Canton Fair

Many tourists hesitate to visit China because of its reputation as a strict and repressive place. But if there is one city that you could call the exception to the rule, that would be Guangzhou. It’s the perfect place in China to mix business with pleasure. For quite some time now, Guangzhou has been one of the most progressive and cosmopolitan cities in China.

Tsing Tao and Zhu Jiang are the two most famous Chinese beers, and they’re available everywhere in Guangzhou. If you prefer a foreign brand, Carlsberg tops the list. That’s because there’s a major Carlsberg brewery in the city, which accounts for the ubiquitous Carlsberg taps in bars.

If you’re new in town and are absolutely clueless about the city’s night life, pick up a copy of That’s PRD, a popular monthly English magazine that features reviews and news about the leading bars, pubs and restaurants in town. It’s absolutely free and readily available at most top-flight hotels and lounges.

Here’s a run-down of the best places to drink and while away the night in Guangzhou:

1.    Overseas Chinese Village

Located right beside Holiday Inn Guangzhou, this venue is actually comprised of a row of six or seven bars standing side by side, each one two stories high. Each of the bars has its own unique theme. Drinks are relatively pricey, ranging from around ¥40 and up for a beer, but it’s a popular place to meet and mingle with the expatriate community.

2.    Hooley’s Irish Pub and Restaurant

Located within the Bing Hua Hotel 2 Tian He Bei, Hooley’s is probably the most famous pub in Guangzhou. From Thursday to Saturday, this true-blue Irish pub offers guests all types of live music, whether its rock, jazz, folk or pop. Meanwhile, soothing piped in music fills the air from Sundays to Wednesdays. Chef Rob, one of the city’s best-known culinary chefs, specializes in a wide array of Irish, Italian and fusion cuisine. Telephone number is 13560231914.

3.    The Cave

Located at the Zhu Jiang Building basement on 360 Huanshi Dong Lu, the Cave is another well-known expatriate haunt. The resident DJ dishes out pop, disco and trance music all night long. Later in the night, erotic dance performances heat up the dance floor. Drinks start at ¥30. Telephone number is 020 8386-3660.

4.    Gipsy King Bar

Located right across The Cave on the other end of Zhu Jiang Building is an underground bar that resembles, you guessed it, a cave. But instead of bats, this cave has a colorful array working girls floating around. The bar is an interesting vantage point to watch the night’s action, which usually starts around 10pm. Gyrating solo dancers dominate one end of the bar while lively group performances rule the other. Drinks start at ¥30. Telephone number is +86 020 8387-5177.

5.    Sleeping Wood Café

Located right beside the Holiday Inn (with another branch along Pearl River), this laid-back bar and restaurant is an ideal venue to relax and unwind after a hard day. During happy hour (any time before 8 p.m.), the delectable pint-sized Tsingtao draft beer is sold at half-price, so you can wash your worries away twice as fast. The bar is well-stocked with all kinds of drinks and western food is a-plenty. As an added bonus, all the waiters and waitresses speak English. Drinks are reasonably priced at ¥25-30 a pop.

6.    Tang Club

Located at 1 Jianshe 6 Malu, this is the place to visit if you’ve got money to burn. No other venue is more expensive than the Tang Club. This is where the beautiful people hang out. it’s the place to see and be seen. Their live band plays some of the meanest rock and roll in town. The regulars are mostly stylish expatriates and well-to-do local wannabes. The cheapest drink starts at ¥50.

7.    Strange Brew

Located at 103 Ming Yue Yi Lu and just a short walk away from Ramada Hotel, Strange Brew has created quite a following thanks to its tasty burgers and cheap beer, particularly, Paulaner and Tiger. This joint is owned by three Canadians who have a unique style all their own. Telephone number is 13450227140.

Other Notable Drinking Spots

Among the other noteworthy bars and pubs in Guangzhou are the Hill Bar, located across Garden Hotel just outside of Baiyun Hotel; Paddy Field Irish Pub & Restaurant, located at the back of the Garden Hotel and renowned for serving some of the best western food around; Lucy’s Cafe Bar, located along the Pearl River, beside the White Swan Hotel, where food and drinks are reasonably priced; Sky Bar, located beside Holiday Inn and famous for its Brazilian food.

