Description: First tip, do not visit Beijing Road on a weekend. Instead, choose a weekday to meander through Guangzhou’s most well-traveled shopping district. The locals we met spent much of their time perusing the offerings at the local stores.
Beijing Road also caters to tourists so sharpen those bargaining skills to drive down inflated prices. Note that inside department stores, the prices stand firm. Note that after you have converted the Chinese yuan to your local currency, and realize that the quoted price undercuts anything you have at home, you can still bargain.
We visited Beijing Road on a Sunday that just happened to be December 24. While we thought that the Christmas season would not play a part in Chinese life, we were sorely mistaken. The Chinese celebrate Christmas as a gift-giving holiday only, which boosts the retail industry significantly. The wall of people we encountered terrified us as we attempted to navigate the crowd. Unfortunately, when the crowds thicken so, we could not find as many shops behind the bodies.
As a result, we returned the next day, December 25, bracing for another crowded day. However, on a Monday, everyone returned to work, despite Christmas. Joyfully, we scampered down the road, which bars traffic, favoring pedestrians only. A watch shop sold pirated licensed characters watches such as Hello Kitty and Snoopy for a mere US$2.50. Insist on a receipt in case your treasures disintegrate, as did my friend’s Hello Kitty watch.
We found the Grand Buy department store, a multi-storey behemoth which featured the requisite cosmetics, housewares and apparel, as well as a grocery store and food court. I found an entire department of Snoopy apparel for children, which I raided with gusto. Check for specials as we just happened to stumble upon a promotion where if we spent 300 yuan, we would receive a voucher for 100 yuan off our next single purchase.
Beijing Road also provides some historical significance. In the center of the road, the municipal authorities have encased in glass an excavation site of an ancient Chinese road. I peered down the hole and could distinguish the cobblestones far below. A plaque provides more detail.
Spend at least an entire morning or afternoon on Beijing Road. After all, following the locals cannot lead you wrong. For the best way to reach Beijing Road, take the subway or a taxi.
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