Guangdong previously known as Kwangtung or Canton is a coastal province located in southeastern China, bordering Hong Kong and Macau. Guangzhou is said to be the most populous province in China and currently holds an importance to the nation’s economic growth. Guangdong is often referred to as the workshop of the world where it is home to numerous facilities, trade ports for import and export, as well as the core of high technology development not only for the country but also for the whole world. Take Shenzhen city as an example, where it has been transformed from a small fishing village to a global tech hub. All of these development makes the province one of the most unique tourist destinations giving a glimpse into the future development of technology in the world. Through all of these advanced technological developments, Guangzhou has not forgotten to maintain its long heritage traditions, culture, and natural beauty that spreads throughout the vast land of the province. By visiting Guangdong, visitors would be able to enjoy the province's rich cultural heritage of Chinese civilizations including the Cantonese language, Cantonese opera, the philosophies of Confucianism and Taoism that have deeply influenced Guangdong society, festivals and celebrations like Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn Festivals, or Dragon Boat Festivals, as well as the mouth-watering local delicacy that are ready to pamper every taste buds. Not stopping there, those of you who love to enjoy nature and bask in the nature beauty can also visit places with stunning natural escapes like Coastal Wonders boasting a beautiful coastline with sandy beaches, Mountain Ranges like the Nanling Mountain offering opportunities for hiking, trekking or simply enjoying breathtaking views, River and Lakes including the Pearl River housing a number of scenic beauty and recreational activities.
Guangdong boasts an extensive and efficient high-speed rail network, making it convenient and a fast way to get around Guangdong as well as to other parts of China. Several trains are operating within Guangdou railway lines including high-speed trains that offer the fastest and most comfortable travel experience and Regular trains that provide more affordable options but with longer travel times. As for the train lines itself are also vary based on the place and what you are looking for, take the Guangzhou-Shenzhen High-Speed Railway for example, which connects the two major cities with the most frequent departures, and the Guangzhou - Zhuhai - Macau Intercity Railway offer high-speed services to the Macau border. If you plan to use the train to get around Guangdong, then be expected to pay around CNY30-50 (around RM19 to RM 31) for high-speed train tickets short-distance and CNY 100 (around RM62 and above) to several hundred yuan for long-distance travel.
There are several characteristics that make Guangdong including its geographical features Guangdong especially boasts a long coastline along the South China Sea, contributing to its economic importance as a trading hub as well as a diverse topography where the region features mountains, hills, plains, and river deltas. The other thing that makes Guangdong is its position as the Economic Powerhouse of the nation, where Guangdong is known as the world’s workshop where the region has become a major manufacturing center for electronics, textiles, and other products for years, as well as a province that attracts a number of foreign investment, contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
Guangdong is a larger geographical area, housing multiple cities, towns, and rural areas. It is a massive province where Guangzhou is located, while Guangzhou itself is the capital city of Guangdong province and a major economic as well as cultural center within the province. To put it simply, Guangdong is the province and Guangzhou is the city nestlers inside Guangdong. Is Hong Kong part of Guangdong? No, originally Hong Kong was part of Guangdong Province but after the British took control over the city, Hong Kong became a separate city altogether. Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China which means, it has its own legal and political system, separate from mainland China including Guangdong Province.
Guangdong offers a diverse range of experiences for every type of traveler with some of the must-visit cities like Guangzhou which is also known as the capital city of Guangdong boasts of offering a blend of history and modernity, Shenzhen which is a city that is known for its tech industry and stunning skyline as well as the world theme park, or Zhuhai city well known for housing a beautiful beach and unique Zhuhai Fisher Girl state. The other worth mentioned places to visit for nature enthusiasts are Danxia landform with its unique red sandstone formations, Xilin Gorge where visitors are offered hiking and rafting experiences, and Dinghu Mountain which houses a national nature reserve offering stunning scenery and opportunities for wildlife spotting, while for visitors who are looking to experience the unique culture should visit Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Foshan Ancestral Temple and Chimelong Paradise surely will leave you with unforgettable memories.
The best season to visit Guangdong would depend on what you are looking for, what weather you wish to experience, how crowded the area is a the moment, and what kind of tourist destination you plan on visiting. If you are looking for sunny weather with comfortable humidity as well as enjoying the stunning blooming flowers and lush greenery, then it would be best to visit during spring which falls around March to May. While for those of you who are looking for milder weather with clear skies as well as planning to experience the local culture and enjoy fresh produce, then you should visit during Autumn which falls around September to November.
There are so many local specialties and iconic Guangdong delights that you need to savor during your visit to the area including Dum Sum which is a must-try traditional dish that comes in various cooking methods and flavors that will surely satisfy any taste buds, Roasted Meats like Cantonese-style roast duck, char siu, siu mei are another iconic dishes that are worth mentioning, Wonton noodle soup which is popular comfort food with delicate wonton dumplings in a flavorful broth and Seafood delicacies like steamed grouper, stir-fried clams, and lobster for those of you who loves to eat seafood.
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