Guangzhou - Quảng Châu

Guangzhou Zhujiang New Street

Guangzhou is the capital city of Guangdong province, China. Population in 2010 is 12.7 million people, is the 3rd largest city China after Beijing and Shanghai.

Introduce

History

Some argue that the first city built on the site of present-day Guangzhou was Panyu (繙禺). In 206 BC, Panyu became the capital of Nanyue (南越). When the Han Dynasty annexed Nam Viet in 111 BC, Phien Ngu became the provincial capital and holds this role to this day. The name Guangzhou was originally the name of the province, people got used to calling the city after the province name for a long time, making the name Phien Ngu gradually forgotten. In 1711, the East India Company of the British Empire set up a trading post in the city to initiate the presence of the British. Europe. The Qianlong king's court forced foreign merchants to herd into a separate district, which led to many upheavals for the city's fate later on. In 1842, at the end of the First Opium War, under the Treaty of Nanjing, Guangzhou became a "cession", along with Ningbo, Xiamen, Fuzhou, and Shanghai to open their doors to Western traders freely. due to transaction. By 1918, the city was officially named Guangzhou. In the 1930s and 1953, proposals were made to give Guangzhou the status of an autonomous city, but these proposals were canceled within the same year. Army Japan occupied the city from 1938 to 1945.

An important entry point to foreign cultures for centuries, foreigners are not as unusual here as they are in other Chinese cities. Therefore, visitors have more personal space and freedom. In addition, hidden behind the street frontage, old Guangzhou with its traditional neighborhoods still retains the old way of life, with family and friends often sitting outside enjoying tea and chatting.

Guangzhou also has the largest urban park in China, an island of colonial buildings and refurbished several world-class galleries and gallery spaces. In addition, possibly due to its distance from the political center of the country, the citizens of Guangzhou developed a method of France comfortable approach and hard play into life. Today, Guangzhou is recognized as one of China's most prosperous, liberal, and cosmopolitan cities. However, despite being an international trade center, there is still a lack of English signs. Outside of the business district and tourist areas, very few locals converse well in English. You really need to bring a Cantonese handbook.

Guangzhou is often negative as the Los Angeles of China, thanks to its expanse of highways, shopping malls, smog, traffic jams, diverse population, and relatively high crime rates. . Despite Guangzhou's claim to be a dangerous city, it's not dangerous at all! Certainly compared to any major western city.

Areas

West Central Guangzhou (Liwan and West Yuexiu)
East-central Guangzhou (east of Yuexiu and Tianhe)

There are ten districts in Guangzhou. Among them, Liwan, Yuexiu and Thien Ha are the core of the city.

  • Liwan (荔湾) Liwan) - The northern part of the Pearl River is the old Guangzhou. Tourist highlights include the Shamian Colony, the Old Xiguan House, the Xiangxiajiu shopping district and Chen's Clan Academy.
  • Viet Tu (越秀) Yuexiu) - This is the political and cultural center, including the elderly area Dong Son (东山, Dongshan). Highlights include Yuexiu Park, the Beijing Lo shopping area, and the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
  • Galaxy (天河) Galaxy) - This is the new city center and business area. It is thriving with many new developments, including skyscrapers, stadiums, large shopping malls. It is also home to the oldest urban village Shipai as well as most of the expat community. The district serves as a transit hub for international airports and trains to Hong Kong. Highlights include the Cantonese Museum, Central Library, Opera House, and Shipai village.
  • Hai Chau (海 珠 'Hǎizhū') - Located on the south side of the Pearl River, the district has become increasingly business-focused, especially real estate, business. Locals refer to this part of Guangzhou as Henan, which means south of the river. Highlights include Canton Tower, Guangzhou Pazhou Expo Center, Sun Yat-sen University, and Pearl River Walk.
  • White cloud (白云) White cloud) - This district has a large rural touch, but is slowly being taken over by new developments. Highlights include Baiyun Mountain.
  • Huangpu (黄埔) Hungpǔ) - Not well known to foreign tourists, this area is to the east of the city center. Prominent include former Huangpu Military Academy.
  • Phien Ngu (番禺) Pānyú') - This is a new area and it focuses on technology and economic development. Highlights include Mount Lianhua, various theme parks and the University Mega Center.
  • Hoa Do (花都) Huadu) - This is a developed industrial area. Highlights include Huadu Square and the new Baiyun International Airport.
  • Nam Sa (南沙) Nansha) - This is an industrial zone at the southern tip of the city. This is the new home for high-speed rail stations.
  • Luogang (萝岗) Luógǎng) - This is the eastern part of the city and is famous for its plum forest. It is not a popular tourist destination, but it has some historical sites and the famous forest park Tianlu Lake.

In addition, with 10 districts and two cities nearby, have been drafted into the Guangzhou area:

  • Zengcheng (增城) Zengcheng) is famous for its lychee fruit, which is picked during June and July.
  • Tong Hoa (从化) Congnghua) is famous for its hot springs and entertainment area Tianhe (Thien Ho).

The tourist areas and urban areas are in the northern part of the city and they include Liwan, Yuexiu, Tianhe and Haizhou.

Arrive

By air

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. There are direct flights connecting this airport with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

By train/train

Guide to taking the Guangzhou Metro. The subway system in Guangzhou is as modern as other metro systems in the area. Travel will be very economical and fast with Subway.

The Guangzhou metro system consists of 8 main lines and many other auxiliary lines. The fare is calculated depending on the kilometer you go, usually from 2 yuan to 10 yuan (the highest I go is only 4 yuan, from Haizhu Square to the TV tower).

Usually there are 2 types of tickets (there may be more types that I don't know):

 Tickets by segment, single ticket, used by segment Smart Card ticket (like a monthly ticket)

Usually we use the "buy it immediately" Single-trip ticket, only valid for the day, it is a plastic coin card with a chip. Instructions for buying subway tickets

Before taking the subway you should make sure you have a subway map in hand, a tourist map or google maps. These two maps compare to each other to see where you are going. You can download the Guangzhou Metro map here. Or pick up at the hotels where you stay.Steps when buying tickets

 Look for ticket vending machines, queue if crowded. Select the language English Select the line you want to go (before choosing the line, you must know where you are going and which line is that near?). Choose the point where you will arrive. Select the number of people (the number of people is shown on the right, after selecting the machine will calculate the total amount). Pay, give banknotes or coins at the door (there will be some machines that won't accept money due to out of tickets or problems, you can try another machine). Get tickets and change.

You can find more information in the original post: Guide to taking the Guangzhou subway

By car

By bus

By ship

Traveling in the city

Visit

Play

Learn

Work

Shopping

Cuisine

Price

Affordable

Luxurious

To drink

Sleep

Price

Affordable

Luxurious

Security

Medical

Contact

Cope with

Next point

This tutorial is just an outline, so it needs more information. Have the courage to modify and develop it !