First Exploration of the Old City

Guangzhou is such a fascinating city! Every time I wander through its streets and alleys, I can feel the rich historical atmosphere. As a travel blogger who has been to many places, I've seen many cities, but Guangzhou is truly special. It combines modern prosperity while preserving ancient traces, making you want to explore further.

I was deeply attracted to this city from my first visit. Walking on Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, arcade buildings line both sides, full of Lingnan characteristics. The small shops are filled with traditional handicrafts, and old teahouses emit the fragrance of tea. Passing neighbors warmly greet each other in Cantonese, making even an outsider like me feel the strong sense of community.

Earliest Traces

At Qixing Ridge in downtown Guangzhou, I made an astonishing discovery. There lies an ancient coastline relic from five to six thousand years ago! I was completely amazed when I first stood here. Just imagine, in that distant era, this was all ocean. Our ancestors lived and multiplied on this land, leaving behind the earliest traces of civilization.

Archaeologists told me they discovered large accumulations of oyster shells, along with stone tools and pottery used by early inhabitants. These artifacts tell an amazing fact: humans were active here as early as the Neolithic period. Looking down from the height, the bustling modern city forms a stark contrast with the ancient relics below, making one marvel at the magic of time.

Whenever I bring friends here, I ask them to close their eyes and imagine the scene from five to six thousand years ago: waves crashing against rocks, ancestors fishing and gathering oysters by the sea, children playing on the beach. Doesn't such a scene make you feel the wonder of time and space intersecting?

Royal Footprints

Speaking of Guangzhou's ancient sites, the Palace of the Nanyue Kingdom from the Western Han Dynasty is absolutely a heavyweight presence. This royal palace site from over two thousand years ago completely overturned my understanding of ancient Lingnan. I was stunned by what I saw when I first entered the site museum.

The entire site covers over 100,000 square meters, and the unearthed artifacts are exquisite. The craftsmanship of the jade and bronze wares is fully comparable to those from the Central Plains. Particularly notable is the famous "King of Southern Yue's Jade Coffin," carved from a single piece of fine jade with intricate patterns, displaying amazing craftsmanship.

My favorite is the restored scene of the Nanyue King's Palace in the museum. Through holographic projection technology, you can see the magnificent palace scene from two thousand years ago: vermillion halls, ornate beams and painted rafters, attendants coming and going, envoys paying court to the king. It makes me imagine how prosperous the Nanyue Kingdom must have been.

Archaeological discoveries show that the Nanyue Kingdom not only had close contact with the Central Plains but also frequent trade with various Southeast Asian countries. The various foreign artifacts unearthed are the best proof. No wonder Guangzhou has long been an important starting point of the Maritime Silk Road.

Marks of Faith

Among Guangzhou's many historical sites, Guangxiao Temple left the deepest impression on me. This ancient temple with over 1,700 years of history has witnessed the development of Buddhist culture in Guangzhou. Every time I enter the temple and see that majestic iron pagoda, I feel an indescribable solemnity.

The iron pagoda at Guangxiao Temple is the largest existing ancient iron pagoda in the country, standing 7.8 meters tall. The tower body is built by stacking cast iron blocks, showing exquisite craftsmanship. More amazingly, after thousands of years of weathering, this iron pagoda remains intact. Standing beneath and looking up, you can see the fine reliefs on the tower body, with every detail telling the wisdom of ancient craftsmen.

The statue of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng in the temple particularly impressed me. Master Huineng was the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism who became a monk and practiced here. It is said that he achieved enlightenment here after hearing the Diamond Sutra and established the Southern School of Zen. Every time I see his statue, I can feel a wisdom that transcends time and space.

The layout of Guangxiao Temple is also unique. The entire temple is built along the mountain, rising in tiers. From the mountain gate to the main hall, every building reflects the characteristics of Lingnan architecture. Especially those upturned eaves and corners, gleaming in the sunlight, make one marvel at the ingenuity of the ancients.

Revolutionary Sites

The Huanghuagang 72 Martyrs Cemetery is one of the most important revolutionary sites in Guangzhou. Every time I come here and look at the photos of those young martyrs, I am deeply moved. Some of them were not even 20 years old, yet they gave their precious lives for their ideals.

