With a long history of over 2200 years and a population of over 90 million, Guangzhou is a prosperous metropolis located on the northern line of the Tropic of Cancer. Its history can be traced far back to 214 BC when General Ren Xiao built Panyu Town. Facing the Pacific and adjacent to Hong Kong and Macao, Guangzhou is endowed with an excellent geographic location. With unique natural southern features, a proliferation of cultural and historic relics and well-known Cantonese cuisine, Guangzhou has been selected one of 24 ancient historic cities by the Chinese Government. It is very attractive to tourists as one of the key cities of tourism in China
As early as in the Sui and Tang dynasties and as one of the well known international ports of commerce at that time, Guangzhou was the starting point of the "Marine Silk Road" to the West. In the Qing Dynasty, Guangzhou was once the only Customs open to the outside world for as long as 83 years.
As the southern gate to and one of the key port cities of foreign trade in China, Guangzhou is the hub of communication and transportation in South China. Since the open policy and economic reform initiated in China, great changes have taken place in the local economic development. With the urban construction going fast and the suburbs sprawling out into countryside, Guangzhou has taken on a new look with more than 20 magnificent overpasses. When night falls, neon lights are all on along the Pearl River. It has become one of the splendid modern sights in Guangzhou. Guangzhou Commodities Export Fair is held twice a year, playing an important role in the foreign trade and international exchanges between China and overseas countries. Urban development has brought a prosperous commercial society with hundreds of overseas merchants rushing in and with more and more stores appearing. A lot of shopping centers, malls, supermarkets, commercial streets and markets of all sort sprouted out like bamboo shoots after a spring shower in every urban district. Commercial walks offer a combination of activities, such as shopping. tourism, strolling and people watching. Guangzhou has turned itself into a paradise of commerce.
Guangzhou is popular for its rich and exotic dishes both at home and abroad. Cantonese cuisine is one of the Famous Four in China, which is characterized with various unusual gradients and materials. Apart from seafood and animals, insects and worms,flowers and weeds are all made into dishes. There is a variety of Cantonese dim sum, sweet or salty. It is estimated that there are over 1000 way of making deserts. Scattered all over the city there are over 5 000 restaurants, teahouses and snack eateries, offering service around the clock. Guangzhou is a paradise for gourmets.
Guangzhou is ancient but beautiful city of friendship as well as a robust modern metropolis with a rich variety of local features of Lingnan (Southern China) style. Shopping, entertainment, food service and tourism merge into the subtropical surroundings and southern national identity.
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