Shopping
Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Shopping Street Situated in the central area of Liwan (or Xiguan) district, this area consists of Shangjiu Lu, Xiajiu Lu and Dishipu Lu. The street is notable for its unique Lingnan architectural style, Xiguan folk customs, commercial and cultural ambience.
Located in Yuexiu District, the excavated "ancient path of thousand years" shows how commercial life in Guangzhou has evolved during the last 1,000 years. Now the city's CBD, it remains one of the busiest and most modern pedestrian streets in all of China.
Xiguan Jade Street has long been the curio-distributing center of Guangdong province and southern China. Located in Long Jin Xilu, Xiguan Jade Street (or "Antique Street") is home to many shops selling ancient ceramics, calligraphy and paintings, as well as other treasures and artworks.
Hualin Crafts Street is located in Hualin Street between Xiajiu Lu and Changshou Lu. With the front of Hualin Temple as its center, Hualin Jade Street is about 500-meters long and boasts over 1,000 shops selling all kinds of emeralds and jewelry.
Liuhua Garment Wholesale Fairs Area Located near Guangzhou Railway Station, the area attracts lots of businessmen at home and abroad, especially Baima and Tianma garment wholesale centers.
Teem mall Situated in the center of Tianhe District, this is a large-sized modern shopping center offering comprehensive store and restaurant choices for shopaholics.
China Plaza Located over the metro at Martyrs' Park Station, this grand modern mall gathers all kinds of fashionable garments, ornaments and famous branded goods.
Grandview Mall Right next door to Teem Mall, this is the biggest multi-functional mall in China and is home to many delightful shops and other facilities.
Guangzhou (Canton)
Guangzhou is located in southern China in the middle of Guangdong Province, north of the Pearl River Delta. The city also lies close to the South China Sea, Hong Kong, and Macau. Because of its convenient geographical position, Guangzhou has been called "China's Southern Gateway". As the capital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou is the center of its politics, economy, science, education. It is also southern China's key transportation hub and trading port.
Covering an area of 7,434.4 square kilometers, Guangzhou is home to more than 10 million people. It has direct jurisdiction over ten districts and two county-level cities. The ten districts include: Yuexiu, Liwan, Haizhu, Tianhe, Baiyun, Huangpu, Huadu, Panyu, Nansha, Luogang, while the two county-level cities are Zengcheng and Conghua.
The Pearl River, China's third largest waterway, also runs through Guangzhou. The city's humid subtropical climate is greatly influenced by the Asian monsoon. With year-round flowers and evergreen plants, Guangzhou has been affectionately called the "Flower City" since ancient times. Lifeful Guangzhou is one of the first group of 24 historical cities announced by the State Council and China Top Tourist Cities. With over 2,200-year history, Guangzhou is rich in antiquity, unique customs and deep cultural deposits.
An ancient but dynamic city, Guangzhou impresses visitors with both its vivid modern ambience and unique traditional Lingnan indigenous culture. Reflecting the unique charm of a multi-cultural metropolis, the city's cultural influences can be seen in all aspects of its social life. Specific examples include diet, lifestyle, architecture, commerce, language, music, art, customs and entertainment.
The area is also known for its Chaozhou and Dongjiang (or Hakka) cuisines. Guangzhou cuisines are all ultimately representative of Cantonese cuisine. These dishes collect the special flavor of each place in Pearl River Delta and add the essence of famous cuisines from other provinces such as Beijing, Sichuan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Zhejiang, as well as western culinary techniques. Guangzhou is often called "food heaven" because its chefs pay such close attention to ingredients' original taste and flavor.
This results in astonishingly clear, light, crisp and fresh-tasting dishes. Precise cooking times and heating control are every bit as important as the choice of ingredients used. Because of Cantonese cuisine, all styles of cooking co-exist in Guangzhou's catering trade. Ultimately, there are now more than 30,000 catering enterprises dotted around the city's streets and lanes.
Feature Handicrafts
Canton Embroidery is the term used to describe the aboriginal needlework of the Pearl River Delta. This handiwork is famous for its rich content, vivid patterns, clear threadwork, bright colors, and delicate stitching. Canton Enamel: Also known as Guangzhou Golden Colored Enamel, Canton Enamel has a history dating back to 300 years ago. It involves a typically Eastern technique whereby golden flower pictures are painted onto the whole surface of the porcelain which is then glazed at low temperature.
Festivals
The Dragon Boat Festival Date
5th May of Chinese lunar calendar Summer's Dragon Boat Festival remains the ideal time to experience the atmosphere of the Dragon Boat Day. Here, you will see hundreds of dragon boats competing for the Champion in the Pearl River.
Spring Festival Flower Street before Chinese New Year's Eve Date: 3 days before Chinese New Year's Eve This Lunar New Year tradition evolved from the flower streets of ancient Guangzhou. Three days before Chinese New Year's Eve, hawkers will set up booths to sell flowers, fruits and spring seasonal goods. The atmosphere remains as joyous today as it has been for hundreds of years.
The Boluo Temple Festival Date: 13th February of Chinese lunar calendar. The Boluo Temple Festival runs from February 11th to 13th of the lunar calendar with the 13th being the birthday of Nanhai, the immortal god of the southern sea. Held in the Southern Sea God Temple, the ceremony remains a favorite across the Pearl River Delta area.
Foreign Direct Investment
Information on qualified Industrial Zones for foreign direct investment in Guangzhou
Economic Hub
Guangzhou is historically both the start of the Maritime Silk Road and the center of Lingnan Culture. It is also the cradle of Chinese modern revolution, and the foreland of China's reform and opening to the outside world. Guangzhou has been a renowned commercial center since ancient times and is now the economic hub of southern China. Chinese Improt and Export Commodities Fair is widely regarded as being "The No.1 Exhibition in China" and remains a magnet for foreign investors.
Culture
Guangdong's Music scene is a treasure trove of the instrumental folk and Cantonese opera music that has been traveling around the Pearl River Delta area for centuries.
Cantonese Opera first began enchanting music lovers in Guangdong and Guangxi during the Jiajing period of Ming dynasty. Combining performing arts such as singing, speaking, incidental music and elaborate costumes and make, it remains a vital part of southern China's cultural heritage.
Guangdong Puppet Plays first performed in Guangzhou during Han dynasty, puppet plays originated the west of Fujian province during Yuan dynasty. In 1956, Guangdong Province Puppet Show Troupe was set up by Guangzhou city, subsequently going on to create puppetry which is greatly appreciated by art lovers of all nationalities.
Piaose of Shawan This popular Panyu, Guangdong folk art involves itinerant performers wandering along the street and entertaining passers-by. In ancient times, the performances normally took on the birthday of the Bei Emperor on the 3rd of March in the Chinese lunar calendar. Nowadays, the event is a much loved part of all important local festivities.
Famous Dishes
Boat Porridge One of China's favorite snacks, this characteristic rice soup comes from Liwan district of Guangzhou. The dish is also called "boat porridge" because it is sold on boats and its fresh taste is imbued with the spirit of the water villages of southern China.
Shahe Rice Noodles This delicacy dates back to Shahe town hundreds of years ago. Crystal-clear and white, the famous snack tastes crisp and tough yet gentle.
Yum Cha Those who go to Yum Cha love to chat and make friends without really caring about how much or little they eat! Ultimately, an attitude about enjoying life, Yum Cha is now popular among Chinese communities all over the world.