Throughout the world, the city of Guangzhou is famous for its particular brand of food, known universally as Cantonese cuisine. In Guangzhou itself, tourists can naturally sample native Cantonese cuisine the way it was meant to be prepared. It is an absolute heavenly experience.

In China, Cantonese cuisine is regarded among the top three culinary delights that the country has to offer. There are four things that best characterize Cantonese cuisine. These are its unique blend of color, taste, fragrance and presentation.

Chances are, you’ve tasted Cantonese cuisine even though you may have not known it at the time. Perhaps its most common representative is dim sum, those small, simple and delicate pastries which are oh-so-delicious.

According to legend, Cantonese cuisine was prepared basically as a means to bring local customs to life. Hence, its wide diversity. Culinary experts in China often say that Cantonese cuisine encompasses anything that swims save for the submarine, anything that flies save for the airplane, and anything that has four legs save for the table.

There has also been some criticism of Cantonese, particularly that the local standards of hygiene can be raised a little more, especially since most Cantonese dishes are traditionally prepared by hand. Here’s a good rule of thumb: when in doubt, don’t order any dish with meat. It’s a good thing that most Cantonese dishes are basically vegetarian in nature.

Here’s a quick run-down of the most famous restaurants in Guangzhou, broken down by specialty.

Traditional

1.    Liuhua Congee House
Located at Renmin Bei Lu, this restaurant is renowned for its wide variety of Cantonese dishes, exquisite dim sum and beautiful environment.

2.    Panxi Restaurant
Located at 151 Longjin Xi Lu, it is best known for its dim sum and for the fact that its menu is available in English. Unfortunately, it only honors local credit cards. Panxi was closed for renovated on January 7, 2008, but it is expected to re-open soon.

3.    Lian Xiang Lou

Located at 67 Dishipu Lu, this restaurant is another haven for excellent dim sum. It has been serving satisfied customers since 1889.

4.    Tao Tao Ju

Located at 20 Dishipu Lu, this is one of the best places in Guangzhou for sumptuous moon cakes, their specialty.

5.    Guangzhou Restaurant

With a name like Guangzhou Restaurant, this place should be expected to serve some of the most delicious Cantonese food in the city. Thankfully, it certainly lives up to expectations. This relaxing family restaurant has many branches around the city. Its main branch is on 2 Wenchang Nan Lu. Its two most popular other branches are at 20 Binjiang Xi Lu and 112 Ti Yu Dong Lu.

6.    Datong Restaurant

Located at 63Yanjiang Lu, this restaurant is one of the largest you will find in town, occupying the entire eight floors of this old building. Datong has a rich tradition and long history. It is one of the favorite restaurants of locals, and for good reason. Their Cantonese food is superb.

7.     Wenji Restaurant

Located at 10 Xuanyuan Qiao, this place is renowned for its original Qingping chicken. That shouldn’t be a surprise, considering that Wenji was created by a group of former chefs from the Qingping restaurant. Don’t miss a chance to sample this rare delicacy.

8.    Baifu Restaurant

Located at 112 Tiyu Dong Lu, Baifu offers a wide  range of Cantonese dishes on its menu.

Vegetarian

1.    Shui Yun Tian

Located at 38-42 Jinghui Lu, this restaurant serves a well-stacked buffet of vegetarian dishes  during lunch time.

2.    Cai Gen Xiang

Located at 167 Zhongshan 6 Lu, this venue serves some of the best-tasting vegetarian dishes in town.

3.    Fo Shi Jie

Eat here and you will also extend a helping hand to the city’s less fortunate. Part of this restaurant’s proceeds are donated to charity. This humble Buddhist restaurant is located at Niu Nai Chang Jie, beside Tongfu Zhong Lu.

4.    Fo You Yuan

Located at 12 Shi Lu Ji Zhongshan 8 Lu, this restaurant is renowned for creating new and interesting vegetarian fare.

