Reality (Spoiler: It's a Trip!)

[Lula Turner]

Phew, when it comes to talking about Guangzhou, this old travel veteran has a few words to share, especially with visitors from elsewhere. Some of these experiences might not be as "smoother" than you expect:

• Taxis: A story of high prices:

  • Hiring a taxi in Guangzhou could be quite costly! Compared to rides via ride-hailing apps like Didi (think Uber or Grab in your cities), the price is usually triple or more.
    • For example, Didi will charge 15 RMB for a short trip, but a taxi driver may ask for 100 RMB; and a 90 RMB trip through Didi may cost you over 300 RMB by taxi!
  • I feel that they have a knack for knowing how much leeway a stranger allows, especially if you speak Mandarin with a northern accent.
  • Caution Alert!
    • How to avoid pitfalls: highly recommended to download a ride-hailing app instead (like Didi). This will give you transparent pricing without hidden costs and you can also see estimated prices ahead, less stressful compared to taking a taxi!

• Maps in scenic spots are whimsical:

  • Much of the touristic destinations have maps that lack any clear directions. One can hardly find the North mark, let alone a helpful instruction like "you are here".
  • Friendly Reminder!
    • How to navigate: better to use your smartphone's built-in navigation services such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, or any other navigation apps you prefer. As opposed to the provided maps in scenic areas, these are reliable.

• Asking directions is not always straightforward:

  • Lost and want to ask direction within a scenic spot? My advice based on experience would be not to inquire from staff in uniform nor rely on the local police. They may indeed not know their way around.
  • Important Suggestion!
    • Recommendation for navigation: still the mobile app is your best bet. But if you should need a real person's help, try roadside store owners or those who look like locals. It's better to rely on a backup app though.

• However, Guangzhou's food is really impressive!

  • That being said, Guangzhou's culinary prowess deserves a thumbs-up! The food is absolutely remarkable - decent pricing, generous portions, authentic tastes, and value-wise, tops!

• Language: Be prepared mentally:

  • In Guangzhou, Cantonese remains the primary language for local interactions. It could seem like a foreign language compared to Mandarin (Chinese official language), since it's quite different.
  • As an international metropolis, Cantonese remains prevalent; sometimes you might find that Mandarin isn't as widely spoken as what you may expect, which could catch some Mandarin-speaking tourists off guard.
  • Tip:
    • Downloading a translation app beforehand would be helpful. Better yet, you could learn a few simple Cantonese greetings such as "hello (Nei hou)", "thanks (M'goi/Do ze)". Local residents will find it very friendly and hospitable towards them.

[Danielle Purdy-Weimann]

And it's the same for out-of-town cars. They'll try to aggressively cut in or squeeze by, but we absolutely don't give way.

[Mr. Otis Schaefer]

I didn't drive there, so I'm not really sure.

[Robyn Reilly]

So, what are visitors supposed to do for fun there then?

[Lula Schmidt]

Just go with your gut feeling.