Where to go from Guangzhou to the sea. Open the left menu of guangzhou. The highlights of the local cuisine can be called
Let's make a reservation right away - you will not be able to find sea beaches in Guangzhou. Nevertheless, here, within the boundaries of the capital of the Chinese province of Guangdan, there is a well-equipped river beach. It was equipped on the banks of the Pearl River, about which, however, they say that after heavy rains, the water in it leaves much to be desired - a lot of garbage gets there. But in this case, there are pools in which you can splash around without fear for your health. Getting to the beach is easy and simple - the metro goes here. The area is called Liwan, and the station is Zhong Shan Ba, you need to exit through Exit D. You can also get there by bus - nine routes go here. The beach is paid, more precisely, you will have to pay for the entrance, and on the spot you can take umbrellas and sun loungers freely, occupy lockers for things and use showers and changing rooms.
But for those who do not think beach holiday without the sea with its salty water and big waves, you will have to travel longer - to the beaches of Dameisha or Xiaomeisha, which are known to all residents of Guangdan. Residents of the province love to go to these beaches in Shenzhen for weekends in the summer. There are two ways to get from Guangzhou to the beaches:
- By train and bus.
- Two buses.
The voyage may take more than 3 hours, but as a result, you will be met by the best sandy beaches of Guangzhou, more precisely, not the city itself, but its environs.
Dameisha beach
Dameisha Beach is located on the shores of Dapengwan Bay. The sand on this beach is fine, light golden in color. Near the sea, the color changes from blue to dark blue, depending on the season. The beach is successfully surrounded by a chain of picturesque green hills. Its beach length exceeds 1800, which made it possible to divide it into several special areas: a swimming area, an entertainment area, a sports area and a barbecue area. On the beach, you can see sculptural groups expressing the desire for a better life that manifested itself among the youth of the so-called "drifting generation" (1940-1980s, then it was not possible to find a stable job, but about good conditions life was never dreamed of).
In addition to simple swimming, here you can go skydiving behind a boat, water skiing or motor boating. The best period for swimming is from May to October inclusive.
Xiaomeisha beach
A calmer beach is Xiaomeisha. This place is only a kilometer away from Dameisha in a northerly direction. It is not so crowded and crowded, although the length of the beach is only 1 km. The beach is close to Shenzhen, which attracts water sports enthusiasts. In addition, here you can rent motor boats or fishing rods. Foreigners come here to surf, because after a typhoon you can catch very good waves here. In the evenings, "Xiaomeisha Nights" are sometimes held on the beach. This is a free spectacle that includes ethnic dances, magicians and acrobatic shows. Not far from the beach there is a dolphinarium.
Guangzhou is located in the south of mainland China. This is one of the largest cities in China. The city is washed by the South China Sea and has a port, the third largest in the country. Guangzhou is the cutting-edge economic, cultural, scientific and educational center of all of southern China.
It is not for nothing that this city is called many-sided - it even has several names. For example, Sui Chen, which means "city of rice ears", or Yang Chen - "city of goats." These names, by the way, are not accidental. According to legend, once upon a time, the inhabitants of the village, on the site of which Guangzhou later grew up, were dying of hunger. And five gods descended from the sky on five goats to save people. The gods gave the inhabitants five ears of rice, with which they satisfied their hunger and sowed the fields. So the village began to flourish and turned into a city. In Europe it was known as Canton. But the modern name of Guangzhou is far from poetry and extremely functional: it just means "the city center of Guangdong."
Guangzhou is an ancient city that has preserved its rich history and unique flavor to this day. It was from here that the famous Silk Road. And today Guangzhou is known throughout the world as a major center of light industry.
In addition, this historically multinational city attracts more and more tourists every year. Here, travelers will find traditional Chinese hospitality, excellent service and a variety of leisure activities.
Climate
The climate in Guangzhou is influenced by its southern location and proximity warm sea: here it is warm and humid all year round, as it should be in the subtropics. The average annual temperature is +21 °С.
Summer in Guangzhou is very hot, the air temperature on some days reaches +40 °C! The hottest months are August and September, and typhoons are not uncommon at this time.
There are no frosts in winter, the temperature does not fall below +4 °C. But it should be borne in mind that there is almost no heating in the rooms, and because of the high humidity it can be quite cold.
