Guangzhou: Contrast Overload!
-
Wow, I've been to Guangzhou many times, but it's the first time I encountered so many crowded, slightly run-down areas right in the heart of the city. It really took me by surprise, and there are huge swaths of them.
For example, after a rain shower, that overwhelming feeling was almost suffocating.
However, just around the corner, you can see Canton Tower (it's nicknamed "Slender Waist" for its slender and tall appearance)! This is a stark contrast indeed.
To be honest, in terms of urban renewal and beautifying every nook and cranny, cities like Shanghai and Hangzhou on the Yangtze River Delta coast seem to be more meticulous, with noticeable differences.
A heads up for friends visiting Guangzhou for the first time:
Guangzhou is ultra-modern, but you'll also likely encounter some old, densely lived-in neighborhood areas in prime locations in the center of the city. This is entirely normal and an integral part of the city's charm.
If, like me, you're sensitive to the juxtaposition of new and old, just mentally prepare yourself accordingly.
(The hush-hush version: Of course, my intention is absolutely not to criticize where those who live in those areas reside! I sincerely hope that the Guangzhou government will make even greater efforts. Given the city's considerable wealth, Guangzhou could improve these areas further, providing a more comfortable living environment and sense of dignity for those striving here.)
#Guangzhou #CityChronicles #UrbanObservations
-
In Guangzhou, even Black foreigners are working as motorcycle taxi drivers, haha.
-
Even our esteemed foreign friends can't escape this reality when they come to Guangzhou, hahaha.
-
Guangzhou doesn't shock me, but Beijing does. My rosy image of the capital was shattered instantly. At least in Guangzhou, people aren't living in basements, right? At least the roofs don't leak, right?
-
Beijing's basements are truly terrifying. I still remember the news from years ago about two girls who were scalded to death when a heating pipe burst.
-
Every city has its urban villages; they just take different forms. If you dislike urban villages that much, your standards are too high. You'd probably only be satisfied in cities in Western Europe, Australia, or New Zealand.
-
I hope the government takes action to renovate and improve these areas, making them more comfortable for people to live in.
-
As a migrant worker from another province who has lived in an urban village, I think I have a right to speak. When I first came to Guangzhou, I also lived in such an urban village—not by choice, but because a classmate brought me there. The environment was indeed not great: dark and without sunlight. But in a first-tier city, a 600 yuan rent made me very happy. I saved up a lot of money during that time. After working hard and getting a raise, I moved into a large studio apartment with a riverside balcony for 3,000 yuan a month. I think it's good to keep these places in the city center. Renovations will inevitably lead to rent increases. I can't really accept long commutes from the suburbs. For workers trying to save money, these places are the first choice. Guangzhou is a very inclusive city, which is why it can retain so many people. Although these places are run-down, their low prices offer a foothold for newcomers who are just starting out and whose jobs might not be stable. As for dignity, it's not about these superficial things. As long as you work hard enough and are excellent, your dignity is always there.
-
When I first came to Shenzhen earning a 3,000 yuan salary, I also lived in a small single room in an 8th-floor walk-up for 750 yuan. I lived there for two years before moving into an apartment building with an elevator. Urban villages are really only suitable for a transitional period; if you live there indefinitely, you might lose the ambition to strive for something better.
-
Those who say it's 'suffocating' or 'not fit for humans,' and who look down on these places, can only be described as fortunate, born into better circumstances. But many people in society are not well-off, and who wouldn't want to live in a better place? For them, urban villages are the best option. Is Guangdong very rich? I just feel Guangzhou isn't. If there's money, it should first be used to improve teachers' benefits and spent where it's truly needed. Renovating these areas primarily benefits a small group, while migrant workers and those in need will have one less affordable place to stay.
-
Guangzhou's teacher benefits should be pretty good already.
-
I actually live in an urban village; my home is in the picture you just posted.
-
That's amazing!
-
Which district is this?
-
Haizhu District, perhaps.
-
If they're all renovated, low-income workers won't be able to afford to live in Guangzhou anymore, and Guangzhou will no longer be the inclusive and welcoming city it's known to be.
-
So, should we just never develop then? And let it stay this dirty and chaotic?
-
It's acceptable, I guess!
-
Yuancun?
-
Guangzhou gives off a vibe of being a mix of urban and rural.