Guangzhou: My Full-Blown Meltdown Experience!!!

[Israel Koss]

Well, it wasn't intended to make a big fuss, but the weather in Guangzhou really puzzled me!

Originally, I was all hyped up before coming here. I imagined all the delicious food, streets filled with Cantonese language, feeling like I was walking onto the set of a TVB drama, with magnificent and ultra-modern skyscrapers everywhere.

But what do I experience? Upon arrival, the city hit me with its intense humidity and heat along with a vintage vibe I couldn't quite describe, thus, presenting itself more as a colorful mélange of cultures. Over here, it's all about dazzling new office buildings, while just down the road, bustling, bustling narrow lanes teem with old-city charm.

• Weather...

  • People say the weather has been rainy since my arrival. My flight had to land nearly at six o'clock the next morning because of the delay, but surprisingly, locals told me that there hadn't been much rain at all.

  • However! It must be mentioned that the stuffiness was indeed overwhelming. After deplaning, the dampness instantly enveloped me, leaving me irritated and sweaty.

  • Having been here for four days, every time I stepped out of the hotel door, I experienced the uncomfortable, stick-to-your-skin feeling, like the air was not breathable. During the day, coupled with the damp heat and blazing sun, the normally non-sweaty me was drenched in sweat.

  • Then! The moment rain starts pouring down, and it does so abruptly; after one downpour, I felt as if I were going to suffer from heatstroke.‍

  • Maybe visiting during cooler periods might provide a better experience. In short, the weather in these few days was pretty unbearable.

  • Heads Up:

    • Guangzhou has a very high level of air humidity. Be prepared to feel sticky.
    • Rain could come unexpectedly, so carry a umbrella whenever possible.
    • Drinking plenty of water, mind heat stroke symptoms especially when it's both hot and humid.

• Food...

  • On the first day, I tried the "dim sum" (an essential Cantonese breakfast with various small dishes). We had perhaps around 90 yuan each person.
  • Most local specialties were tried. The "Chicken Pot" (Chiken stewed in a clay pot) was a little bit medicinal when first picked up, but became better with each bite.
  • The taste of most dishes is fairly light. Someone like me who prefers strong flavors might find these dishes lacking flavor.
  • However, I absolutely enjoyed the "Phoenix Milk Pudding" (a custard-type dessert made with milk, egg yolk, etc.). It was creamy but thick at the same time. In addition to "Phoenix Milk Pudding," another item called "Four Hundred Times Matcha Coffee" is recommended.
    • A tea shop offered me a herbal drink (a kind of Chinese medicine decoction reputed to soothe “liver fire,” which means strong body heat in Traditional Chinese Medicine terms), costed me around 30 yuan.
  • Tip: Cantonese cuisine tends to be mild. You might need to get used to it if you prefer strong flavors.

• Sights...

  • I've visited most of the popular spots online.
  • "Beijing Road" felt better than "Shangxiajiu" when shopping, while "Yongqing Fang" was okay too. These are all commercial streets and vary little among cities.
  • "St Michael's Catholic Church" was crowded with photo takers at its entrance.
  • "Dafosi Temple" was nice enough to check out as well.
  • In my opinion, museums and art galleries were better yet. They were spacious, cool, and particularly impressive at night when Guangzhou turns into a grand landscape of light and shadow.
  • Tip: Consider visiting museums and galleries, they usually have AC.

• Accommodation Experience...

  • A lot of people advised me to stay near "Beijing Road." So, I booked a room.
  • But the performance-to-price ratio of accommodation there didn’t meet my expectations. Although I don't know the situation for hotels with thousand-yuan-plus nightly rate, there seemed few good options within my price range.
  • Most hotels were different from what they showed in pictures: some had tiny rooms; some had dilapidated, old furnitures and filth; some felt moldy.
  • Heads Up: Be careful about online ratings while booking hotels. Guangzhou has two large international trade fairs each year. This could lead to a 200-yuan increase in accommodation rates. Don't forget to check the dates before making a reservation. It might be better to prioritize recent guest reviews as these will help determine whether hotel conditions match description.

• Transportation...

  • Speaking of which makes me frustrated, why doesn't Guangzhou offer shared e-bikes anymore? It was bike-laden here, but locals often ride their personal scooters recklessly, unafraid of cars. Meanwhile, it is much more convenient to take the subway than a taxi ride through heavy traffic.
  • Moreover, when it rains, calling a taxi is almost impossible. Wait thirty minutes just being lucky enough if you hope to find one!
  • Heads Up: No shared electric scooters (like those that could be rented out easily when scanning the QR code) in Guangzhou at present. Taking the metro would be the most recommended option for transportation. Expect delays and difficulties in hailing cabs during rain.

In brief, Guangzhou is an interesting city where new and old cultures intermingle. There are way more culinary choices than popular tourist spots. The old city and new buildings perfectly blend into what I call "movie-quality." Yet, my body hasn’t quite adapted yet. How residents endure this weather must be a piece of advice they’ve mastered by living long enough. At least not suitable as a permanent residence for me, I admire local residents for their endurance. I plan to try "Phoenix Milk Pudding" one last time tomorrow before heading back home!

[Ms. Alberta Moen]

30 for herbal tea? You either got ripped off or that's the going rate. So many 'ancient recipe' herbal tea shops have popped up out of nowhere lately, and they seem pretty sketchy.

[Antoinette Ferry]

Not sure, really. I bought it twice – once for 30, and another time for 49.

[Theresa Sporer]

You're staying near Beijing Road? Who on earth recommended that...?

[Miss Angela Cormier]

Well, it was Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book)...

[Dr. Guadalupe Homenick]

Totally agree. The weather in Guangzhou for this May Day holiday is awful. It's been raining on and off, sometimes quite heavily. Plus, it's so muggy, hot, and humid – you feel sticky after just a few steps. Definitely not ideal for sightseeing.

[Misty Anderson DDS]

Excuse me, is it still expected to rain in Guangzhou between May 7th and 10th?

[Madeline Hermann III]

Even us locals can't stand this weather. Just a couple of months ago, though, it was beautifully spring-like, warm with everything in bloom.

[Iris Marquardt]

Even in the hotel, I felt like the blankets were a bit damp.

[Johnathan Schmeler]

Where was the first picture taken?

[Antoinette Ferry]

Well, you could always opt for a pricier hotel. If not, then maybe don't complain.

[Karen Bruen]

It's not just you as an outsider; even I, a Guangzhou local, can't stand this May weather. It's just so oppressively muggy, hot, and humid.

[Misty Anderson DDS]

No way, Li En herbal tea is that expensive? Surely that's a knock-off or something?

[Rosemarie Sawayn PhD]

Why on earth would you choose to visit Guangzhou during its worst season? January is fantastic here – sunny, temperatures in the low twenties (Celsius), and all the flowers are in bloom.

[Dr. Guadalupe Homenick]

Excuse me, what's October like there? I'm considering a trip during the long national holiday.