Guangzhou City: history and attractions

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

When traveling in China, it is absolutely impossible to deprive Guangzhou of attention. Photos of the city are so different from each other that it is difficult to get an idea of this metropolis - the third most important in the Middle Kingdom after Beijing (the capital) and Shanghai. The ultra-modern skyscrapers and busy streets of Guangzhou make it a recognized world trade center. But no, no, and centuries-old antiquity will show through this gloss of modernity and hi-tech. After all, the city is over two and a half thousand years old! In this article, we will tell everything that is possible in a brief essay about the glorious history of Guangzhou. This port city is famous at least for the fact that the long, but famous Silk Road to Europe began with it. Today, only the memory of the legendary trading past is kept in its "stone jungle" of Guangzhou. We will tell you about the main attractions of the city. How to see the color and interesting places of Guangzhou by spending as much ascan less money and time for transport?

General data

We have already mentioned that this is the third largest metropolis in China. Guangzhou, formerly known as Canton, is the capital of Guangdong Province in the south of the country. This metropolis lies on the seashore, in the Pearl River Delta (Zhujiang). The area of the city of Guangzhou is seven and a half thousand square kilometers. But this is not the limit. After all, Guangzhou forms one of the largest conurbanizations in the world, which is called the Zhujiang Delta Economic Zone. Together with small settlements that were absorbed by the city, the area of the metropolis was 9123 square kilometers. Guangzhou is densely populated. Seven and a half million people live in the center alone. And together with the outskirts, the population of Guangzhou city is 14,755,000 people. As for the Zhujiang Delta Economic Zone, it is home to forty-seven million. The population density in the city is serious - one and a half thousand people per square kilometer. The following statistics show the rapid growth of Guangzhou. In 1977, the city's population was "only" five million. In 2003, it more than doubled (10.5 million).

Guangzhou: the history of the city

This Chinese metropolis actually has several names. It is often referred to as Yan-Chen (City of Five Goats). These animals even adorn the coat of arms of Guangzhou and, of course, they are depicted on souvenirs. Another metropolis is called Sui-Chen (City of five ears of rice). About animals and cereals in Guangzhouthere is a beautiful (but far from historical truth) legend. There used to be a small village here. And its inhabitants were dying of hunger. The sky took pity on the poor peasants and five bodhisattvas descended from the clouds on five goats. In the mouths of the animals there was a rice ear. All the inhabitants ate these grains, and even sowed their fields with them. After that, the era of prosperity began for the Chinese city of Guangzhou.

But the reality was a bit different. The city was founded in 862 BC as a port on the coast of the South China Sea. Its prosperity was based on trade with India and the Arab world. The Silk Road started from Guangzhou. This city became the first in China, which began to maintain trade relations with Europe (since the 16th century). The backbone of Guangzhou's economy has not changed even now. It hosts a world trade show twice a year.

Districts of Guangzhou: where tourists can stay

The huge metropolis is administratively divided into ten districts and two counties. But for the average traveler, not all of them are of interest. To make tourism in Guangzhou city less expensive, it is best to find a hotel in Yuexiu, Liwan and Haizhu districts. For those who are interested in shopping, the Tianhe area is suitable. But besides the markets and shopping malls, it also houses the Opera House, made in a futuristic style, and the Guangdong Provincial Museum. Yuexiu is the most prestigious district of Guangzhou. There are many parks, there is an Orchid Garden. All the famous temples of Guangzhou are also located in Yuexiu. But hotels inthis area - solid "fours" and "five". For a thrifty tourist, Livan is more suitable. In addition to budget housing, this area attracts with its proximity to the Cheng Clan Academy and the Garden of Lakes. In Haizhu there is such a landmark of the city as the TV Tower. You can climb up to its observation deck to admire Guangzhou from a bird's eye view.

When to go to South China: the best seasons

The geographical parallel on which the city of Guangzhou lies, twenty-three degrees north latitude. It's south of the Tropic of Cancer. But the climate in the city is cooler than one might expect based on the geographical location. It can be described as subtropical. In January 2016, it even snowed here. True, this event occurs once in 80-90 years. Winters here are mild, with a temperature of +14-15 degrees, and relatively dry. In summer it is often rainy and hot. July temperatures range from +25 to +32 degrees. The climate of Guangzhou City is formed by the monsoon season, which covers a long period from April to October.

In terms of weather, it is best to go here in late autumn. At the end of October and November it is dry and moderately warm. However, the budget traveler should take into account the periods when the World Trade Fairs (April and October) are held in Guangzhou, as well as the celebrations of the European and Chinese New Year. In mid-January, the season of unprecedented discounts begins.

Beijing Street

It's time to describe the main attractionscity of Guangzhou. It makes no sense to list them all, since there are about half a thousand of them in the ancient capital of South China. So, if you want to make the first (and far from erroneous) opinion about the city, go to the pedestrian street Beijing (Beijing) Street. This one of Guangzhou's main trade routes, both ancient and modern, is located in Yuexiu District, in the old center.

