Guangzhou Guide

Located in the mid-south of Guangdong, Guangzhou is a regional center in south China in terms of its status as a transportation and trading port, known as the southern gateway to China.

Guangzhou is a cultural city with a history of more than 2000 years. In the 9th century BC, it was called "Chu Ting" . As early as 226 A.D., Sun Quan -king of the Kingdom of Wu in the period of the Three Kingdoms (220-280) divided Jiaozhou District into two administrative regions, one was still named Jiaozhou and the other Guanghzou, hence name "Guangzhou".

A legend has it that in ancient times five celestials riding on five rams holding ears of paddy rice in their months descended on to Guangzhou and gave the rice to the local residents and then they left behind the five rams that afterwards turned into stones. As a result, Guangzhou was also named the City of Ram, City of Ears.

In 1957, the State Council approved the China Export Commodities Fair, which has since been held in Guangzhou twice a year, in spring and autumn.

Guangzhou is adorned with hills and streams and attractions of historical relics. The site of shipyard in the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC) excavated in the downtown and the imperial garden of Nan Yue in the West Han Dynasty (206 BC - 25) are recognized as China's Top 10 new excavations and are shortlisted in the application for being included on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Favorable attractions include Chen Family Temple, Yuntai Garden (at the foot of Mount Baiyun), Five Rams Stone Sculpture and Zhenhai Tower in Yuexiu Park, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Huanghuagang Park (Cemetery of 72 Martyrs), Hill Lianhua, the downtown bank along the Pearl River, CITIC Plaza (waterfall), Guangzhou Olympic Sports Center, Guangzhou New Gymnasium, Guangzhou Arts Museum, Guangzhou Shangxiajiu Shopping Street, Beijing Road Shopping Street, Six Banyan Temple, Hong Xiuquan's (1814-1864) Residence, Bao Mo Garden, Xiangjiang Safari Park and Chimelong Night Zoo.

Out of them, Mount Baiyun, Hill Yuexiu, the Pearl River, Chen Family Temple , Huanghuagang Park, Axis Line of New City, Olympic Sports Center and Hill Lianhua in Panyu are listed as the Top 8 Attractions in the City of Guangzhou in the new century.