Saturday, December 13, 2008

Getting to Guangzhou


By bus from Macau: 70 yuan (PHP 140)

Pictured: Border gate in Macau

Pinoys need a visa to enter the mainland China

Your other choices:

Train or airplane from major cities in China including Hongkong

Manila to Guangzhou via Cebupacificair (travel time about 2hrs)

Very interesting Place: the train station



Drop off point if you arrive in Guangzhou from any parts of China via train.

Shopping



Perhaps the best shopping city in Asia for cheap clothing and gadgets.

Pictured is the entrance to 4 storey underground shopping mall.

Guangzhou hotels

Yuexiu Park


Yuexiu Park is the largest park in downtown Guangzhou. Covering an area of 860,000 square meters (212.5 acres), the park is made up of three artificial lakes and seven hills of Yuexiu Mountain; hence the name Yuexiu Park.

Zhenhai Tower


better known among the locals as the Five-Story Tower, is one of the landmarks of Guangzhou city. An interesting historical record has it that Zhu Liangzu, Yongjia Marquis of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), saw yellow and purple air rising over Yuexiu Mountain and was told by a sorcerer that it was the omen of a new emperor. To subdue this omen, Zhu Liangzu ordered this tower to be built in 1380. Over the past 600 years, the tower has been destroyed five times and set up five times. Now it is the Guangzhou Museum, housing relics and documents showing Guangzhou's history over 2, 000 years. Known as the first tower in Lingnan (South of Nanling Mountain) Area, Zhenhai Tower now is 28 meters (91.9feet) high and 16 meters (52.5 feet) wide. The striking contrast of green glazed titles and red walls makes the tower elegant (http://www.travelchinaguide.com)

Guangzhou City: Yuexiu Park :five Rams



The Five-Ram Sculpture is one of the most famous structures in Guangzhou. It has become the emblem of Guangzhou City. Legend has it that more than 2,000 years ago, Guangzhou was a barren land with people who despite hard work were suffering from famine. One day five immortals in five-color garments came riding on five rams, playing their legendary music. The rams held sheaves of rice in their mouths. The immortals left the sheaves of rice for the Guangzhou people, gave blessings to the city and left. The rams turned into stone and the city of Guangzhou became a rich and populous place. Guangzhou got the name of the City of Rams and the City of Ears. From: http://www.travelchinaguide.com

Guangzhou City: Tianhe Park




Another nice park to spend a day in the city.

Guangzhou City: Sun Yat Sen Monument


Easily accessible by train or bus. The Chinese hero Sun Yat Sen's Monument and Park

Guangzhou city: getting around



Subway trains and buses are very much like in Singapore. Buses strictly stop at designated bus stops. Bus stop stations are clearly labeled and numbered.

Pictured: Subway Trains called "Metro" in Guangzhou