NGL, There Was a Time I Seriously Hated Guangzhou.
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Well now, let me tell you about my first impressions of Guangzhou – it was a mix of many emotions!
Before this, I hadn't really visited any big cities; just Wuhan was familiar to me, so my experiences with metropolises were limited.
Upon arriving in Guangzhou, the first surprise and shock came from the "villages within the city". These areas are characterized by tightly-packed buildings and narrow alleys. Though they have plenty of life, the buildings can also be rather old and run-down. Street vendors selling everything from food to seafood set up shop downstairs, making living convenient. However, where I lived required navigating several small lanes, barely wide enough for one person to squeeze through. Combined with Guanzhou's humid climate, the streets were constantly damp and slippery.
The residential buildings in these areas are known as "handshake buildings", where the buildings are so closely packed together that if you open your window, you'd be able to shake hands with the person on the opposite building. Privacy concerns aside, the construction of these close-packed buildings meant no sound barrier, so late-night movies would often be overheard from the neighbors.
I also witnessed ongoing road construction across Guangzhou during my first stay. Finding my way from the subway station to my interview site brought additional frustration: the area around the station was marred with a major renovation project with lots of holes in the roads. This added a layer of frustration in July’s sweltering heat, especially when I realized the place where I was going for the interview was a tiny studio apartment that barely met the standards for professionalism.
However, I visited the modern and upscale Rizhao New Town, where I saw the iconic Canton Tower (affectionately referred to as "Mignoni"). This visit allowed me to get a taste of the bustling CBD in Guangzhou. Honestly, at this point, I truly disliked Guangzhou. Perhaps because I had been used to the vigor of young college students back in Wuhan, I felt that the people on the street in Guangzhou seemed less "elegant" — mostly ordinary daily office workers who left early and returned late. With young vitality out of sight, I failed to find the same youthful energy I enjoyed in Wuhan (I later realized this had more to do with which area I was staying in).
Here are some tips for newcomers:
- Navigation: Inside villages within the city, the small alleys resemble a maze. GPS and local inquiry can help new arrivals navigate.
- Living in handshake apartments, there is always room for sound from the neighbours or privacy issues. However, rent tends to be quite economical.
- Humidity: The humid climate of Guangzhou brings moisture to walls and floor. Keeping things dry and non-slippery is critical.
- Urbanization: As Guangzhou strives for growth, expect more roads under construction or development sites. Keep road closure information on hand when planning a route in advance.
As I spent six months living in this city, my views transformed.
- Despite the older architecture, another side of the villages within the city started showing up after my initial shock. I could witness a diverse population renting or living here, with children often playing on streets or outside garbage bins, giving a sense of comfort and warmth. Grocery shops could be found anytime nearby and the rent in the "handshake buildings" was fairly affordable compared to small studio apartments. This provided an opportunity for new arrivals like myself with limited financial means to get a place to live and work hard.
- While the day and night contrast is palpable in all cities, this observation is particularly pronounced in Guangzhou. After dark, activity booms, as markets and shopping places stay open, with lively entertainment all along the streets, giving off a sense of vibrancy that could only be captured once darkness falls.
- From public transportation, I noticed people from various nationalities hurrying back home after work. Many were middle-aged people striding forward purposefully, while young kids also worked hard outside their homes.
- Slowly but surely, I started to sense a sense of human warmth in Guangzhou, making it a perfect fit for someone striving towards their dreams.
At the moment of departure, I realized I might have fallen in love with Guangzhou without even realizing it. The fact that although I might still be in the early stages of life’s journey, I carry a hopeful heart ready for whatever might come.
#Night Market #Subway #Street Vendors #Canton Tower #Guangzhou #Work #Explore Night Markets
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Even as a local, there was a time I wanted to leave Guangzhou. But now that I'm in Zhejiang, Guangzhou feels like paradise.
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Why's that? I haven't been to Zhejiang yet.
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It's hard to love any place when you're broke, you know?
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You've hit the nail on the head. Judging Guangzhou solely by its 'urban villages' as soon as they arrive? I completely don't understand their point.
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I'm not trying to be exclusive, but for native Cantonese speakers, having to speak Mandarin in Guangzhou is a real pain. I mean, this is a place where Cantonese should be spoken, right? But if I speak Cantonese, some people accuse me of being unwelcoming. Why is that?! I'm seriously fed up. And don't even get me started on that damn non-local manager at Sushiro who actually forbids employees from speaking Cantonese – what's his problem?
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Put yourself in their shoes: imagine going back to your hometown and finding everyone speaking Mandarin, and then you get criticized for speaking your own local dialect. How would you feel?
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When I first graduated from Beijing and returned, I complained about Guangzhou too. I was in Baiyun District doing e-commerce, surrounded by factories with no real commercial hubs, and I wondered, 'Is this all Guangzhou is?' But after more than a year, I worked my way up to Tianhe District. There, you find plenty of chic influencers, the air in Huacheng Square feels fresh, and you can easily pop down to the Grand Theatre for a show. It's not that Guangzhou is a certain way; it's that, for a time, that was all you could access. Keep striving, and you'll eventually see Guangzhou's vibrant side.
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Wow, you're so impressive!
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To fall in love with a city, you need to see a future there that your hard work can lead to, not just the 'urban village' life you're currently describing. As a Guangzhou native and someone working hard here, I'll say this: if you want to enjoy the good stuff without putting in the effort, you'll probably only experience that kind of 'urban village' life in any top-tier city.
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That's exactly what I was getting at later.
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I'm a Guangzhou local, but I often find myself complaining about it. There are just too many people! It means I have to queue up just to eat out, and good luck finding a parking spot at the mall.
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Hahahahaha, you're hilarious!
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I was in Guangzhou on a business trip, around the Zhongda-Xiaogang area in Haizhu District... Honestly, the cityscape there seemed pretty run-down. The sidewalks were narrow, damaged, and super crowded, but the roads weren't very wide either. I get really agitated in messy, dirty places, and I especially dislike it when it's so crowded you can practically smell the person next to you.
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That's true for many areas. Guangzhou has a lot of rundown spots.
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Why do I keep seeing posts like this? I get the feeling some people, like my old roommate from Chongqing, would find something to complain about no matter where they go. It's like no place is ever good enough for them.
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It's true, this place (Guangzhou) isn't for everyone. I've spent six months in Chongqing, half a month in Shenzhen, and a few days in Guangzhou... I'm from Guizhou, and I really liked Chongqing. Sometimes, even my small county town in Guizhou feels better than Guangzhou.
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But my time in Guangzhou was so miserable. I had a string of bad luck, and to top it off, my phone got stolen right before I left. Tracked it, and it was already in Shenzhen... Total meltdown! I miss Hangzhou so much 🥹🥹
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I'm so miserable in Shenzhen right now.
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Shigui Fang on Zhongshan Fourth Road in Guangzhou is pretty rundown.