Jiangnan Xi Communities in Tranquility and One-Stop-Shop Diversity

Some stylish cafés and shops nestle on the ground floors of buildings in this maze of landscaped alleys.

In the heartland of Haizhu District spans a road full of life – Jiangnan Xi – where you can walk into the depth of almost every facet of life in the locals' communities.

Its main road is chic and dynamic for the robust. Lines of fine shops selling fashion, stylish watches and cosmetics blend with diversified restaurants and cafés that attract your steps for shopping or dining. These are not grand establishments like TeeMall, but of friendly "SME" size.

A peaceful neighborhood is shaded by green trees.

Its "wings" of extensive "one-stop-shop" neighborhoods, only yards away from the main-road hustles and bustles, are cozy and tranquil retreats to rest your mind. Decades-old average streets, blocks of apartments, agricultural markets, groceries, kiosks, canteens, tailors', schools, kindergartens, hospitals and sport venues are shaded by green trees, including lush banyan and Chinese redbud. There are also a few dainty gardens. The inhabitants, mostly Cantonese, are found enjoying their daily routines, in the clean and uncrowded neighborhoods, in a relaxing beat.

An outdoor communities "lounge". 



Local residents play Mahjong at a grocery.



Local residents play badminton in the open.

For your small excitements and tastes, quite a few stylish cafés, pubs, and tiny but lovely shops selling garments and fancy things nestle on the ground floors of buildings in this maze of landscaped alleys. Most of them are located in the Qingfeng ("Green Phoenix") Neighborhood south to the main road.

They are sort of extended shopping arms from the main road, and like the shopping community opposite the southern entrance of TeeMall. The price here is lower, the merchandise less metropolitan than the one in Tianhe CBD.

A café in a neighborhood.



Various shops are lined in a neighborhood.

Some merchandise for youngsters are displayed in a shop run by a Cantonese girl, who is a fresh graduate majoring in comics and cartoon.

A café in a neighborhood.

Some of the outlets here are owned or operated by art and design (ex) professionals, students, fresh graduates, or local families. Many of these people are nice to talk with, and much identified with their community.

Uncle Shun, a veteran of a designing company in his fifties, has for years been operating a fashion shop here by his name "Shun" (meaning things go well and mood is good) with his daughter. He has spent both money and time cleaning up and paving a small landscaped courtyard in front of his shop, making it "home" to the happy gathering of his peers, friends, neighbors, and other local residents.

Uncle Shun's fashion shop and the landscaped courtyard in front.



A shop in the neighborhood.



A garden and a small plaza.

Here you can also experience the history and culture of Canton at the ancient site of the "cradle" of the Guangdong-based Ling-nan Style Painting, one of the major art schools in China – Shixiang Yuan ("Mansion of Ten Kinds of Aroma") Museum deeply amid the southern community.

Famous painters, brothers, JU Lian and JU Chao, called the "Fathers" of the Ling-nan Painting, used to live, paint, and teach painting here over 100 years ago. It is a small place where big origination was nurtured.

Facade of Shixiang Yuan ("Mansion of Ten Kinds of Aroma") Museum deeply amid the southern community.

Opposite to the Shixiang Yuan Museum across a creek, stands the Memorial Middle School for Ling-nan Painting, on the walls of which there are paintings.

A waterfront path near Shixiang Yuan Museum.

Opposite to the museum across a creek stands the Memorial Middle School for Ling-nan Painting, which features art education and extends the local artistic heritage.

If you are hungry, a galaxy of restaurants offer delicacies and snacks in various cuisines – local Guangdonger, North China, Sichuan, Hunan, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, western style, Latino, and fast-food, plus some nice cafés, beverage caters, fruit mix stores, and bakeries – many options to please your palate, fill your belly, or just lounge around with a cup of cha, or coffee.

Many well-received restaurants don't have eye-catching façades, some are even small and shabby, but reasonable price and above average flavor make them the favorites of Cantonese people, who while critical on taste, are practical on budget.

 

Two low-profile caterers are well-received by locals – Shengli Qiang (L. , Cantonese noodles) and Tian Long (R., soup of chicken and snake)

Four nice caterer, cafés, and bakery.

The not-to-miss includes Xin Tai Le (Cantonese cuisine), Ying Ji (steamed vermicelli roll), Jiu Mao Jiu (North China noodles), Dong Bei Ren (Northeast China Cuisine), Sheng Li Qiang (Cantonese noodle), Nangang (seafood), Dongting Tu Caiguan (Hunan), Maxims Bakery, and Fruit Mix.

Around Jiangnan Xi, peacefulness, metropolitan vogue, stylish and diversified living, culture and history are nicely mixed and balanced in the low-profile and natural Cantonese way.

It is convenient to reach from exit A of Jiangnan Xi Station on Metro Line 2. Many bus lines can also bring you here to start your afternoon loiter.

Spacious Jiangnan Xi Road.







Kids have fun with a skating training session at a plaza.



A neighborhood.



A residential building.



A new residential estate.



A gymnasium renovated from a warehouse.



A landscaped garden.



A backstreet at dusk.

Warm light of home - a Chinese-style archway of entrance to a block of apartment.

(Written and photographed by Ronald Li)

Source: Lifeofguangzhou.com

Editor: Ronald Li