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Travel to Guangzhou

             Travel to Guangzhou
 

Guangzhou, with the nickname of the “City of Five Rams” or the “City of Flowers”, is a migrant city filled with flowers, modern high rises, delicate foods, and stylish boys and girls but yet keeps its traditional lifestyle in some parts. As a glamorous travel destination, Guangzhou owns a large number of tourist attractions, either focusing on natural landscapes or cultural heritages. You can explore both the ancient and recent history of Guangzhou at Nanyue King's Museum, Guangxiao Temple, Baiyun Mountain, Zhenhai Tower and Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. Alternatively, you can witness China's spectacular transformation into modernity at the Canton Tower, Asian Games town, Pazhou International Convention and Exhibition Center, Guangdong Science Center and Chimelong Tourism Resorts. 

 

The city also offers visitors vibrant nightlife, beautiful views of the Pearl River, traditional diversions such as Cantonese opera and the circus, and, on the city's bar streets and within its cosy hotels, a more chilled-out pace. And of course, there is the food. Guangzhou is the stronghold one of the world's most popular styles of Chinese cooking — Cantonese cuisine. For travellers, one of the best ways to enjoy the city's ancient cuisine heritage is by trying the traditional snacks that can be found on street corners and in alleys, which are especially popular. Shahe rice noodles, wonton noodles, shrimp dumplings, steamed pork dumplings and Sampan porridge are Guangzhou's most representative snacks. Local or international, whatever your preference,Guangzhou's 30,000 restaurants will cater to your needs. Guangzhou is also a major transportation hub, offering air, land and water-based connections to many domestic and international destinations.

 

 

 

 

Tourist Attractions

 

Chen's Lineage Hall

Chen's Linwage Hall is a tourist spot in Lingnan with strong cultural and artistic features. In 1988 it was declared an Important Heritage Site under State Protection by the State Council. In 2002 and again in 2011 it was one of the "Top Eight Sights of Guangzhou". In 2006 it was named the "Cultural Representative of Guangzhou City". In 2008 the National Tourism Bureau awarded the hall the title of AAAA Grade Scenic Spot.

Pearl River Cruise

Nice place to enjoy your evenings when you are in the city,the view on both sides of the pearl river is magnificent. Buildings on both sides of river are brightly illuminated at night, especially Canton Tower with its beautiful changing coloured lights, making a picturesque scenery on the boat ride.

Huawei's Ox Horn Campus

Built on the south shore of Songshan Lake in Dongguan, Huawei’s Ox Horn Campus looks like it’s straight from a Disney fairytale. Opened in June 2018, the 300-acre, or 1.4 million square-metre campus, is divided into four zones each with 12 blocks modelled after a renowned European city.

Canton Tower

As the landmark of Guangzhou, the Canton Tower (Guangzhou Tower) lies at the south bank of the Pearl River, facing Haixinsha Island to the north. As the highest TV tower in China and the third highest in the world, the tower has been a must-see scenic spot in Haizhu District, Guangzhou. From the top, visitors have a birds-eye view of the whole city. Inside the tower are wonderful entertainment items, romantic restaurants with delicious food and several fine lookout platforms for shooting photos, some of them holding many top world records.

Guangdong Museum

The Guangdong Museum is a prominent cultural institution in southern China, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich history, art, and natural heritage of Guangdong Province. The museum houses a vast collection of over 320,000 items, covering various categories such as history, art, revolution, and nature. Its collections of ancient calligraphy and paintings, ceramics, export art, underwater cultural relics, overseas Chinese cultural relics, Chaozhou woodcarvings, and Duan inkstones are particularly outstanding.

Sacred Heart Cathedral

Sacred Heart Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, or Shishi Catholic Church, is regarded as the ‘Notre Dame of East Asian’. Located at Yide Road near the Haizhu Square in the city center, this 130-year-old Roman Catholic cathedral is a holy and peaceful site in the bustling urban area. The cathedral was designed by two French architects, and completed by Chinese craftsmen within 25 years from 1863 to 1888. With a gross area of 3,300 square yards (2,754 square meters), it is the biggest in Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Guangzhou and one of the grandest double steeples Gothic architectures in China.It is the largest granite Catholic structure in Southeast Asia, and one of only four all-granite Gothic churches in the world.

Yuexiu Park

Yuexiu Park is the largest park in downtown Guangzhou. Covering an area of 860,000 square meters (212.5 acres), it is made up of three artificial lakes and seven hills of Yuexiu Mountain; hence the name. It is a perfect combination of cultural relics and ecological tourism. The main places of interest include the stone sculpture of the Five Rams, Zhenhai Tower, the site of the Ming Dynasty City Wall, and Square Cannon Site.

Chimelong Tourist Resort

A paradise for tourists of all ages, including Chimelong Safari Park, Chimelong Happy World, Chimelong Water Park and other parks. You can drive through the Safari Park to see rare animals such as pandas and koalas; Happy World has thrilling roller coaster rides; Water Park is a summer resort with a variety of fun water facilities.