Southeast Asian

1.    Cow and Bridge Thai Restaurant

With two locations at 2/F, Xiang Long Garden, 181 Tianhe Bei Lu, this popular Thai restaurant also serves some of the best Thai cuisine around. Meals come in two versions – regular and spicy hot. If you have a taste for the novel, give the latter a try.

2.    Lan Kwai Fong

This Indian restaurant is located at 5 Shamian Nan Jie. They serve fantastic curries and the service is great. As an added bonus, menus also come in English

3.    Banana Leaf

Another excellent Thai restaurant and an extension of the original Thai restaurant chain. Located at 28 Tianhe Bei Lu, Banana Leaf offers a wide array of traditional Thai dishes. There are other branches located at the ground floor of GZTV Hotel on 8 Luhu Lu and on the fifth floor of the World Trade Center on 371-375 Huanshi Dong Lu.

The city of Guangzhou, capital of China’s Guangdong Province, traces its roots back to 214 B.C. with the creation of Panyu, the first known city to be built on its site. Panyu became the seat of the Nanyue Kingdom in 206 B.C.

Since those early days, history suggests that Guangzhou has always been occupied land and a hub of foreign trade, characteristics that were evident throughout every dynasty and which remain to this day.

In 111 B.C., the Nanyue Kingdom was annexed by the Han Dynasty, and Panyu became its provincial capital. In 226 A.D., the city would also become the site of the Guang Prefecture, which is where the name Guangzhou came from.

It is interesting to note that the name Guangzhou actually referred to the prefecture and not the city, which was still officially named Panyu. However, everyone was so used to calling the city Guangzhou instead of Panyu that the name stuck. The name Guangzhou was then taken to refer to the walled city while Panyu was used to refer to the area just outside of the city’s walls.

During 758 A.D., Guangzhou was ravaged by Arab and Persian pirates. History books refer to that time as the Qianyuan era of the Tang Dynsty, when Emperor Suzong reigned.

Around this time, Guangzhou became famous for its six banyan trees, thanks to the famous poet Su Shi who penned a poem entitled “Liu Rong” (Six Banyan Trees) when he visited the city during the Northern Song Dynasty. The poem referred to the six banyan trees that surrounded the city’s famed Baozhuangyan Temple. Since then, the temple has been known as the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees.

By the 16th century, Europeans had discovered Guangzhou and would regularly make sojourns there. The first of these Europeans were the Portuguese, who discovered the city in 1511. Given its strategic location by the sea and its ideal position for foreign trade, Guangzhou was transformed into a Portuguese harbor. In 1557, the Chinese would overthrow the Portuguese monopoly of Guangzhou and would instead grant them the use of Macau as their trade base. From Macau, the Portuguese continued to monopolize international trade in the region until they were joined by the Dutch in the 17th century.

It would not be until 1683 when the Chinese would themselves engage in foreign trade, a development sparked by China’s claim of control over Taiwan that year. Naturally, Guangzhou quickly became one of its key ports for commerce. By 1690, several nationalities were engaged in trade with the Chinese at the Guangzhou port. These included the Portuguese from Macau, Spaniards from Manila in the Philippines, and Armenians and Muslims from India. Also among the most active traders at the time were the French and English, through the British East India Company.

The Americans would jump onto the trade bandwagon in 1784 followed by the Australians in 1788. In1842, when the first Opium War between China and Britain ended, the Treaty of Nanking was enacted, and it opened five Chinese treaty ports, including Nanking. (The other ports were Shanghai, Xiamen, Fuzhou and Ningbo.) This further spurred the city’s economic development. At that time, Guangzhou was such a prosperous hub of commerce that it was considered one of the top three cities in the world.

In 1918, the name “Guangzhou” finally became the city’s official name, thanks to the city’s first-ever urban council, which was established that same year. Meanwhile, the name “Panyu” was given to one of the counties to the south of Guangzhou. The city was promoted to a municipality twice – in 1930 and 1953 – but this promotion was canceled both times.

