Guangzhou: My Honest Take

[Elsa Wyman]

Sure, here is the translation:

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In May holiday (a long vacation in China when many people choose to travel), I'm just going to vent about my Guangzhou trip!

My friend and I started planning a month ago. At that time, there was only one idea: I want to see the sea!!! The friend made a lot of effort, and we finally chose Guangzhou. However, the difference between the online guide and the reality is noticeable.

• Weather: Guangzhou, You’re really too "hot"!

  • To be honest, for someone who fears heat and dampness like me, Guangzhou's weather is too unfriendly.
  • It's a sticky, humid day, and you'll sweat as much as you have a shower if you go out once.
  • My clothes haven't been dry, even with hairdryers blowing on them, they still had a musty smell.
  • The sheets in the hotel felt damp, causing discomfort during sleep.
  • Friendly reminder: If you also fear heat and humidity, remember to bring quick-dry clothing or be mentally prepared for clothes not drying.
  • Add to that, some areas within the city are relatively unhygienic, and the air smells unpleasant sometimes.

• Accommodation: Just look at the photos for reference, negative reviews reveal the truths!

  • Everyone says staying near Beijing Road in Yuexiu District (a busy commercial district in the center of Guangzhou) is convenient, and I followed this advice. But the regret set in when I stepped through the hotel lobby!
  • There are indeed plenty of hotels around there, but all I can say about the specific one I stayed at is that it's not even close to what is seen in the pictures!
  • My room was small, noisy, and damp.
  • The only advantage might be the proximity to the subway station.
  • Warning about accommodation: While booking accommodations, just take the photos for face value and pay greater attention to bad reviews! Particularly those saying, “The room is too small,” “There’s no sound insulation,” and “It is humid.” Please believe these negative reviews!
  • You may want to consider a chain-branded hotel, which generally offers decent quality.

• Road: GPS cannot save you navigating the maze-like streets, and everywhere are "electric chickens"/bicycles.

  • Ahhhh... the way must be talked about! The road in Guangzhou is so twisty and turny!
  • On the first day out of the subway, I got lost for nearly ten minutes at one intersection. Even the GPS failed to help me navigate, and finally went with my gut feeling. (It could have been my poor sense of direction. Nonetheless, it was the first time I found myself unable to figure out any navigation.)
  • Too many cars, and the road isn’t wide. In normal days in China, always dodging cars and pedestrians; however, in Guangzhou, you need to watch out not only for cars but also for “electric chickens” (commonly-known electric motorcycles/bicycles in Guangzhou which drive recklessly and speedily) and shared bicycles.
  • Travel note: The roads in Guangzhou may be unfriendly for a newcomer, especially in older districts where GPS sometimes fails and it’s best consulting local people directly. When walking and crossing the street, be very cautious and attentive, and beware of electric bikes zipping by unexpectedly.

• Subway: the one half is fire, and the other half is icy water.

  • The subway in Guangzhou is easy to transfer and fast, which earns a thumbs-up!
  • However! The temperature inside the train cars is freezing, and part of the corridors on certain lines like line 3 or 6, has yet to have air conditioning; instead, it relies only on huge power fans. Having something is better than having nothing, after all.
  • You feel hot outside, stuffy in the subway corridor, and cool upon entering the train car. It’s like experiencing summer, winter, autumn season in a day!
  • Tip about subway: You’re better off bringing a light sweater or scarf with you on the subway as otherwise, the big temperature difference may cause discomfort and increases your likelihood to catch a cold.

• Attractions: The more you expect, the more disappointed you may become?

  • Well, how could I put it? Slightly disappointed. Although expecting it to be crowded considering it was Chinese holidays, the locations should be large enough and there would be queuing lines for entry. You could take a good long leisurely stroll around after queuing up for entry to take some nice shots.
  • However, I was somewhat at my wit’s end on my first day. Initially planning to visit Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, Sacred Heart Cathedral (a famous Gothic cathedral), Shasha Island (former foreign settlement with European old buildings), and Yungching Street (a refurbished old street), I fantasized about eating well, shopping well, taking photos as desired.
  • However, it was just rushing all day long! These “attractions” were mostly on the sides of the road or alleyways. There were overcrowded crowds and countless passing vehicles. I didn’t know what I had seen.
  • Attraction visiting advice: If you don't like crowds, try avoiding peak times such as Chinese public holidays and weekends.
  • Some of the most popular hotspots in Guangzhou are merely busy commercial areas and living areas. They may not typically be ticketed “tourist attractions,” but you may still find satisfaction in taking photos.
  • The sole consolation was that we visited Zhuhai, a nearby city, on the third day, which could be easily accessed by high-speed train from Guangzhou. This eventually allowed me to take satisfactory shots by the sea. A quiet enjoyment of the ocean was enough to salvage a bit of fondness for this trip. My “see-the-sea” objective was ultimately satisfied in Zhuhai!

• In summary concerning my mood:

  • Previous trips I've embarked on have been filled with joy throughout, finished contently. I enjoyed the food, scenery, and mood.
  • But this Guangzhou trip, from weather, accommodation, spots, and dining (even though dining wasn't mentioned above, dishes didn't suit my tastes too well) left me a bit disappointed overall.
  • Numerous times during the trip, I considered heading back home early, mentally exhausted and physically tired.
  • When arriving back, my real thoughts were: "Finally relieved!"

I hope these musings could help others! Travel always has surprises and unexpected turns, and being prepared and having a peaceful mind are the most important!