With the continuous development of China's economy, more and more foreigners have come to China as short-term visitors or travellers. Meanwhile, an increasing number of foreigners have settled down or set up enterprises in the local area. Among them, Indians have become a noticeable group with a rising population. The last ten years have witnessed the immigration to and settlement in China of people from developing countries and the phenomenon is becoming increasingly intense. Migrants have swarmed into China because, from their point of view, China is a “paradise” full of opportunities: free and open, safe and friendly, and convenient and easy to make money in. Running at the forefront of China's reform of opening up and as one of the most economically developed areas, Guangdong has always fascinated foreign migrants and investors. Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong Province, is especially appealing to them, being renowned as an international metropolitan city and an exciting economic hub. Nowadays, foreigners can be seen everywhere on the streets of Guangzhou. Among them, the proportion of migrants from developing countries is expanding and their number has surpassed that from developed countries. There are many foreigners living in residential districts, as well as in the outskirts of Guangzhou. The increase of immigration from developing countries has not only brought vitality to the Guangdong economy, but also resulted in many problems. Many of these people are illegal migrants and overstayers engaged in criminal activities. The Indian migrants are different from migrants from both developing and developed countries. This group presents its own characteristics which are worthy of special attention.

This paper aims to provide a systematic and comprehensive description of the Indian migrants in Guangzhou and its vicinity on the basis of fieldwork. There are many Indians living in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Zhongshan and Sanshui. Due to Sanshui's proximity to Guangzhou, the livelihood and business activities of Indians living there can be regarded as part of the larger Guangzhou metropolis.