Click to enlarge the above Guangdong map

English Name: Guangdong Chinese Name: 广东 (guǎng dōng) Abbreviation: 粤 (Yue) Administration Type: Province Capital: Guangzhou Location: 20°13' to 25°31' N, 109°40' to 117°19' E Area: 179,800 km²  (69,421 mi²) Population (2010): 104,303,132  Guangdong Area Code & Zip Code  Guangdong Pictures  More Guangdong Introduction

Famous Attractions in Guangdong

Pearl River	Yuexiu Park	Splendid China	Chimelong Resort	Danxia Mountain
Chen Clan Academy	White Cloud Mountain	Window of the World	Dameisha & Xiaomeisha	Kaiping Diaolou and Villages

Cities in Guangdong

Guangdong Introduction

Situated in the southernmost part of China's mainland, Guangdong Province covers a land area of 179,800 square kilometers (69,421 square miles), an island area of about 1,592 square kilometers (about 615 square miles) and has 3,368 kilometers of winding coastline, which is the longest in the country. Rivers from all over the province discharge into the South China Sea, forming the fertile Pearl River Delta, which is one of China's most densely cultivated areas. Its capital city, Guangzhou, formerly known as Canton to the western world, is located in the north of this river delta. Due to its special geographical position, Guangdong has for long served as a window of China to the world. Besides, Guangdong people have spread to almost every corner of the world, making Guangdong the hometown of many overseas Chinese. Transportation between Guangdong and other places is also very convenient, especially the one between Guangdong and Hong Kong and Macau. However, sitting on the southernmost part of China's mainland Guangdong is frequently affected by typhoons, especially in summer time. Travelers should pay attention to the local weather forecast if they plan to visit Guangdong during the typhoon season.

Economy
As one of the earliest open trading ports to outside world and the starting-point of Maritime Silk Road, Guangdong has a long history of commercial trade and acceptation to the exotic culture. It is also the origin of modern industry as well as national industry of China.

Since the beginning of the reform and opening in 1978, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shantou have been set up as special economic zones while Guangzhou, Zhanjiang and Pearl River Delta are listed as open cities and areas. These factors have advanced Guangdong to a new stage of development. By now, Guangdong has been developed into one of the most developed areas of mainland China with the most dynamic market and attractive investment environment. Guangzhou, not only plays a role as the political center of Guangdong province, but also the economic, scientific, educational and cultural center. Canton Fair, also called China Import and Export Fair is held twice yearly here and provides great opportunities for international trade between China and the rest of the world. Shenzhen is well-known for its electronic industry while Dongguan, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Shunde, etc have many factories making household appliances. Many transnational enterprises have set up branches or factories in these cities. Besides, a production base of grain, fruit and sugarcane has grown up around Pearl River Delta; a production base for tropical crops has been developed on Leizhou Peninsula.

Local Festivals and Events
As well as the traditional Chinese festivals or activities like Spring Festival and Lantern Festival, Guangdong has some characterized activities. Pearl River Cruise has been a must for those visitors to Guangzhou, which provides picturesque scenery along the third longest river of the country. Canton Fair, held every April, 15 to 30 and October 15 to 30 attracts numbers of businessmen; next time, those attending may take a tour in Guangzhou to explore its true beauty. Guangzhou International Food Festival, which is held annually in October or November, is a famous tourist festival mainly about food, entertainment, trade and tourism. Yangjiang Kite Festival held on Chongyang Festival (9th day of the 9th Chinese lunar month) has attracted kite enthusiasts from both home and abroad every year. The Yangjiang kite, with a history of 1,400 years, is attractive in appearance, elaborate in structure and vivid in expression; it has also been the representative of China's southern kites. There are also many other local activities held in Guangdong such as China Tourism Art Festival & Guangdong Carnival, International Tourism Cultural Festival, etc. All in all, Guangdong is graceful and charming. What you need to do is explore and experience its many facets!