Off to Guangzhou
What else is there to do in Dongguan? Well, we’d already been to WalMart and Dongguan’s Old City. So ……………… off to Guangzhou!
Guangzhou is the large city another 50km to the west of Dongguan that used to be known as Canton. It is an interesting city, with a little more history than most of the rest of the province of Guangdong. So why not go see it?
We opted for this visit to Guangzhou on Sunday to see a few different sites than the industrial and modern-only area of Dongguan. Ed was still visiting and wanted to see some Chinese culture. It wasn’t easy making arrangements. We had to hire a driver for the day, whom I think was a little more than surprised to hear that he was to be a tour guide. I think he was more used to just hauling folks to a spot and picking them up later.
And I even had to be the one to find the tourist spots myself. Okay, some Decca associates did recommend Guangzhou and the Old City. They explained it had some nice historical areas, but did warn us to be wary of pickpockets and such. That was about all we had to go on. I copied down what I could read from the internet on Saturday, and then I had to have someone translate the sheet into Chinese so I could give to our driver.
Nan Yue Museum and Tomb of Emperor Wen Li
Off we went on Sunday morning. After about an hours drive, we could tell we were in the Old City area of Guangzhou, but our driver was evidently having trouble from there. Soon he did find a map at a tourist stand on a corner, and we started circling around the area. Finally we did come to the Nan Yue Museum, the site of the Tomb of Emperor Wen Li.
The museum was pretty impressive. Many of the artifacts were a little irrelevant, but most were amazing. And the display was well done. It rambled through many rooms where you entered. Then you wound your way up some steep steps to traverse the grounds to the tomb itself. The stairs had been enough for me. I didn’t go down in the tight confines of the tomb too.
But the next section was the most amazing. Here they had most of the artifacts found from the excavation of the tomb. It included an enclosure that looked like a suit of armor, but which was actually made of jade all woven together with bright red twine. Truly amazing! There were many other items found at the site, including weapons, and jewelry. Incredible!
Liurong Monastery and Temple of Six Banyan Trees
Circling again with our driver trying to figure where to go next, we finally found the Liurong Monastery or site of the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Now, I’ve about been to as many temples in Thailand as I care to go again, but this was a little different. Not quite as gaudy in color and gilding as its Thai equivalents. But it did still have the large Buddha here and there.
The tall pagoda like temple was truly amazing. It was, I guess, about eight stories. But each story was like two small stories. And the stairs were incredibly steep and tight. I just made one level. (Stairs are still difficult in my condition.) My new friend Ed was not to be deterred. As soon as I saw the gleam in his eye when we looked at the place from the street, I knew he would climb it. I can’t even imagine how tight and difficult the last few floors must have been. As it narrowed at the top, he said it got to be more ladder than stairs, and was like passing through a needle. And Ed is no small Asian. No, Ed is far bigger than me. Okay, he’s a little more agile. He got some great pics from the top.
As in all Temples, there were many incense burning urns. But the grounds were interesting in Chinese architecture laced with Buddhist elements. Beautiful bansai trees were plentiful. They coulda made more money selling those than the incense to visitors.
Entering and leaving we were besieged by a large group of beggars. It was evident that foreigners were entreated to contribute to these disabled members of society. They probably make a good living on the tourists here.
South China Botanical Gardens
Ed had mentioned earlier in the week that he wanted to see some local gardens. He used to be a photojournalist for newspapers and in the military, and evidently has an affinity for nature photography. Well, luckily the South China Botanical Gardens were also located in Guangzhou. From the start of our day, we kept telling our driver we wanted to go there.
We did finally arrive just before we had to depart to
get back to Dongguan. Pressed for time, we quickly opted for a golf cart ride through the grounds rather than walking on our own. Good thing we did. The property was huge. It rambled for quite some distance with lake after lake and beautiful forests.
Flowers were not too plentiful at this time of year. And as in most of the area, wildlife was practically non-existent. It just doesn’t seem so natural to see such large ponds without a few ducks, swans, or other birds. But that is the way most things are here. It also seemed a little odd that the grounds included so many apartment buildings. We were told they were the dorms for the workers. I would think they should have put these in the back somewhere, but there they were right on the tour. Our guide even highlighted a cell phone tower as one of the attractions……………… Okay……..
The oddest thing was the advertising and area devoted to another attraction within the attraction. It was a paintball compound. Yep! Right there in the middle of the Gardens.
On whole the Gardens were very beautiful. A new larger area is even due to open in the next month. But this is already very popular for one thing: Weddings! All around the first set of ponds and arched bridges were brides, grooms, and wedding parties. At one area alone we counted four brides posing for pictures.
All in all a very nice day! And we didn’t have any real problems getting to and from Guangzhou! Good place to visit.
All Ed's Photos available from link at the right titled Guangzhou Tour.
posted by A Bryson (formerly) in China @ 4:33 PM
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