Gwangju Sister Cities: Guangzhou
Also known as Canton, Guangzhou is the third-largest city in China, after Beijing and Shanghai. As a port city, Guangzhou is an economic center of southeastern China with a sizeable international community. Guangzhou’s pronunciation is not only strikingly similar to Gwangju, but it has been Gwangju’s sister city since 1996. The two sister cities have maintained communication to increase economic and cultural exchange.
Guangzhou is a bustling metropolis with no shortage of people, tall buildings, shopping and interesting street foods. You will also find authentic Chinese architecture and culture. Surprisingly, palm trees are ubiquitous, giving it a strange Floridian vibe.
It costs a few hundred dollars for Americans to obtain a month-long tourist visa to explore the gigantic land that is China. Luckily, as of 2013, it is free for up to 72 hours for those passing through either Beijing or Shanghai (depending on your nationality). Though that is not enough time to get well-acquainted with the world’s largest nation, it is a decent opportunity to get a taste of China without breaking the bank. With its subtropical climate, the ideal months to visit Guangzhou are between October and December.
Adventurous dining is the most recommended activity in this city of 12 million. Dim sum is a must-eat in Guangzhou. Usually enjoyed in the morning, the meal is consumed slowly while engaging in friendly conversation. Patrons can nibble on several bite-sized dishes for over two hours.
Our CouchSurfing host took my friend and me to what is supposedly the best dim sum place in the city. The restaurant, cleverly named Guangzhou Restaurant, is the most famous chain. With several branches scattered throughout the city, Guangzhou Restaurant offers authentic Cantonese-style cuisine. The entire menu is in Chinese, so be prepared to make some adventurous choices. We enjoyed porridges, mango coconut pudding, dumpling-like rice rolls, sushi-like rolls with crunchy onions and several bite-sized dishes, one at a time. The servers were eager to give us at least a dozen free tea refills. The waitress used only one hand to pour the hot water into the teapot full of tea leaves and then strained the tea into yet another pot before pouring one more time into the tiny individual cups. In order to thank someone for pouring your tea, simply tap two fingers on the table. Even though the prices are a bit higher than other restaurants, diners can be satisfied for about $10 USD each.
In the afternoon, we headed to the Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Road. The busy shopping area is lined with unique historical architecture based on European and Chinese styles. Scattered between traditional and modern stores are hidden street food gems. Along the ride, we visited a handful of street food stalls and ate what our hosts put in front of us. Some of the unique dishes included fish skin with peanuts, pig feet, pig blood, durian ice cream, candied fruit sticks, turtle gel, sweet custard and other new eats. Taking little samples of the culture by sharing a meal with locals is a great way to get acquainted with Guangzhou. The Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Road is a must-do for adventurers looking to feed their brains with new stimuli; there are plenty of things there fighting for your attention.
To escape from the chaos, take a brief walk over to Shamian Island (literally, “sandy surface island”). Tourists might initially think they have shimmied over to a small French island with architecture reminiscent of New Orleans, Louisiana or Charleston, South Carolina in the U.S. The quiet neighborhood with European architecture and tree-lined roads serves as a reminder a period of European colonization. Situated near the Pearl River, Shamian Island served as a main port of trade for centuries. It also served as a defense point during the Opium Wars. Currently, the area is a tourist destination for lodging, dining and souvenir shopping while visitors gaze at lovely churches, buildings and statues. Shamian Island is a perfect escape for a stroll; with strict traffic control, honking cars and exhaust gas-laden air are nonexistent.
One of Guangzhou’s most famous landmarks is the Canton Tower. Towering 600 meters, the tower was the tallest in the world until the Tokyo Skytree was built in 2011. Canton’s slender, hourglass-like structure still remains the tallest tower in China. For a hefty price, tourists can venture to the observatory deck for a 360 degree view of the city. The optimal time for a visit is at nighttime when the laser lights dance along the tower. Canton Tower also contains indoor entertainment such as 3D movies, museums, restaurants and an arcade.
This dynamic city has so much more to offer: art museums, parks, a nearby mountain, Pearl River cruises, theme parks, temples, a vibrant nightlife. Having a local to show you around is an added bonus, so it is recommended to connect with one of the many CouchSurfers in the area.