The rainy season lasts from April to June. But in October - December, the weather is ideal for traveling: warm, sunny and dry.
Nature
The natural beauties of Guangzhou surroundings have impressed more than one traveler. It has all the components of an ideal landscape: sea, mountains, rivers and forests. South China Sea, pearl river("pearl") and its tributaries - beijiang("northern river"), Xijiang("western river") and dongjiang("eastern river") - the water wealth of the city. The highest mountain in Guangzhou is bai yun shan("mountain of white clouds"), which offers a unique view of the city. The mountain got its name thanks to the snow-white clouds that fall on it with wreaths after the rain. There are also very picturesque places in the area. Lotus mountains. All the charm flora region can be estimated in botanical garden Southern China, which is broken up on the slopes of Bai Yun Shan. More than four thousand species of plants grow here.
Guangzhou itself is surrounded by greenery and exotic flowers all year round, for which it is deservedly called the City of Flowers.
Attractions
Guangzhou is pleased to offer tourists 123 historical monuments that are protected by the state, and more than forty popular attractions.
Acquaintance with the city usually begins with a tour of the famous five goat statues, which is located in a huge picturesque Yuexiu park. The statue is a symbol of Guangzhou. Even in the park you can climb the five-story zhenhai tower and enjoy the beautiful view of the park. The park itself occupies 860 thousand square meters, and you can endlessly wander along its alleys, admiring artificial lakes, greenhouses and tea houses. If you love nature, be sure to visit the exquisite orchid park And Botanical Garden. IN haichuan park, in addition to beautiful flowers, you can see the ancient Monastery of the Ocean Banner. In Guangzhou, by the way, there are many ancient temples that still amaze with their majesty: this and Temple of the Five Spirits And Huaisheng Mosque, And Temple of Filial Piety, And Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral, And Luronsa temple, built back in 537 and to this day remaining the tallest building in the old part of the city.
A walk in Guangzhou is incomplete if you don't visit Beijing Street. Once it was the center of commercial Guangzhou, there were manufactories that supplied goods throughout Europe. Traditionally, foreigners settled here, which is reflected in the architecture. In the center of the street, fragments of a sidewalk, which is more than 500 years old, are immortalized under glass.
Nutrition
An old Chinese proverb says, "Any animal with its back facing the sky can be eaten." This maxim perfectly conveys the peculiarity of Cantonese cuisine, where food is almost elevated to a cult. Do not be surprised if the restaurant offers you dishes from snakes, frogs, worms, cats, dogs, snails or ants.
The main rule of Guangzhou cuisine is that all products must be fresh. Therefore, near many restaurants you will see cages with still living inhabitants, each of which you can choose for your lunch. The most popular dishes in Guangzhou are “Tiger-Dragon Battle” (snake and cat meat roast), wild dog stew, chicken baked in salt, and pig fried with fruit. Many travelers admire Cantonese soups, in which, according to local chefs, medicinal herbs are added.
There are about 20 thousand food establishments in the city, so finding a decent restaurant is not difficult. In addition to Cantonese delights, in the city you can try cuisines from different parts of the world: Indian, European, Japanese, Malaysian, Korean, Arabic and many others. There are countless fast food restaurants with very affordable prices here.
We advise you not to miss restaurant "Datong"(Datong Restaurant) on Yanjiangsilu Street. This is one of the oldest Cantonese restaurants and perhaps the most favorite place among the locals. The restaurant occupies as many as 8 floors of an old building overlooking pearl river.
If you are going to dine in the restaurant, we recommend that you book tables in advance.
Accommodation
Guangzhou has a huge selection of hotels. As elsewhere in China, the level of service in hotels is very decent and in no way inferior to European standards. True, Guangzhou has one significant difference from other Chinese cities: there is a very limited choice of affordable housing such as youth hostels. We also add that most of the functioning hostels do not have licenses and operate underground at their own peril and risk. Therefore, we recommend that you still use the services of official hotels and hotels, no matter how great the desire to save money.
Keep in mind that the time from mid-April to May and the beginning of November is always marked in Guangzhou by a sharp increase in hotel prices. This is due to the fact that at this time the city hosts the Canton Fair, which attracts businessmen from all over the world. If you are not going to attend the fair, it is better to choose another time for your trip to Guangzhou and not overpay for the hotel.
