Name:Guangzhou (广州 Guǎng zhōu /gwung-joh/)
Meaning:'broad prefecture'
Previous names:Panyu, Canton
Most popular food:dim sum
Features
- This has long been one of China's richest trading cities.
- Guangzhou is a base for foreign merchants and traders.
Main Attractions
- Canton Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair): held twice every year; it is the largest and most comprehensive trade fair in China.
- Ancient:Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall,Huaisheng Mosque,The Chen Clan Academy,Sacred Heart Cathedral,Temple of the Six Banyan Trees,Kaiping Towers and villages,
- Modern:Canton Tower,Guangzhou Opera House, Guangdong Provincial Museum,Shamian Island
- Nature:White Clouds Mountain,Nanling National Forest Park,
- Amusement:Yuexiu Park,night cruise on Pearl River,Guangzhou Zoo,Guangzhou Chimelong Holiday Resort,
- Most famous food:dim sum, soup
- Most popular souvenirs and local products:Chinese embroidery, jade sculpture and jewelry, Wang Lao Ji (popular beverage), electronics goods, clothing
History
The city has been a provincial capital city since the Han Empire era 2,200 years ago and a major trading port since about the year 226.
- 206 BC The area became the capital of the Nanyue Kingdom.
- 111 BC Panyu became a provincial capital of the Han Dynasty.
- 1700s Under the Qing Dynasty, Canton became the biggest international trading port in the country.
- 1841 The British Empire captured Canton.
- 1938 The Empire of Japan conquered the city.
- 1949 The Communists conquered the city.
Geography
- Significance of city:international merchants center; China's third largest city
- Nearby cities:Dongguan(50 km/31 mi),Shenzhen(244 km/152 mi),Hong Kong(134 km/84 mi)
- Municipality terrain:Pearl River Delta and low mountains with the South China Sea as the southern boundary
- Average altitude:21 meters (68 feet)
- Main rivers:Pearl River
Location Information
- Municipality location:22.26N to 23.56N, 112.57E to 114.03E, in southeastern China
- Municipality Population:12,700,000
- Municipality Area:7,434 sq km (2,870 sq mi)
- Urban area:3,843 sq km (1,484 sq mi)
- Urban population:11,000,000
- Urban population density:2,862/sq km
- City center:Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall(23.13N, 113.36E), in Yuexiu District
Climate
- Average highest temperature inJuly:32.8 °C (90.9 °F)
- Average lowest temperature inJanuary:10.3 °C (50.5 °F)
- Humid subtropical climate with annual monsoons fromApriltoSeptember; annual precipitation:1,735 mm (68.3 in). There is a sudden onset of the monsoon season involving rainfall and a change of temperature each spring.
Economy
- Average annual income:(2008) 89,498 RMB (13,111 USD)
- Development:developed; the per capita income is among the highest of China's large cities. It is an electronics and clothing manufacture center and a trade hub for international merchants.
- CBD:Tianhe East Train Station (23.15 N, 113.33 E)
- Shopping streets: Beijing Lu Pedestrian Street, Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, Tee Mall
Transportation
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport; this airport is one of the three major air transportation hubs in China.
- 8 subway lines cover a total length of 236 km (147 mi)
- 2 central ring roads
- 4 regular rail lines
- TheWuhan–Guangzhou High-Speed Railwaycovers 980 km (610 mi) at an average speed of 320 km/h.