What does "home" mean when you live halfway across the world? In this episode of My Home in GBA, we visit Wim Peeters, the Consul General of Belgium in Guangzhou. He invites us into his life in Guangzhou—a story built piece by piece from the city's rich history and warm community.
"I like to just walk around the Liwan market and see what's there. Sometimes it's porcelain, sometimes bronze, sometimes figures. Each item adds to my collection—and makes the Belgian residence a little more like a Chinese home."
Step inside his residence, and you'll find more than furniture—it's a living museum of East and West. A classic Chinese cabinet transformed into a Belgian alcohol bar, antique sculptures symbolizing his fascination with Chinese traditions, and a Tintin rocket hand-carved in Africa — every item tells a story.
"Diplomatic residences actually have two functions," Wim explains. "For people from Belgium, I have to show them what China is all about. And for my Chinese visitors, I want to show them a little bit of Belgium."
Beyond his love for antiques, Wim has also found comfort in Guangzhou's greenery. His favorite place to unwind? The Pearl River Park, a peaceful urban oasis filled with swans, herons, and quiet corners.
"You can forget a little bit that you're in a very big city," he says. "Just walk around, smell the nature, and be quiet for a while. It helps me switch my mind from work—and that's very important."
Over a year in Guangzhou, Wim has explored cities across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), from Dongguan to Zhaoqing, discovering that every corner has its own charm.
"The most important thing that makes me feel at home here," he smiles, "is how friendly and open the people are. Even if they see that you're a foreigner, they'll still try to help you."
Like the adventurous Tintin, a classic Belgian cartoon character, Wim's journey is full of curiosity, connection, and cultural discovery. Whether it's tasting Cantonese cuisine, celebrating Chinese New Year, or collecting antiques that carry stories of the past, he's slowly turning Guangzhou into his second home.
"I still have a lot of things to discover," Wim says. "It's growing into my home."
Editor's Note: Home is the starting point for every person, and the place where emotions return. With the vigorous development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, families here are painting a rich and vibrant picture of life along the surging Pearl River.
South has launched the series "My Home in GBA," stepping into the lives of families throughout the region to experience their everyday moments and feel the pulse of the Greater Bay Area together.
Planning: Huang Can
Chief coordinator: Zhao Yang
Execution: Ouyang Yan, Xie Miaofeng
Coordinators: Ou Xiaoming, Hu Nan, Liu Lingzhi
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Video: Li Fangwang, Ou Xiaoming
Poster: Lai Meiya
English editor: Liu Lingzhi, Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
