Tips of Guangzhou
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E-mail China Today, December 9, 2016
Wanmu Caotang
This is a renowned school established by China's modern bourgeois reformists. In 1891, Kang Youwei rented part of the Qiu's Library premises as a school wherein to promote his ideas on constitutional reform and modernization, and cultivate young thinkers. The thoughts nurtured here later led to the Hundred Days' Reform that took place in 1898.
The school buildings are all wood-brick structures laid out in three courtyards. In 2006, comprehensive renovations were carried out of these old buildings that basically preserved their appearance. Wanmu Caotang is open to the public free of charge.
Transport: 10-minute walk east of Caiting Station (Bus No. 7 or 102) to 3 Changxingli Lane, 4th Zhongshan Road
Site of the Huangpu Military Academy
Sun Yat-sen,front-runner of China's democratic revolution, set up this military academy on Changzhou Island of Huangpu District in 1924. The most prestigious military school in modern China, it produced many famous commanders who later constituted the main Republican Government force on its Northern Expedition. Most of the school buildings were destroyed by Japanese air bombings in 1938. They have since been rebuilt, and are open to the public free of charge.
Transport: Ferry from Yuzhu terminal to the site of the Huangpu Military Academy
Shamian Island
A sandbank island in Southwestern Guangzhou, "sandy surface" is the literal English translation of its name. Covering a 0.3 sq km area, the island has just eight lanes and streets. As an important port, the island was formerly site of a dozen consulates, nine foreign banks, and 40-odd foreign firms.
Having witnessed the vicissitudes of modern Guangzhou, it epitomizes China's modern history and that of the country's concessions. Its European-style buildings constitute a veritable outdoor architecture museum.
Transport: Culture Park Station (Subway line 6) or Xidi Wharf (Water Bus)
Canton Tower
Guangzhou's new TV tower, nicknamed "small shapely waist," is one of Guangzhou's newest landmarks. Located in Haizhu District, the tower stands opposite Haixinsha Island and Zhujiang New Town, 125 meters from the south bank of the Pearl River that separates them.
The main body of the tower is 454 meters high, and it is 600 meters tall at its highest point. The tower has five functional zones and various recreational facilities, including outdoor viewing platforms, a high cross-wise sky wheel, a suspended corridor, cinemas, shopping malls, and a science popularization exhibition hall.
Transport: Guangzhou Tower Station (Subway Line 3)
Admission: RMB 150 per person
Guangzhou Restaurant
Established in 1939, this eatery is famed as first choice of Guangzhou residents. It has proliferated from just one restaurant in its early days to a large-scale catering group comprising six high-end restaurants, one large food processing base, and a chain of more than 30 food groceries. Apart from refreshments, its mooncake is regarded as representative of Cantonese mooncakes as a whole.
Signature dishes: Wenchang Chicken, steamed creamy custard bun, Sibao fried milk (sibao refers to four ingredients – chicken, pig's kidney, fresh mushrooms, and Indian almonds), steamed chicken feet with black bean sauce, and steamed crab meat dumplings in soup.
Panxi Restaurant
This national special-grade restaurant, a time-honored Chinese brand, is located on the bank of Liwan Lake. Together with Beiyuan Restaurant and Nanyuan Restaurant, it enjoys the reputation as one of Guangzhou's top three garden restaurants. It includes both a reasonably-priced outdoor snack booth (Dapaidang) and top-grade palace-like reception area.
Signature dishes: Fried gyoza, steamed chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, rabbit-shaped dumplings, steamed chicken's feet with black bean sauce, boat porridge, beancurd sheet roll, and salty Chinese pancake.
Taotao Ju
A time-honored restaurant, Taotao Ju offers Cantonese refreshments, mooncakes, and dishes. Regular patrons of this venerable establishment on Dishifu Road, with its cultural appeal and quality dishes, have included countless men of letters.
Signature dishes: steamed creamy custard bun, shrimp dumplings, crispy durian cake, custard with double layers of crme, and cattle and sheep's haslet soup.
