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Guangzhou History
What was Guangzhou Called Before
...What was Guangzhou Called Before
According to historical records, Chuting was the earliest formation of present Guangzhou. It has been 2,800 years since the Chuting was first used when Chu State of the Zhou Dynasty (11th Century BC - 221BC) sent ministers there to make it submitted to Chu.
Legend on the Ram City
There had been successions of famine and crop failure in Chuting during the Zhou Dynasty. One day, five colorful auspicious clouds drifted from the South Sea, conveying five celestial beings on five celestial rams. They blessed people with ears of rice in a sheep's mouth. The five celestial beings left but the five rams stayed in Chuting, continuing to protect local people and prayed for favorable weather and a good harvest. To honor the fairies, people built 'Wuxian Guan', a Taoist temple with their sculptures, accompanied by a stone statue of the rams. Hence, the city is also known as the 'Ram City' (Yang Cheng) or 'Rice Ears City' (Sui Cheng).
The City of Guangzhou
Old rickshaw
Popular Rickshaw in the old times
When was Guangzhou established? The Qin Dynasty (221BC - 206BC) conquered Lingnan Region and established three shires. Nanhai Shire included most of Guangdong Province with Fanyu, with the present Guangzhou as the capital. The site of the small city is located around Jiucang Xiang of Cangbian Lu in the present Guangzhou. Zhaolun took over Nanhai Shire in the early Han dynasty, which absorbed the surrounding area. Then Nanyue Kingdom was established and expanded into the city.
The city walls of Guangzhou were restored a dozen of times in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279). Middle, east and west cities were built in succession. The Ming Court (1368-1644) brought the three cities together and called them the Old City, and constructed a new one in the south, through the second expansion project in late Ming.
Is Guangzhou and Guangdong the same? The answer is No. Nowadays, Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong Province, located in south-central Guangdong.
Main Port of the Maritime Silk Road
The city has always been the political, economic and culture center of South China for more than 2,000 years. In its early years, it was a distribution center of rare tropical products.
Relics showing its marine history
Historical relics show the marine history
In the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), Fanyu had developed commerce and advanced textile and porcelain industries and foreign exchange with overseas, using this place as a vital port. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it has become a world famous trading harbor with countries in the South Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. To strengthen the foreign trade, China's earliest customs was set up there. It grew rapidly and became the largest commercial city and treaty port in China.
Since early 3rd century, it has replaced Xuwen (in Zhanjiang City) and Hepu (in Beihai City) ports, ascending the throne as the main port of the Maritime Silk Road which initiated during Qin and Han dynasties until Quanzhou overshadowed it from late Song to Yuan (1279 - 1368). However, it recovered and was the only open port under the policy of isolation in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Top Cantonese Cuisines
White Cut (plain sliced) Chicken is a well known Guangzhou food. Visitors can enjoy the original taste of chicken from the carefully timed boiling. Visitors can expect the best priced Bai Qie Ji at these restaurants: Gaozhou Taiziji Restaurant, Huiai Restaurant, Youlian Restaurant, and etc.
...White Cut (plain sliced) Chicken is a well known Guangzhou food. Visitors can enjoy the original taste of chicken from the carefully timed boiling. Visitors can expect the best priced Bai Qie Ji at these restaurants: Gaozhou Taiziji Restaurant, Huiai Restaurant, Youlian Restaurant, and etc.
Roast suckling pig, a Guangzhou famous food, is mouth watering. A 3 kilogram piget is marinated with spices: sugar, salt, sweet, vinegar, fermented bean curd, cooking wine, and sesame paste. And, roast red over charcoal. Then, brush on with peanut oil. The roast suckling pig in Panxi Restaurant, Guangzhou Restaurant and Bingsheng Restaurant is quality assured.
Sweet and Sour Pork (Gu Lu Rou)
Sweet and Sour Pork is Guangzhou specialty of Qing Dynasty (1644- 1911) vintage. Pork is first boned, starch with seasonings, then knead into a ball ready for frying to a crisp. The finishing touch is to wrap it with sweet and sour condiments. Yongli Restaurant, Lao Feng Teahouse and To To Kui are where this delicacy is served.
