Why & How I Fell In Love with Asia
(GUANGZHOU, China 2 )

By Mel Berman
       Mr. Berman was born and raised and lived in Chicago and moved to Indianapolis 18 years ago. Before his retirement last year, he was an entrepreneur sourcing for U.S. companies in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. He had made over 50 trips to those localities and traveled extensively through China. He and his lovely wife Jane, a Hong Kong native currently reside in Carmel, IN. AAT readers shall enjoy his future articles in taking a graduate course in Asian Studies and his marriage to Jane resulting in his further exposure to Chinese culture and travel in Asia.  
        I will just highlight the places we visited in two long days of touring what the guide books and Jane's parents told us we should see. Timing for visiting these venues was bad because it was on holiday days resulting in large crowds of locals and visitors doing the same thing. I guess in a city of 12 million you always have to deal with crowds. Due to the time limitation and crowds there is much more to see but that will be for future visits.
        Our first excursion was to Yuexiu Park spreading over 93 hectares of beautiful gardens, shaded landscaped paths, and historical monuments and museums. High points in the park were the Guangzhou City Museum, The Zhenhai Tower built in 1380, The 5 Rams Statue and the Monument of Dr. Sun Yat Sun featuring the octagonal temple style architecture.
        Next was the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall also known as Chen's College. Built by the residents of 72 villages in Guangdong Province where the Chen lineage was the predominant family. An imposing complex consisting of 19 buildings built in Lingnan Style (Southern Chinese) featuring exquisite wood carvings, statuary, and paintings decorated with highly ornate scrollwork of scenes from Chinese literature and folklore.
        Another highlight was a visit to Shamian Island an artificial island in the Pearl River which appeared to me to be around ½ to ¾ sq mile in size. What a peaceful respite from the bustling city. It was originally built to house quarters and warehouses for the British and French concessions connected to the city by several bridges which later developed into a park like setting containing a multitude of now restored European architectural buildings including New Baroque, Gothic & Neoclassical. Now there are also beautiful gardens, chic restaurants and one of Guangzhou's 5 star hotels the famous White Swan Hotel known for the waterfall and fish ponds in the lobby as well as a dozen restaurants and bars within its walls.
        Last but not least was a visit to the site of the 2010 Asian Games. Built at a cost of 122 Billion Yuan to include the infrastructure and the 53 competition venues. Do the math. One Yuan is worth U.S 15 cents. I can only describe it as jaw dropping. They have kept it open for the public to visit for a small ticket fee and we went to see it at night all lit up against the surrounding skyscrapers of the also well lit city.
        Take the time to Google "2010 Guangzhou Asian Games" and amongst other sites click on "Opening Ceremonies" and you will get some idea of what I am talking about which will be better than what would be my inadequate words to describe what is there.