Guangzhou Travel: A Few Pointers (You'll Thank Me Later!)

[Delia Jast]

Hello, everyone! I've just arrived in Guangzhou and found some small details that are different from my hometown. I’d like to share them with you, so we can avoid unexpected surprises — not complaining, of course!

• Tips on dining out and tea fees (different from what you may think):

  1. Tea charge: The restaurants I’ve visited, regardless of size, generally charged this fee. It ranges from about 3 RMB to over 10 RMB per person, mostly around 6 or 10 RMB.
     • Tip for foreign friends: This fee is almost always charged as it covers the tea and small dishes provided by the restaurant such as peanuts. Even if you don’t consume much tea, restaurants usually include this fee.
  2. Service fee: This is mainly seen in larger, more formal restaurants, and is typically 10% of the total meal cost. If you would rather avoid this, ask the server before ordering your meals; they normally clarify this when taking orders.

• Bring your own napkins!
  So far, none of the places I’ve visited offered free napkins. Therefore, make sure to have a pack in your bag. Those who don't mind spending a little extra, please do as you wish.

• Cab safety reminder:

  • In Guangzhou, drivers are known to be “swift,” literally. Several times, the cab started moving before all passengers had settled into their seats.
  • Important reminder: If three people are squeezing into the backseat, and you’re the last one to enter, please loudly inform the driver, "Sir, another passenger isn’t onboard yet!" or "Wait! We hadn’t settled yet!" As the driver might not notice the door has been closed properly. Each of us back there was hit with the startle effect. It’s quite shocking.
  • How to avoid this: When getting into a taxi, especially when you're the last passenger, verbally remind the driver to hold.

• Look out for bicycles and electric scooters while walking on pedestrian paths too:

  • Bicycles and electric scooters really like to ride on the very narrow spaces of the sidewalks, zooming along rapidly. Though there is a designated bike lane right beside the sidewalk, they just enjoy squeezing onto the sidewalk whether going with or against traffic flow direction.
  • Be careful! They seldom let pedestrians pass or give way, making you feel they might crash into you any moment. Please keep alert while walking, staying watchful and safe!
  • How to avoid this: Remain vigilant while walking and pay close attention to the surrounding bicycles and scooters, especially at crossroads or crowded areas.

• Check business hours before heading out:

  • Some shops, particularly smaller businesses, may not open on Mondays. It's best to check the business hour via map applications like Google Maps, or user review applications like Dianping. Avoid rushing over only to find the shop closed (ask me how I know, sniff).
  • Museums often have the same issue with Monday closures. Always form the good habit of checking each destination's operating hours beforehand.

• During major holidays like National Day:

  • Some restaurants may temporarily increase prices during these holidays (e.g., from October 1st to October 3rd), with a price hike of 10%, or they'll simply list the regular and holiday prices. These arrangements tend to be indicated in advance, so decide if the increased price is acceptable to you.

#TravelToGuangzhou #NationalDayTrip

[Misty Anderson DDS]

I'm surprised no locals showed up to roast you in Cantonese.

[Jesse Paucek]

(Protect this take.)

[Alejandro Runolfsdottir]

I appreciate someone pointing out the less pleasant aspects of Guangzhou.

[Emma Kihn]

Actually, every city has its good sides and its not-so-good sides. I wrote this post simply to share some characteristics I encountered that are a bit different from my own city and might be slightly bewildering for outsiders. It's better to understand a bit more and be mentally prepared before your visit, so you don't end up just listing things to avoid after your trip. Overall, Guangzhou is still a fantastic place for food.