Basics

Geography

Bordering on the South China Sea, Guangdong is China’s most southern province on mainland with a coastline of over 4,300 kilometres. It consists of the continental part and off-shore Island and reefs, including Hainan Island and the South China Sea Islands. The province covers an area of more than 212,000 square kilometres and has a population of 104.3 million (2010). The region is inhabited by people of the Han, Li, Yao, Zhuang, Miao, Hui, Manchu and She nationalities. Guangdong Province's capital is Guangzhou，the host city of 2010 Asian Games.

Climate

Guangdong has tropical and subtropical monsoon climate with long time summer and abundant rainfall. The Leizhou Peninsula is in the tropical zone.

Since Guangdong province is located in the low latitude area and faces the South China Sea, it's tropical and subtropical climates.

The Guangdong's average temperature of spring is about 20°C; summer is 28°C (82 °F) ; autumn is 25°C (77 °F); winter is 12°C (54 °F). There are many typhoons in summer and autumn.

Between April and September is the rainy seasons, with an annual average rainfall of 1,500-2,000mm. The Pearl River Delta is where "there is no snow in three winters and flowers blossom all year around". The spring and autumn are the best seasons for traveling in Guangdong.

Brief History of Guangdong

Situated to the south of the Nanling Mountains, Guangdong was developed much late than the central plains. The region was occupied by the 500,000 troops sent by the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty soon after he had conquered the 6 independent states in 221 BC. It was then divided into three prefectures, namely, Guilin, Nanhai, and Xiang. The prefectural government of Nanhai was located at Panyu(Guangzhou). In the Tang Dynasty, Panyu became an important trade centre. After the first Opium War of 1840, Guangdong was gradually semi colonized.

Guangdong Local Cuisine

Braised salamander and Eight Delicacies and Feast of Tianmahan Chicken are famous local dishes with high nutrition. Love Bean Curd Fruit and Bijie Stuffed Dumplings are popular refreshments with diners.

Guangdong Local Products

Guangdong Province is one of the largest fruit producing centres in China, totalling more than 370 varieties. Among them, lychee, banana, orange and pineapple are the most widely grown. Selling well both domestic and abroad market, they are the region’s four famous fruits. Production of coffee, cocoa, lemongrass and pepper in Hainan Island and Leizhou Peninsular is fast developing. Particularly known for Yingde black tea, the hilly country in central and northern Guangdong abounds with tea, rosin, tung oil and tea oil.

The province’s ocean fishing and freshwater and sea-water aquatics culture are quite developed. Of all the Guangdong handcraft articles, Guangzhou ivory carving is the most famous. In 1918, a layer concentric ivory ball made in Guangzhou won a gold medal at Panama International Fair. Now, Guangzhou artisans can make 45 layer concentric ivory balls. Apart from ivory carving, Guangzhou embroidery, Fashan ceramics, Zhaoqing ink stones, Dongguan fireworks, Xinhui palm-leaf fan, Shantou draw work and Hainan cocoanut shell carving are all very famous.

Guangdong Places of Interests and Tourist Attractions

In Guangdong Province, cities like Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhaoqing, Shenzhen, Jiangmen and Haihou, and counties like Nanhai, Zhongshan and Shunde are all ideal places for sightseeing. Among them, Guangzhou has already been listed among the first group of famous historical and cultural cities and Star Lake in Zhaoqing has come under state protection.

A Land of fish and rice well-known in China, the City of Guangzhou has a history more than two thousand years.

It is also an important trading port and has many scenic spots, historical sites and revolutionary monuments.

Major scenic spots include Yuexiu Mountian, Dinghu Mountain, Loufu Mountain, Baiyun Mountain, Xiqiao Mountain, Kaiyuan Temple.