MoneyMan

Operated (Flight 3) into Guangzhou this morning (14 Jan) and here are some general comments from a 1st time layover for me.

1. Airport is huge. Like Shanghai they tend to land you on the far runway.
2. FedEx ramp is enormous also--reminds me of Alliance in that there is no activity to speak of (I guess the grand opening is now scheduled for 6 Feb but the ramp agent says it probably will slip).
3. 900 Chinese people met our aircraft, and all came on board at the same time. Immigration was looking in the bathroom for the food until I pointed out the chiller and had him look in there. I think he wanted it all in the trash before the doors opened, which I mentioned to the agent. Something they will have to work out. No one really seems to know what they are doing. Be prepared for the sudden stop when blocking in (arms go from full wide to stop).
4. As we exited the aircraft, 200 more Chinese all came up the stairs and so the bag drag down was a challenge. I again mentioned this to the manager (who met us inside).
5. Customs and immigration is a snap (all on FedEx site), just like Subic.
6. Hotel is a Holiday Inn located in the older part of town (Google Map Shifu, Guangzhou). We were located on the executive floor with big rooms, free breakfast, and a happy hour. Security seems very good. The hotel is older (signs of mildew) but clean. Water pressure (shower) is weak. Adapter is required for the outlets (to charge laptops, iPod, etc.).
7. Right outside the hotel are a bunch of "back street" food outlets with some really strange and interesting food (scorpion on a stick, etc.). Some soups and more. Chinese restaurant that's not bad about a block away.
8. There is a huge shopping street. No signs of an economic slowdown on this street (at least today) as the shoppers were out in force. No one ever approached me and offered my a copy watch or purse. Darn, I miss that! The goods are shoes, clothes, purses, and general merchandise (Nike, other brand names). Prices seemed good but then I have no idea of the quality. I did not see any DVD stores, but given the crackdown lately and the poor quality of DVD-9 and DVD-5 brands, I wasn't looking for these stores.

Several blocks away is a 7-11 so if you need some basic necessities, there are plenty of little stores and the 7-11. I broke a part off my reading glasses (I'm old) and found an optical store where they fixed it for free. They would not take any money, which is very unusual in the world today. People seem friendly, but I did get some stares as I'm not sure they see lots of Americans in this shopping area.

There is a huge mall several blocks down with 7-8 floors. Pretty much "dead" in that there didn't seem to be much activity except the food court. Lots of sewing materials (beads, cloth, etc.), clothing stores, and younger generation stuff. I have no idea of the quality of the food court as I didn't venture there.

I did not find a place to do laundry (like Subic), but didn't ask the hotel and didn't spend a lot of time looking.

That's about it for my initial view of Guangzhou based upon my first visit. I'm sure the Hong Kong crews will have this place scoped out in no time, or have more current information than I've given.

Fly safe!

SeeDub

Thanks for the post. No chance that I will be going there any time soon, but I still found it to be an interesting read.

magic rat

Damn...that's alot of Chinese dudes...

Interesting read, thanks

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FLMD11CAPT

In China, the "Chinese Resturant" becomes just "A Resturant"

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Box Boy

How is the gym?

md11freightdog

Gym is decent. Not like SIN or PVG. Reminds me of the gym we had at the Imperial in TPE. On rooftop level next to the pool.

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FANS cripple

Thought I'd bump this one, considering the new grand opening.

machz990

A good laundry facility is Jenny's Laundry on Sha Mian Island. The address is Ally Laundry Center (Jennifer’s Place)- First Floor, 4th Street. Shamian. The island is depicted in a fold-out map that comes with your room key. The island is a short walk down to the river from the Holiday Inn. You must use the pedestrian bridge to cross over the highway, then another short bridge to cross the river onto the island. Cross over the bridge towards the western side of the island close to Zhu Ji Rd. Once across bridge take a left along the river and look for 4th street and go right. Jenny's Laundry is on the left side in the first block. Red sign outside and another as you walk in on the first floor in a place with a convenience store like a 7-11 and a subway type place if I recall. She was there and took our laundry and wrote down our room numbers. She delivered the next day however, she did offer same-day service if needed. We were on a longer layover so no rush. She is familiar with us and it's really easy to do. Laundry comes back folded in plastic bags similar to Subic.

Also there is a Starbucks on the backside of that same block. If you continue down 4th past Jenny's until you can make your first left, Starbucks is on the left about half a block down. Free open wi-fi at Starbucks also. We saw a German restaurant and an Italian Coffee place on the eastern end of the same street that Starbucks was on but didn't go inside. The island is a nice place to walk around with shops and places to eat.

Update: The Captain had two pieces of laundry that came back with spots still on them. My laundry appears to be fine but the spots on his clothing should have come out with no problem. Makes you wonder how the clothes are actually washed. I would bring any spots to her attention if you go there. Maybe that will alleviate the problem. Other than that, she did deliver the clothes to my hotel room on time as agreed.

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