South China - Guangzhou

[QUOTE=Flyboy 2000; 1311222]It's been [I]way[/I] Too long since I've been to China, and unfortunately this next trip (in the middle of August) sees me spending just two days / nights in Guangzhou for business. But I'll be doing my best to slip out from the highly supervised & organised activities for a little playtime.

Now something that's [I]always[/I] Made me curious are KTV bars. They're totally 'foreign soil' to me, as I am the whitest of the gweilos and from what I hear KTVs are either aimed mainly at Chinese or those hosted by Chinese (who may then pick up the tab) , or if they [I]do[/I] Welcome we whities there's always that risk of being severely ripped off, not knowing The Rules of the Road and how it's all played.

As such, I'd welcome some enlightenment and shared wisdom from Team ISG on the KTV scene in Guangzhou. Any recommendations, tips, 'things to know before you go' etc?[/QUOTE]First you need to understand that KTV is not a bar, and usually you need a few people to go there together. I usually go alone as I cannot find someone in Guangzhou to go with me, but I have already learnt the ropes. Best way to experience KTV is to go to Dongguan and join one of those KTV parties hosted by the resident BSD over there.

Just FYI, when I do go for KTV by myself in Guangzhou, typical cost would be 3k if I don't take a girl home. Take home would be another 1500 to 2000, but these were young and slim girls that you can only find inside KTVs.

OS

[QUOTE=Old South; 1311278]Just FYI, when I do go for KTV by myself in Guangzhou, typical cost would be 3k if I don't take a girl home. Take home would be another 1500 to 2000, but these were young and slim girls that you can only find inside KTVs.

OS[/QUOTE]I think you're playing too much. Even high end KTV, booze isn't significantly more expensive than mid-tier places. I never paid when I went to Guangzhou KTV, but I do recall my friend paying a tab for 7000, but there were like a dozen people there plus girls. I figure if you go by yourself, you'll get a small room, minimum is probably 700-1000. Get 2 girls. 300 each, tab shouldn't be much more than 1500 if you don't take a girl back.

[QUOTE=Moody;1315489]I think you're playing too much. Even high end KTV, booze isn't significantly more expensive than mid-tier places. I never paid when I went to Guangzhou KTV, but I do recall my friend paying a tab for 7000, but there were like a dozen people there plus girls. I figure if you go by yourself, you'll get a small room, minimum is probably 700-1000. Get 2 girls. 300 each, tab shouldn't be much more than 1500 if you don't take a girl back.[/QUOTE]I am sorry Sir, but you said yourself you didn't pay, so how can you know? Typically if you are a repeat customer, with a big group, the per cost will be much lower. There is just a minimum that the establishment will need to get per night in each room, regardless of small or not. I recall some years ago some outskirt KTV might have a small room for 800, but there are also other cost like the fruite plates etc that you can not get rid of unless you are a regular and already know the manager well there. Also, in Guangzhou KTV you will need to pay for the DJ for at least 300 and the bus boy, and most places also the mammy who brings you the girls. As for the girls sitting fees, sure you might still find 300 girls, but do you want them? Any slightly better quality girl will be 400 to 500.

OS

[QUOTE=Old South; 1315526]I am sorry Sir, but you said yourself you didn't pay, so how can you know? Typically if you are a repeat customer, with a big group, the per cost will be much lower. There is just a minimum that the establishment will need to get per night in each room, regardless of small or not. I recall some years ago some outskirt KTV might have a small room for 800, but there are also other cost like the fruite plates etc that you can not get rid of unless you are a regular and already know the manager well there. Also, in Guangzhou KTV you will need to pay for the DJ for at least 300 and the bus boy, and most places also the mammy who brings you the girls. As for the girls sitting fees, sure you might still find 300 girls, but do you want them? Any slightly better quality girl will be 400 to 500.

