Guangzhou Facts

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

Yuexiu Park

• 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

Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall

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

Shimen National Forest Park

• Average highest temperature in July: 32.8 °C (90.9 °F)
• Average lowest temperature in January: 10.3 °C (50.5 °F)
• Humid subtropical climate with annual monsoons from April to September; 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
• The Wuhan–Guangzhou High-Speed Railway covers 980 km (610 mi) at an average speed of 320 km/h.