| ¡¡Special Reference |
| Liang Garden |
The main part of Liang's Garden is located at the Xianfeng Ancient Path of Songfeng Road. Once the residence of the Liang clan in Foshan, it is an architectural complex located at several distinct sites, creating an impressive whole. Liang's Garden was constructed in a phased manner during the Jiaqing and Daoguang periods of the Qing Dynasty by four local personalities.
It is an excellent example of the type of scholars' park found at Lingnan in the Qing Dynasty, featuring delicate design, complex buildings, ancestral halls and a variety of gardens in the Lingnan style, creating an elegant pattern.
However, the park's composition, rather than sticking to one pattern, pursues all kinds of local styles. Inside the Park, there are fruit trees, flowers, and waterways covered by pines and willows, making it a unique and picturesque park in the water-surrounded Lingnan region. This parks beauty and unique style has made it one of the four famous parks of Guangdong Province |
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| Foshan Ancestral Temple |
Foshan Ancestral Temple was originally named the Northern King Temple when it was built to worship the Northern King during the reign of Yuanfeng (1078-1085) in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). It was believed that the Northern King had magic power and could stop floods. Locals built temples hoping the Northern King would protect their crops.
Despite the name, Foshan Ancestral Temple is not actually an ancestral temple. It was, however, the foremost temple in Foshan and enjoyed a history that no other temple in the area could match. For a long time after the founding, the building functioned as the venue for the nobility to discuss local affairs, until it was burned down When it was rebuilt in the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it was renamed the Ancestral Temple and acquired a new purpose. Locals would visit the temple to pay tribute to their ancestors.
The Ancestral Temple can give emmense insight into Foshan's past. The architectural art including wood carvings, ceramics and clay sculptures, is the essence of the style south of Mt.Qingling. It, now, houses a memorial museum of Huang Feihong, a well-known kungfu master from Lingnan Region. Today, Foshan Ancestral Temple is under provincial protection and the management of Foshan City Museum. |
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| Seven Star Crags |
Seven Star Crags is located to the north of Zhaoqing city in Guangdong Province. The lake covers about 8 square kilometers with the seven crags clustered together in a amazing natural formation. Seen from afar and at a height, the Crags, encircled by the expanse of blue water resemble "The Big Dipper". The lakeside Crags are overgrown on one side with dense foliage typical of the South China landscape.
The Star Lake is actually composed of five lakes of different sizes, linked by the winding green embankment. The Seven-Star Crags is famous for its "lush scenery, majestic cliffs and fascinating caves". The inner lake encircling the crags is the smallest one, with a lower water level compared with the other lakes. Within its bounds, there are small gardens, a pavilion, a fishpond, lotus boats and an iron-chain bridge. The four outer lakes are linked with one another by water are as clear and smooth as a mirror with the banks covered with flowers in full bloom.
Each of the caves has its own characteristics: some are deep, dangerous and pitch-dark; some are brightly-lit with their entrances located halfway down the crags, and others are filled with clear water and cold draughts. Among them the most famous are Heiyan Cave and the Shuangyuan Cave, which were formed by the erosion of the limestone by underground spring water. |
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| Zhaoqing |
Zhaoqing City is located in the centre of Guangdong Province. To the south and west of Zhaoqing lie the plains and to the east and north is the mountainous areas.
One of the province's major places of natural beauty and historical interest is Star Lake, and other areas of picturesque beauty include the Seven-Star Cliff and Dinghu MountainTheir hills and lakes form the area known as Limerock Pinnacle. In addition, there are such tourist sights as Chongxi Pagoda, Song Township Walls, Tower for Reviewing the River and Baogong (the upright Judge) Memorial Temple.
Priority has been given to the development of the food industry, textiles, and the electronics and leather industries. Leather goods and local beverages have captured a sizeable share of the domestic market. Yunfu is one of the countries biggest areas of sulphur and iron production. Paddy rice, sugar cane, fruits, flowers and plants, rosin, casia bark and southern herbal medicine are grown in abundance. |
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| The Temple of Six Banyan Tree |
The Six Banyan Tree Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world, with a history spanning over 1,400 years. The temple of Six Banyan Trees was built in 537 AD by Master Xiao Yu during the Liang Dynasty (502 - 557).
Although the temple was destroyed by fire in the 10th century, it was quickly rebuilt in 989. The temple was renamed the Purification Wisdom Temple after it was rebuilt, for the Buddhist cause of purification. A visiting monk was amazed by the Six Banyan Trees planted in the courtyard, and under sudden inspiration, wrote two words: "Six Banyans" for his inscription to the temple. Ever since, the temple has been know as the Six Banyan Tree Temple.
Standing in the middle of the courtyard is the pagoda. To the west are the rear doors of the temple, and a collection of over ten stone tablets. These stone tablets record the history of the temple, and two of them are engraved with the image of Su Dongpo. Banyan trees are planted in front of the shrine, of the monk who gave the temple its name. |
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| the Chen Family Temple |
This temple was built to honor and worship the ancestors of the Chen Family. Built at the end of the 19th century during the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty, it was also used to house Chen family members who came from all over the province to sit for the imperial examinations. This is why it is also known as the Chen Family Academy. What makes this place unique is the ability to walk through an old house restored to its original glory, making it almost like walking through a living museum.
Today, it is the largest and most well preserved example of the architecture and artistry of its time in all of Guangdong Province. Visitors marvel at seeing the restored details of the architecture. Most of all, it conveys a sense of the Chinese culture that no amount of books can really capture. Walking into the courtyard, you have a sense of time slowing and changing to show a vision of the past. |
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| Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall |
One of Guangzhou's most recognizable buildings is the Memorial Hall of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. As well as being a powerful draw for tourists it also plays host to numerous conventions and concerts. Its distinctive octagonal shape accentuates its traditional Chinese architectural style.
The Hall's wide span is not supported by a single pillar, thanks its ingenious design utilizing a steel frame. It houses a massive stage and can seat over 3, 000 guests at any time. It is complemented by the Sun Yat-sen Monument, a spire that has internal engravings, which can be viewed from a spiral staircase, telling thirteen stories.
The Memorial Hall (the main construction) is an octagonal building made of steel frame with reinforced concrete framework. In all four directions of the roof with sapphire blue glaze tiles sits a saddle rooftop with an octagonal pointed roof covering the central area.
The square-spire-shape Sun Yat-sen Monument is 37.3 meters in height and made of granite. The inner of the Monument has thirteen stories and the curving stairs can allow people to go up. "The Testament of Premier Sun" is engraved on the positive south of its body.
With the same constructing style, two-storied steel-truss-beam buildings (accessory buildings) stand on the east and the west of the Hall. Li Keng and Feng Baoling are their designers. |
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Guangzhou, known also as Canton, is one of China's most prosperous cities. Well known as Canton Fair(China Import & Export Fair) held twice in the Spring and Autumn every year.
