Guangzhou is the capital city of Guangdong Province in southern China and has a population of over 10 million (The official registered population is 7.3 million, with over 3 million unregistered residents). It is adjacent to Hong Kong and Macau. In the era of tea clippers, Guangzhou was known in the West as "Canton". The food and the language of the area are still known as "Cantonese", and the airport code is CAN.
The city is famous for foreign trade and business, and holds China's largest trade fair, the Canton Fair. However, in between the seemingly endless skyscrapers, shopping malls and building sites there is a lot of culture and history, and while Guangzhou is not usually high on the list of Asian tourist destinations, it is amazing how much the city actually has to offer.
At first sight, Guangzhou appears to be less a city that's developing, and rather one that's about to explode. Every corner seems packed with high-rise buildings, overpasses, and people running marathons. It can be overwhelming, and the initial instinct of many travelers is to get out as soon as possible. However, those that overcome this urge and stay longer will discover a gentler and more personable side to the city.
As a major entry point for overseas culture for many centuries, foreigners are not the anomaly here that they are in other Chinese cities. Consequently, travelers are afforded more personal space and freedom. In addition, tucked away in the back streets, the old Guangzhou of traditional neighborhoods still moves at an age-old pace, with families and friends often sitting outdoors enjoying tea and banter.
PLACE TO VISIT
Guangxiao Temple – As the sixth patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Hui Neng, trained at this temple in the 7th Century, it is a popular pilgrimage site for Zen Buddhists. The temple has been destroyed several times by fire, and the current buildings date only from the mid 19th century. Admission ¥4. [Metro 1 Xi Men Kou - Exit C]
Liurong Temple – The Temple of Six Banyan Trees, which includes the 17 story, eight-sided Hua Ta, or Flowering Pagoda, is one of the most popular attractions in Guangzhou. The temple dates back to the 6th century, while the pagoda predates it by about 300 years. Admission ¥5, Flower Pagoda ¥10. [Metro 1 Gong Yuan Qian - Exit I]
The buildings and streets of the former British and French concession on Shamian Island have been beautifully renovated, creating an oasis of tranquility in an otherwise bustling and hectic metropolis. One of the old structures is Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, located at 14 Shamian Street. Attractions on the island are all free. As an island, Shamian is not particularly spectacular, but what makes it special that for several hundred years this tiny spit of land was the only place in all of China that Europeans could establish settlements. The architecture reflects that era, and it has a very unique atmosphere. [Metro 1 Huang Sha - Exit D]
Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall located on Dongfeng Zhong Lu, is dedicated to the founder of the Republic of China and local hero Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. It was constructed in 1931 and built on the original site of Sun Yat-sen's presidential office on Yuexiu Hill. Oopen 8AM-6PM. Admission ¥5 for the park and ¥20 to go inside the hall) [Metro 2 Ji Nian Tang - Exit C]
Chen Clan Temple. This is very well preserved architecture from the 19th century. It used to belong to a wealthy family by the name of Chen and now houses many articles including ivory sculptures and artistic statues. (Admission ¥10) [Metro 1 Chen Jia Ci - Exit D]
Shishi Sacred Heart Catholic Church . It is one of the oldest church structures in the city, and the largest of its kind of Southern China. It is currently in use for worship. Visiting hours are limited to Sun from 7AM-10AM. (Admission: Free) [Metro 2 Hai Zhu Guang Chang]
Huangpu Military Academy is located on Changzhou Island. It was founded in 1924 by Sun Yat-sen, along with the Chinese Communist Party at the time. Many famous Chinese war heroes were trained here. Admission ¥15.
Wu Xian Guan Temple . Admission ¥5, [Metro 1 Xi Men Kou Exit C]
Huaisheng Mosque . This is one of the oldest Muslim mosques in China, built in 627. The mosque is not open to the public, but you can take a peek outside. [Metro 1 Xi Men Kou Exit C]
Sanyuan Temple – ingyuan Lu. This is the largest and oldest Taoist temple in the city. [Metro 2 Ji Nian Tang - Exit C]
Xiguan Residence – See the traditional Cantonese architectures from ancient Guangzhou. This structed was occupied by the upper class. [Metro 1, Chang Shou Lu]
Hualin Temple [Tour Bus No. 2; Metro 1, Chang Shou Lu]
Guangzhou City Art Museum – Located near the Zhehai Building in Yuexiu Park, this impressive gallery has more than 10,000 pieces of art work, including calligraphy, traditional Chinese paintings, sculptures and Tibetan Buddhist art (Thangka). [Metro 2 Yue Xiu Gong Yuan]
Guangdong Museum of Art . Open 9AM-5PM, Tue-Sun. The museum is located on Er-Sha Island and focuses on contemporary Chinese art, with a particular emphasis on Guangdong artists. Admission ¥15. Under 18 is free with paying parents. [Tour Bus No.2]
Nanyue Royal Tomb Museum - Across from Yuexiu Park. This is a tomb of a king of ancient South China. 9AM-5:30PM. Admission is ¥12, 20 8666 0885) [Metro 2 Yue Xiu Gong Yuan]
Guangzhou Sculpture Park Tongxin Lu at the foot of Baiyun Mountain. [Tour Bus No. 1, 3]
President Sun Yat-Sen Museum Admission is ¥6. Open 9am-5pm Tue-Sun. Closed Mon.