The dawn of World War II once again saw Guangzhou become occupied territory, this time by the Japanese, who bombed the city violently in 1938 and stayed until 1945. The city became a virtual bacteriological research laboratory as the Imperial Japanese Army conducted experiments on human prisoners.

In 1949, Communist forces came to Guangzhou and launched renewal projects the improved the standard of living. New houses were constructed among the Pearl River, providing shelter for the poor and homeless victims of the war.

During the late seventies, Deng Xiaoping came to power and put the city back on the road to economic growth, capitalizing on Guangzhou’s close proximity to Hong Kong.

The city’s low labor costs attracted manufacturers from Hong Kong and elsewhere, and they opened new plants in Guangzhou in the nineties. Moreover, beneficial tax reform further spurred the city’s economic development.

Guangzhou further expanded its borders in 2000 with the addition of Panyu and Huadu as districts and Zengcheng and Conghua as county-level cities.

Guangzhou may be best known for business and foreign trade, but it also has its fair share of outstanding tourist attractions to entice and regale even the savvy world traveler. The city has some amazing landmarks and many great museums, galleries and parks.

Among Guangzhou’s leading tourist attractions are the following delights:

Landmarks
1. Guangxiao Temple
Like a blazing flame, this temple attracts Zen Buddhists like moths. It served as the famed training ground of Hui Neng, Zen Buddhism’s sixth patriarch, during the seventh century. Today, Zen Buddhists undertake regular pilgrimages to this temple in his honor. A series of fires burned down the temple’s original buildings and most of those left standing date back to only the 19th century. Despite that, it is still a favorite venue of tourists. Admission is only ¥4.

2. Liurong Temple
Known as the Temple of Six Banyan Trees, this is one of the city’s most famous attractions. It houses the popular Flowering Pagoda or Hua Ta, which has eight sides and rises to a height of 17 stories. The temple itself was built during the sixth century, while the pagoda was erected about 300 years before that. There are separate admission fees for the two landmarks — ¥5 for the temple, ¥10 for the pagoda.

3. Chen Clan Temple
Located at Zhongshan 7 Lu, this temple was built by the wealthy Chen family in the 19th century. It is still amazingly well-preserved and presents a fascinating showcase of impressive statues and ivory sculptures. Admission is ¥10.

4. The Buildings of Shamian Island
These impressive structures on Shamian Island were originally built by the British and French. They were later renovated in such an eye-catching manner that they surely deserve a visit. Their effect is one of tranquility and serenity in stark contrast to the city’s bustling streets. Perhaps the most attractive building is the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel on 14 Shamian Street. Unlike any other place in Guangzhou, Shamian Island has a unique allure of its own as it was once the only place in China where Europeans could set up their own settlements.

5. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall
This magnificent structure situated in Dongfeng Zhong Lu was erected to honor the local hero, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, who founded the People’s Republic of China. It was built in 1931 directly over the good doctor’s presidential office atop Yuexiu Hill. Admission is ¥5 to the park and ¥20 to enter the hall.

6. Shishi Sacred Heart Catholic Church
This is one of the city’s oldest churches and the largest catholic church in Southern China. Located on Yide Lu, the city’s catholic regularly worship at the church for Sunday mass, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Admission is free.

7. Huangpu Military Academy
This elegant structure on Changzhou Island was built by President Sun Yat-sen and the Chinese Communist Party in 1924. It is renowned as the training ground of many of China’s most famous war heroes. Admission is ¥15.

8. Other Temples and Mosques
Among the city’s other significant temples and mosques are the Wu Xian Guan Temple on Weifu Xi Lu, Huaisheng Mosque on Guangta Lu (one of China’s oldest Muslim mosques), Sanyuan Temple in Yingyuan Lu (Guangzhou’s oldest and biggest Taoist temple), and Hualin Temple in Chang Shou Lu.

Muesums and Galleries
1. Guangzhou City Art Museum
This landmark on Yuexiu Park houses over 10,000 artworks, including sculptures, paintings, calligraphy and Thangki or Tibetan Buddhist art.

