Primarily a business hub, Guangzhou in China has plenty to offer to the discerning traveller. Shamian Island, dotted with old European buildings, is a reminder of the city&rsquos colonial past. The island, a former concession of the British and the French, is a beautiful place to walk through. People can be spotted playing mahjong, dancing under the trees or, as you may see in several parks and tourist spots across China, posing for pictures. Wedding albums are extremely popular and the beautiful colonial architecture, in particular the now restored French Catholic Church, Our Lady of Lourdes, makes for a wonderful backdrop for these images. Don&rsquot be surprised to see couples posing for images in their wedding finery, arms outstretched, reminiscent of SRK in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.
In the land of the five rams Guangzhou
One of the largest cities of China with a rich colonial past and the best places for shopping and eating
Parks are also great places if you&rsquore keen to observe local life in China. The Yue Xiu Park, known for its statue of Five Rams, is a good place to start. Legend has it that five celestial beings riding five rams visited the city in a time of famine and planted stalks of rice, a gesture of long lasting prosperity and abundance. One of my more memorable experiences was time spent kicking a shuttlecock with flattened discs on the otherwise round end with a group of elderly Chinese. &lsquoJianzi&rsquo, as the game is known here, is very popular and it&rsquos interesting to see old and young alike show off their skills, kicking and passing the shuttle around in a group without letting it drop for minutes on end. It&rsquos great fun and the smiling Chinese are only too willing to let you join them at play.
Other attractions in the city include the Chen family temple and the Six Banyan Temple. The &lsquobu xing jie&rsquo or pedestrian street on Beijing Road is popular with tourists looking to buy imitation watches and bags. There are several malls in the area with high-end boutique stores but it is likely that you will be seduced by the Louis Vuittons and the Ferragamos available here at throwaway prices. Remember to bargain hard.
The information
Getting there
Dragon Air&rsquos service between Hong Kong and Guangzhou connects with flights from India via sister airline Cathay Pacific.
See www.dragonair.com