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 and culture. 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 nearly 13 million people. It has direct jurisdiction over eleven districts, including Yuexiu, Liwan, Haizhu, Tianhe, Baiyun, Huangpu, Huadu, Panyu, Nansha, Zengcheng and Conghua.
Guangzhou lies right next to the Baiyun Mountain which is called the “lung of the city”. The Pearl River, China’s third largest waterway, also runs through Guangzhou. The climate of Guangzhou is sub-tropical. The annual average temperature in Guangzhou is 22.8 degrees centigrade, and average relative humidity is about 68%, while annual rainfall across the city’s urban area is over 1,600 mm. With year-round flowers and evergreen plants, Guangzhou has been affectionately called the “Flower City” since ancient times, also known as the “Five-Goat City (Wuyangcheng)” and the “City of Spike (Suicheng)”.
Lifeful Guangzhou is one of the first group of 24 historical cities announced by the State Council and China Top Tourist Cities. With over a 2,200-year history, Guangzhou is rich in antiquity, unique customs and deep cultural deposits.
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 Import and Export Commodities Fair is widely regarded as being “The No. 1 Exhibition in China” and remains a magnet for foreign investors.
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.