Guangzhou, Pearl of South China(1054 views)
Release date:2011-05-12 03:23:55
Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong Province is also a political, cultural, social and educational center. To its north lies Baiyun or White Cloud Hill with Pearl River Delta Plain in front. As one among the 24 famous cultural and historical cities in China, it has number of attractions more than other ancient and famous cities like Beijing and Xian.
Due to Guangzhou’s geographical location, primary spots to visit are the Pearl River and the White Cloud Mountain. Pearl River, the third longest river in China with 2,000 kilometers has night cruise that gives an enchanting panoramic night view of the city. In fact, Guangzhou is a meeting point of four sub rivers of Pearl River before joining the South Sea. What brings the name Pearl to this river is a huge rock, smooth and round found on the river bed. On both banks of the river you can see high rise modern architectures and one can say that Guangzhou City developed mainly around Pearl River. Both night and day offer good sightseeing opportunities near Pearl River. There is a 23 kilometers long walkway called ‘Scenery Corridor’, which is built to enjoy the river-side scenery. Along side you can also see first military academy of China called Huangpu Military Academy, Xinghai Concert Hall, Historic Site in Shamian and Tianzi Dock. White Cloud Mountain is famous since earlier times and still remains the same. It got the name due to wreaths of cotton -like clouds that appear on mountains after every rain in late spring. Erosion affected rocks create a special effect to the mountain that is rich in greenery. Important scenic spots on the mountain are Bird Spring Valley Park (Mingchun Valley), Bright Pearl Building Park, Fei eling Park, Luhu Park, and San Tai Ling Summit Park. Yuntai Garden filled with plenty of trees and flowers is the most popular attraction on the White Cloud Mountain and is located in Santailing Park. If Sculpture Park is what draws visitors to Fei eling, it is beautiful birds that attract people to Bird Spring Valley Park. It also has a huge natural bird cage in China.
Whoever visiting Guangzhou makes sure to visit Chen Clan Academy, currently Guangdong Folk Art Museum. In late 19th century the Chen family members from all over Guangdong Province built this housing complex in honor of their ancestors. Now it serves as a finest example of architecture and artistry of the early Guangdong. The 13, 200 square meters academy comes with main building, courtyards on its east and west and a well-maintained garden. Besides, it has fine carvings in wood, brick and stone and sculptures made in clay and ash. A visit to Chen Clan Academy certainly enhances your knowledge about Guangdong folk art and handicrafts.
The Temple of Six Banyan Trees is an ancient and one among most famous Buddhist Temple in China. Constructed in 537, it has three large copper Buddha statues in the temple and a large thousand Buddha pillar in the top floor of the pagoda. With 184 –feet pagoda has 17 floors and looks like a flower from outside. Temple was given its current name by Su Dongpo, a writer from Song Dynasty who visited here in 1100 after seeing six banyan trees in the compound. You can still see the Su’s hand-written tablet here.
For those who respect and love Sun Yat Sen, the father of republic China, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall is one place to visit. Sun Yat Sen was born in Guangdong and Hall was on the site where he used to live as the provisional president of China in 1922. As meeting and conferences are held here frequently, you do not have many items to see there except the architecture.
Talking about architecture, a building that evokes a travelers’ interest, the Guangzhou people’ pride, is the Guangzhou’s new TV tower that is also known as Guangzhou Tower. It is also called Xiao Man’s waist as the tower is narrower in the centre resembling thin waist. Guangzhou Tower is famous for its brilliant and unique construction style that brought the title world’s largest tower.
Visiting Guangzhou is not complete without shopping and Qing Ping Market that stretches about one kilometer is the right one. From antiques to traditional Chinese medicines this market that is situated in Shamian Island sells almost everything a traveler may look for.
back