Entertainment and recreation
In Guangzhou, travelers are waiting for entertainment with a special flavor. Firstly, the city cannot be imagined without a variety of festivals that fascinate with colorful performances. This is the Flower Festival at the end of January, and the festival-competition of dragon boat rowers in May, and the International Food Festival, where you can try real culinary masterpieces.
Adherents of active entertainment will also find something to their liking in Guangzhou. You can visit Chimelong Water Park- the largest water park in Asia. It is visited by more than 40 thousand people a day. Here are several hundred water attractions with artificial waves, waterfalls, bridges and various obstacles (there is even an ice room). This is an ideal place for families with children. It is also interesting to take a bus ride along Chime-Long Xiangjiang Safari Park. About 300 species of animals live here in their natural environment, including such rare animals as the black antelope, white tiger, Thai alligator and white lion. Don't ignore and Chime-Long Paradise amusement park with roller coasters 40 meters high, racing tracks and other fun (more than a hundred rides in total).
If you want an unforgettable experience, be sure to visit the circus in Guangzhou. This is the largest international circus in the world with troupes from all over the world. Spectators are forced to freeze in amazement by exotic animals, space acrobats, horse riders. Amazing mass performances are accompanied by high-tech lighting and musical special effects.
Nightlife in Guangzhou is very rich. They even say that at night the city only wakes up. Worth walking along the three famous "bar" streets of Guangzhou - Huanshi, Binjiang and Baie Tan - to get an impression of the nightlife in this city. And if you are not a fan of bars and clubs, you will surely enjoy a night cruise on the Pearl River: the view of Guangzhou in the evening in colorful lights is truly incomparable.
Purchases
Shopping in Guangzhou will be remembered for a long time: the abundance of goods and relatively low prices cannot but please the buyer. Garment and electronics industries are especially developed in Guangdong province, so it is profitable to buy clothes and appliances here. Among local souvenirs, Cantonese embroidery, jade products, colored ceramics and Wang Laoji herbal tea, which is considered an excellent remedy for colds, and also quenches thirst well in the heat, are famous.
As elsewhere in China, in Guangzhou it is worth visiting the street markets, among which the seafood market on Yide Street and the Kingping Market stand out with their color - a very peculiar place where the most exotic animals are sold. We remind you that bargaining in the markets is an indispensable part of the buying ritual.
When shopping, one cannot help but stroll along Shangxiajiu Street, as well as Beijing Street, where there are many boutiques and shops for every taste. We advise lovers of antiquity to walk along Xiguan Antiques Street, and connoisseurs of elegant gizmos - along Jade Street.
If you want to buy excellent quality shoes, the best place to go is the Shoe International Trade Center (Shoe City) on Zhangxi Road. The prices and range here will pleasantly surprise you.
By the way, local residents are very fond of night shopping: there are many shopping centers in the city that are open almost until the morning.
Cash is accepted for payment in the markets, and in shopping malls and supermarkets, you can use a bank card.
Transport
In Guangzhou, as in every self-respecting metropolis, a well-established system public transport. Residents and guests of Guangzhou travel by bus, subway, river tram and, of course, by taxi.
There are more than 450 bus routes in the city, including more than 40 night ones, operating from 21:00 to 6:00. Most buses have air conditioning. The fare is low and amounts to $0.2-0.4 depending on the route.
The Guangzhou Metro has seven lines. The fare depends on the distance, but you will not pay more than $ 2. Tourists mainly use the 1st and 2nd lines, which pass through the city center.
6 river trams run along the Zhemchuzhnaya River. The entire route takes 40 minutes and costs the passenger $0.3.
There are over 16,000 taxis in Guangzhou, but it's not easy to get a car during rush hour. We advise you to immediately go to special taxi stops, where free cars arrive. Taxis come in different colors, and the yellow and crimson cars owned by Baiyun Taxi Company and Guangzhou Transportation Group enjoy great confidence among the local population. The fare is calculated strictly according to the meter. The minimum rate is approximately $1.2 and includes landing and the first 2 kilometers. Further, each kilometer costs $ 0.4. A fuel surcharge (approximately $ 0.2) will be added to the total amount. The night rate is traditionally higher, but at this time you can bargain with taxi drivers.
Connection
There are no problems with internet access in Guangzhou. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels of the 3* level and above, however, the service can be not only paid, but also more expensive than in a regular Internet cafe. Internet cafes are everywhere in the city, an hour of work costs an average of $ 0.3-0.4.