2. Guangdong Museum of Art
Located on Yanyu Lu in Ersha Island, this museum is a haven for contemporary Chinese art, especially the works of local artists. The museum presents a dazzling kaleidoscope of color and shape. Admission is ¥15, but anyone under age 18 can enter for free as long as they are accompanied by paying adults.

3. Nanyue Royal Tomb Museum
If you’ve never seen the tomb of a real life king, this is the place to visit. The museum houses the remains of an ancient South China king and the venue is majestic as befits his stature.

4. Guangdong Revolutions History Museum
Located on Lingyuan Xi Lu, this is the place where Sun Yat-Sen was sworn to office and it is currently a memorial to martyrs who perished during the foundation of the new China.

5. Other Museums
Among Guangzhou’s other noteworthy museums are Guangzhou Sculpture Park in Tongxin Lu, President Sun Yat-Sen Museum in Dongsha Jie, Guangzhou Uprising Museum in Qiyi Lu and Peasant Movement Institute in Zhongshan.

Guangzhou is one of the prime tourist destinations in China, a city rich in culture yet worldly and cosmopolitan.

If you think you don’t know a thing about Guangzhou in China, then you had better think again. Guangzhou is the place that concocted that oh-so-appetizing Cantonese food, which is probably the city’s most popular contribution to the world. Guangzhou was once known to the West as Canton and, to this day, the type of food that originates from Guangzhou is still known as Cantonese, the same name given to the local language,

Guangzhou is very proud of its native food and, has every right to be so. But there’s so much more to Guangzhou than just its food. Guangzhou is also quite proud of its dense culture, rich history of foreign trade, developing financial districts and investment-friendly business environment. The city also boasts of some of the most beautiful landmarks and most exciting nightspots in China.

Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, is located in the southern region of the People’s Republic of China, in close proximity to Hong Kong and Macau. Although the official population is listed at 7.3 million, the city’s actual population is probably closer to 10 million as there are around three million residents who are unregistered.

Virtually any corner of Guangzhou reflects its robust economy. There are overpasses and high-rise buildings everywhere as well as world-class malls, breath-taking architecture and amazing parks and art galleries. Unlike majority of China, the locals of Guangzhou have a more pronounced work-hard, play-hard attitude. The first thing that strikes tourists, however, is that everyone seems to be constantly on the move.

People in Guangzhou always seem to be rushing towards some important destination. Visiting Guangzhou is like being lost in a swirling sea of activity. Everyone seems to have a sense of urgency.

However, once visitors overcome their initial instinct to escape from this maddening hub of movement, they will see a gentler and more soothing side to the city, where traditional neighborhoods move at a slower pace and where friends and families sit together outdoors while they enjoy tea and each other’s company

For centuries, Guangzhou served as a major international port, exposed to the influences of the outside world and other cultures. Foreigners are a common sight in the city, unlike in many other places in China where they are still an anomaly. As such, visitors to Guangzhou enjoy more freedom of movement and less of those curious stares.

While Guangzhou is not what you would call a traditional hub of tourism, the city has plenty to offer the traveling tourist.  There are 10 districts that comprise Guangzhou, and each one has its own unique attraction. Liwan, Yuexiu and Tianhe, which are all located in the city’s northern area, are the three main tourist destinations.

The Liwan District, also known as Old Guangzhou, sits on the southwest area of the city. It boasts of the Hangxiajiu Shopping district, historic Xiguan Old Houses and colonial Shamian Island, which was once controlled by the United Kingdom and France during the 19th century.

The Yuexiu district is the seat of culture and politics. It houses two of the city’s premiere parks, the Yuexiu Park and the Huanghuagang Martyrs Memorial Park, as well as the Beijing Lu Shopping District.

The city’s tallest skyscrapers, such as the impressive Citic Plaza, can be found at the Tianhe district, Guangzhou’s newest city center and developing urban hub.

In stark contrast to Tianhe is the Baiyun rural district, which hosts a new city airport and the famous Baiyun Mountain.

