GZ Morning Post Friday, Nov 13, 2009 EXPATS Editor: J Y 11

NEWS Exploring old By Valery Garrett Signs of change on Chongqing’s expat street A POPULAR expat street in stop of the morning -- the Southwest ’s Nanyue King’s tomb is one King’s tomb. This 2000 year old Chongqing went through a of Valery (R 2) and her tomb was discovered in 1983, makeover of sorts after Why do so few Hong group’s destination. intact and undisturbed by grave several racy overhead street Kong expats go to robbers. The tomb with the signs were removed to make Guangzhou? It’s a remains of the 15 other occu- way for more sanitized ones question I often ask pants, including his four con- that reflect China. myself. I know some cubines, young musician, and Foreigners’ Street or Yan- visit on business, but servants, along with the body of gren Jie, a riverside road in the city never seems the king in his jade suit, and Nan’an district, is renowned the hundreds of treasures in for its restaurants, pubs and to gure on tourist the adjoining museum kept the cafés, some of which are itineraries... Where to group entranced until it was time operated by foreigners. show the visitors the for lunch at the China Hotel. The signs, erected by old Canton I know and Refreshed, we moved onto the workers on the street, were love? So many choices, last visit of the day, beginning not promoting any busi- so little time. with a peek though the gate lead- nesses or products. ing onto excavation of the palace One said, “Kick your lov- and gardens of the Nanyue kings. er’s ass,” while another A new museum will be erected, proclaimed, “We are not HY do so Block, like Albania and Poland. Jinlun Silk Guildhall, built in the first stage ready for the tempted by beauties, but few Hong Today the old mansions form 1723. When Kangwang Road was Asian Games next November. there are too many beau- K o n g a backdrop for endless wedding constructed in 2001, the building Then there was just time for a ties.” expats go photos. lay directly in its path. To pre- stroll down Road, past Some pushed the enve- to Guang- A speedy lunch meant we serve this single surviving guild- the remains under glass of the lope, “You will have a fan- zhou? It’s were on time for our afternoon’s hall, at great cost it was jacked street dating back to the Song tastic night if you put your a question visit to . This is one of up and moved to the side of the dynasty, and its ancient gateway, wife and mistress together” IW often ask myself. I know some my favourite areas of Guangzhou road. before a quick trip down to the and “Love should be worked visit on business, but the city and the coach took us through old Dinner was taken in the Jade basement of the Metro Mall to out.” Another in front of a never seems to figure on tourist streets with their overhanging River restaurant at the White the 2000 year old wooden Water- naked statue that said “Love itineraries. So I was especially qilou to what had been the West- Swan Hotel, on the recommen- gate, discovered during construc- Land” embarrassed some. pleased to be asked to escort a ern Suburbs of Canton in the dation of a long-time Guangzhou tion of the shopping centre. group of twelve from a museum 19th century. Here were homes resident and friend who always No time for all my other Food festival to feature society on a two-day trip in early of rich merchants who were takes her special guests there. favourite spots, across the river, longest tiramisu October. Where to show them not allowed to live inside the Next day we were away early, and in Dongshan. Another visit the old Canton I know and love? walled city where the manda- through the old Arab quarter on another day... So many choices, so little time. rins, the officials who carried out around Guanta Road, past the I decided to limit our short the emperor’s wishes, resided. Liurong Pagoda, and onto our visit to the western district and A wealthy salt merchant, Pan first stop, the Zhenhai Tower, a the once walled city, centrally Shichen, lived here in a splen- Ming watchtower now housing CALL FOR Barista will show you how to make placed on my 1980s map, but did house and garden, the envy the Guangzhou Museum. Here a cup of perfect coffee at scene. now all but ignored on today’s of many and visited by countless we were fortunate to catch the SUBMISSIONS maps since the business district westerners who were in awe of John Thomson exhibition before THE longest tiramisu ever has moved east to Tianhe. After his rare animals, summer houses it travelled on to London. Thom- This page is aimed at done in history will be pre- checking in at the White Swan and lakes. The garden was turned son was a renowned photogra- offering a culture exchange sented in Guangzhou to kick Hotel on a sunny Friday morn- into Liwan Park in 1958. pher who visited China between platform. Foreign visitors off Italian