Okay, I'm ready. Please provide the Chinese title.
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Oh, welcome, welcome, new friend! You want to hear about the "downsides" of Guangzhou, right? Alright, I'll lay it all out for you and share my true takeaways from Guangzhou, especially anything foreign visitors might encounter:
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Guangzhou Weather: Two Sides of the Same Coin!
- During summer, the blazing sun makes you feel like walking barbecue, with humidity as unbearable as if your clothes were drenched in sweat all day.
- There's also the "Return South" season (late winter to early spring), where walls and floors "sweat", clothes take ages to dry, leaving one possibly struggling to adapt to this wet climate.
- Tips: Take an umbrella, apply sunscreen, and carry a fan during summer; use a dehumidifier or turn up the dehumidifying function of air-conditioning to survive during "Return South."
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A Little Language Challenge – Cantonese Is Still King Here!
- Though most young people speak Mandarin today, Cantonese remains the dominant language in local districts, street shops, and when talking with older Guangzhou natives.
- There comes the possibility of encountering taxi drivers "chatting up" (Cantonese for "闲聊") in Cantonese, leaving foreigners completely lost.
- Tips: Learn basic Cantonese phrases like "谢谢/麻烦您" (m'goi - thank you), and "多少钱？" (how much?), or use translation apps instead.
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An Edible Paradise with Hidden Health Burdens
- There are plenty of delicious food spots in Guangzhou - dim sum, roast meats, desserts - but some can cause "heatiness" (上火), leading to sore throats or mouth ulcers.
- Fatty, grilled or barbecued foods may spark slight nausea over time.
- Tips: Consider local herbal tea that is believed to help "cool down". Remember always to drink enough water and follow a balanced diet.
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"Little Strongmen" Are Ever-Present (Note: "小强" stands for cockroaches)
- A humid climate favors small creature reproduction, resulting in larger, bolder cockroaches than those in your hometown. Seeing them in homes for the first time might feel surprising.
- Tips: Keep your surroundings clean and dry, seal food carefully. Approach calmly, eliminate if you can.
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Traffic Issues: More People Than Anything Else
- Easy and convenient subway access in Guangzhou, but the rush hour crowds might squeeze you right into a "sardine can".
- On-ground traffic jams and rainstorms might prolong travel times sometimes.
- Tips: Travel outside peak hours; allocate more time and plan accordingly if in urgency.
Important Tips & Travel Suggestions:
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️ Beware of Sudden Weather Changes!- Guangzhou weather goes wild from clear blue skies to torrential downpours in no time at all.
- Tips: Always pack an umbrella for those unpredictable events.
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️ Beware of Mosquitoes!
- Especially during the warmer months or visiting parks, mosquitoes sure do have some "enthusiasm"!
- Tips: Don't forget repellents.
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️ Cash & Digital Payments:
- Most establishments now prefer WeChat Pay or Alipay, bringing convenience.
- Tips: But always keep some cash as street stalls might only accept cash. Foreigners may need to bind their bankcard to local payment apps or get friends' help for topping up.
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️ Asking for Direction:
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When asking direction, it's advisable to ask younger people, who'll likely know Mandarin and know how to help using maps on their smartphones.
So, Guangzhou, as a welcoming and livable city, would see "minor irritations" as quite tolerable once one gets accustomed to them! Hope you enjoy Guangzhou's culinary wonders and exciting travels here!
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The city of e-scooters.
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E-scooters?
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It's humid, mosquitoes are everywhere, the food isn't to my liking, intern pay is low, the work environment is poor, the subway is incredibly crowded, and it rains all the time.
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Thanks a lot.
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What did Guangzhou ever do to you? Why not visit a few other places like Zhanjiang, Leizhou, and Chaoshan to see for yourself?