The Five Rams City - Guangzhou

The population of Guangzhou is more than 6 million. Its the capital of Guangdong Province and the largest industrial centre of the southern China. The city has shipbuilding yards, tractor plants, chemical and food manufacturing enterprises. Nowadays Guangzhou leads a hectic way of life, thanks to which is it no less popular than the country's capital, Beijing.

The suburbs of Guangzhou are really colourful. In the north-east there is a high mountain which is excellent to discover the magnificent city panorama. The hilly northern district contains a beautiful Yue Xiu Park where, in addition to a stadium and a swimming pool, one can find excellent greenhouses, pavillions and teahouses. To enjoy the nearby sights, climp the five-storied watch tower, created during the times of the Ming dynasty. Nowadays the tower houses a historic museum.

Opposite the main entrance to the Yue Xiu Park there are two large hotels and a market where twice a year customers and traders from all around China meet.

Close by there is an Orchid garden, which boasts more than 100 orchid species growing on its 8-hectare territory. By the way, 20 kilometers from Guangzhou you can find one of the largest and the richest Chinese botanical gardens – an ideal place for those dreaming of a visit to the jungle.

The cosy quarter in the centre of the city contains one of the region's oldest temples – Guangxiao temple, rebuilt in the 3rd century AC. The temple houses more than 900 niches with statues of Buddha sitting in them. The complex consists of several structures, one of the most famous of which are a pagoda built to house Huineng’s hair (numerous and delicate statuettes of Buddha are of great interest), Buddha Iron Tower from the Southern Han, Sakyamuni Hall, the Mahavira Hall with three fine statues of Buddha, and much more.

The tomb of King of Nanyue always attracts a great amount of visitors. Its a real underground palace, which contains more than a thousand exhibits from the royal burial vault. Also don't miss a visit to the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, the main hall of which contains a giant statue of Guan Yin; the Huaisheng Mosque which is a good example of Chinese tolerance and a proof of the ancient connections between China and Arabia; Stone House Church – the largest Christian (Catholic) church in China; Guangzhou Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family, which is now a museum exhibiting carvings extolling nature, ceramics and bonsai trees. The Culture Park will meet you with the sounds of music, snack bars, ping-pong and merry attractions.

By the way, the symbol of the city is the statue of five rams in Yuexiu Park. That is why Guangzhou is sometimes called the Five Rams City. The legend says that many years ago people of Guangzhou were suffering from famine. But one day five immortals came there, riding of five rams, left the sheaves of rice and blessed Guangzhou. After they left, the rams turned into stone and the city grew rich and successful.