Despite its reputation as one of China's cash cows, Guangzhou is a city that certainly does not display its wealth in its appearance. In fact, it is cluttered with three-decades-old ramshackle apartments and factories. One glance across the skyline reveals little, if any, sign of planning, with bricks-and-mortar tenements alongside gleaming, modern high rises, shopping centres and hotels.
In the past, city planners simply razed crumbling neighbourhoods to make room for more modern commercial sites. However, this architectural clash is slowly being remedied in a more subtle, more indigenous way. In the past year, residential buildings from the 1960s and 1970s have been transformed into quaint commercial districts with an alfresco flair.
So far, three areas in Guangzhou have benefited, with first-floor apartments and shops being remodelled into stylish, privately owned boutiques. The Tianhe Nan Yi Lu area is now a hotbed of commercial activity, as cafes, furniture stores and novelty shops continue to open, while the Taojin Lu area, once a slum, is bustling with similar shops. In the Yi An shopping district - close to the centrally located Garden Hotel - more than 40 first-floor apartments have been renovated, and are set to be converted into small commercial boutiques by the end of summer.
'This is a good location,' said Crystal Tsui, who plans to open a shop selling household goods in the new development. 'Lots of foreign clients and companies are located around here.'
One advantage of this kind of development is that individuals can open a shop in a central area without having to pay exorbitant rents. It is also a boon to areas which were formerly eyesores. New shops mean landscaped walkways and repainted buildings.
The only problem is overcoming the bureaucracy. One tenant managed to get the necessary licences only after wining and dining a district official. 'After that we had no problems at all,' said the tenant.