As a coastal province located at the southern end of mainland China, Guangdong called “Yue” for short sits on the South China sea coast, sharing boundaries with Hong Kong, Macao, Guangxi, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Fujian, and faces Hainan across the sea.
This province ranks among a few international regions that have some of the largest metropolises in the world. Guangdong has a population of more than 100 million people, which includes three major population groups, including more than 1 million foreigners. Its economic output accounts for one-eighth of the national total, surpassing that of Singapore, Taiwan, or Hong Kong.
The open culture typical of the South of the Five Ridges, which includes Guangdong, runs deeply in all aspects of life here, including language, custom and differs significantly from the culture of northern China.
Guangdong got its current name during the Qing Dynasty. The shortened name Yue is believed to be a region where Baiyue (Yue for short), a collective name for various peoples that lived in southern China in ancient times, lived and had families in ancient times. Guangdong has played an important role in modern Chinese history thanks to the prominence of numerous heroes and historical figures from there.
Many events of historic importance occurred in Guangdong, including the Opium Wars, the Taiping Rebellion, the Hundred Days’ Reform, the Revolution of 1911, the Northern Expedition, the Canton-Hong Kong Strike, and the Guangzhou Uprising.
Guangdong, which features a warm climate and bright sunshine because of its subtropical zone location, is suitable for tourism year-round. And the tourism attractions come in all various shapes and sizes. For example, dinosaur eggs were unearthed in Nanxiong City, and there are the remains of “Maba Man,” an ancient people who lived over 100,000 years ago, in Qujiang County and more. In Guangdong there are six famous national, historical and cultural cities, including Guangzhou, Foshan, Chaozhou, Meizhou, and Leizhou, all of which are unique and charming in their own way, as well as innumerable historical relics and sites. Lastly, is home to three National Key Scenic Spots, i.e. Xinghu Lake in Zhaoqing, Xiqiao Mountain in Nanhai, and Danxia Mountain in Shaoguan.