Guangzhou, Now A True Chinese Destination
Visitors to China will normally have Beijing and Shanghai at the top of the list of cities that they would like to visit, and understandably so. But there are other large metropolises in China that are worthy of a stay of at least a few days, cities that have regional characteristics that reveal the real diversity of China. Guangzhou is one of those cities, formally a trading hub on the Pearl River in the South of the country just a few hours from Hong Kong by train. While it’s probably not a first-tier tourist destination in China yet, there’s plenty to keep you busy for a short stay at the least.
There’s no shortage of cheap hotels in Guangzhou, after all it is still a major business center, and even if you’re on a backpacker-type budget you can use this fact to your advantage. It’s very easy to find accommodations for $30 US or even less here, which is more expensive than rural China but still a fraction of what you’d pay at comparably modern city in the Western world. A tip that I can offer is to go down to Shamian Islan for accommodations. This was a base for European traders in the 18th and 19th century, and with the European architecture that they left behind them, and the tall trees and wide streets, this small island on the Pearl River feels very different from the rest of the city.
While in Guangzhou don’t miss the world-renowned Cantonese cuisine, known for its spiciness and incredible variety. While there are first-class expensive restaurants in the city it’s also very easy to eat cheaply, as the locals do, with food bought from street vendors or even fast-food Chinese style.
Even if you’re not doing a tour of China per se, but maybe find yourself in Hong Kong with a few extra days, I’d really recommend taking a train trip up Shenzen to Guangzhou just see the cutting-edge of the new China. This country is on the cusp of one of the largest economic booms in the history of the world, and it certainly feels that way, too. But you’re not priced out of the market as a tourist, at least not yet. I’d say come sooner rather than later, because with all the new construction going on is pretty clear that the city will be transformed even further in the coming years.
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