OS[/QUOTE]While it's true I've never paid for KTV in Guangzhou, I have been to them frequently enough to know how they work, and it's not much different than other places. I did forget about the DJ girl though, which would be another 300. You can also get 400-500 girls, also true which would add to the tab. So add another 600 or so, a bit over 2K. You don't have to tip the mommy or the waiter, especially if you're there by yourself. Room minimum is the room minimum, KTV's don't expect to make more from a small room compared to a big room. Even in higher end places, room minimums aren't too out there, unless you're talking about a very few exclusive places. I guess it's quite possible you exceed the minimum by yourself. Perhaps you drink a lot or order lot of food or buy the girls stuff. I guess it's possible to spend 3K by yourself, but I don't think most people do.

P.S. I'm not a noob to the KTV scene. It's just that I have friends in GZ, and they insist on paying since typically I attend the Canton Fair when I go to GZ, so I've never paid at a GZ KTV.

[QUOTE=Moody; 1315578]While it's true I've never paid for KTV in Guangzhou, I have been to them frequently enough to know how they work, and it's not much different than other places. I did forget about the DJ girl though, which would be another 300. You can also get 400-500 girls, also true which would add to the tab. So add another 600 or so, a bit over 2K. You don't have to tip the mommy or the waiter, especially if you're there by yourself. Room minimum is the room minimum, KTV's don't expect to make more from a small room compared to a big room. Even in higher end places, room minimums aren't too out there, unless you're talking about a very few exclusive places. I guess it's quite possible you exceed the minimum by yourself. Perhaps you drink a lot or order lot of food or buy the girls stuff. I guess it's possible to spend 3K by yourself, but I don't think most people do.

P. S. I'm not a noob to the KTV scene. It's just that I have friends in Guangzhou, and they insist on paying since typically I attend the Canton Fair when I go to Guangzhou, so I've never paid at a Guangzhou KTV.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the info, looks like I have gone to the wrong KTV, as they always insist they I need to tip the waiter another 200, and the mommy 300. I guess the issue with mommy is whether she will bring you the quality girls. If she sees not much future business, and no tips, then she will only bring out the left overs. The people who took you to KTV must be regular customers, so they don't need to tip the mommy as they have already developed the relationship.

PS, I usually pick 3 girls to start and let one go after a while, which might explain the total tab for me. Maybe you can share the names of the ktvs that still have 300 girls? I only know of KAMA with such, so it will be good to know other places in the city that still offers this option.

OS

[QUOTE=Old South; 1315731]Maybe you can share the names of the ktvs that still have 300 girls? I only know of KAMA with such, so it will be good to know other places in the city that still offers this option.

OS[/QUOTE]Although I can speak enough Mandarin to get by, I'm illiterate, so I don't know the names of the places unless the guys tell me. I don't really remember the names of the places I've been to and I don't think I've ever been to the same place twice. In general though, SZ KTVs are better than their Guangzhou counterparts. Next time I hook up with any of them, I'll be sure to get names of the places, which might quite possibly be at the next Canton Fair.

P.S. You don't have to tip the mommy if you go alone, or if there are two people. If there's a lot, then you should tip the mommy. Same for the waiter, although 200 for the waiter is overboard. I've never seen anybody tip more than 100 for the waiter, and usually like 50.

[QUOTE=Old South; 1315731]PS, I usually pick 3 girls to start and let one go after a while, which might explain the total tab for me. Maybe you can share the names of the ktvs that still have 300 girls? I only know of KAMA with such, so it will be good to know other places in the city that still offers this option.

OS[/QUOTE]Since whan is KAMA a KTV?

OAH

[QUOTE=SureMan; 1300002]Dear Expats,

This is not related to mongering, are any of you in the steel business, I need some good contacts to deal with.

I need pre-painted aluzinc and aluzinc coils. I am located in Guyana South America, so if anyone out there is in this field please let me know.

Thanks,

Sureman[/QUOTE]I'm not sure that Guyana is in South America- if you are real, you can PM me and I will help you find settl suppliers.

[QUOTE=OldAsiaHand; 1316275]Since whan is KAMA a KTV?

OAH[/QUOTE]If you go to KAMA the bar, you will sometimes see some really hot Chinese girls, but they were not available for pickup, since they were KTV girls who were just passing by. They work in the KTV rooms upstairs. I don't know of any other KTV inside the city that still offer 300 girls, and some of these 300 girls in KAMA are actually pretty good, since most of them have other low paying regular jobs and just moonlighting there, so you will see totally different group of girls each time, as they probably just go there to make this extra money once a week, so if you are looking for a regular (GF) , it is a good place to go.

