When traveling to Thailand, I usually have a free 60-day tourist visa. To extend my stay beyond that, a quick “border run” to a nearby country is often the easiest solution. This year, I chose to go to Guangzhou, China—historically known as Canton.
I arrived in Guangzhou at 2 a.m., and my first concern was internet connectivity. I had heard a lot about how many commonly used apps aren’t operational in China, where you’re expected to use local alternatives. So, I came prepared, downloading WeChat, Baidu Maps, and Baidu Translate beforehand. I got a SIM card at the only open kiosk for 150 CNY and then took a taxi to my hotel, located about 30 minutes away. At 210 CNY, the fare was high, but at 3 a.m., there wasn’t much choice—unlike in Thailand, where you can use Grab or negotiate your fare. In Guangzhou, the language barrier can be a real challenge.
I spent five days exploring Guangzhou, including one day at the famous Canton Fair. Despite having downloaded local apps, I found it would have been simpler to keep using my regular apps with a SIM card that included VPN access, which would have only cost about 30 CNY extra.
I stayed in Shishu, an older part of Guangzhou near the well-known Liwan District and a few metro stops from Tianhe, the city’s modern hub. It was a 7-minute walk from my hotel to the nearest metro station, and staying in an old district in China was a different experience compared to older areas in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. In Guangzhou, “old” means weathered buildings, a dense network of small local businesses (mostly wholesalers), and food that was somewhat challenging for me. Public spitting was also quite common—a noticeable culture shock.
In Guangzhou, two-wheeled and modified electric vehicles are everywhere, weaving through both streets and pavements, often ignoring traffic signals. What struck me most was the quietness of the traffic. Despite the large volume of vehicles, everything is electric, which I found impressive—it was my second cultural shock after encountering the public spitting.
One of my favorite places was Beijing Road Walking Street. This bustling area, stretching over 1.5 kilometers, is packed with shops catering to tourists. Here, I could find food that was more familiar to my taste. The street is lined with a mix of small shops, big brand stores, cafes, and stands selling candy, clothes, and delicacies. Street vendors are everywhere, with less-than-discreet approaches offering imitation brand watches, bags, and clothing in their nearby store..
The Guangzhou subway is a gem—affordable, efficient, and straightforward to navigate once you understand the station maps. English-speaking staff at every station are ready to help, making it accessible even to first-time visitors. Traveling around by subway was inexpensive, allowing me to explore the city with ease.
From my hotel, I walked to the traditional shopping areas in the Liwan District, where I discovered historic shopfronts, Liwan Plaza, and Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street. Wandering through picturesque alleys, I admired the architecture and caught glimpses of the ancient Cantonese way of life.
I also visited Shamian Island, a charming spot with colonial-era buildings that once served as consulates, military outposts, and cultural centers. Today, many of these buildings have been repurposed into hotels and commercial spaces. The island is quiet, scenic, and highly photogenic—a reminder of Guangzhou’s history as a foreign trade port. It’s a wonderful place to end a stroll through the old quarters, with tourist-friendly coffee shops and eateries.
Guangzhou is also a hotspot for leather goods and shoes. Exploring the small alleys near Haizhu Square, I encountered countless tiny outlets bustling with activity, packing and shipping products—a scene reminiscent of the wholesalers on Alibaba.
All in all, I enjoyed my time in Guangzhou. The trip left me better prepared for future visits to China, and the affordability of hotels and meals was a pleasant surprise. I’m looking forward to discovering more of this vast country in the future.