Baiyun Mountain

Baiyun Mountain has been one of the most famous spots of natural beauty in Guangzhou, and it's still known as the First Spectacular Scene of the city. Every time the sun shines after the rain, and through late spring, a wreath of airy clouds circles the mountains. This is howBaiyun Mountain has won its name, and its reputation as a marvelous spectacle of nature. The fierce differentiation of rocks, and the different ways in which erosion has affected them, has caused it a crisscross network of gullies. So its relative height is now about 100 meters (109 yards). The quiet and secluded environment of the valley has made it a haven of peace from the big city.

Zhaoqing Seven Star Crags

About 2 hours' drive from Guangzhou, it is known as the "First Wonder of Lingnan". The scenic area is composed of seven limestone peaks and a lake, named after the peaks resembling the Big Dipper. You can take a boat to shuttle between the peaks to enjoy the scenery of "mountains in the lake and lakes in the mountains", and also visit the thousand-year-old temple - Qingyun Temple.

 

 

 

 

Guangzhou Cuisine

 

Cantonese Yum Cha

Cantonese Yum Cha is an important part of Guangzhou people's life and has been selected into the provincial intangible cultural heritage . The core is "one pot of tea with two dim sums". It is recommended to try the "Four Heavenly Kings" - Har gow (crystal clear, wrapped with fresh shrimp), Siu mai (tender meat, thin skin and full filling), Char siu bao (soft and sweet, rich in char siu flavor), Egg tart (crispy skin, smooth filling). Famous teahouses include Taotaoju, Lianxianglou and Diandude.

Cantonese Siu Laap

Cantonese Siu Laap is famous for its crispy skin, tender meat and rich sauce. Common types include roasted goose, roasted duck and char siu. Roasted goose uses local goose breeds, with golden and crispy skin and juicy meat; Char siu is made of pork collar, marinated in secret sauce and roasted, with a moderate sweet and salty taste.

White Cut Chicken

White Cut Chicken is a well known Guangzhou food. Visitors can enjoy the original taste of chicken from the carefully timed boiling. Visitors can expect the best priced Bai Qie Ji at these restaurants: Gaozhou Taiziji Restaurant, Huiai Restaurant, Youlian Restaurant, and etc.

Sweet and Sour Pork (Gu Lu Rou)

Sweet and Sour Pork is Guangzhou specialty of Qing Dynasty (1644- 1911) vintage. Pork is first boned, starch with seasonings, then knead into a ball ready for frying to a crisp. The finishing touch is to wrap it with sweet and sour condiments. Yongli Restaurant, Lao Feng Teahouse and To To Kui are where this delicacy is served.

Claypot Rice (Bao Zai Fan)

As a signature Cantonese delicacy, Clay Pot Rice (Bao Zai Fan) is a must-try for food lovers, blending simplicity with profound flavors. It is a kind of rice cooked together with vegetables and preserved meat. Although small in size, Minji Baozaifan, Wanxing Baozaifan, and other street shops attracts many customers for yummy tastes and low price.

Wonton Noodles

The essence of Guangzhou Wonton Noodles lies in "chewy noodles, fresh wontons and rich soup". The noodles are made with alkaline water and have a chewy texture; the wontons have thin skin and full filling, wrapped with fresh shrimp and pork; the soup base is boiled with pork bones and dried fish for a long time, which is fresh and mellow. Recommended shops include Zhusheng Noodle Family and Wu Caiji.

Double-Layer Milk Pudding

A classic dessert originated from Shunde (around Guangzhou), made from local buffalo milk. It is steamed twice to form a double-layer milk skin, with a smooth and sweet taste. It can be eaten with red beans and lotus seeds. Shops in Guangzhou such as Nanxin Milk Dessert Expert and Renxin Double-Layer Milk Pudding can let you taste the authentic flavor.

 

 

 

Culture Section

 

Lingnan Architecture

Lingnan architecture adapts to the hot and humid climate in southern China, focusing on ventilation, sunshade and drainage, with a gorgeous and exquisite decorative style. In addition to Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Xiguan Mansion is a representative of Guangzhou's traditional dwellings, with a pattern of "three rooms and two corridors". The door is equipped with a "Tanglong door" (sliding wooden fence door), which has both anti-theft and ventilation functions; Qilou (arcade building) is a characteristic building of Guangzhou's commercial streets. The upper floors extend to the street, forming a corridor for sunshade and rain protection. The Qilou groups on Beijing Road and Shangxiajiu Road are the most representative.

Cantonese Opera

A treasure of Lingnan culture and has been included in the world intangible cultural heritage. It takes singing, acting, reciting and fighting as performance forms, with melodious singing, gorgeous costumes and rich facial makeup. Different colors represent different character traits (such as red for loyalty and white for treachery). You can watch performances at Guangzhou Cantonese Opera House or enjoy impromptu performances on the water stage of Lizhiwan Scenic Area to feel the charm of traditional opera.

Guangdong Lion Dance

A traditional dance popular in Foshan, Suixi, Guangzhou and surrounding areas of Guangdong Province, is a national intangible cultural heritage. As a branch of Southern Lion Dance in Chinese lion dance culture, it originated from the imperial lion dance of the Tang Dynasty. After the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, it was introduced to Lingnan with the southward migration of Central Plains immigrants, and emerged in Guangdong (originating in Nanhai County) during the Ming Dynasty. It integrates martial arts, dance and music.