¡@ 

     Guangzhou is one of the historical and cultural cities in China with a history spanning 2,800 years, and is the capital of Guangdong Province. The city has been the political and cultural hub of southern China, and was the first port cities open to the outside world. 

      The Chen Family Temple was built during 1890 - 1894. The grounds cover 10,000 square meters. The traditional architecture is indicative of the unique style of Guangzhou.

      Nanue King's Tomb of the Western Han Dynasty is situated on Xiangguang Hill in Yuexiu Park. The tomb dates back 2,100 years. More than 1,000 burial artifacts were found in the tomb.

      Liurong Temple (Temple of the Six Banyan Trees) is located in the central part of the city, and was built in 537AD. The Temple was named by the famous Song Dynasty poet, Su Dongpo, who was inspired by the grounds and especially the six banyan trees. The major buildings include the Sixth Patriarch, the Hall of Bodhisattva and the Flower Pagoda. The Temple contains three massive bronze Buddhist statues, which are the tallest in the entire city. A seventeen-story pagoda is topped with a bronze column of 1,000 Buddhist sculptures. The column with its carvings weighs an amazing five tons.

      Yuesiu Park, which expands over an area of 920,000 square meters, is the largest park in Guangzhou. Standing on the top of Yuexiu Hill is a five-story tower, known as the Five-story Pagoda, which was constructed by the order of Zhu Liangzu, the Yongjia Marquis of the Ming Dynasty. He had it built as a symbol of his power. It has a panoramic view of the entire city. The building is now used as a museum, which depicts the history of Guangzhou from the Neolithic period to modern times. The sculpture of the Five Rams was erected in 1959. The carved statue of five goats, which symbolizes the mythical origin of the city, has become the symbol and logo of the city. Legend states that in ancient times, there were five celestial beings, who wore robes of five different colors. One day, the beings rode rams through the skies to Guangzhou. Each carried a stem of rice. The beings presented the stem to the people, as an auspicious symbol from heaven. The people were told that the area would be forever free from famine and starvation. Thus, the people named the area, the City of Rams. 

      Dr. Sun Yatsen Memorial Hall is the very location where he took up his post as president in 1921.  The Memorial Hall was erected in 1931, and was constructed in the manner of a palace. A statute stands on the grounds to commemorate the pioneer of the Chinese democratic revolution. The grand hall presents an aura of grandeur and prominence with its crimson pillars, saffron colored walls, and topped with blue-tiled roofs. 

      Mount Dinghu, which is located 86 kilometers east of Guangzhou, is of sacred value to Buddhism. The Baiyun Temple and Qingyun Temple were constructed during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The mountain and surrounding area is breathtakingly beautiful, and have been declared as a nature preserve.

¡@