Guangzhou is located in southern China in the middle of Guangdong Province, north of the Pearl River Delta. The city also lies close to the South China Sea, Hong Kong, and Macau. Because of its convenient geographical position, Guangzhou has been called 'China's Southern Gateway'. As the capital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou is the center of its politics, economy, science, education. It is also southern China's key transportation hub and trading port.
The annual average temperature in Guangzhou is 22.8 degrees centigrade, and average relative humidity is about 68%, while annual rainfall across the city's urban area is over 1,600 mm. Guangzhou lies right next to the Baiyun Mountain which is called the 'lung of the city'. The Pearl River, China's third largest waterway, also runs through Guangzhou. The city's humid subtropical climate is greatly influenced by the Asian monsoon. With year-round flowers and evergreen plants, Guangzhou has been affectionately called the 'Flower City' since ancient times.
An ancient but dynamic city, Guangzhou impresses visitors with both its vivid modern ambience and unique traditional Lingnan indigenous culture. Reflecting the unique charm of a multi-cultural metropolis, the city's cultural influences can be seen in all aspects of its social life. Specific examples include diet, lifestyle, architecture, commerce, language, music, art, customs and entertainment.
Canton Tower
With the height of 610 meters, the TV Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the world and a new landmark for Guangzhou. The form, volume and structure of the twisted and tapering tube are generated by two ellipses. The tightening caused by the rotation between the two ellipses forms a 'waist', which shapes a sexy slender female character rarely seen in historical skyscrapers. Visitors will be able to enjoy great food in a revolving restaurant at 424 meters and overlook the whole city on the 450 meters sightseeing platform.
City of Historic Charm
With a history of more than 2200 years, Guangzhou is an ancient but vibrant city. 2010 Asian Games provides a golden chance to revitalize the historical and cultural city. Visitors from all over the world will be able to appreciate the historical sites of Guangzhou that impressed the ancient western people as the highlights of China Southern Gate such as Zhenhai Tower, the Nanyue King's Tomb, Chen Clan Academy, and so on.
Guangzhou had also long been a heroic and revolutionary city. Many anti-colonial movements and democratic uprisings had taken place in its modern history. Dr. Sun Yat-sen founded the historically important Huangpu Military Academy, and Mao Zedong established Peasants' Movement Institute here.
Baiyun Mountain
Recognized as the 'First Peak under the Southern Sky", Baiyun Mountain rises to a height of 382 meters, on the top of which visitors can enjoy a grand view of the “cloud ocean” and overlook the whole city of Guangzhou It has seven sight-seeing regions, including historical attractions like Nengren Temple and natural scenery like Nine-Dragon Waterfall.
Pearl River Night Cruise
The Pearl River surrounds Guangzhou like a ribbon. You can cruise the Pearl River at night and enjoy the beautiful scenes on both banks.
Guangzhou Opera House
Guangzhou Opera House is one of the landmarks in the new central axis of Guangzhou as well as the largest, most high-tech and best-facilitated comprehensive performing arts center in South China.
Five-Ram Statue
Erected on the top of Yuexiu Mountain fifty years ago, the Five-Ram Statue has been the landmark of Guangzhou ever since.
The nickname of Guangzhou, namely, the city of rams traces its origin to a legendary story. Back in the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC - 771 BC), five immortals descended onto Chuting (the ancient name of Guangzhou), each riding on a ram that held six strings of corn millet sprays in mouth. The immortals gave the millet sprays to the local people and expressed their good wish for no shortage of food. At the departure of the five immortals, the five rams turned into stones.
Eleven meters in height, the Five-Ram Statue now stands erect on top of Yuexiu Mountain, representing Guangzhou's landmark that is known both home and abroad.
Lingnan Culture
Lingnan culture is an integral part of splendid Chinese culture. Excavated objects from Lingnan ancient sites indicated that Lingnan culture is native culture. With agriculture and marine expedition at its core, Lingnan culture has constantly drawn strength from Central Plains culture and foreign culture. As a result, Lingnan culture presents such characteristics as pragmatism, openness, innovation and accommodation.
According to geographical locations, Lingnan culture can be divided into Guangdong culture, Guangxi culture and Hainan culture. As the centerpiece of Lingnan culture, Guangdong culture consists of Cantonese, Chaoshan and Hakka cultures.
As the center of Cantonese culture, Guangzhou has a 4000-year civilization that can trace its roots to the Neolithic period. As a result of the intermingling of ethnic minority cultures, Han culture and foreign cultures, Cantonese culture is famous for its diversity and vitality.
As indicated by archaeological relics and historic sites, humanism, pragmatism, enterprise and innovation are major elements of Cantonese culture. These cultural elements often find their expression in architecture, customs, gardening, business, religion and other forms of art. The rich connotations, diversity and uniqueness of Cantonese culture are reflected in languages, music, operas, calligraphy, painting, poems, architecture, bonsai, handicraft, folk customs and cuisines.
Source:
1.APASL.org
2.Wikipedia.org