Guangzhou is quite a pretty cosmopolitan. With a population of 14 million, it is the largest city in the Pearl River Delta. We noted that the city is more smog-free and cleaner than the northern cities we've visited thus far. One of the reasons for this is the recent clean up efforts of the government prior to the hosting of the 2010 16th Asian Games and the first Asian Para Games.
We visited the Chan Clan Ancestral Hall which also contained many cultural exhibits of the arts. Painted porcelains, wood carvings, silk and satin fine embroidery and intricate ivory carvings were all on display. They were a treat for the eyes and one cannot help but stop awhile and marvel at the skill level of these artisan who were able to produce such works.
We later also visited another Buddhist Temple - Temple of the Six Banyan Trees and were intrigued to find that contrary to our expectations, the monks were not hard at work sweeping the floors or tending to the gardens. Such menial work were done by the uniformed government workers and the monks were loitering around the compound on ipods and cell phones. The times .. they are a changing !
Tom and Ellen
