From grand avenue mansions to tiny holes-in-the-wall, Guangzhou teahouses are where you want to go to get that old China feel without that new China smell. Unlike other cities, most Guangzhou teahouses offer full meals in addition to the usual tea and ... Read More>>
Guangzhou is full of public barbecue spots, though recent regulations have made it difficult to get a good bite. Here, we take a look at the best places for barbecues in Guangzhou, many of which are located in the outskirts of the city. Read More>>
Shangxiajiu Walking Street lies west of downtown, running east and west with a network of narrow alleyways and tree-lined avenues on either side. I first discovered Shangxiajiu while searching for a part of Guangzhou that just looked different – different ... Read More>>
A Thousand and One Nights Arabian Restaurant is located not far from the China Hotel. People who don’t know it may miss it. Just as Arabic culture is covered symbolically by a mysterious veil, it is low-profile, deep, serene and peaceful. Read More>>
Not sure where to make your home in Guangzhou? Here are a few of the neighbourhoods Guangzhou expatriates seem to favour, according to location, general prices, transportation, schools and attractions. Read More>>
A drink or two at happy hour is perfect for after-work bonding, but too many may lead to disaster (all a matter of perspective, of course). While a good start on happy hour one day may leave you a not-so-happy one the next, drinking in Guangzhou is worth ... Read More>>
Nothing can beat that cinema experience: a huge, imposing screen, booming audio and striking visuals, cosy seats (well at least most of the time), that mouth-watering smell of popcorn and the thrill of watching with dozens, even hundreds of people, all ... Read More>>
Guangzhou’s museum scene is ever changing, with its museums becoming increasingly bigger and more architecturally challenging. These are some of the more unusual themed museums that Guangzhou has on offer. Read More>>
Pizza’s journey to becoming an international dish didn’t start with modern pizza chains or even with pizza’s Italian origins as a new distinct dish. Meals akin to pizza have existed for thousands of years, as it doesn’t take too long eating flat bread ... Read More>>
If you have a weekend afternoon free and you want to get out of the downtown hustle and bustle of Guangzhou without traveling too far, Shamian Island (沙面岛) is a reliable bet for a pleasant atmosphere, good food, and an all around relaxing visit. Read More>>
Sometimes throughout the week you’re in the mood for something a little bit different after work. Whether you’re an English teacher shushing kids 20 hours a week, a businessman slogging away at a 9-to-5, or a traveler eager to have a more involved ... Read More>>
There are many bars in Guangzhou that expats like to go and, like bars everywhere, they tend to fall into different categories. Of course, when you’re talking about expat bar culture, the bars often divide themselves by nationality. There are Irish bars ... Read More>>
Despite all the great things Guangzhou has to offer, there are times when city life can get a bit boring. The weather is gloomy, the days slow down, and you fall into a routine that you find hard to break. If you have children, the usual DVD and toy routine ... Read More>>
From thousand-year-old jade pieces to papercuts made in the last year, Guangzhou's museums prove that no matter how long you've lived here, there's always more to explore. When getting to know a country, a culture, a city or even just a neighbourhood, ... Read More>>
From the vestiges of the city's past to the hints of its ultramodern future, the Pearl River's importance to Guangzhou is evident while walking, cycling and people-watching along its paved and shaded banks. Read More>>
For one living in Guangzhou, it can be hard to imagine that just two years ago, our city landscape was void of the lustrous and luminous Canton Tower, and that the soil on which the sultry, curvaceous structure now stands was just earth and field. In those ... Read More>>
Your home should be a pleasure, a space so uniquely yours that when you enter it you instantly feel comforted. However, for expats living abroad, home might just mean one in a series of rented apartments. But just because you don't own it doesn't mean you ... Read More>>
Hai’ou Island is a quaint fishing island in Panyu District in southern Guangzhou. While there are many little islands off the coast of Guangdong, Hai’Ou is special in that it is the only ecological one that has resisted major development and exploitation. Read More>>
Residing in China often leaves you with the greatest cravings for Western meals. Even in a city as large as Guangzhou, tracking down your favorites from home takes some time and learning about the city. If your craving is for hamburgers, the best places to ... Read More>>
Known to the locals (and the tourism promoters) as the "Oasis on the Tropic of Cancer", Dinghu Shan is rife with tropical vegetation and clean, freshly oxygenized air. Several scenic areas can be found in the Dinghu Shan area, among which Tianhu ... Read More>>
Beijing’s 798 art district is often called “Beijing’s art warehouse” for attracting some of the trendiest modern art around. So, does Guangzhou have any kind of similar “art warehouse” to boast of? Let’s begin our search in Guangzhou to find ... Read More>>
It’s just another typical day in China; a historic building in Guangzhou has been converted into a nightclub, one of Guangzhou’s oldest cinemas awaits the destruction ball so that another generic shopping mall can take its place, while a Western ... Read More>>
Of the villages surrounding Guangzhou, quite a few are predominantly home to a single ethnic group or surname, with their dominant cultural themes reflected in the architecture and overall layout of the area. Among these, Julong Village (聚龙村) is likely ... Read More>>
When the subject of dogs or cats comes up in China it’s often more along the lines of food than it is of pets, as expats joke as to the true nature of meat-on-a-stick or the fact that you can still eat dog in Guangzhou if you know where to look. However, ... Read More>>