For centuries Guangzhou China has been a hub for business travelers, conveniently situated as it is right on the Pearl River in the southern part of the country. 200 years ago British and French traders took Shamian Island as their base of operations, and this small quiet corner right in the center of Guangzhou still plays host to a different kind of traveler nowadays.
Tourists are the new visitors, and on Shamian Island they find several reasonably priced Guangzhou hotels and a nice stretch of restaurants along the river where one can enjoy dinner overlooking the skyline of this enormous metropolis.
For tourists this city lacks the incredible architecture of Shanghai or Beijing’s world famous Tiananmen Square; still though, it’s a great place to take a look at how China is booming as we head into the second decade of the 21st century. Business skyscrapers and shopping malls are as large and ambitious as anything you’ll find in the Western world, and a couple of days spent walking around the city will likely leave you impressed at the affluence of many ordinary Chinese today.
During a visit be sure to experience Cantonese cuisine in the best place in the world to try it. There are plenty of expensive high-end restaurants in Guangzhou, but by no means are you limited to pricey choices for outstanding Cantonese fare. As always, eat like the locals do, whether that means enjoying delicacies from street-side stalls, trying a vegetarian Buddhist cafeteria, or even Chinese fast food.
I’d suggest a visit to Guangzhou someday soon if you get the opportunity, because it’s clear that the pace of change here is such that the city will be transformed again in five more years. For now, rest assured that the booming economy has not really translated into markedly higher prices for tourists; it’s still possible to get a very acceptable hotel room for less than $30 US per night and a meal for under $5 US if you are looking to save money on travel.
It’s an easy few hours out from Hong Kong by train-if you are heading north to Shanghai and Beijing, consider a short stop in Guangzhou.