Claypot Rice (Bao Zai Fan)
Claypot Rice is a kind of rice cooked together with vegetables and preserved meat. Although small in size, Minji Baozaifan, Wanxing Xiaoshi, and other street shops attracts many customers for yummy tastes and low price.
Wonton Noodle (Yuntun Mian)
Wonton Noodle is popular Guangzhou food. The main ingredients consist of cooked wonton, bamboo shoots, and fish broth, dried shrimp, scallops and chicken. Go to Shangxia Jiu Pedestrian Street, Xihua Road and Renmin Road, you come across many Wonton Noodles eateries. It is good for breakfast.
Seafood
Guangzhou, near the sea, is rich in seafood, offering many delicious dishes. Reputable seafood dishes cover Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Salmon Sashimi, Steamed Scallops with Minced Garlic, Curry Crabs, Cheese Lobster, etc. Customers either go directly to the restaurant empty handed, or bring fresh seafood with them from the market. Huangsha Seafood Trading Market is the largest aquaculture integrated market, source of seafood products for the connoisseur.
Guangzhou Nightlife
When night comes, it is easy to find a place to relax in Guangzhou....
When night comes, it is easy to find a place to relax in Guangzhou. The top things to do for Guangzhou nightlife include cruising along Pearl River to appreciate the night scenes, watching Cantonese Opera to explore further and deeper about Cantonese culture, meeting young and experiencing the lively Guangzhou nightlife in one of the many bars, and watching a Circus performance in Chimelong Resort. In addition, Yanjiang Road, Tianhe CBD, Beijing Road, and Huanshi East Road are favorable places to spend colorful Guangzhou nightlife for foreigners.
Pearl River Night Cruise, Guangzhou
Pearl River Night CruisePearl River Night Cruise
The night scene on two sides of the Pearl River is so enchanting that you must have a look. The best way is by boat. Tourists can take a night cruise on the Pearl River from one of the five wharfs, including Tianzi Wharf, Dashatou Wharf, Zhongda Wharf, Fangcun Wharf and Xidi Wharf. Along the Cruise, you will pass by many shining buildings decorated by light, such as Canton Tower, Xinghai Concert Hall, Haiyin Bridge, various western style buildings in Shamian Island…
Visit Bars & Pubs in Guangzhou
Three famous bar streets: Binjiang Road, Huanshi Road and Bai'e Tan, are the best known Guangzhou nightlife areas. Binjiang Road Bar Street is by the bank of Pearl River, and has lovely scenery. Huanshi Road Bar Street is located in the city center. However, the Bai'e Tan Bar Street, located at Changdi Road on the bank of Bai'e Tan (White Goose Pond), is the most exotic. Below are some best clubs in Guangzhou:
Amigo
Location: B03, Bai'e Tan Bar Street, Fangcun
The French pub downstairs is divided into compartments with wooden barriers and wooden winding stairs. Saddles, whips, western historical paintings, and antique wine bottles decorate everycorner of the pub. A small western restaurant upstairs is a good place to enjoy the enticing Zhujiang (the Pearl River).
A Bar in Guangzhou
A Bar in Guangzhou
Golf Club
Location: at the north gate of Yuexiu Park, Huanshi Zhong Road
There is a big outdoor garden in the Golf Club. The environment is tranquil and charming.
Baby Face
Location: Aiqun Mansion, No.83, Changdi Road
Bridge House
Location: at the south gate of the Guangdong Arts Gallery, No.38, Yanyu Lu, Ersha Island
Party World
Location: Floor 1, Huihua Business Building, No.80, Xianlie Zhong Road
Appreciate Cantonese Opera (Yue Ju)
Cantonese opera, Yue Ju in Chinese, is a performance art that combines singing, chanting, and acrobatics. Harmoniously accompanied by rhythms and melodies, both dialogue and singing are performed gracefully in Cantonese. What’s more, each character in Cantonese opera has its own unique clothes, accessories and makeups.
