Tour in Guangdong
- Guangdong is on South China coast across from Hainan province.
Half of the province has subtropical weather. Open economic areas extend
along its entire coast and parts of its interior. Guangdong is the
provincial home of many Chinese immigrants who brought back expertise
and money to their ancestral home. The province has countless small and
medium-sized enterprises as well as many famous large firms. It is also
rich in fruits, vegetables and livestock.
Capital city, Guangzhou, was the seat of Prefecture of Nanhai in 214 B.C.
It is the largest and most prosperous trading city in South China.
The Guangzhou Trade Fair, China's main foreign trade institution, is
held every year. Guangzhou was the starting point or site of many
important historical events in China's modern history. The city is 125 km
NW of Hong Kong on the Pearl River. In 1983, a 2100-year-old imperial
tomb was discovered. More than 1000 burial objects were excavated, among
which are a chariot, gold and silver vessels, musical instruments, and
human sacrifices. The site is now the Museum of the Western Han Dynasty
Mausoleum of the Nanyue King. The Chen Family Temple, built in the 1890s,
has nine halls and six courtyards. Its windows, doorframes and pavilions
are lavishly decorated with intricate carvings and sculptures. There is
also Mausoleum of the 72 Martyrs at Yellow Flower Hill, built to commemorate
an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the Qing in 1911, led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall was built in 1931. There is Guangxiao Temple,
the largest temple in China and the oldest of Guangzhou. In Yuexiu Park,
you can find the sculpture of 6 goats, symbol of Guangzhou. The South
China Botanical Garden is one of the world's largest. It has over 2000
species of tropical and subtropical plants. The Orchid Garden is a delight
for orchid lovers with almost 10,000 plants.
Shaoguan in northern Guangdong was settled 120,000 years ago. Skull fossils
have been found in Maba Distirct. Other artifacts from 8000 and 5000 years
ago have also been discovered in caves nearby. The surrounding countryside
has unusual mountain scenery. The Red Cloud Hill, 54 km NW of the city,
has a good view of the neighboring countryside and the Jinjiang River.
Its peaks are shaped like horses, elephants and monk's hats.
About 110 km west of Guangzhou is Zhaoqing, famous for its scenery and
Duan inkstones. The Seven Star Crags have caves with grotesque limestone
formations and an underground stream for boat riding. The Dinghu Lake
is a lake formed on a valcano mouth. At the foot of the valcano is
a natural forest reserve.
Guangdong's coast has some nice beaches for swimming. Guangdong also has
a large variety of subtropical fruits to offer, such as lichee, longan,
and mango. Its seafood is fresh, tasty and pretty.