How old is guangzhou city

Each year, many foreign merchants and businessmen head to Guangzhou in search of products. It would be a unique experience to bargain when shopping in the city. As the wholesale markets thrive there, consumers always be sure of a sizeable discount if they buy the products in a large quantity. Try to bargain and negotiate with the seller, and you will get a suitable price for your selected goods in wholesale markets. Certainly, bargaining is not available in grand shopping malls.

Guangzhou has more restaurants and teahouses than any other city in China. Cantonese cuisine Yuecai , one of the eight famous cuisines of China, is redolent with color, fragrance, taste and presentation.

Yuecai is an absolute "must do" when dining there. Try the famous Cantonese pastries well known for their wide range of varieties, delicate flavors and different hues.

Morning tea is a traditional custom for local people, especially old people. Kung fu tea and tasty dim sum is the perfect match for morning tea. Should you wish to try dim sum, shrimp dumplings and steamed shaomai should not be missed.

During the Zhou Dynasty B. Legend has it that one day five immortals riding five goats with rice ears each of a different color descended from heaven and blessed the area with favorable weather that produced rich harvests.

To express their gratitude to the celestial beings, the locals erected the Five Immortals Temple. Guangzhou is located in the subtropical coastal area, and has a maritime subtropical monsoon climate. The city is covered with evergreen trees and flourishing flowers all year round. Since it is a core transport hub for export, a vast variety of flowers have also been introduced from overseas countries, like jasmine, henna and frangipani.

Legend has it that five gods descended from heaven astride goats, bringing with them five ears of corn to save the local population from starvation. Whatever the truth in this tale, it at least helps to explain one of the old names for the city: "Goat Town.

Folk tales aside, archaeological remains indicate that humans lived in the region now occupied by Guangzhou as long ago as BC. In BC, following his campaign of conquest and unification, Chinas first emperor, Qin Shi Hang, created the prefecture an old administrative area of Nan Hai, with Guangzhou as its administrative seat. By then, the city was already an important river and sea port. With this official recognition, it grew rapidly into a major regional center.

During the Tang Dynasty BC , many foreign visitors to China made their first stop in Guangzhou, and trade soon developed with Arab, Indian and Persian merchants. In particular, the Islamic population flourished, and by the end of the first millennium, the city had a foreign population of about 10, The first Europeans arrived in the early 16th century, with the Portuguese gaining a trade monopoly in The British broke this monopoly in the 17th century, and they were closely followed by the Dutch and the French, all seeking their share in the lucrative trade of tea, porcelain and silk.

After , all foreign trade in China was restricted to Guangzhou. In effect, the city had a virtual monopoly. Its striking blooms are celebrated annually with the Spring Festival Flower Fair, when the streets and alleyways are awash with colour. Chinese cuisine has many regional styles but the most renowned is Cantonese, which came out of Guangzhou. Beef and chicken stir fries, dim sum and dishes seasoned with ginger, chilli and five-spice powder are particularly popular.

The Liwan and Tianhe Districts are great foodie areas to visit. Originally built over 1, years ago, the pagoda-style building is characterised by its striking minaret tower.