A city of history and modernity
Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong, has been a gateway to China for more than two thousand years. As the southern terminus of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, it welcomed traders from across the world, and its history is written in the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, and the Shamian Island district with its colonial-era architecture.
Modern Guangzhou is a tower of glass and light — the Canton Tower and the Pearl River New Town skyline are among the most spectacular in Asia. The city's energy is on full display at night, when illuminated cruise ships glide along the Pearl River past glowing skyscrapers.
Guangzhou is also the heart of Cantonese culture and cuisine. Morning tea culture (yum cha) is an essential experience, with bamboo steamers of dim sum filling the dining halls. The city's open-air markets, historic temples, and vibrant neighborhoods make it a thrilling introduction to southern China.
