GUANGZHOU

China's 3rd Largest City

This is not from the perspective of population and geographical area, but from its economic status, cultural influence, political importance etc..

Since the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 207 BC), Guangzhou has been the political, economic, cultural, military and educational center of southern China. After more than 2,000 years of changes, Guangzhou has developed into a multi-functional mega-city, and it is also an important coastal port city and a famous tourist city in south China.

From the view of comprehensive strength, Guangzhou ranks third in China, after Beijing and Shanghai only.

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What was Guangzhou Called Before

According to historical records, Chuting was the earliest formation of present Guangzhou. It has been 2,800 years since the Chuting was first used when Chu State of the Zhou Dynasty (11th Century BC - 221BC) sent ministers there to make it submitted to Chu.

Legend on the City

There had been successions of famine and crop failure in Chuting during the Zhou Dynasty. One day, five colorful auspicious clouds drifted from the South Sea, conveying five celestial beings on five celestial rams. They blessed people with ears of rice in a sheep's mouth. The five celestial beings left but the five rams stayed in Chuting, continuing to protect local people and prayed for favorable weather and a good harvest. To honor the fairies, people built a Taoist temple with their sculptures, accompanied by a stone statue of the rams. Hence,?Guangzhou?is also known as the "Ram City" or "Rice Ears City".

Main Port of the Maritime Silk Road

The Maritime Silk Road is an important trade route between ancient China and Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean regions. Guangzhou was selected as one of the beginning points thanks to the location close to South China Sea. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it was once called Guangzhou Maritime Road in Foreign Countries, ranking the longest ocean trade route in the world at the time. Starting from Guangzhou, the Maritime Silk Road, traveled through the Indian Ocean into the Red Sea, finally reaching East Africa and Europe, passing by over 100 countries and regions.

Guangzhou and Lingnan Culture

The word 'Lingnan' comes from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770BC-221BC), generally referring to Guangdong, Guangxi and the north of Vietnam.

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is the center of Cantonese culture along the Pearl River and the most outstanding of Lingnan Culture. The Cantonese dialect, Cantonese Opera, calligraphy, architecture, Cantonese cuisine, miniascape, as well as music and handicrafts are all included in its scope.

City of Flowers

Guangzhou is located in the subtropical coastal area, and has a maritime subtropical monsoon climate. The average annual temperature is around 20°C(68°F) with plentiful rain, creating a perfect ecological environment for trees and flowers to grow. The city is covered with evergreen trees and flourishing flowers all year round. During the Chinese New Year, the grand?themed flower markets are always held in some of the city parks. With headquarters based in Guangzhou, China Southern Airlines' company logo can be seen around the globe with a brilliant red kapok, the city flower of Guangzhou, delicately adoring a blue vertical tail fin.

On Guangzhou Airport

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, the home base to China's biggest carrier China Southern Airlines, has overtaken Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport as the world's busiest hub in 2020, the Airports Council International said in a statement.

With nearly 43.77 million passengers through 2020 at Baiyun airport, which is located in Guangzhou (also known as Canton), South China, the Chinese airport came to top the list of world's busiest hubs, moving up from the 11th place in 2019.

A WORLD TRADE CENTER

As one of the first ports for export and import trade in China, Guangzhou's strong commercial influence on the country is embodied by the rapid development of its manufacturing industry. As a pioneer of reform and opening up, Guangzhou has been known throughout the country for its vigorous free trade and has always been China's most market-oriented first-tier city with the lowest cost of doing business. To date, almost sixty percent of the world's top 500 companies have invested in Guangzhou, and some 120 have set up their headquarters or regional headquarters in there.?

On Canton Fair

As the most important center of international trade in South China, this city has hosted the Canton Fair twice a year since 1957. Generally speaking, the two sessions are respectively from Apr 15 to May 5 and Oct 15 to Nov 4.

Detailed exhibitions include electronics & household electrical appliances, building materials & hardware, machinery equipment, food & drinks, household items, fabrics and home textiles.?

A WORLD TRADE CENTER

As one of the first ports for export and import trade in China, Guangzhou's strong commercial influence on the country is embodied by the rapid development of its manufacturing industry. As a pioneer of reform and opening up, Guangzhou has been known throughout the country for its vigorous free trade and has always been China's most market-oriented first-tier city with the lowest cost of doing business. To date, almost sixty percent of the world's top 500 companies have invested in Guangzhou, and some 120 have set up their headquarters or regional headquarters in there.?

On Canton Fair

As the most important center of international trade in South China, this city has hosted the Canton Fair twice a year since 1957. Generally speaking, the two sessions are respectively from Apr 15 to May 5 and Oct 15 to Nov 4.

Detailed exhibitions include electronics & household electrical appliances, building materials & hardware, machinery equipment, food & drinks, household items, fabrics and home textiles.?

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Paradise for Foodies

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Guangzhou has more restaurants and tea houses than any other city in China. Cantonese cuisine, one of the eight famous cuisines of China, is redolent with color, fragrance, taste and presentation. It is an absolute "must do" when visiting there. Try the famous Cantonese pastries well known for their wide range of varieties, delicate flavors and different hues.
Drinking tea, or yum cha, is a traditional custom for local people. Kung Fu tea and tasty dim sum is the perfect match for morning tea. Should you wish to try dim sum, shrimp dumplings and steamed shaomai should not be missed.

Origin of Yum Cha

The origin of morning tea tradition can be traced back to late Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). There were restaurants hanging a wooden board with the word "Tea Talking," where the passers-by could rest. It served tea and cakes but the environment were very poor, with only a few wooden tables and benches available. Then the tea shops and the even larger tea houses appeared. Since then, it has become common for Cantonese people to go to teahouses to drink morning tea. With time passing by, the tea has been a supporter in those tea houses while various delicate dim sums keep popping up.

Bargain is Fun

It would be a unique experience to bargain when shopping in Guangzhou. As the wholesale markets thrive in the city, consumers always be sure of a sizeable discount if they buy the products in a large quantity. Try to bargain and negotiate with the seller, and you will get a suitable price for your selected goods in wholesale markets. Certainly, bargaining is not available in grand shopping malls. Source: Chinatravelguide