Guangzhou

Guangzhou, the South Gate of China, is a prosperous metropolis full of vigor.

The Origin of the Name: South Gate of China:

Guangzhou is located in the middle south of Guangdong Province, north of the Pearl River Delta. It lies close to the South China Sea, Hong Kong, and Macau. Zhujiang (The Pearl River), the third largest river of China, runs through Guangzhou and is navigable to the South China Sea. Situated in such an excellent geographical region, Guangzhou is called China's South Gate.

Population:

Covering an area of 7434.4 square kilometers (2870 square miles), Guangzhou is home to more than 11 million people, including a 3.7 million floating population. With the opening policy of China, a large number of people from other regions of China swarmed into Guangzhou, which has accelerated the economic development of Guangzhou.

Guangzhou is the capital city of Guangdong Province, the center of political, economic, scientific, educational and cultural life. Sui (Ears of Rice) is short for Guangzhou and the City of Ram (Yang Cheng) is also an alias of Guangzhou. Its city flower is kapok.

History:

Guangzhou is also a famous historical city. In the ancient days, Guangzhou was the capital city for three Chinese dynasties: the Nan Yue (South Yue), the Nan Han (South Han) and the Nanming (South Ming). Thus it was put in the list of the 24 most famous historical cultural cities and became a tourist destination. Only you know the history of the city, can you really understand the culture of the city. Many historic sights like the Western Han Nanyue King's Tomb Museum, the Zhenhai Tower and the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall are evidence of the 2,000-year history of Guangzhou. Also, The National Peasant Movement Institute, founded by Mao Zedong and Zhou En Lai. Historical monuments include Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, commemorating the Nationalist revolutionary movement, seated here in 1913. Many of the buildings and churches on Shamian Island are well maintained.

Shopping:

Nowadays, Guangzhou retains its traditional customs, but it is also a large city full of vigor and modern fashions. The best place for shopping is Shangxia Jiu Road, Beijing Road and Di Shi Fu Road.

Dinning:

Trying Yue Cai (Cantonese Cuisine), one of the eight Chinese famous cuisines, is definitely a must in Guangzhou! Eat delicious food with ingredients you have never heard of.

Guangzhou is famous as a hometown for overseas Chinese. It boasts the largest population of overseas Chinese people. These overseas Chinese made many contributions for Guangzhou: opening international markets, bridging Guangzhou and the rest of the world, and establishing many schools, hospitals, nurseries, kindergartens and rest homes in Guangzhou.

Hotel facilities and service in Guangzhou are fine. Do make a reservation beforehand if you decide to visit Guangzhou during the Canton Fair. For individual tourist, we greatly suggest you avoid that period since room rate is very high at that time.