Welcome to Guangzhou.

Prepare for a roller-coaster ride. Moving to Guangzhou is like moving to another planet. A vast city sprawling on the Pearl River delta, with nearly 11 million inhabitants, it can be an overpowering experience. Almost nobody speaks English or reads English characters; open markets sell foods that would be intolerable in most countries (try the dried millipedes); the city is a swelter of trade and development. But Guangzhou has another face, the older one, in which it was better known as Canton, the area where for the last two centuries much of China's political and intellectual life bubbled up. Expect energy, challenge, and a youthful, hard-living expatriate community.

Getting There
From A to Z: visas, permits, tickets and shippers. Need a taxi from the airport? We’ll tell you how much it costs. A hotel? We know the best. And what about that culture shock? We’ll let you know what to expect.

Living There
What neighborhoods do expatriates live in and how much does it cost? How do you get a cell phone, where do you get your car fixed, or find an English-speaking doctor? Start here for the essentials of survival.

Raising Kids There
The critical stuff: the best schools with entry requirements, curriculum and fees. Pre-school, childcare, where to find a pediatrician, buy trainers, or toys. And for free time – family restaurants, night safaris, space flight wonders, and amusement parks.

Playing There
Guangzhou is full of exotic sights and sounds. We’ll guide you round the best of the city and help you enjoy yourself. Try the sensational local cuisine, and then fight off the pounds with our Keep Fit listings. Or find the best places for a drink or night out.

Working There
How do the Chinese do business? How is it different? We’ll give you pointers on business etiquette, and on how to get started; where to rent offices, find reliable lawyers, decipher banking and tax liabilities, hire staff, find a translator and show you which are the best networking groups to join.

Spouse Survival Kit
So you are here with your partner? Does that mean you have to sit at home? Our survival kit helps you make the leap – form friendships, find work, join clubs, network, take courses, keep busy.


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