Recently I had the chance to visit China for the very first time — specifically, Guangzhou. I was there for seven days, and honestly, it turned out to be one of the smoothest and most memorable travel experiences I’ve ever had.
Before going, I was a bit nervous about the visa and immigration process. You hear a lot of things online about how strict or complicated it can be, but to my surprise, everything went really smoothly. I had all my documents in order, and once I arrived, the immigration process was quick and well-organized. I didn’t face any major delays, which gave me a really good first impression.
Once I landed in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, I booked a taxi to my pre-booked hotel using the Didi app — which is basically the Chinese version of Uber. The app was simple to use, and even though the driver didn’t speak English, we managed with a few app translations and map sharing. The ride was smooth, and soon I was checking in to my hotel.
After freshening up, I grabbed some breakfast at the hotel — I remember I was starving by then — and got ready to head out. Someone had told me that during my visit, the Canton Fair, one of the largest trade fairs in the world, would be happening in Guangzhou. I didn’t want to miss that opportunity, so I made it my very first stop.
The Canton Fair was unlike anything I’d seen before — it was massive, filled with people from all over the globe, and the variety of products on display was unbelievable. Even though I wasn’t there for business, just walking around gave me a sense of how big and interconnected global trade really is. It also gave me an early taste of how international Guangzhou truly is.
Guangzhou itself is… incredible. It’s this fascinating mix of the ultra-modern and the deeply traditional. The first thing that really caught my eye was how clean and structured the city felt. Even though it’s a huge metropolis, it didn’t feel chaotic.
Later that day, I visited the iconic Canton Tower. It’s absolutely massive and even more impressive in person. I took the elevator up to the observation deck, and the view of the entire city was breathtaking. I timed my visit around sunset, and watching the city slowly light up as the sky changed color was unforgettable. At night, the tower puts on a stunning light show — constantly changing colors and glowing like something out of a sci-fi movie.
Aside from sightseeing, I also wanted to explore Guangzhou’s reputation as a hub for business and trade. So I spent some time at the wholesale markets. There are markets for everything — clothes, leather goods, electronics — and they’re enormous. You could spend days there. Even though I wasn’t buying in bulk, it was just fascinating to see the scale of trade and how people from around the world come to source products.
Of course, moving around such busy areas also brought one of the few challenges I faced during the trip — language barriers. English isn’t widely spoken in most places, especially in local shops, small restaurants, and transport hubs. There were times when I struggled to ask for directions or order food. A few moments were even a bit awkward — like pointing at menu pictures or using hand gestures to explain things. But I tried to stay patient, and so did the locals. Most people were kind, and even if they didn’t speak English, they genuinely tried to help.
Translation apps like Google Translate and Baidu Translate became my best friends. I’d often type what I wanted to say or show pre-translated phrases on my phone. It wasn’t always perfect, but it worked. Looking back, those small struggles actually made the experience feel more adventurous and memorable.
One of my favorite relaxing experiences was a cruise on the Pearl River. After a few days of running around the city, it was the perfect way to slow down. The boat glided gently through the water, the breeze was cool, and the whole city was lit up. The Canton Tower in the background made it feel surreal. It was quiet, calming, and one of those moments where you just sit and take it all in.
I also visited Beijing Road, a lively pedestrian street full of shops, food, and history. What’s cool is that right in the middle of the street, there’s a glass section in the ground showing ancient roads from different dynasties. It’s like walking on layers of history while eating street snacks.
Then I went to Shamian Island — a totally different vibe. It used to be a colonial area, so the buildings are all European-style. It’s quiet, green, and a great spot to relax. I took a lot of photos there because the atmosphere was so unique compared to the rest of Guangzhou.
For a cultural experience, I visited the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. It’s a beautifully preserved traditional building filled with carvings and folk art. I learned a lot about Cantonese culture and just stood there admiring the details — everything from the rooftop decorations to the woodwork.
Another highlight was spending time in Yuexiu Park, which felt like an escape from the busy streets. I saw the famous Five Rams Statue, walked around lakes and hills, and even watched local people doing tai chi in the morning. It was peaceful and gave me a chance to see daily life in Guangzhou from a more relaxed perspective.
And in case you’re wondering about the budget — I spent around $1200 in total. That includes round-trip airfare from Dhaka to Guangzhou, visa fees, accommodation, food, transportation, entrance tickets, shopping, and everything else. For a week filled with so many experiences, I think it was completely worth it.
So yes, there were a few small bumps along the way — mostly because of the language barrier — but in the end, they became part of the story. I left Guangzhou with amazing memories, more confidence as a traveler, and a deep appreciation for how much you can discover even when you don’t speak the same language.
If anyone’s thinking about visiting China and doesn’t know where to start, I’d say Guangzhou is a fantastic first stop. It’s safe, clean, full of character, and offers such a wide range of experiences. For me, it wasn’t just a vacation — it was a journey that challenged, inspired, and stayed with me.
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that made the experience more delightful