Guangzhou Facts

 English Name: Guangzhou, Canton
 Chinese Name: 广州 (guǎng zhōu)
 Alias: Five-Goat City, Goat City, City of Spike, City of Flowers
 Location: South-central Guangdong Province, Pearl River Delta, Southern China (34°16′N, 108°54′E)
 Urban Land Area: 3,843.4 sq km (6,000 sq mi)
 Postal Code: 510000
 Area Code: 020
 Airport: Baiyun International Airport
 Railway Stations: Railway Station, East Railway Station, North Railway Station, South Railway Station
 Events: Canton Fair, The 16th Asian Games, 2010 
 Districts: 11 districts including Yuexiu, Liwan, Haizhu, Tianhe, Baiyun, Panyu, Huadu, Nansha, Zengcheng, and Conghua  
 Population: over 14.5 million 
 Geography: a hilly region with high terrain in the northeast, low alluvial plain in the southwest, and a basin in the middle

 See more about China Population by City: List of 50 Most Populated Cities 
 

This is not from the perspective of population and geographical area, but from its economic status, cultural influence, political importance and etc. Since the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 207 BC), Guangzhou has been the political, economic, cultural, military and educational center of southern China. After more than 2,000 years of changes, Guangzhou has developed into a multi-functional mega-city, and it is also an important coastal port city and a famous tourist city in south China. From the view of comprehensive strength, Guangzhou ranks third in China, after Beijing and Shanghai only. 
 

As one of the first ports for export and import trade in China, Guangzhou’s strong commercial influence on the country is embodied by the rapid development of its manufacturing industry. As a pioneer of reform and opening up, Guangzhou has been known throughout the country for its vigorous free trade and has always been China's most market-oriented first-tier city with the lowest cost of doing business. To date, almost sixty percent of the world’s top 500 companies have invested in Guangzhou, and some 120 have set up their headquarters or regional headquarters in there. 
 

As the most important center of international trade in South China, this city has hosted the Canton Fair twice a year since 1957. Generally speaking, the two sessions are respectively from Apr. 15 to May. 05 and Oct. 15 to Nov.4. Detailed exhibitions include electronics & household electrical appliances, building materials & hardware, machinery equipments, food & drink, household items, fabrics and home textiles. 
 

Thanks to its long history of Guangzhou dating back to the Qin Dynasty, Guangzhou boasts plenty of well-preserved historic relics, like the Museum of the Western Han Dynasty Mausoleum of the Nanyue King, Guangxiao Temple, Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family, Huaisheng Mosque, The Five Goat Stone Statue in Yuexiu Park and Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. 

Chen Clan's Academy

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

The city has a massive number of malls and retail stores. Grand shopping malls such as the Tee Mall Plaza, the China Plaza plus the trade fairs in the Guangzhou International Building provide easy access to top-notch products from all over the world. Visitors can also enjoy shopping on the Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street and Beijing Road. Apart from that mentioned above, Guangzhou wholesale markets play a core role in stimulating the city’s economy, such as Baima Clothes Wholesale Market and Shahe Clothes Wholesale Market. Each year, many foreign merchants and businessmen head to Guangzhou in search of products.  
 

It would be a unique experience to bargain when shopping in the city. As the wholesale markets thrive there, consumers always be sure of a sizeable discount if they buy the products in a large quantity. Try to bargain and negotiate with the seller, and you will get a suitable price for your selected goods in wholesale markets. Certainly, bargaining is not available in grand shopping malls.
 

Guangzhou has more restaurants and teahouses than any other city in China. Cantonese cuisine (Yuecai), one of the eight famous cuisines of China, is redolent with color, fragrance, taste and presentation. Yuecai is an absolute "must do" when dining there. Try the famous Cantonese pastries well known for their wide range of varieties, delicate flavors and different hues. Morning tea is a traditional custom for local people, especially old people. Kung fu tea and tasty dim sum is the perfect match for morning tea. Should you wish to try dim sum, shrimp dumplings and steamed shaomai should not be missed.
 

During the Zhou Dynasty (1045 B.C. – 256 B.C.) the Cantonese people suffered from famine for many years. Legend has it that one day five immortals riding five goats with rice ears each of a different color descended from heaven and blessed the area with favorable weather that produced rich harvests. Thus, this city is also known as the “Five-Goat City (Wuyangcheng)” and the “City of Spike (Suicheng)”. To express their gratitude to the celestial beings, the locals erected the Five Immortals Temple.

Five-Goat Sculpture

Flower Fair during Chinese New Year

Guangzhou is located in the subtropical coastal area, and has a maritime subtropical monsoon climate. The average annual temperature is around 20℃ (68℉) with plentiful rain, creating a perfect ecological environment for trees and flowers to grow. The city is covered with evergreen trees and flourishing flowers all year round. Since it is a core transport hub for export, a vast variety of flowers have also been introduced from overseas countries, like jasmine, henna and frangipani. During the Chinese New Year, the grand themed flower markets are always held in some of the city parks. 
 

The Maritime Silk Road is an important trade route between ancient China and Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean regions. Guangzhou was selected as one of the beginning points thanks to the location close to South China Sea. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it was once called Guangzhou Maritime Road in Foreign Countries, ranking the longest ocean trade route in the world at the time. Starting from Guangzhou, the Maritime Silk Road, traveled through the Indian Ocean into the Red Sea, finally reaching East Africa and Europe, passing by over 100 countries and regions.