Frequently Asked Questions about Guangzhou
Is the Guangzhou safe?
Guangzhou is generally safe, but the huge influx of poor immigrants from the countryside has made robbery more common than in other Chinese cities. As in most large cities, certain parts of the city centre are either safer or are more prone to crime. Expats should be extra careful around the train station district at night. Expats also need to be wary of pick pocketing.
What language do they speak in Guangzhou?
They speak Mandarin and Cantonese. Mandarin is the official language, but most people speak Cantonese. Guangzhou was once called Canton City. Both languages use the same characters for reading and writing. English isn't as commonly spoken as in China's other large cities, but many professionals who deal with expats will have some English ability.
Will I need a car?
Taxis are fairly easy to catch and are relatively cheap. Public transportation does cover the whole city, but is often inefficient and uncomfortably crowded. Expats living out of the city centre will probably need their own transportation.
Guangzhou is generally safe, but the huge influx of poor immigrants from the countryside has made robbery more common than in other Chinese cities. As in most large cities, certain parts of the city centre are either safer or are more prone to crime. Expats should be extra careful around the train station district at night. Expats also need to be wary of pick pocketing.
What language do they speak in Guangzhou?
They speak Mandarin and Cantonese. Mandarin is the official language, but most people speak Cantonese. Guangzhou was once called Canton City. Both languages use the same characters for reading and writing. English isn't as commonly spoken as in China's other large cities, but many professionals who deal with expats will have some English ability.
Will I need a car?
Taxis are fairly easy to catch and are relatively cheap. Public transportation does cover the whole city, but is often inefficient and uncomfortably crowded. Expats living out of the city centre will probably need their own transportation.
