Guangzhou (once known to Europeans as "Canton"), is the capital city of Guangdong province, and is known as the "Southern gate of China". It is located in the southern part of Guangdong province, in the northern part of the Pearl River Delta, close to Hong Kong and Macau. The Pearl River (Zhujiang), China's third-longest river, flows through the city. Guangzhou is the political, economic, scientific, educational and cultural center of the province, is China's third-largest metropolis and one of the most econmically important cities in the country.

Guangzhou is known as one of the most important centers of foreign commerce in south China, a distinction it has held since the earliest times. Arab and Hindu merchants were trading in the city in the 10th century AD, and there was a thriving trade with Portugal in porcelain and silk in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Portuguese trade monopoly was broken by the British in the late 17th century. Foreign merchants trading with China during the 19th century were restricted to Guangzhou (then known in English as Canton), and they traded in silk, tea, porcelain, lacquer screens, lace shawls, ivory fans, and other luxury goods. The British trade in opium through Guangzhou ushered in the Opium Wars: after the first Opium War, Hong Kong was ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Nanking, and later foreign traders were permitted exclusive use of Shamian Island. The elegant colonial-era buildings (now heritage-protected) on Shamian are a legacy of this period. Because of its economic strength in modern times, the city is the venue for the Chinese Export Commodities Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, which has been held twice a year since 1957. As one of the earliest cities involved in the economic changes of the early 1980s, Guangzhou has surged to the front ranks of the new Chinese economy and the city's comprehensive economic strength now ranks 5th in the country.

The 16th Asian Games will be held in Guangzhou, China from November 12, 2010 to November 27, 2010. Guangzhou is the second city in China to host the games after Beijing in 1990. 41 events are scheduled to be contested – the most events in the history of the Asian Games. The city of Guangzhou is giving itself an all-round facelift for the sports gala and has earmarked 25.6 billion RMB (US$3 billion) for expressways, metro lines, power grids, a new opera house, a new library and a new museum.

A view of Guangzhou which visitors should not miss is the panoramic sight from White Cloud Hills, 15 km from the city. Within Guangzhou itself, the Pearl River is the scenic centerpiece: a cruise along the river takes you past some of the city's best sights. Guangzhou is a beautiful city with evergreen scenery and flowers blooming year round, due to its mild, humid climate. The city has rainy springs and summers and occasionally feels the torrential effects of summer typhoons, although its location away from the coastline protects it from the worst impacts of these tropical storms. Guangzhou is sometimes known as 'The City of Flowers' since each month sees new blooms in the mild climate, and there are two major flower festivals each year: the Spring Festival Flower Fair, (held in February in Yuexiu Park, the largest in Guangzhou), and the Lotus Festival in August.

Guangzhou is also the cultural center of the Lingnan area (the region of southern China encompassed by Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan Island and the South China Sea Islands). Lingnan culture – which has a particular way of exploring the interplay between the art of nature and of human beings – can be seen in the Lingnan style of painting on display at the Lingnan Painting School Memorial. The Chen Clan Temple is a fine example of Lingnan architecture. The Guangzhou Provincial Museum and Guangzhou Museum provide good insights into Lingnan culture and the history of the Lingnan region more generally. Another taste of old Guangzhou awaits visitors to the remaining Xiguan Ancient Grand Houses, which are examples of southern Chinese domestic architecture built for the merchant class.

Guangzhou is a vital transportation hub in southern China, and is easily reached by air, land and water. The city is the southern terminus of the Beijing-Guangzhou rail trunk route, and the city also has excellent connections to cities to the east and west. It is even possible to travel directly to Lhasa by train from Guangzhou. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport sits 28 km outside the city and connects Guangzhou with a large number of domestic and international destinations. The city has a large subway system which, along with the rest of the Guangzhou's transport infrastructure, is under comprehensive expansion and re-integration ahead of the 2010 Asian Games to be held in the city. Other forms of urban transport in Guangzhou are buses, taxis, pedicabs and the new and popular water buses.

Of course, one of Guangzhou's great gifts to China and the world is Guangdong cuisine. Along with Sichuan cooking, Guangdong food, with its delicate flavoring and colorful presentation, has more exposure and appreciation outside China than any of the other eight great styles of Chinese cuisine. The city's restaurants are one of the great delights of Guangzhou, and its city snacks are a gastronomic delight on their own. 

In terms of entertainment, visitors will not be disappointed since the city is rich in traditional performing arts that can be seen at many of the local theaters. A visit to Guangzhou without experiencing traditional arts like Yuequ (Guangdong Arias), Yueju (Cantonese Opera) and Cantonese Music would not be complete. Many of these performing arts are dying; however, the government has taken measures to keep them alive and all can be experienced at Guangzhou Folk Art Festival.

High on any traveler's itinerary in Guangzhou is shopping. Guangzhou is reputed as "Shopping Paradise". Travelers come from all over the world to experience shopping at many of the districts. Guangzhou provides a diverse repertoire of goods. Famous-brand and high quality products of all kinds can be purchased at any department store. Since ancient times, the city has been producing carved Ivory and Jade, Sandalwood Fans, Wang Laoji Herbal Tea, Cantonese embroidery, Cantonese colorful pottery and much more.
 

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