Guiyang Huaguoyuan Concrete Forest: A Migrant City Within a

The Huaguoyuan Community in Guiyang is a large, redeveloped urban district that used to be China’s biggest slum. It now hosts around 500,000 residents, with population surges up to a million at peak times. The area covers about 10 square kilometers and includes more than 200 high-rise buildings, many around 43 floors tall, creating a striking cement forest. The neighborhood offers subway access, parks, schools, hospitals, and other well-developed facilities that make daily life very convenient. A wide variety of local foods is available everywhere, and the overall cost of living is relatively low. In summer, the average temperature is about 23 degrees Celsius, making it a popular retreat to escape the heat. The lower housing and commodity prices have drawn many people from other regions to purchase properties here, treating it as a second home.