Solc-Blog

Guangzhou (广州 Guǎngzhōu or just simply GZ) is the capital of Guangdong Province in southern China. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 12.7 million, making it the third largest city in mainland China after Shanghai and Beijing. It is adjacent to Hong Kong and Macau forming an urban tri-angle. 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 it is perfectly acceptable to use either the western or Chinese term interchangeably. The Cantonese are proud and hardworking people known throughout China and the world over for their famous cuisine and tack for business.

The city is famous for foreign trade and business doings, 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. While Guangzhou is not usually high on the list of Asian tourist destinations, it is amazing how much the city actually has to offer.

• Guangxiao Temple (光孝寺 guāng-xiào-sì) 109 Guangxiao Lu (光孝路) (Metro 1 Ximenkou - Exit C) – 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.
• Liurong Temple (六榕寺 liù-róng-sì) 87 Liurong Lu (六榕路) (Metro 1 Gongyuanqian - Exit I)– 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.
• The buildings and streets of the former British and French concession on Shamian Island (沙面岛) 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 unique atmosphere. (Metro 1 Huangsha - Exit D)
• Across the canal from Shamian is the Chinese Medicine Market. The modern front of the market has quite a few stalls selling dried herbs used in Chinese Medicine. The real charm here lies just behind the modern exterior. The modern exterior is built onto a series of old historical narrow alleyways with shops selling herbs. The Starbucks on Shamian provides a great respite from the hustle and bustle of Guangzhou
• Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall (中山纪念堂 zhōng-shān-jì-niàn-táng),(Metro 2 Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall - Exit C) 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 is free for the park and ¥10 to go inside the hall.
• Chen Clan Academy (陈家祠 chén-jiā-cí) [7] Zhongshan 7 Lu (中山七路)(Metro 1 Chan Clan Academy - Exit D). 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)
• Shishi Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral (石室圣心大教堂 shí-shì-shèng-xīn-jiào-táng) 56 Yide Lu (一德路旧部前)(Metro 2 Haizhu Square).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-6PM. Free admission.
• Huangpu Military Academy (黄埔军校旧址 huáng-pǔ-jūn-xiào-jiù-zhǐ) is 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 (五仙观 wǔ-xiān-guān) Weifu Xi Lu (惠福西路). (Metro 1 Ximenkou - Exit C)Admission ¥5.
• Huaisheng Mosque (怀圣寺 huái-shèng-sì) 56 Guangta Lu (光塔路) (Metro 1 Ximenkou - Exit C). 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.
• Sanyuan Temple (三元宫 sān-yuán-gōng) – Yingyuan Lu (Metro 2 Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall - Exit C). This is the largest and oldest Taoist temple in the city.
• Xiguan Residence (西关大屋 xī-guān-dà-wū) (Metro 1 Changshou Lu)– See the traditional Cantonese architectures from ancient Guangzhou. This structure was occupied by the upper class.
• Hualin Temple (华林寺 huá-lín-sì) (Metro 1 Changshou Lu)
• Guangzhou Traditional Buildings (骑楼) are slowly disappearing due to the rapid growth in the city. Remaining buildings can be found near Yide Road, Renmin Nan Road and Zhongshan Road. They make great photo spots.
• Huanghua Gang Commemoration Park (黄花岗公园), huáng-huā-gǎng-gōng-yuán, 79 Xianlie Zhonglu, ) +86 20 3758-8321. Open 6AM-8:30PM. 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. Free admission.
• Yuexiu Park (越秀公园) yuè-xiù-gōng-yuán, (Metro 2 Yue Xiu Park Station Exit B1) 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 (镇海楼) zhèn-hǎi-lóu, now home to the City Museum with relics dating back to the 15th century and an up-to-date miniature of Guangzhou (separate admission). Also check out the Stone Statue of the Five Rams (五羊石像), the symbol of Guangzhou (For more details, see 'History' section of Understand). Open 6AM-9PM. Free Admission.
• Yuntai Garden (云台花园)(Tour Bus No. 1, 3) yún-tái-huā-yuán is situated at the foot of Baiyun (White Cloud) Mountain and is famous for its wide variety of rare flowers and trees. There are also seasonal exhibits (additional admission). Admission is ¥10.
• Huadu Square (花都广场) huā-dū-guǎng-chǎng is a park-cum-recreation square located in the north part the city and near the government office buildings of Huadu District (花都区). 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.
• Xiangjiang Wild Animal Safari Park (香江野生动物世界) xiāng-jiāng-yě-shēng-dòng-wù-shì-jiè is in Panyu district. Admission is ¥150.
• Guangzhou Martyrs' Memorial Garden (广州起义烈士陵园) guǎng-zhōu-qǐ-yì-liè-shì-líng-yuán) Zhongshan 2 Lu (中山二路),(Metro 1 Martyrs' Park Station Exit D) – This park is dedicated to those who fought and died in the Communist Uprising in 1927. Free adminssion.
• 
  

  Mountains

• Baiyun Mountain (White Cloud Mountain) (白云山 bái-yún-shān)[12] is a great place to relax and enjoy a day among lush, rolling hills. It also offers great views over the city. The road to the top in most of the daytime is restricted to park trams and pedestrians. To get to the top lookout point, you can use the main roads or trails. There are many places to rest and refreshments are available along the way. It is a great place to see people enjoying nature and playing games, such as shuttlecock, badminton, football and even bungie jumping. There are many bus routes to and from different parts of the city, as well as taxis usually available near the park gate. Open 24 hours. Park entrance ¥5; Cable car round trip ¥40; tram from ¥20; other attractions ¥5-¥10; packages available from ¥25.
• Lianhua Shan (Lotus Mountain) (莲花山 lián-huā-shān) features an impressive quarry from which red sand stones were mined about 2,000 years ago, a pagoda from 1612, and a barrack from 1664. The obligatory statue of Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of compassion, at the side of the Buddhist temple is also not to be missed. From Guangzhou, take bus 308 or 302 and exchange bus at Panyu (番禺). The bus takes about two hours and costs ¥14. There is a ferry service from Guangzhou at Tianzi Pier (天字码头) at Beijing Lu Nan (北京路南) for ¥25. The boat leaves at 8:15AM and returns at 3:15PM. Admission is ¥30.

Guangzhou