Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou: The Magic Wearing Off, For Real?

[Ms. Beatrice Abernathy]

Alright, no problem! Let me break it down for you in simpler terms:

• As for Guangzhou, it seems like it is a bit of a stretch compared to the idea of an "international metropolis" I once had.

  • Perhaps I didn't go to the right places? Like Zhuhai or Shenzhen? (People say these two cities are where all the skyscrapers and advanced technologies are located.)

    • For our foreign friends: Shenzhen and Zhuhai were among the earliest "economic special zones" of China's reform and opening-up. Thus, their development has been particularly rapid and their cityscapes have transformed remarkably. Guangzhou, on the other hand, is an established commercial city, with significantly richer historical legacies than those "overnight rise" cities like Shenzhen.

• If we compare Guangzhou with Shanghai... Well, Guangzhou does seem to be a little less impressive on that front. (Please don't let my Guangzhou buddies hear this though, I might get hit, hahaha!)

• Upon further reflection, the region encompassing Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai appears to be an excellent alternative.

  • Extra point: This area is one of the most economically developed and prosperous regions in China, with a fairly high overall standard of urban construction and living convenience.