The Ubangi River is enormous - wide enough that the far bank looks hazy on misty mornings. Fishermen set out very early to cast their nets, and you can watch them returning in the afternoon with baskets full of tilapia, catfish and other river fish. The fish market along the waterfront is one of the busiest and most colourful spots in the whole city.
Bangui has busy markets where traders sell everything from hand-carved wooden stools and baskets woven from forest grasses to brightly dyed fabrics and fresh tropical fruit - mangoes, papayas, pineapples and plantains piled up in bright pyramids. The smells, sounds and colours of a market day in Bangui are an unforgettable experience.
Music is a big part of life in Bangui. You might hear traditional sanza thumb piano music drifting from a courtyard, or the beat of talking drums echoing between buildings. The city celebrates Boganda Day and Independence Day with music, dancing and parades that fill the streets with colour and sound.