Where to Watch:
Guangzhou Jiangnan Grand Theatre: No. 130, Middle Changgang Road, Haizhu District
Guangzhou Friendship Theatre: No.696, North Renmin Road, Yuexiu District
Guangzhou Opera House: No.1 West Zhujiang Road Tianhe District
Chimelong International Circus
Chimelong International CircusWatch Chimelong International Circus
Guangzhou Chimelong Circus is performed in the world’s largest circus venue by over 300 world’s best performers and more than 500 professionally trained animals. Chimelong International Circus shows spectators unique and magic programs, covering the Prologue, Kazakstan Horsemanship, Aerial Love-Aerial Glass Balls, Leap through Time and Space, Hollywood Circus, Samba Parade, Sky Ballet, Cannon Act and so on.
Opening Hours: 17:00-21:00
Show Time: 19:30-21:00
How to get there: Take Metro Line 3 and get off at Hanxi Changlong Station.
Top China Tours
$53 Per Day
Pingyao Highlights Walking Tour
Pingyao Highlights Walking Day Tour
With our guide to know the Ancient Pingyao better!
Our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 08:00 or 08:30, then show you the ticket office to get the ticket for the museums we will visit later.
...Read morePingyao Highlights Walking Day Tour
With our guide to know the Ancient Pingyao better!
Our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 08:00 or 08:30, then show you the ticket office to get the ticket for the museums we will visit later.
First we will visit the 700 years old City wall, We will climb up from south gate and have a walk on the wall. We are not sure how many km we can walk, because of the renovating of the wall. Normally we will walk from south gate to the Yunlu Exit.
Then visit the Confucius temple, there is a old building named Dacheng Hall which is over 840 years old. From outside, we can see the big wood joints to lift the big roof around the building which is named Dougong. Due to this design, there are less columns inside the hall for giving the big space for the statues and the prayer. We have chance to see the Confucius statue and learn the philosophy of Confucius. If you like, you can pray for you and your children to get better study.
There is the Paper Cutting master named Wentao nearby the exit of Confucius temple. She is very smart and create the new style paper cutting with much more details and good wishes on it. Her products are made by hanks. It is worth to visit and buy as a souvenir from Pingyao. From the table standing and wall hangings. Please remember, take the red one because of red is the traditional and happy color. But the white one is the best. It is really difficult to choose, because of all of them are really nice.
Then you can have coffee break or tea break if you need at Chummy coffee, after this, visit the City god temple (ChenghuangMiao) which is most beautiful temple inside the wall. Because of the roof is covered by the colorful glazed tiles. There is not only city god and also the three money gods, Now you know why pingyao was the financial center.
Next we will visit the Ancient government building, to see the pingyao politics center in the ancient time. It is the complete building with officials bed room, kitchen and private garden. Follow the guide to look the official’s life from the 250km far away from the hometown.
Have a stroll in the alley to the Rishengchang exchange bank, which is the first bank all of china.You can not miss it.
After lunch, walk to the Ming and Qing street, this is the shopping street full of the stores on the both side of street. You can find alot things here , from post card to lacquered boxes, and wall panels. One more place to see, it is the Armed escort agency also named security and transport service for the business man before the bank founded.
Inlcusions
1.private english speaking tour guide servcie
2.bottle water for the tour
$310 Per Day
3- Day Popular Tour In Zhangjiajie
Day 1 Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Full day trip to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park,take Bailong Elevator up Yuanjiajie,Bailong Elevator is the said to be the worlds tallest full-exposure outdoor lift,double-deck sightseeing elevator.Yuanjiajie is the inspiration for Hallelujah Mountain in AVATAR , Where you will also find the aptly named First Bridge under Heaven, Lover Peaks and so on.
...Read more
Day 1 Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Full day trip to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park,take Bailong Elevator up Yuanjiajie,Bailong Elevator is the said to be the worlds tallest full-exposure outdoor lift,double-deck sightseeing elevator.Yuanjiajie is the inspiration for Hallelujah Mountain in AVATAR , Where you will also find the aptly named First Bridge under Heaven, Lover Peaks and so on.
