Life of Guangzhou - Shuiyin Road: Guangzhou's Costume Street

Dancers come to try out a new costume

Some shops offer over 5000 different costumes

Costumes drying in the sun

Located on the boarder of Yuexiu and Tianhe District, Shuiyin Lu is home to over 30 costume rental shops which explains why locals call it Guangzhou's "Costume Street."

Business is brisk at the moment, but that doesn't last long as people mainly rent costumes during the festival seasons. Ahead of the New Year and the Spring Festival, numerous companies and organizations hold parties and therefore are in need of costumes. Some photographers also come here in search of original costumes for their shots.

The price of a costume depends on both the season and type. Prices start with a simple folk dress at 20RMB per day but can reach an expensive 100RMB for a beautiful embroidery robe. During the busy time of the year, costumes might be a little more expensive but let that not push you away as there is always room to bargain with the shopkeepers.

How to get there:
Bus No.6, 27, 78, 192, 199, 547, night 14

(By Liu Jia and David Keyton)