The nearest metro station to her is Haizhu Guangchang. Looking at the neon advertisements for fashion stores, do not miss the evidence of the "deep old days." They are inconspicuous. These are fragments of bridges from the medieval Yuan and Song dynasties. In addition to pleasant shopping, here you can thoroughly refresh yourself. Beijing Street is an addition to another thoroughfare of the city with the eloquent name Pati Pie (Party Pier). All kinds of entertainment are also concentrated here

Pearl River

Guangzhou, a city in China, is located in the delta of the country's third longest water artery. The length of the river reaches more than two thousand kilometers. Pearl (Zhujiang - northern pronunciation, Jiugong - local) it is called because there is an island-rock in it, polished by the waters to a “mirror shine”. By the way, this attraction rises in the riverbed not so far from Guangzhou. Due to its length, Jiugong played a huge role in the life of South China. And now its shores are decorated with top hotels, offices of international corporations and similar beautiful buildings. A young tourist in Guangzhou has a choice of two types of evening entertainment: go to Party Pier, where establishments are open all weekend on weekends.night, or buy a river cruise on the night Pearl River. In the dark, the banks and bridges are beautifully illuminated, and the buildings seem to be just works of art from shining crystal. Among the cruises, reviews are advised to choose the one that is carried out on a wooden, antique-styled ship. Then you can not only admire the bridges and embankments of Guangzhou, but also enjoy the tea ceremony to the accompaniment of the harp.

Hua Cheng Square

The name of this place translates as "City of Flowers". In fact, this is not a square, but a whole pedestrian boulevard. It is located, like many other attractions of the city of Guangzhou, on the banks of the Pearl River. Everything here is full of flowers. In the middle is a small lotus pond. It is also better to come to Hua Cheng Square in the evening - you are guaranteed excellent photos. On the other side of the Pearl River, you can see the Guangzhou TV Tower. We will talk about this attraction below. And on both sides of the square rise the two largest skyscrapers of the city - the IFC towers.

Other attractions nearby include the futuristic-styled Opera House, Guangdong Provincial Library and Museum. An ultra-modern underground shopping center is located under the square. The entire complex was built in the new center of Guangzhou relatively recently - for the opening of the 2010 Asian Olympic Games. Getting to the "City of Flowers" square is easy. Directly below it is the Zhu Jiang Xin Cheng subway station.

Canton Tower

Located on the other side of the TV tower is the second highest in the world - six hundred meters from the base to the spire. But this is not what attracts tourists. The tower is a landmark of the city of Guangzhou because of the unique Ferris wheel. It is not vertical, as is customary, but almost horizontal, with only a slight slope. The booths revolve around the TV tower at a great height. No money for such an attraction? Then you can just take the elevator to the 107th or 108th floor to stand on the glass balcony with a transparent floor and admire the city. And for the most daring, the Guangzhou TV tower can offer the most extreme attraction. From its very spire, a platform with seats rushes down at the speed of free fall. It does not reach the very base of the tower, it slows down, but the impressions of the flight will be remembered for a long time.

Parks

Guangzhou, a city in China, is one of the greenest in the country. And even if you are indifferent to the beauties of nature, you just need to visit one of the parks, because there, in addition to the usual alleys and flower beds, there are interesting sights. Yuexu is considered the largest. This park is located on an area of 200 hectares among seven hills and three lakes. Here you can see the sculptural group "Five goats", which are the symbol of Guangzhou. The ancient observation tower of Zhenhailou also rises on the territory of the park, inside which there is a museum in memory of Sun Yat-sen. Nearby stands a monument to the revolutionary and the first president of the Republic of China, who was born in Guangzhou.

Alsoon the territory of Yuexiu Park, you can see fragments of the city wall dating back to the Ming Dynasty. More recent history - the Opium Wars and the occupation of Guangzhou by French and British troops (19th century) - will be told by twelve cannons that have survived from that era.

The second park in the city, which is worth a visit, is called Zhujiang. It was broken up relatively recently and surprises visitors with the scope of imagination of Chinese landscape designers. Zhujiang is located near the "City of Flowers" square.

Temples

Chinese city of Guangzhou is multinational. Its temples testify to this. There is a Christian Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (Catholic), Huaishen Mosque. But most of all in the city there are temples that honor Confucian values: Filial Piety, Five Spirits, etc. For tourists, the "must visit" is the Buddhist monastery complex "Six Banyan Trees" (Liu Rong Temple). It was built in 537 - about 1.5 thousand years ago. The monastery complex consists of the Flower Pagoda and the Hall of Great Heroes. In the last room you can see three Buddha statues - the oldest and largest in Guangdong. Of interest to the tourist are six old banyan trees, after which the temple complex is named. The smell of incense, muffled meditative music immerses you in the world of Buddhist spirituality. And bring you to reality numerous shops with antiques and religious utensils, which are at least a dime a dozen around the monastery. In them you can find very interesting gizmos for verylow prices.

Guangzhou Outskirts

Antiquity and high-tech have merged together in this city. It carries out the most daring economic reforms to develop a free market. At the same time, it is very environmentally friendly and comfortable for life. In this, Guangzhou is similar to the city of Tianjin located in the north of the country. Guangzhou Province (China) is replete with natural attractions. A tourist should visit the Lotus Mountains. They are located in the Pearl River Delta, actually on the outskirts of the city of Guangzhou. In fact, these are ancient quarries. In the Middle Ages, red limestone was mined here, and the quarries under the jets of rain took the smoothed shape of lotus petals, for which they got their name. It is not only a natural attraction, but also a cultural one. A beautiful park with peach orchards and a Lotus Pagoda were built in the former quarry.

Beside her stands a gilded statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva. The height of the sculpture is 40 meters. Numerous pilgrims come to her and it is interesting to watch their rituals. If you have more time and opportunity, you can visit the ancient capital of Yue Shawan in Guangdong province. It is located on the outskirts of the modern city of Panyu and is a huge open-air museum.