Continuing to Tianzi Mountain, it takes you 40 minuts from Yuanjiajie to Tianzi Mountain by public bus, after arriving in Tianzi Mountain, you will have a bird’s-eye view of all the mountains and valleys of the Wuling Mountains. Visit Western Sea, Helong Park, Viewing Terrace etc.Take Tianzi cablecar down and check in hotel for a rest.
Accommodation: Wulingyuan Downtown
Day 2 Baofeng Lake & Glass Bridge
After breaking in the hotel, we head to Baofeng Lake where is the masterpiece of nature and human beings’wisdom. Baofeng Lake is pure just like a big crystal among Bao feng mountain Range.When you cruise, you can hear authentic song from Tujia minority people,you can fully understand the harmony and peace between human beings and nature.
Transfer to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, have a walking on the Glass Bridge, Glass Bridge is the highlight of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, located in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge is the highest and longest transparent glass bridge with a length 430 meters and a width 6 meters. It is 300 meters above the ground level and it can bear 800 persons standing on it at the same time. (need to book the tickets in advance)
Accommodation: Wulingyuan Downtown
Day 3 Tianmen Mountain
Full day to explore Tianmen Mountain,take the longest cablecar in the world up Tianmen Mountain,have a walk on the mountain plank road built along the face of cliffs. You will feel like walking in a fairy land when the mist is still heavy.The must-visit scenic spots are: Tianmen Cave, Glass Road, Tianme Temple.
See you off in the airport and looking forward to seeing you again in Zhangjiajie.
$200 Per Day
CHENGDU, A PANDA CITY, A GOURMET CITY, A TEA CITY, LOOKING FOWARD TO YOUR ARRIVAL
Chengdu, with an area of 12,400 square kilometers and a polulation of about 14,170,000 is not just the biggest provincial capital in west China, but also the only city in the history of China whose name has reminded the same for 3,000 years since its establishment. In Chinese, "Cheng" means "success or successful" and "Du" means "big city or capital". This "Successful City" boasts a long history. It is believed that everything about Chengdu has their origin from "Sanxingdui Ruins", from where you can deeply discover the history story of Chengdu.
...Read moreChengdu, with an area of 12,400 square kilometers and a polulation of about 14,170,000 is not just the biggest provincial capital in west China, but also the only city in the history of China whose name has reminded the same for 3,000 years since its establishment. In Chinese, "Cheng" means "success or successful" and "Du" means "big city or capital". This "Successful City" boasts a long history. It is believed that everything about Chengdu has their origin from "Sanxingdui Ruins", from where you can deeply discover the history story of Chengdu.
Giant pandas definitely are the best calling card and trademark of Chengdu. Every year, million of people are attracted by giant pandas to spend their holidays here, go sightseeing here, make investment here and even settle here permanently. The reason is that for people around the world, the charm of giant pandas cannot be replaced by anything else.
Various kinds of wonderful food shall be another reason attracting you to visit Chengdu. Of the four most famous schools of culinery art in China (Beijing cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Jiangsu cuisine, Guangdong cuisine), Sichuan cuisine boasts tongue-numbing, hot, delicate and fresh taste and a variety of flavors, as "each dish has its unique taste and no two dishes have the same flavor." Such spcial flavors as fish-flavored, gongbao (with peanuts), and water-boiled are incomparable at home and abroad.
"The teahouses in Sichuan top the world, and those in Chengdu Top Sichuan." This widespread saying not only points out the status of Chengdu's teahouses but also the inseverable ties between Chengdu culture and tea. Like bars in Paris and cafes in Vienna, teahouse add a touch of refinement and leisureliness to Chengdu, an ancient yet modern metropolis. The practice of driking tea prevailed in Sichuan as earlt as prior to the Qin and Han Dynasties.
Wish you can have a nice trip in Chengdu. You will love it.