Right across the Pearl River, there’s the Haizhu district, a bustling business center, particularly for trading and real estate. Tourists should not miss strolling down the Pearl River Promenade. Other attractions include the Sun Yat-Sen University and the Canton Fair Pazhou Exhibition Center.

As the venue of the former Huangpu Military Academy, the Huangpu district, located at the city’s eastern region, offers a more rigid and disciplined perspective of Guangzhou’s past.

On the other hand, for a glimpse into the city’s bright future, there’s the Panyu district, the new seat of  economic and technological development. Panyu also provides a touch of nature, with two wild animal theme parks and the exquisite Lianhuan Mountain. The district also hosts the University City.

In addition, Guangzhou has two key industrial areas: Nansha district, at the city’s southern tip, and the developing Huadu district, site of picturesque Huadu Square.

Finally, there’s the Luogang district, the hub of eastern Guangzhou and its famed plum forest.

Aside from the 10 districts, there are two neighboring cities that now fall under Guangzhou’s jurisdiction. These are Zengcheng, home of the famous lychee fruit, and Conghua, a favorite traveler’s destination because of its many hot springs and the Heavenly Lake Recreation facility.

This four star hotel offers technology, comfort and a beautiful design. The hotel is easy to get to in Guangzhou and is a short ten-minute walk to the train station Shenzhen KongKong.

Guests enjoy modern facilities for business, conferences and meetings. The hotel offers all services needed to enjoy a stay in the city.

The International Exhibition center and Canton Fair are only five minutes away.

Picture on a double room:

Average double room rate per night: 348 CNY (49 USD).

To check availability and exact price, click here.

Adress:

20 Keyun Road, Tianhe District - 510665 Guangzhou

Located in the commercial center of Guangzhou is the travelers hotel Zhejiang. This three star hotel has one hundred and fifty guestrooms with Deluxe Suites, three person rooms, deluxe twin rooms, Triple rooms and twin rooms.

The hotel has a beauty salon and plenty of shopping in the area.

Picture on a double room:

Average double room rate per night:  206 CNY (29 USD).

To check availability and exact price, click here.

Adress:

85 Xianliezhong Road - 51000 Guangzhou

Located in the center of the Tianhe District, the Grand Palace Hotel in Guangzhou is the set in the mist of the metropolis where everything is prosperous. The foreign consulates, financial and commercial activities are all close by.

Located in Pazhou is the CECF by the Tianhe District near the number 2 subway. The Eastern Train Station is only five minutes away, so walking is easy to do. The Sport Centre, Mayor Building, Teem Plaza and the CITIC Plaza are located nearby the hotel.

Local transportation is convenient and available from anywhere in the area.

The Grand Palace Hotel is where all business flourishes.
Picture on a double room:

Average double room rate per night: 516 CNY (72 USD).

To check availability and exact price, click here.

Adress:

148, Linhe Zhong Road, Tianhe District - 510610 Guangzhou

At this hotel, you will have a lounge with a business service, domestic long distance calls, member benefits and Internet connections. This is a complete hotel with facilities to meet your needs.

The hotel is in the city centre of Guangzhou by the East rail station in the Tianhe District.

Picture on a double room:

Average double room rate per night:CNY 183 (26 USD).

To check availability and exact price, click here.

Address:

33 Shipaidong Road, Tianhe District - Guangzhou

The hotel at No. 6-10 XingGang Dong Road in the Haizhu District is the closet hotel to the Canton Fair and the Pazhou complex. The hotel has one hundred and thirty guestrooms and is rated a four star hotel.

The hotel offers a sauna, meeting room, multi-function room, central air, hot water and Internet access. The restaurant has western and Chinese cuisine.

The onsite business center, beauty salon and nearby nightclub makes this a very nice hotel. This is an ideal place to stay if you are touring, arriving for business or just looking for a relaxing place to stay.

Picture on a double room:

Average double room rate per night:CNY 218 (31 USD).

To check availability and exact price, click here.

Address:

6-10 Xingang Dong Road, Haizhu District - 510 310 Guangzhou