Black Chickens, Live Crabs & Street Barbers shocked me as a South African

Join me as I take a slow, curious walk through one of Guangzhou’s most authentic local markets in the heart of the Liwan district. The streets are old, cobbled, and alive with colour, sounds, and the smell of fresh produce. This is not the tourist version of China — this is real daily life.

From stalls overflowing with incredible vegetables to traditional meat sellers preparing cuts on wooden blocks, this market has everything. I pass fishmongers splashing water over tanks filled with live crabs and fish, chickens with their feet and heads still on, and even a jet-black chicken — something you don’t often see in South Africa!

Eggs of every shape, size, and colour line the tables. People chat, bargain, laugh, and go about their day. Right there on the street, barbers cut hair under umbrellas, and on my second day I even sat down for a street beard trim — a uniquely Guangzhou experience I'll never forget.

Walk with me through the Liwan market and see this vibrant world through the eyes of a South African exploring China. This video is all about culture, curiosity, and the beauty of everyday life in a place far from home.

If you enjoy travel, culture, markets, food adventures, and real-life street experiences, this video is for you.
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