On the other side of the fence I saw hundreds of people crowding toward a ticket window. An official got up on the railing and started beating people back with a bamboo pole as if they were animals. Outside the station there were thousands of people just hanging out on the sidewalk. Many were migrants who came to Guangzhou looking for work and had no place to go. The Guangzhou station is not this bad anymore, but it's still a wild place.
Air travel is relatively new in China.
The airports have really improved recently. The planes are more modern now, too, and the service seems to be good. The safety record is still spotty, however. Be prepared for the unexpected when traveling. Always carry extra cash.