Sometimes I forget that China is such a rapidly developing country until I see the transformation happening right in front of my eyes.
I just spent the past couple days in Guangzhou - a place that most Americans have probably never heard of, despite the fact that it is larger than any city in the USA, with 14 million people.
Traveling by train from Hong Kong takes approximately two hours, with only a few stops along the way. After arriving, we went through passport control just like an airport, and within minutes, we were on our way to the hotel.
My first impression of the city was that it felt very new, with many modern skyscrapers that were spaced far enough apart to not feel overwhelming. When we arrived at the hotel, the 25-story building was dwarfed by the much taller buildings around it, but we were told that it was the highest structure in the area when it was opened only 7 years ago.
My room was extremely modern by design, and I started wondering how it would work if I was sharing with anyone... Let's just say that privacy cannot be a top priority for anyone staying in a room without walls separating the bathroom from the bedroom. The design felt suitable for such a forward-looking city, but it did not feel like China at all.
Guangzhou is a big manufacturing hub, and there is sadly not much for tourists to do. Looking out the window, I had the view of a very artificial park which would be good for a short morning run. When I took a closer look, I actually found that there is a shopping mall underneath - quintessential Chinese!
As the night fell on Guangzhou, many of the buildings started lighting up in a vast array of colors. Even the park has hues of red, blue, green, and purple emitting from the sidewalks. The lights create a fun, playful atmosphere that belies the otherwise lackluster city.
The symbol of Guangzhou is Canton Tower - a thin, modern structure with a unique design. Unfortunately, I never made it inside the tower during my short visit, but I learned that was the tallest structure in the world upon opening (2010) and is now the 5th tallest free-standing structure in the world.
In a city that is growing at such a rapid pace, I am sure the views from the observatory of Canton Tower are incredible. Even from street level, the skyline was dotted by buildings and cranes in seemingly equal proportions.
I asked some of the hotel staff about the history of Guangzhou and was surprised to learn that it dates back over two thousand years. However, it is obvious that this is a city looking forward, as the memories of the past have been all but erased in this modern metropolis.
I just spent the past couple days in Guangzhou - a place that most Americans have probably never heard of, despite the fact that it is larger than any city in the USA, with 14 million people.
Traveling by train from Hong Kong takes approximately two hours, with only a few stops along the way. After arriving, we went through passport control just like an airport, and within minutes, we were on our way to the hotel.
My first impression of the city was that it felt very new, with many modern skyscrapers that were spaced far enough apart to not feel overwhelming. When we arrived at the hotel, the 25-story building was dwarfed by the much taller buildings around it, but we were told that it was the highest structure in the area when it was opened only 7 years ago.
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| Construction is everywhere in Guangzhou. |
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| The shower opens right up to the bedroom with no privacy whatsoever |
Guangzhou is a big manufacturing hub, and there is sadly not much for tourists to do. Looking out the window, I had the view of a very artificial park which would be good for a short morning run. When I took a closer look, I actually found that there is a shopping mall underneath - quintessential Chinese!
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| Looking down on the park that runs through the CBD in Guangzhou |
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| Walking through the park in Guangzhou |
As the night fell on Guangzhou, many of the buildings started lighting up in a vast array of colors. Even the park has hues of red, blue, green, and purple emitting from the sidewalks. The lights create a fun, playful atmosphere that belies the otherwise lackluster city.
 |
| The modern buildings light up every night in Guangzhou |
The symbol of Guangzhou is Canton Tower - a thin, modern structure with a unique design. Unfortunately, I never made it inside the tower during my short visit, but I learned that was the tallest structure in the world upon opening (2010) and is now the 5th tallest free-standing structure in the world.
In a city that is growing at such a rapid pace, I am sure the views from the observatory of Canton Tower are incredible. Even from street level, the skyline was dotted by buildings and cranes in seemingly equal proportions.
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| Canton Tower at dusk |
I asked some of the hotel staff about the history of Guangzhou and was surprised to learn that it dates back over two thousand years. However, it is obvious that this is a city looking forward, as the memories of the past have been all but erased in this modern metropolis.
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