Russian expat finds a home in Zhuhai's thriving culture and growth

Russian native Varya, who grew up in a town without a sea and with fleeting autumns, often found herself curious about China. As an adult, she moved to China and eventually settled in Zhuhai, where she and her husband raised their three children.

A photo of Varya's family. [Photo/WeChat account: zhxiangzhou]

The family is most impressed by the rapid urban development and increasing number of parks in Zhuhai, which mirrors the progress of other cities across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Their children, through school-organized study tours, have visited Foshan, Zhongshan, and Dongguan, witnessing firsthand the region's dynamic growth.

Varya notes that despite the growing population, the sense of security and comfort in Guangdong has only improved, with the cities becoming more and more beautiful.

During festivals, her family is fully immersed in Lingnan (southern China) culture. Over the most recent Spring Festival, Varya's family visited friends, enjoyed Chinese New Year's Eve dinner, and exchanged red envelopes.

Varya's eldest daughter participates in a school performance, playing the Chinese drum during a dragon dance. [Photo/WeChat account: zhxiangzhou]

Varya is also struck by China's deep respect for teachers and education. She says that whenever people learn she is a teacher, they show sincere respect and affection. For this family, Zhuhai and the Greater Bay Area are more than just a place to live – they are a dynamic center of culture and growth that they deeply appreciate.