AS any seasoned trader will tell you, Guangzhou is the place to go for the very best bargains.
And indeed Zimbabwe’s wheelers and dealers already head to China’s bustling industrial city in greater numbers with the advent of Emirates’ five-time-a-week flights to Dubai, from where it is a 7 hour 45 minutes hop to Guangzhou.
The airline’s Boeing 777-300ER from Dubai to Guangzhou includes flat bed luxury in First Class, reclining comfort in Business Class and room to relax in Economy Class on flights to Guangzhou.
All classes feature “ice”, Emirates onboard information, communication and entertainment system offering up to 1200 entertainment channels, making flights to Guangzhou pass smoothly.
Emirates flights to Guangzhou arrive at Guangzhou’s relocated Baiyun International Airport, 28kms north of the CBD.
New airport
A new airport Metro station has reduced travelling times into central Guangzhou to just 30 minutes, and Airport Express buses run frequently after flights to Guangzhou to the city centre.
However, first time visitors arriving on Guangzhou flights are recommended to take a taxi until they are comfortable with negotiating this busy city: show your destination written in Chinese characters as not all taxi drivers speak or read English.
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Travellers landing at Guangzhou will love the wonderful scenery and park life in the tranquil suburbs of this bustling metropolis.
Ascend the White Cloud Mountain, where you can look back on the city and across the Pearl River which winds its way to the South China Sea.
But it’s bargain-hunting that attracts most people to the city, which has been a trading hub since the 16th century.
Pearl River
Guangzhou’s location at the Pearl River delta made it a focal point for Arabian and Persian pirates during the 8th century. By the early 16th century the Portuguese had arrived and by 1517 they established a monopoly on the city’s harbour trade.
They were later expelled, but not before their name for their settlement, Cantão, had become the basis for Guangzhou’s Anglicised name, Canton.
Nowadays Guangzhou is China’s third most populous city; home to more than 10 million. Its location on the Pearl River, less than 110kms and 130kms respectively from autonomous Macau and Hong Kong ‘Special Administrative Regions’ makes it one of the most popular entry — and exit — points of mainland China.
Chaotic traffic
Guangzhou’s chaotic traffic and urban bustle used to overwhelm, but the city’s recent makeover has had a calming effect on the sights and sounds of this metropolis. The city is also home to numerous parks which give Guangzhou its alternative name, the City of Flowers.
One of the first things visitors will see in Guangzhou is Baiyun or White Cloud Mountain, and during spring the peak is ringed by the fluffy clouds which give it its name.
Visitors can hike to the peak, but a cable car is a quicker and equally scenic option. The mountain comprises around 30 peaks, the highest of which, at 382m, is named Moxing Ling (Star Touching Peak).
At the mountain’s foot is Yuntai Garden, the largest of its kind in China. Encompassing over 120,000m², its vividly coloured landscapes include 200 rare Chinese flowers alongside architectural attractions.
Boat tour
In the heart of Guangzhou is Pearl River, and a boat tour is a good way to orient yourself to the city. Glide down the river on a night cruise and enjoy the neon lights which illuminate the banks between White Goose Pool and White Crane Cave.
As well as sights such as Zhuhai Square, Aiqun Mansion and the Guangzhou Hotel, the cruise passes under 10 of Guangzhou’s famous bridges.
Also on the Pearl River is Shamian Island, ceded as a permanent trading base to the French and British in 1859 after the Second Opium War.
It still retains some of its former colonial grandeur and many of the city’s elegant churches, villas and mansions have been carefully restored.
Pretty view
A line of bars and cafés on the southwest side offers pretty views over the Pearl River.
Residents of Guangzhou are said to eat everything that swims except the submarine; everything that flies except the aircraft; and everything with legs except the table.
Whether this is true or not, Cantonese cuisine is certainly varied and travellers looking to enjoy traditional dishes will not be disappointed. Dim Sum is a Guangzhou speciality and these savoury dumplings, often enjoyed for breakfast, can be found in Liwan and across the city.
Try other local favourites such as Wenchang chicken, roast suckling pig, Wonton noodles and vermicelli steamed rolls — suggested areas are Liwan, Shimao and Tianhe.
Guangzhou is also home to Japanese, American, French, Indian, Italian and Thai restaurants, many of which can be found in Tianhe and Yuexiu districts. Neon lighting
Bars and nightclubs are prevalent in Guangzhou. Baietan Bar Street in Fangcun overlooks the Pearl River and is decked with neon lit buildings. Further afield in Yuexiu is Yan Jiang Bar Street, a one kilometre strip of busy nightclubs and bars.
Two hours south of Guangzhou is Macau, one of China’s Special Administrative Regions. As with Hong Kong, Macau was under overseas rule — in this instance from Portugal — until it was handed back to the Chinese in 1999. To ease the transition from 450 years of Portuguese rule, China implemented a ‘one country, two systems’ formula in which Macau remains virtually autonomous for 50 years, allowing it to retain its ‘Las Vegas of the Orient’ moniker.
However, there is far more to Macau than casinos.
A large section of Macau Peninsula has been designated a Unesco World Heritage Site: the best way to cover it is to do the guided Macau Heritage Walk.
Emirates fares from Harare to Guangzhou start from around $1 330.
Visa information is available atfrom the Chinese Embassy in Golden Stairs Road, Mount Pleasant, Harare or online at www.chinaembassy.org.zw
See your travel agent or book online atwww.emirates.com/zw [email protected]