Guangzhou Uprising Museum . The Museum is at the site of the first Communist government building. Open 9AM—12PM and 1:30PM-4:30PM Tues–Sun. Closed Mon. [Metro 1, 2 Gong Yuan Qian Exit J]
Guangdong Revolutions History Museum is located in the martyrs memorial park. Sun Yat-Sen was sworn in here in 1921 as the president of Republic of China. The museum tells stories from the Opium War to the founding of the new China. [Metro 1 Lie Shi Ling Yuan Exit D]
Peasant Movement Institute . This is the original site of Communist training center founded by Mao Tse-tung in the 1920s. Now it is a museum covering the recent China revolutionary history. Open 9AM-4:30PM Tue-Sat. Closed. [Metro 1, Nong Jiang Suo Exit C]
Huanghua Gang Commemoration Park 79 Xianlie Zhonglu. This is a park that will set you in a poignant mood. The main attraction is the monument built to commemorate the 72 martyrs who died during the 1911 uprising. Open 6AM-8:30PM. Phone: +86 20 3758-8321; Admission ¥8) [Tour Bus No. 1]
Yuexiu Park is the largest urban park in China and is a lush green area that flows over acres of hills and includes several lakes. It includes the Ming Dynasty Zhenhai Tower now home to the City Museum with relics dating back to the 15th century and an up-to-date miniature of Guangzhou. Also here in thepark is the Stone Statue of the Five Rams , the symbol of Guangzhou (For more details, see 'History' section of Understand). Open 6AM-9PM. Admission is ¥5 for the park. Zhenhai Tower admission is ¥10. [Metro 2 Yue Xiu Park Station Exit B1]
Yuntai Garden is situated at the foot of Baiyun (White Cloud) Mountain and is famous for its wide variety of rare flowers and trees. Every year there is a beautiful 3-D flower exhibit. During this period, admission is ¥20, but it is well worth it. Admission is ¥10. [Tour Bus No. 1, 3]
Huadu Square is a park-cum-recreation square located in the north part the city and near the government office buildings of Huadu District . The square incorporates, among other attractions, an outdoor theater, large fountain, outdoor dance area and statues. There is a large grass area that is similar to a Western style meadow and a subtropical forest and ornamental flower beds.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - The New Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is a major hub in Southern China, second only to Hong Kong. The airport is the base of China Southern Airlines and has not only an extensive range of domestic flights, but some international connections, including Air France to Paris, China Southern to Los Angeles, Thai Airways to Bangkok, Singapore Airlines to Singapore and Finnair to Helsinki. Other direct international destinations include Amsterdam, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Jakarta, Frankfurt, Tokyo, and Osaka.
The airport is 28 km north from downtown Guangzhou, and should not be confused with the former Baiyun Airport which was closed in 2004. A metro line to the airport is under construction but won't be ready until around 2009. In the meantime, taxi is the fastest option. See the airport fare table [4] for approximate fare cost. A taxi ride to downtown should cost no more than ¥120, inclusive of a ¥15 toll fee. As of the end of 2005, there is a ¥1 fuel surcharge that is not shown on the fare meter.
By train - Trains cover the 182 kilometers from Hong Kong in less than one hour and fifty minutes (including any stop at Dongguan). Through Trains to Guangzhou depart from Hong Kong at Hung Hom railway station in Kowloon and arrive in Guangzhou at the East station in Tian He district. Trains operating on this service are operated by China Rail and the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTR). Since the merger of the Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) and the MTR, Hung Hom station and Hong Kong ticket sales are controlled by the MTR
By bus - Coach services are available to bring passengers from Hong Kong International Airport to several locations in Guangzhou. Among the destinations are recognizable landmarks like Jinan University on Huang Pu Da Dao , Garden Hotel and China Hotel. The trip takes about 3+ hours and costs 250 HKD. There are also cross border bus terminals throughout Hong Kong. One of the Stations is at Austin Road and Canton Road near Kowloon Park. A one way ticket costs about 100 HKD.
By boat - There is a frequent ferry and hovercraft service from Hong Kong, Macau, and Haikou (Hainan Island) at the Zhoutouzui Ferry Pier There are boats from other mainland cities, such as Xiamen, Shanghai, and Qingdao at the Dashatou Pier .
New Nansha Pier is now open with 6 lines daily traveling between Hong Kong and Guangzhou. The trip takes 75 minutes (¥116-230). However, Nansha is very far from the city center, although there is a bus route available from White Swan Hotel, running three times a day. Location Nansha Port: 1.6km South from Humen Bridge, Nansha District, Guangzhou. Passengers can take buses at White Swan Hotel to the Dock, 3 runs per day.