The cemetery's design is very meaningful. The memorial monument on the central axis soars into the clouds, symbolizing the martyrs' lofty revolutionary spirit. On the square in front of the monument, 72 stone pillars represent the 72 martyrs, with each pillar engraved with a martyr's deeds. Walking among these pillars, it's as if you can hear the gunshots and shouts from a century ago.

I like to come here at dusk. The setting sun's rays shine on the memorial, casting a golden glow. At such moments, you can better feel the weight of history. Each martyr's story is so moving: some were young students, some were female revolutionaries, some were overseas Chinese returning home. Though they came from different places and had different identities, they all fought for the same ideal.

Architectural Treasure

Speaking of Guangzhou's architecture, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is definitely a brilliant pearl. Built in the late Qing Dynasty, this ancestral hall is praised as the "Palace of Lingnan Art," and it truly deserves this title. Every time I come here, I discover new surprises.

What impresses me most is the mortise and tenon structure of the entire building. Imagine, such a large building complex uses not a single nail, relying entirely on wooden joints for connection. The sophistication of this traditional craftsmanship is truly amazing. Especially those wood carvings, so lifelike, with every cut showing the craftsman's skill.

The brick carvings, stone carvings, and pottery sculptures in the ancestral hall are also extraordinary. My favorite is the lime sculpture "Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl" on the main hall's roof, where the dragons' scales are clearly visible, their expressions majestic and vivid, as if they might take flight at any moment. The murals on the walls are also exquisite, featuring traditional stories with bright colors and clever composition.

On sunny days, I like to sit in the ancestral hall's courtyard. Watching the shadows cast by sunlight through the carved window lattices, listening to the wind chimes tinkling at the eaves, it's like returning to Guangzhou of a hundred years ago. The craftsmen of that time must have also been like this, focusing on every detail under the sunlight.

Modern Landmarks

Although Guangzhou has deep historical heritage, it is also a city full of modern atmosphere. The Eight Modern Architectural Complexes are the best example. From the White Swan Hotel to the Xinghai Concert Hall, each building showcases architectural styles from different periods.

My favorite is the CITIC Plaza. This 391-meter skyscraper is Guangzhou's urban landmark. I remember once specifically going up to the observation deck at dusk. Looking at Zhujiang New Town in the sunset, the glass curtain walls of the high-rises reflecting golden sunlight, the Canton Tower faintly visible in the distance, the entire city bathed in a warm golden light.

The design of the Guangzhou Opera House is also unique, with two huge "floating" building masses like two transparent jade stones. At night, the entire building is lit up with various colored lights, like a huge piece of art. Whenever I go to see a performance, I arrive an hour early just to admire the beauty of this building.

The acoustics of the Xinghai Concert Hall are world-class. I remember the first time I attended a concert here, I was completely amazed the moment the music started. The architects cleverly used acoustic principles to ensure perfect sound reaches every seat in the concert hall.

Historical Echoes

Every time I walk through the streets of Guangzhou, I can feel this city's unique charm. From ancient coastal relics to modern skyscrapers, from ancient temples to revolutionary sites, each place tells the story of this city.

What particularly moves me is Guangzhou people's strong awareness of protecting historical culture. In the process of urban modernization, they have worked hard to preserve these precious historical heritages. Walking in historical districts like Shangxiajiu and Shamian, you'll find the old buildings are well preserved and utilized.

As a traveler who has been across China, I can responsibly say that Guangzhou's cultural heritage is definitely among the richest in Chinese cities. Here, there are not only various historical buildings, more importantly, these buildings still actively exist in citizens' daily lives.

Everyone might have different impressions of Guangzhou. Some love its food, some are fascinated by its shopping, but for me, its history and culture are most enchanting. In this city, you can walk from a five-thousand-year-old ancient coastline to a modern business district in one day, experiencing the development of Lingnan civilization.

This is Guangzhou in my eyes, a city where ancient and modern merge, with profound cultural heritage. Every visit brings new surprises and new emotions. Which parts of Guangzhou do you like most? Feel free to share your Guangzhou memories with me.