Mobile connection works great. To save on roaming costs, we recommend purchasing a SIM card from a local operator (China Mobile or China Unicom).
You can use the Guangzhou postal service if you want to send a regular letter or postcard. But post offices are quite slow, and few of the employees speak English. If you need to send a parcel or valuable documents, it is definitely better to contact the offices of the delivery services DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT or EMS. In large hotels, you can organize a postal item right on the spot.
Safety
It's safe to say that in Guangzhou, security is up to the mark. At least the lives of tourists are not in danger. But property must be protected from nimble pickpockets, who are especially malicious in markets, train stations and shopping centers. Keep an eye on your wallets and phones, try not to wear expensive jewelry and hold your bag tightly - it is not uncommon for thugs on motorcycles to snatch things from a gaping traveler right out of their hands.
Another problem is scammers. In no case do not succumb to the persuasion of strangers who offer you help in buying cheap goods or exchanging currency.
Keep all your valuables not in the room, but in the hotel safe (if there are no safes in the rooms).
Don't drink tap water, buy bottled water. And be careful on the roads: drivers do not give way to pedestrians, even if they are walking on a zebra.
Business climate
Guangzhou is a city open to foreign investment. According to Forbes China magazine, Guangzhou, thanks to its excellent infrastructure and favorable investment climate, is the best city China to do business. There are several important free economic zones with preferential taxation (export processing zone, 2 zones for the development of high technologies, a bonded zone and a zone for technical and economic development).
In addition, Guangzhou is one of the three financial centers in China and ranks second in the country in terms of the number of foreign banks.
Both local and foreign companies successfully work here, developing a variety of areas and providing a wide range of services. Twice a year, Guangzhou hosts the famous Canton Fair, which showcases export products from all over China. The exceptional significance of the event is evidenced by the fact that the exhibition ranks third in the world in terms of the volume of transactions concluded thanks to it.
Real estate
Today, the real estate market in Guangzhou is experiencing an investment boom. In 2011, investment in construction increased by 40% and the growth trend continues. Therefore, now the purchase of a house, apartment or office in Guangzhou can be considered a very profitable investment.
Currently, the average cost of housing in Guangzhou is $2,000 per 1 m 2 . Real estate in the city center is especially popular: here luxury apartments cost around $3,500 per 1 m 2 . And the demand for real estate is only growing, despite the high prices.
Since 2006, the Chinese government has taken restrictive measures against the purchase of real estate by foreigners. So, now only citizens who have been living in the country for at least 1 year can buy houses or apartments in the property. In this case, you can buy no more than one object and only for your own use. But the undoubted advantage is that a foreigner can get a loan to buy real estate in a Chinese bank with a maturity of up to 30 years.
While in Guangzhou, show respect for local traditions, in particular, culinary ones: you should not joke about the gastronomic preferences of the local population, no matter how strange they may seem to you.
When visiting Guangzhou's many temples, remember not to step on the high thresholds and take pictures of the interior decoration of the temples. Also, we do not recommend filming bridges, dams, government institutions and strategic objects on camera.
Keep in mind that smoking is prohibited in public places, and if you violate this ban, you will be required to pay a large fine.
It is always appropriate to have a business card with your details (name, hotel, address) written in Chinese. Even if you get lost, a business card will help the locals (especially taxi drivers) understand where you need to go.
Simultaneously serves as the administrative center of Guangdong Province and transport hub all south. The city sprawls north of the Pearl River Delta, called the Zhujiang by the Chinese. It carries its waters to the South China Sea. Guangzhou has a subtropical climate, and even in winter the air temperature does not drop below +10°С - +15°С. The water temperature in the sea reaches +20°С in February and +27°С in July.
A bit of geography
- The South China Sea, near the coast of which Guangzhou is located, belongs to the Pacific Ocean.
- Tropical cyclones often form above its surface, called typhoons by meteorologists. Their greatest number is born at the end of summer and the first half of autumn. The safest time is from January to April. During this period, the sea near Guangzhou is usually calm, the wind force is minimal.
- A system of winds called monsoons causes northern intrusions. This term is used in relation to cold air masses that spread at high speed in winter.
