Guangzhou is the capital and a sub-provincial city of Guangdong Province in the southern part of the People's Republic of China. The city is also known by an older English-language name, Canton. It is a port on the Pearl River, navigable to the South China Sea, and is located about 120 km (75 miles) northwest of Hong Kong. As of the 2000 census, the city has a population of 6 million, and a metropolitan population of roughly 8.5 million (though some estimates are as high as 12.6 million) making it the most populous city in the province and the third most populous metropolitan area in mainland China. The official estimate of the metro's population at end 2006 by the Provincial Government was 9,754,600.
History
Formerly known as Canton in the West, the city of Guangzhou has a history dating back around 2,500 years.
Although the actual origins of the city are lost in the mists of time, the most popular legend tells of five celestial beings riding into the area that is now Guangzhou on five rams and carrying sheaves of rice. The celestials bestowed blessings on the land and offered the sheaves to the people of the city as a symbol of prosperity and abundance. After the celestials left, the rams turned into stone, and Guangzhou quickly developed into an affluent and influential city. Due to this legend, Guangzhou has gained several popular nicknames: Yangcheng (City of Rams), Suicheng (Sheaves of Rice City) and Wuyangcheng (City of Five Rams). In addition, due to the abundance of flowers along the city's main thoroughfares, Guangzhou is often referred to as Huacheng (City of Flowers).
According to historical records, the city was built in 214BC and was known as Panyu . The name Guangzhou actually referred to the prefecture in which Panyu was located. However, as the city grew, the name Guangzhou was adopted for the city itself.
As a major sea port, Guangzhou's history is full of color. In 786 the city was sacked by the Persians, while in 1711 the British East India Company established a trading post there. In 1842 the Treaty of Nanjing was signed, which designated the city as one of the five ports that allowed business transactions with foreign nations.
Guangzhou was also part of the so called "Maritime Silk Road" that linked southern China with India, South-East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. As a result of the links with the Middle East, a mosque was established in the city in 627, and a small Muslim community continues to this day. Furthermore, because the sixth patriarch of Zen Buddhism was born in Guangzhou, taught the famous Platform Sutra there, and established a monastery to the north of the city, Guangzhou has maintained a strong connection with this school of Buddhism.
Eight Attractions of Guangzhou
Baiyun Mountain
Located to the north of the city, Baiyun Mountain is known as "the first mountain of Southern Yue" and is the most spectacular of the 30 peaks that make up the Nan Kun mountain range. The range stretches from Ma An Ridge in the north to the Gui Hua Hummock in the south, and reaches as far east as Guangcong Road and as far west as Mo Dao Keng Road.
One of the most historic and scenic of Guangzhou™s "Eight Attractions", Baiyun Mountain is home to fascinating historical relics such Nengren Temple and the Nine-dragon Spring. It also plays host to newer scenic spots such as Peak Park, North Mountain Park, Village Hostel, Double Streams Villa, Songtao Courtyard and Nan Hu Amusement Park. Built on the shores of Da Jin Zhong Reservoir™s Lu Hu Lake, the newly built Ming Chun Valley has a spectacular 12.5K-square-kilometer natural birdcage and was opened in October 1989. The superb of calligraphy and poetry collections in the nearby Forest of Steles and Yuntai Garden are other recent attractions and were opened in October 1994 and September 1995 respectively.
Transportation: Bus No. 24, 63, 240, 285 get off at Yuntai Garden, or Bus No. 46, 60, 127, 175, 179, 199, 223, 241, 257, 522, 540, 891, Tour Line 1, Tour Line 3 get off at Baiyun Cableway.
Ticket: RMB 5
Opening Hour: 24hrs
Tel: 020-87706871
Website: http://www.baiyunshan.com.cn/English/
Ocean View at the Lotus Hill
Located in the Shi Zhi Yang area at the mouth of the Pearl River, Lian Hua Shan (or Lotus Hill) is an ancient, 2.23-square-kilometer stone quarry dating back more than 2,000 years. This picturesque area is almost as famous for its perfect stone-carved handcrafts and relics as the Shi Lin (stone forest) in Yunnan province. Atop one of the surrounding hills stands Lian Hua Ta (Lotus Tower), which offers climbers spectacular views of the Pearl River and the many paths that criss-cross the surrounding rural farmland. Other attractions include a 40.88 meter-tall statue of "Sea Goddess of Mercy", the world™s largest gold foil covered bronze statue. The ancient pavilion of this Goddess is also the largest of its kind in the world and contains around 1,000 statues.
Transportation: By bus at Da Ji Tou central bus station of Hai Zhu District, or Huan Shi Road, or Guangzhou Avenue to Shi Qiao of Pan Yu, RMB 6-10, then transfer to special line with around RMB 3-4; or by boat at Guangzhou Da Zhong Lou (Clock Tower).
Ticket: RMB 30, plus RMB 2 for climbing the tower, plus RMB 3 for the Lotus City.
Tel: 020-84861599
Chen Jia Ci
Chen Jia Ci (or Chen Clan Academy), is a Guangdong folk and handicraft museum, which is situated near to the Zhongshan Qi Road Chen Clan Academy metro station in Li Wan District.
The museum was built in 1890 with donations from members of the Chen family from 72 different counties of Guangdong province.
