Guangzhou Travel Impressions: A Personal Account
A Note on My Experiences
What follows are my personal experiences during a trip to Guangzhou. It's important to remember that this is just one perspective and travel can be a unique adventure for everyone.
Encounter 1: The Taxi Hustler at the Airport
My first impression upon landing at Baiyun Airport was the early arrival, well before check-in time. I was looking for a nearby hotel to rest for a few hours. A person approached, suggesting a taxi and hotel. I politely declined. This individual persisted, walking back and forth, overhearing my calls to hotels about room availability, and even glancing at my phone. When I expressed discomfort and asked them to stop, they resorted to a rather unusual and inappropriate gesture directly in front of me, narrowly missing me as I was seated.
Encounter 2: The Unhelpful Drivers
On subsequent occasions when I tried to book a taxi, the rides were often canceled before I could even locate the driver. My first time there, I tried asking drivers for directions, but they largely ignored me. The most frustrating experience involved four heavy suitcases. Despite explaining they were difficult to manage, the drivers refused to help load them. We managed to place them in the back ourselves. When I tried to put one in the front passenger seat, the driver refused, citing concerns about damaging the car.
Encounter 3: Payment Puzzles
During one trip, an unexpected personal matter prevented me from taking the booked taxi. My friend communicated the reason to the driver and was given a WeChat QR code to process the payment. Later, when we needed another taxi and opened the app, the previous ride still showed as unpaid, which was quite confusing.
Encounter 4: The Vanishing Act
My final taxi experience involved a trip to the airport. Given the distance from the city center, I needed to leave early. I asked the driver if they could assist with my suitcases, but they declined. I then asked them to park in a less crowded spot while I quickly retrieved my luggage from a nearby hotel, about 100 meters away in a bustling area. To my utter surprise, upon returning, the driver had already sped off. Feeling I had no choice, I canceled the ride through the app, incurring a cancellation fee, even though the situation was not my fault. To ensure I wouldn't be late, I had to ask the hotel owner to book my next taxi.
Guangzhou Travel Tips
Independent Travel Guangzhou
Guangzhou Review
Credit: Khuê Diệpp