- Northern invasions most often occur in December-January and cause not only a decrease in air temperature, but also unrest at sea. Strong waves appear off the coast of Guangzhou, and their height sometimes reaches 7 m.
The best time to travel to the provincial capital of Guangdong is spring and mid-autumn.
Pearl River Beach
The city has a long history and the date of its foundation is considered to be 862 BC. e. Foreigners come to Guangzhou most often for excursions, shopping or treatment, but a beach holiday in the capital of Guangdong is not popular. Clean and equipped for swimming recreation areas on the sea are in the neighboring one.
If you happen to be in Guangzhou and are still going for a swim, head to the beach on the Zhujiang coast. locals spend weekends and holidays here, and therefore there are often too many people on the river.
The beach on the Pearl River is equipped with everything you need. The infrastructure includes changing rooms, toilets and showers. Sun loungers and parasols are free for visitors to use. It offers lockers for storing valuables.
Entrance to the Pearl River beach is paid. The ticket price is 35 and 25 yuan for an adult and a child, respectively.
Getting there: Zhong Shan Ba Subway Station, Line 5, Exit D.
Open: from 6.30 to 21.30.
water park in guangzhou
The largest water amusement park in Guangzhou may well replace a vacation at sea. Even a whole day in water world» will not be enough to visit all its rides, water slides and other entertainment.
For 400 thousand square meters. m. can simultaneously relax up to 40 thousand people. Among the most popular attractions are the world's largest Lazy River, which stretches for 5 km, the Hippo Mouth water slide, from a 20-meter height of which visitors fall into a giant bowl, and roller coasters - one of the most extreme on the continent.
For kids, the sea will completely replace the children's town built in the pool. Adults will love the fire show and the performance of the dancers. Participants of the fire show will make viewers of any age freeze in admiration - they perform tricks with torches so masterfully.
Oceanarium and its inhabitants
You can get up close and personal with the world of the sea in Guangzhou in the aquarium. It is located on the territory of the city zoo and covers an area equal to 13 thousand square meters. m. Immediately upon entering, visitors find themselves inside a glass tunnel, laid through the water column. A corner of the South China Sea with its plants and inhabitants has been recreated around the tunnel. Among the coral reefs, colorful fish of all sizes flicker, and hermits - mollusks of various species - hide in the caves.
The aquarium hosts a show of sea lions and dolphins every day, but the section where sharks are kept is of no less interest to visitors. Sea predators appear before the guests in all their glory, and, if desired, you can dive into the pool with them. Experienced instructors guarantee the daredevils absolute safety and a sea of extreme sensations.
Getting there: Zoo metro station, line 5, exit B.
Open: from 9 to 18.
If you have never been to China and are planning your first tourist trip, then most likely you are going to Beijing or Shanghai. These are undoubtedly the most famous Chinese cities. Taking into account the duration of the flight (Beijing - more than 7 hours, Shanghai - about 9 hours) and the time difference (5 hours with Moscow), it is not worth going for less than a week, because the first day you will recover, and you are unlikely to want to leave the hotel .
If you have two weeks (or more) at your disposal, you want to see Hong Kong, or you are going to China for the first time, then I highly recommend visiting the southern Chinese cities: Shenzhen and Guangzhou. I talked about Shenzhen here in. Here I will talk about Guangzhou: how to get there, where to stay and what to see.
Road to Guangzhou
A direct flight to Guangzhou takes 9 hours, the cost of a round-trip ticket is just over 49 thousand rubles. My colleagues and I flew directly, as the company paid for the expenses. This allowed us to devote a couple of days to exploring the city when the working meetings ended.
For comparison, you can fly to Beijing for 30,700 rubles, and to Shanghai - for 119 and a half thousand rubles, if we are talking about direct flights. At the same time, you can get from Beijing to Guangzhou by train: the minimum travel time is 8 hours, minimum cost- $137. You can drive from Shanghai in at least 7 hours, and tickets start at $30. As a rule, the faster you want to arrive, the more expensive the tickets will be, but you can also find very affordable prices if you book in advance and get seats on the 7-8 hour trains.
Accordingly, you can either fly to Guangzhou directly if finances allow, or put in more time for the trip and see Beijing and the south of China or Beijing, Shanghai (by train min 4 and a half hours, tickets from $25) and the south of China.
If I were going to China now, I would definitely plan to visit several provinces, and I would try to save money on the flight.
