Guangzhou: Your God of Max Chill & True Freedom.
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Hello, everyone! Today, I'd like to discuss the often-overused phrase "Guangzhou Value" with you and explore what exactly it means.
Do you see that fellow in Figure 1? He seems to embody this kind of "value" perfectly!
- "Relaxation"?
- Yes, it's basically about not caring or being stressed out about others rushing to work at bus stations and subway terminals in the early morning while some friends in Guangzhou enjoy a calm, leisurely pace of life.
- "Casualness"?
- People wear slippers and squat beside flower beds on the sidewalks—something that wouldn’t feel out of place if they sat there instead of squatting.
- "Freedom"?
- In crowded public places, people smoke freely whenever they wish; they just toss away their used cigarette butts on the streets or into flower beds when done.
After seeing the snapshots I have captured, you should get a sense of why people claim “Guangzhou is the king of a relaxed lifestyle.”
- 1. I do as I want - other people’s opinions are unimportant.
- For instance, at an upscale CBD (Central Business District) flower bed in Guangzhou, people sit and smoke with feet in red betel nut stains (some people in Guangzhou chew betel nuts, which stain the ground red when spat out).
️ Word of advice for first-time visitors:
- You might come across scenes uncommon to areas outside of Guangzhou, such as litter or betel nut stains. If you’re sensitive to smells or particular about cleanliness, be prepared to tolerate these aspects.
- 2. What good is perfection if it can't be eaten or exchanged for money?
- At traffic light poles in the busiest and most modern CBD in Guangzhou, wires hang loosely through the air, as if left untouched since construction began a long time ago.
- East Hill Gate Metro Station, a favorite among young people for its artistic flair, sees muddy puddles surrounding the entrance, making your feet stick as you walk over them.
- Even inside the upscale buildings of the Central Square in the CBD, one might spot homeless dogs napping around carelessly.
- On the other hand, the subway entrance near Beijing Road (a main commercial thoroughfare with over a thousand years of history) is surprisingly clean, a pleasant sight indeed.
- ️ Travel tips:
- The city’s appearance has its moments of surprise; old features, lack of maintenance, mixed along with highly developed modern buildings is common. Be aware of your surroundings—there may be uneven surfaces or muddied spots.
- 3.This charming mix of 'patchwork' and 'turbulence'.
- Just like on Siyou Xinnan Street (a historic residential district at the city center), one small section of the road displays three different types of material for laying roads, causing a jarring visual effect here and there. This pattern resonates throughout the entire city, adding to its unique vibe.
- ️ My suggestion:
- Strolling through Guangzhou, one experiences a multitude of urban aesthetics, this 'patchwork,' so to say, is one of its trademarks. But if someone prefers clean-cut, homogeneous street scenes, this might come as a culture shock. Embrace this city’s distinct urban landscape!
- "Relaxation"?
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It's basically just a big village now. The province is pouring all its resources into developing Shenzhen, leaving Guangzhou to pretty much fend for itself.
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But in the long run, it's highly unlikely that Shenzhen will remain the province's top priority indefinitely.
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Well, that's just Guangzhou for you. That's why I've moved to Shenzhen for my career – out of sight, out of mind.
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You could always just leave Guangdong, you know.
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As long as there's tea to drink and rent to collect, that's all that matters. The details are unimportant.
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Yes, yes, yes! That's exactly the vibe.
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Calling rudeness 'being chill'? What's wrong with just sitting properly?
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In Guangzhou, 'being chill' actually means doing whatever the heck you want.