OS

Gents,

I will be in Guangzhou from the 7th of Sept for 10 days. What are the options in town for some fun? Any massage places? Bars / clubs for pick up? What is the going rate for ST and LT in these places? If anyone will be in town, would be cool to meet for drinks and go hunting together.

[QUOTE=Flying Solo; 1089175]No, the address for Ming Hong Hotel is &24191; &19996; &30465; &24191; &24030; &24066; &33620; &28286; &21306; &35199; &28286; &36335; 4&21495;

English it is no. 4 Xiwan Lu Xicun Guangzhou.

Level 2 for massage centre.

Use google maps and type in Guangzhou Ming Hong Hotel, it's down the road from Xicun Metro Station (line 5)

Pm me if you need further assistance.

Cheers,

Solo[/QUOTE]Today I have been to Ming Long, though I found no very recent reports about it. It was easy to find the hotel from Xicun, but when I entered the small lobby a guardian started to question me, so I told him I was heading to second floor for Sauna. Though I doubt he could understand, it seemed he didn't want me to go upstairs and did not change the attitude when I added a few words in basic mandarin. So I had no choice but leaving, though I still have the doubt whether the sauna ceased its activity or what.

However there was no ad poster or board outside the hotel to indicate the presence of a sauna / spa (as it usually happens) and this may not be a good sign.

Any updated news from well informed residents?

[QUOTE=Sprite13; 1318593]Gents,

I will be in Guangzhou from the 7th of Sept for 10 days. What are the options in town for some fun? Any massage places? Bars / clubs for pick up? What is the going rate for ST and LT in these places? If anyone will be in town, would be cool to meet for drinks and go hunting together.[/QUOTE]China is not the Philippines or HKs, and Guangzhou is one of the better developed city, meaning it depends less on gray makets to survive, so you will generally have a hard time finding fun in Guangzhou.

OS.

[QUOTE=Sprite13; 1318593]Gents,

I will be in Guangzhou from the 7th of Sept for 10 days. What are the options in town for some fun? Any massage places? Bars / clubs for pick up? What is the going rate for ST and LT in these places? If anyone will be in town, would be cool to meet for drinks and go hunting together.[/QUOTE]Old South is right, not the best place for mongers.

However basing on my previous (little) experience, I can suggest you to go to CAVE Bar, Gipsy Bar and eventually KAMA bar where you can find some working girls or at least chatting / looking at the sexy dancers.

Concerning massage, I suggest No. 9 Spa Club just in front of the east railway station. The service and facilites there are very good, clean and masseuse good looking. Lot of japanese customers there.

There are also tons of KTV, but didn't try them, dunno if you can take out girls there, but I've heard they're pretty expensive.

That's all, don't expect to find hair salon with sexy girls sitting inside with the pink light outside, don't also expect some pimps giving cards to you in the streets.

I think the best option is to have a local Chinese there who can show you the good tips, or heading to Changping (40 minutes by train from Guangzhou) but even there, there are actually crackdowns.

Have fun.

[QUOTE=Aniki88;1318890].That's all, don't expect to find hair salon with sexy girls sitting inside with the pink light outside, don't also expect some pimps giving cards to you in the streets.[/QUOTE]Hahaha, no more pimps giving out cards in front of hotels, because they all switched to use WeChat / Weixin now. Yes, you can use your cell phone and sure will instantly have many phone numbers to these pimps who are all trying to sell you some girls, or may be 10 pimps selling the same girl to you. In a way, it is now much easier, you can just sit in your hotel room instantly find girls who can come to you.

OS

Thanks guys for the tips. I am quite intrigued with the sites where you can chat and have girls come to you. Which sites are they? What's the going rate? What's the scoop with these sites / girls? Also, are there really hair salons with sexy girls girls inside in China? Where? I'm quite intrigued. I realize they may or may not be in Guangzhou but where can they be found?

Oh and what's the going rate for the girls in the clubs/discos that you guys have mentioned?

Thanks!