Occupying an area of 15,000 square meters, the temple has a rectangular main building with six courtyards, nine main halls and nineteen other buildings and is renowned for its traditional Guangdong architectural style and beautiful decorations. In the temple, you will see many artistically important recreations of many historical figures, legends, and scenes. The art forms used include wood, brick, pottery, stone carvings, as well as clay, ash sculptures, brass and cast iron grottos and new year paintings.
In 1959, Chen Clay Academy became a folk art museum and began collecting, preserving, researching and promoting the folk arts and handicrafts of the Guangdong area. In addition to display of pottery, carving, embroidery and tea art, the museum has special showrooms devoted to modern furniture, calligraphy, painting and Chinese writing brushes, inks, sticks, ink slabs and paper.
Transportation: By metro; by bus No.17, 85, 88, 104, 107, 109, 114, 125, 125A, 128, 193, 204, 233, 250, 260, 286, 293, 413, Tour Line 1 or 2, Express No. 1 or 3, and get off at Chen Clan Academy station.
Ticket: RMB 10
Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30
Tel: 020-81817371
Day and night cruise along the Pearl River
The Guangzhou section of the Pearl River is a long scenic corridor with fascinating sights on both banks. Consequently, a river tour is a must for all visitors to Guangzhou!
Traditional tour: Cruise from Guangzhou Bridge to Bai Pond.
Exclusive one night tour: Cruise overnight from Guangzhou Bridge to Bai Pond and Huang Pu Port.
DIY tour: Tailor your own cruise itinerary from: Around Hai Zhu Island; Lian Hua Mountain; Huang Pu Military Academy; Taipin; Hu Men 1-day tour; and other long-distance tours such as: Zhu Hai, Zhao Qing, Yue City, Feng Kai and Wu Zhou, etc.
Transportation: By bus No.12, 36, 57, 61, 80, 128, 131A, 131B, 184, 188, 192, 194, 208, 229, 247, 546, Tour Line 2, Express No. 27 and get off at Dashatou Port station.
Address: Dashatou Port, Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou
Guangdong Olympia Stadium Center
Built at a cost of RMB 1.67 billion for the 9th National Athletics Games, the Stadium is situated in Tian He District and is the Huang Cun sports Training Base for Guangdong Province. The many unique features here include the first ribbon type roof and 21 stands whose eye-catching petal designs and colors makes the stadium resemble the flower of the city of Kapok. The stadium is one of the "Eight Attractions of Guangzhou".
Transportation: By bus No.41, 60, 296, 508 and get off at Olympia Stadium Center
Opening Hour: 8:00-17:00
Ticket: RMB 5
Tel: 020-86666666
Huang Hua Gang 72 martyrs Cemetery
Located in Xian Lie Zhong Road at the north foot of Baiyun Mountain, this 16 square kilometer park commemorates the 72 martyrs from Sun Yat Sen’s Chinese federal army who lost their lives in the Guangzhou rebellion. After the foundation of the People’s Republic of China, the cemetery was transformed into a memorial park and renamed Huang Hua (yellow flowers under the great moon). It is now one of Guangzhou™s "Eight Attractions".
Transportation: By bus No. 6, 11, 16, 65, 74, 78, 85, 112, 192, 201, 219, 220, 223, 236, 271, 285, 290, 535, 833, 862, 862B, University Center Line 4, Express No.8 or 12, and get off at Huang Hua Gang station.
Ticket: RMB 8
Open Hour: 9:00-17:00
Tel: 020-87672121
Zhen Hai Lou
Also known as the Five-Story Pagoda, this is the only complete remaining section of the ancient city hall. The 25 meter tall, 31meter wide and 16 meter deep tower was built on the orders of Zhu Liangzu, the Yongjia Marquis of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The unique design and construction of the tower’s floor has been used as the symbol of Guangzhou since the days of the Qing Dynasty. The tower remains a must-see attraction for locals and tourists to this day.
Transportation: By bus No.5, 7, 21, 24, 33, 42, 58, 83, 87, 101, 103, 105, 108, 109, 110, 113, 124, 180, 182, 185, 186, 211, 244, 244A, 265, 273, 284, 519, 528, 549, 555, 556, Express No.5, 7; or by metro and get off at Yuexiu Park station
Ticket: RMB 10
Opening Hour: 9:00-17:00
Tel: 020-83550267
East Train Station Square
Covering 47,000 square meters in the heart Guangzhou, the East Station Train Station Square is one of Guangzhou™s "Eight Attractions". Surrounded by 260,000 square meters of lush greenery, this is a wonderful environment rich with the fragrance of traditional Canton flowers and alive with the soothing splash of a beautiful waterfall.
Transportation: By bus No.41, 43, 45, 62, 92, 122, 122A, 175, 177, 183, 185, 195, 209, 233, 256, 263, 271, 280, 283, 292, 302, 501, 506, 508, 515, 551, 804, 804A, 808, 810, 810A, 841, 884 or Express No.24, 28; by metro and get off at Guangzhou East Railway Station
Address: East Train Station Square, Tianhe, Guangzhou
More…
http://wikitravel.org/en/Guangzhou
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guangzhou
Links:
Life of Guangzhou: http://www.lifeofguangzhou.com/
Guangzhou Metro: http://www.gzmtr.com/en/
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