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■ Population: 12.6 million
■ Currency: Chinese Yuan or Renminbi (RMB)
■ Country and city code: +86, +20
■ Tourist info: Dial 160 for all information, 96900 for Taxi, 114 for directory
■ For restaurants and events listings, grab a copy of South China Talk or That’s PRD magazine at any Starbucks
■ Guangzhou Tourist Information Centre, 180 Huanshi Xi Lu
■ tel: +86 (20) 8668-7051
■ websites: www.lifeofguangzhou.com, www.talkmagazines.cn
FUN FACT
Guangzhou is home to the largest zoo in China – the Xiangjiang Safari Park, Panyu District.
Flower Street (Tianhe Stadium)
At Chinese New Year, Guangzhou residents take to the streets and “walk on flowers” as hundreds of flower stall vendors set up shop along pedestrian walkways. It is said that walking on flowers will bring good luck, but to seal the deal, you must make at least one flower purchase. There are nine flower streets in Guangzhou, but the largest is found inside Tianhe Stadium. Open from 2 to 7 February.
Hai Yin Market (Dashatou, Yuexiu District)
A complex that houses separate shopping malls under the one roof, this market is a shopaholic’s dream come true. There is a clothing and garment market, an electronic market, an audio and video market and even a second-hand market for reasonably reconditioned laptops for around RMB1,000 (SGD202).
Dong Hai Sheng Hui (381 Yan Jiang Zhong Road, Yuexiu District, tel: +86 (0)20 8387 9628)
This small Cantonese restaurant is the only place in Guangzhou to offer delicious specialities like hotpot sea bass, clams in black pepper soup and crab congee. The food is creative and tasty, and the bill will make you smile: four to five dishes will feed a party of four, and might set you back around RMB120 (SGD24). $
El Espanol (2/F East Tower of World Trade Center, 371-375 Huanshidong Road, Yuexiu District, tel: +86 (0)20 8730 2610)
Stumbling across El Espanol’s red brick facade, Spanish tiles and Mosaic lights, it is hard to believe you’re in Guangzhou! Dishes include Spanish Seafood Rice, a selection of tapas, Spanish desserts.The price is moderate- main courses around RMB150 (SGD30). $$
Break (23 Tao Jin Jie, Tao Jin Bei Road, Yuexiu District, tel: +86 137 6065 3618)
Here, “ghetto chic” spray-painted walls are the work of artist Ding Ding. TVs are set to the sports channels, making the boys happy and the live music acts give the girls something to dance to. Soft drinks from RMB18 (SGD3.60); cocktails, beer and liqueurs from RMB30 (SGD5).
Royal Mediterranean (518 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District)*
Egyptian sculptures greet you at the entrance and other Mediterranean features are around. The rooms are large and come with broadband internet and satellite TV. Room rates start from RMB1,000 (SGD200). $$
BY MINGMING
* FOR EXCLUSIVE DEALS, BOOK HOTELS AT www.TIGERAIRWAYS.COMwww.TIGERAIRWAYS.COM” target=”_blank”>
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