Districts of Guangzhou

The official list consists of the following 10 districts:

• Liwan (荔湾 Lìwān) - This is the old Guangzhou, and is combined with the old Fangcun (芳村 Fāngcūn) area in the southwest. Tourist highlights include the colonial Shamian Island, Xiguan Old Houses, and Shangxiajiu Shopping districts.
• Yuexiu (越秀 Yuèxiù) - This is the political and cultural center, including the old Dongshan (东山, Dōngshān) area. Highlights include Yuexiu Park, Beijing Lu Shopping District, and Huanghuagang Martyrs Memorial Park.
• Haizhu (海珠 Hǎizhū) - Located south of the Pearl River, the district is becoming more business focus, especially in the areas of Real Estate and trading. Locals refer to this part of Guangzhou as Henan, meaning south of the river. Highlights include the Canton Fair Pazhou Exhibition Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, and the Pearl River Promenode.
• Tianhe (天河 Tiānhé) - This is the new city center. It is thriving with many new developments, including skyscrapers like the Citic Plaza, and on constructing Zhujiang New Town. Highlights include Sports center and many shopping centers.
• Baiyun (白云 Báiyún) - The district has a big rural touch, but is slowly taken over by new developments, including the new airport. Highlights include the Baiyun Mountain.
• Huangpu (黄埔 Huángpǔ) - Not well known for foreign tourists, the district is the secondary center of eastern part of the city. Highlights include the former Huangpu Military Academy.
• Panyu (番禺 Pānyú) - This is the new area focusing on technology and economic development. Highlights include the Lianhua Mountain, two wild animal theme parks and the new University City.
• Huadu (花都 Huādū) - This is a developing industrial area. Highlights include the Huadu Square.
• Nansha (南沙 Nánshā) - This is an industrial area at the southern tip of the city. It offers little to tourists.
• Luogang (萝岗 Luógǎng) - This is the designated center of the eastern part of the city, famous for its plum forest. It is not a popular tourist destination, but it has some historical sites.

In addition to the 10 districts, two nearby cities have been drafted into Guangzhou's jurisdiction:

• Zengcheng (增城 Zēngchéng) - This city is famous for its lychee fruit, which are picked in the months of June and July.
• Conghua (从化 Cónghuà) - This city is known for its hot springs and Tian (Heavenly) Lake Recreation area.

The main tourist areas and metropolitan areas are in the northern part of the city, including Liwan, Yuexiu and Tianhe. (see Maps) 

2008-3-14 15:01:47