Guangzhou can truly be described as the Mecca of African businesses. Despite the huge language barrier, Africans from various African countries make their way to the Beauty Exchange Center precinct to shop for goods to sell back at home.
The mall itself is packed with vendors of a large variety of beauty products from nail technician equipment to hair extensions and make up.
The streets outside of the mall were abuzz with Africans from all over the continent bargaining with shop owners for shoes, clothing and handbags.
After spending seven days in Guangzhou, it was clear to see that it was the business hub for Africa, men and women, using a calculator to communicate the best deal.
Although this part of China was full of “black” people, there was a sense of fascination with seeing people of colour in other parts of China like Baiyun. A town about 13km from the shopping district.
Technology was a saviour as communication could only be done using Google translate or a translating application as practically less than a hand full of Chinese sales people, hotel staff and cab drivers could speak English.
That did not take away from their kindness and willing to assist at all times.
Hong Kong, a clean and more urban area had more English speaking people, which is understandable as it was colonised by Britain.
Both Guangzhou and Hong Kong were a breathe of fresh air as there was a sense of safety while walking in the streets at any time of the day.
People can be seem shopping and on the mobile phones throughout the day.
In Hong Kong, buses operate all day with the Night Market and other big retailers filling up from around 7pm.
Africans in Hong Kong said they were there to study and that their public transport is amazing and people use bikes or the train which operates almost everywhere.
They are the perfect definition of cities that don’t sleep.
