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OVERVIEW
Guangzhou is one of
China's fastest growing cities with a population of almost 4 million. It
is the provincial capital of the Guangdong region, and is more popularly known
to the western world as Canton. The city also has many beautiful nicknames
such as Huacheng (the Flower City), Yangcheng (the Goat City), and Suicheng (the
Rice-ear City). Guangzhou has been China's most important southern gateway
for more than 2,000 years as it's located on the Pearl River Delta where the
Dongjiang River, the Xijiang River and the Beijiang River converge. This
advantageous location has enabled the city's large agricultural output as well
as a wealth of natural wonders to explore. Guangzhou is also a well-known
hometown of the overseas Chinese as about 500,000 Chinese from here are now residing
in some 90 countries and regions abroad. Visitors to Guangzhou will be
captivated by scenes and sights of Guangzhou as well as its variety of modern
facilities for recreation and entertainment.
HISTORY
Guangzhou has a long
history as it was built in 862 B.C. in the reign of King Zhou Yi Wang which was
over 2,800 years ago. The city's original name was Pan Yu, and it was
replaced by the name Guangzhou in 226 A.D. It
has been an important trading port since ancient times until today as the legend
of the Silk Road started here. The
first Opium War broke out near Guangzhou in 1839, and in 1911 it was in
Guangzhou that Sun Yat-Sen proclaimed the Republic of China. The
fall of Guangzhou to the Communist armies in late October, 1949, signaled the
Communist takeover of all China. Under the Communist government, Guangzhou was
developed as an industrial center and a modern port, with a great trade to and
from Hong Kong.
CLIMATE
Guangzhou enjoys a
subtropical climate. Year-round temperatures average 22C, with August
being the hottest month when the temperature averages 28C, and January the
coldest at an average of 13C. The rainy season is from April to
August.
ECONOMY
Guangzhou is a modern
city, and its economy has immensely improved following the government's Reform
and Opening Policy in the mid 20th century. The modern aspect of the city
can be observed from the high-rise buildings such as the Center of World Economy
which was built in 1990s and the National Economy Mansion of Guangdong. Commerce has been
Guangzhou's economic lifeblood since ancient times, and is likely to continue to be
for a time to come.
FOOD
Eating is everyone's
favorite activity in Guangzhou, and Cantonese cuisine is the main cuisine in
this region. There are literally hundreds of good restaurants serving a
wide range of authentic Cantonese dishes which are one of the most beloved in
China. The adapted version of Cantonese cuisine is the most prevalent form
of Chinese food known in the West especially in the USA, since a large number of
Cantonese men emigrated to work on the American railways and brought some of the
recipes with them.
Cantonese cuisine puts a strong
emphasis on preserving the natural flavor of the food. Hence many dishes
are stir-fried or steamed in order to preserve the freshness of the
ingredients which Guangzhou is fortunate to have in copious amount; be it
fresh seafood, fruits or vegetables.
What type of dishes epitomize
Cantonese cuisine? Beef with Oyster Sauce is a typical Chinese dish, as are
Fried Rice and Steamed Chicken. Fish is eaten frequently, and shellfish are
also popular. Steamed sea bass, stir-fried garoupa, and Lobster
Cantonese are all well-known Cantonese dishes. Shark's fin soup is another
favorite delicacy. Vegetable dishes reflect the wide variety and seasonality of
what is available. Dim Sum is also the featured dish of Cantonese
cuisine, and is the most popular food in Guangzhou as the local people like to
drink tea while having Dim Sum over business or leisure talk. Sweet and
Sour Pork is unmistakably an authentic Cantonese dish, although it may taste
totally different in the westernized version.
This article is authored and copyrighted
by Royal Exclusive Travel
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