🌟 **Guangzhou Travel: WTF Pitfalls to Dodge!** 🌟

[Dr. Lance Glover]

Sure, here is the translated text:

**Alright, fellow adventurers! While Guangzhou is a fantastic destination, bear in mind that not all the places hyped up online are worth your valuable time on a trip. Below are some spots you may wish to skip altogether, particularly if you are visiting from afar and aiming for an authentic experience.

• Mangu Garden | Definitely NOT a Thai Paradise!

  Be cautious, traveler! "Instagram versus reality" could not be more apropos here; that dreamy "Thailand-inspired" scenery is likely all about the editing and filters.

  • It is just a very small park, similar to a low-cost children's playground. One can easily cover it within 10 minutes.
  • The buildings look noticeably artificial, giving an impression that the place could potentially be mistaken for a failed theme park. You might find it difficult to locate suitable angles for taking clear shots.
  • There's little resemblance to the atmosphere of Thailand — resembling an abandoned amusement park. Even with children, they may find it boring.
  • "包晓贝" left a note saying: "Don’t believe those online images at all! That big Buddha statue resembles a toy, and there’re no decent restaurants around nearby! A total waste of time."
  • Tip-off: #GuangzhouTouristTraps / #ManguGardenNotRecommended / #FilterFails

• Pink Star Pink Space | Absurdly Expensive for Only Pic-taking!

  Exercise caution with this one! You may have encountered these shots of a "pink castle" all over the internet.

  • The accessible portions encompass a few painted pink walls just outside, which become densely populated.
  • To conduct professional shootings or take photos in themed areas, be prepared for steep monetary demands — typically charging 600-800 yuan per hour!
  • While being outside, capturing crisp photos becomes exceedingly tricky due to surging crowds and security monitoring. This experience might not justify the high prices or trouble.
  • "吃货妹" weighed in by commenting: "The outer areas tend to be crowded. If you wish to shoot without disturbances, you would need to arrive before dawn! It’d be smarter to find an alternative, attractive art district instead for that amount of money."
  • Tip-off: #PhotoRipoff / #ExpensiveSpotsInGuangzhou

• Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street | Feels like a Grand Souvenir Market

  Be forewarned, traveler! This used to be prominent a decade ago but has since degraded into repetitive shops displaying cheap merchandise found elsewhere.

  • It's celebrated for its "Qilou" buildings (a traditional Chinese-Cantonese arcade-style architecture prevalent in Southern China that serve as shelter against sun and rain). However, the majority of these historic structures are now filled with stores offering inexpensive clothing and counterfeit jewelry.
  • For the food stalls, items such as beef offal stew and double-skin milk pudding taste average, often overpriced with incessant crowds around always.
  • "奇幻坐标" astutely commented: “It's just like those bustling tourist streets, like the ones in Hangzhou (Hefang Street) or Chengdu (Kuanzhai Alley), where only tourists come.”
  • Tip-off: #TouristStreetScam / #SkipShangxiajiu

• Keteng Park Photo Base | Expensive and Minute Photography Spot!

  Stay sharp! I saw pictures on Xiaohongshu (the Chinese equivalent of Instagram) touting this place as Guangzhou's version of the "Spanish Monument Valley."

  • The so-called "monument" is minuscule. Really, really small!
  • Despite the pink coating, it is peeling, and one would need to queue for ages at popular photo points.
  • Without pursuing an expensive photoshoot per se, they still charge 100 yuan per hour! Plus, the vicinity offers no nearby convenience stores.
  • "广州吃货" expressed annoyance stating: "You'll spend mere minutes taking photos while wasting an hour in a taxi just to reach there. Those online depictions? Severely edited! That 'Nordic' styled wall is simply provisional makeshift structures."
  • Tip-off: #PhotoshoopFail / #FakeInstaSpots

• My Final Thoughts:

  Seriously, Guangzhou has oodles of places worth discovering. Don’t let those perfect-looking social media images mislead you!

  Places like Shamian Island (featuring charming old European architecture), Yongqing Fang (historic revitalized alleyways brimming with unique shops), Yanjiang West Road (ideal for riverside views and colonial buildings) are marvels mostly sans price tags and extremely photogenic.

  Conduct a bit of research, avoid these tourist pitfalls, and immerse yourself in the real, tranquil ambiance of Old Guangzhou! That’s the ultimate essence of travel, isn’t it?**