Food and Culture ing, we were all set. Armed with When not strolling round the 1868 and 1872, forming an invalu- and/or expatriates are wel- Festival on November 29th copies of my book, Heaven is park, the group searched for able historical record of daily come to share with us at . High, the Emperor Far Away, Old treasures in the antique shops life. Needless to say all available your experiences, observa- Organized by China-Italy Guangzhou and China Trade we lining Fengyuan North Road and copies of the catalogue were tions and thoughts while Chamber of Commerce, the were off on a walking tour of explored Liwan Museum, the snapped up by the group. Both living in China. feast features authentic Ital- . (The Metro and my early Republican home of a Hong the Guangzhou Museum and the ian food and beverage, as own two feet are my favourite Kong bank comprador, and the Zhong Yuan Library Gallery pro- Pls send all submissions to: well as a series of Italian way of getting around, but the adjacent Xiguan Folk Museum. vided a good background to the [email protected] performance and art show. size of the group meant a coach Then it was onto the Chen Clan history of the city especially While tasting high quality Upon publishing, we was the best bet for later.) My Family Temple with its colourful during the China Trade period in Italian wine, aromatic will pay 300 yuan RMB first visit to Shamian was in 1975 Shiwan roof ridge sculptures, the 18th and 19th centuries. expresso, enchanting tira- to a 800-word article when I wangled an invitation to traditional Chinese garden, and Down the hill, past the misu, delicious pizza and and 500 yuan RMB to a the Canton Trade Fair. In those exhibitions of embroidery and remaining section of the Ming pasta, you can also enjoy 1500-word one (before- Italian music, dance show, days, the island was occupied other folk arts. Finally there city wall, and out by the restored tax). professional barista perfor- by consulates from the Eastern was just time for a visit to the Great North Gate, to the final mance... what’s more, a photo exhibition by Italian artist Mr. Oliviero Belleri, presenting “Chinese people” through his Italian lens will open to the visitors, too. You can enjoy discount You say, I pay booking the tickets before November 20th. For more information, please go to THE expression of Guangzhou city image Brief introduction to the expression of Guangzhou city image www. camera.itacina.com. -- Ram City of over 2,000 Years, Bright Pearl of South China -- was unveiled on THE newly unveiled expression rams bestowing rice spikes on the August 21 after a four-month solicitation. Hei Norge! -- First Nor- of Guangzhou city image “Ram people of the city as symbol of To learn what this description means City of over 2,000 Years, Bright prosperity and abundance. weigian cultural festival to the foreigners living and working in Pearl of South China” is easy “Over 2,000 years” refers to to kick off this city or how do they perceive the to understand and rich in con- Guangzhou’s long history and TO promote Norway to city in their own way, Guangzhou Morn- tent. It is a profound reflection splendid culture, which dates back Guangzhou citizens, the first ing Post is going to open a new column of the city’s history, present and to 2,223 years ago. ever Norweigian cultural fes- for your comment. You are welcome to future; an exact description of its “South China” refers to the tival will be held at Sapphire share your opinions through your pen economic, political, cultural and geographical location of Guang- Art Sapce (Holiday Inn) from and camera. social status; an epitome of all the zhou. Located on the coast of the November 19 to 22. Upon publishing, we will pay RMB acclaims including “Ram City”, South China Sea and adjacent to Organized by Norweigian 150 for a picture and review in 200 words “Five-Ram City”, “Spike’s City”, and Macao, Guang- Consulate General in Guang- or RMB 200 for a picture and review “Flower City”, “Business Capital”, zhou is called the “Southern Gate zhou established last year, in 200-300 words. The published articles “Paradise of Food”, and “South- of China.” the four-day cultural fest and photos will later be compiled into an ern Gate of China”, as well as “Bright Pearl” carries with it a will showcase Norwegian illustrated book. an expectation of its splendid profound connotation. Known as EXPO 2010 pavilion, movies, Anyone who is interested in this future. the “Paradise of Food”, “Flower impressions from the High topic is welcome to send your words “Ram City” originates from City”, and “Business Capital”, North, and of course, the together with your photo(s) to: an ancient and beautiful legend Guangzhou has been a shining most yummy Norwegian sea- [email protected]. about five celestials riding on five pearl in south China. food! You just can’t miss it!