Where to settle
As in the case of Shenzhen, the cost of hotels and apartments in Guangzhou often depends on the "newness" of the area in which they are located. In contrast to the European tradition "the older, the more expensive," in China, newly commissioned facilities are considered premium. Take - 7 nights for two adults can cost from 156 euros to 2,817 euros (and this is within one block).
If, for example, in Paris such a difference in price can be found between a bed in a hostel and a five-star hotel in the historical part of the city, then in Guangzhou for 156 euros you will find yourself in a two-star hotel in the center, which is highly praised by tourists, including Russians. According to them, the staff speaks excellent English, the rooms are clean, there are shops, a bus station, restaurants, and a picturesque promenade nearby. They will check in at any time, make a discount for early checkout, call a taxi, and so on. Here are some photos:
As for luxury for almost 3,000 euros, these are apartments of 100 square meters, located further from the embankment, but opposite the Buddhist temple. You will have to cook by yourself, but you can enjoy luxury: there is a green veranda, chic furniture and household appliances, as well as a stunning view from the window.
If we are talking about, an apartment for a week for two (a bedroom with 1 bed plus a bathroom) costs from 1227 rubles per night, a separate room with a shared bathroom - from 1 thousand rubles per night.
We lived downtown at the Oakwood Premier Hotel on East Tiyu Road, where you can now rent a studio or apartment for two for 81 euros per night. The hotel was recommended to us by Chinese partners, and the company paid for the expenses. If I was traveling on my own money, I would not consider this accommodation option, since I always put a large part of the budget on sightseeing, shopping and food. In addition, every time going down from and going up to the 20th floor to smoke is very tiring :).
What to see
Within the city, in the area of the same name, there is Mount Baiyun, where you can take a walk, ride cable car(south entrance, 25 yuan per person), bungee jump and birdwatching. The entrance to the territory costs 5 yuan, and the same amount will have to be paid for visiting the temples located on the mountain. Be sure to check the location of the various entrances in advance and choose the route that suits you: it is very easy to get lost in the vast territory.
In clear weather, you can enjoy the view of the city from the Canton Tower, and to feel peace and tranquility and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, look at the Buddhist Temple on Liurong Road. You can also ride tourist bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus, a ticket for a day costs $5.63, the price includes an audio guide (unfortunately, only in English) and a map of the main sights of Guangzhou.
If you want to combine sightseeing with shopping, take a walk along Beijing Road. There is also ancient temple, and many shops of local and foreign brands, where you will find products and prices that suit you. In the process, you can also have a bite to eat by going to a cafe or buying fresh fruit from street vendors.
Be sure to visit Cantonese Opera, even if you don't like this genre, as Chinese opera traditions have nothing to do with European ones. It is impossible to describe the state of trance into which incredibly high voices of singers / singers and their costumes are introduced, you need to see and hear it once, and believe me - you will not remain indifferent.
Since we only had two days, we were only able to visit Canton Tower, the Buddhist Temple on Liurong Road and walk along Beijing Road. A year before this trip, my relatives went to Guangzhou, and from them I know about Canton Opera and Baiyun Mountain. I still regret very much that I did not manage to hear the first and see the last.
Where to eat
If you're willing to drop $40 per person to eat steaks and French cuisine at a restaurant inspired by an Agatha Christie detective, head to Orient Express (No.1 North Shamian Street).
If you want to taste traditional Chinese food, check out Tao Tao Ju Cafe (DiShi Fu Road 22) located on the shopping street. It’s not cheap here (about 1900 rubles per person, if you don’t deny yourself anything), but it’s very tasty and atmospheric. Here is an example of a traditional Cantonese dinner, which is usually divided among all those gathered using a table rotating in the center.
Inexpensive (main dishes from 150 rubles) and very exotic you can eat at HeXiang Ju (FangCun Avenue ZhongDong QiShi Road), which is located near the railway next to the central park and the city administration building.
I know from experience that the cheaper a Chinese establishment, the less likely it is that they speak English, but most of the menus are provided with pictures. I strongly advise you to translate the dishes you are interested in into Mandarin and Cantonese (a dialect of the south of China) in advance and simply show the text to the waiter. Otherwise, you run the risk of ordering raw chicken legs, for example, as my colleagues did when we went to a restaurant opposite the hotel :).