adminAs any seasoned trader will tell you, Guangzhou is the place to go for the very best bargains. And indeed Zimbabwe’s wheelers and dealers are already heading to China’s bustling industrial city in greater numbers with Emirates’ daily flights to Dubai, from where it is a 7 hour 45 minutes trip 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 on-board information, communication and entertainment system offering thousands entertainment channels, making flights to Guangzhou pass smoothly.
Travel to Guangzhou
Emirates flights to Guangzhou arrive at Guangzhou’s relocated Baiyun International Airport, 28km north of the city centre. 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.
About Guangzhou
Travellers landing after Guangzhou flights will love the wonderful scenery and park life in the tranquil suburbs of this bustling metropolis. Ascend the White Cloud Mountain after flights to Guangzhou, where you can look back on the city and across the Pearl River which winds its way to the South China Sea.
But it is the bargain-hunting that attracts most people to the city, which has been a trading hub since the 16th century.
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 had 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 populated city and home to more than 10 million residents. Its location on the Pearl River, less than 110kms and 130km respectively from the autonomous Macau and Hong Kong “Special Administrative Regions” makes it one of the most popular entry – and exit – points of mainland China.
Attractions
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 is 382m and is named Moxing Ling (Star Touching Peak). At the foot of the mountain 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.
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 light up 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 ten 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. A line of bars and cafés on the southwest side offers pretty views over the Pearl River.
Dining and Nightlife
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, the 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.
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. For the latest nightlife reviews, pick up a free copy of That’s PRD, an English language monthly listings magazine.
Beyond Guangzhou
Just 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, 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.
EK 713 departs Dubai every day at 0925hrs, arriving in Lusaka at 1435hrs. The service departs Lusaka at 1605hrs, arriving in Harare at 1710hrs. The return flight leaves Harare at 1840hrs, arriving Lusaka at 1950hrs. It departs Lusaka at 2125hrs and lands in Dubai at 0640hrs the next day.
Visa information is available at from the Chinese Embassy in Golden Stairs Road, Mount Pleasant, Harare or online at www.chinaembassy.org.zw
Book online at www.emirates.com/zw or visit the Emirates office in Wakefield Road, Avondale, Harare. Telephone086 7704 4444; Email: [email protected]
Online Reporter