“Liuxi, a Pearl River tributary.” Can you hear it? I’m referring to the gentle murmur of the Liuxi River. It flows through this basin northeast of Guangzhou. This is the Liuxu basin.
The Liuxi River, also known simply as Liuxi, stretches 157 kilometers. That is approximately 98 miles. It carves its path through Guangdong Province. Imagine the river’s journey. It winds between the Beijiang and Dongjiang Rivers. The Liuxihe Dam interrupts its flow.
Guangzhou, where the Liuxu basin resides, boasts a history spanning 2,800 years. It all started with Chuting. Back then, the Chu State sent ministers to bring the area under its rule.
Legend speaks of famine in Chuting during the Zhou Dynasty. Five celestial beings arrived on five rams. These rams carried blessed ears of rice in their mouths. This act symbolized a prayer for good weather and harvests. Locals built ‘Wuxian Guan’ to honor these beings. They included sculptures and a stone statue of rams. This is why Guangzhou is known as the ‘Ram City’ or ‘Rice Ears City’.
The Qin Dynasty marked Guangzhou’s establishment. They conquered the Lingnan Region and created three shires. Nanhai Shire included most of Guangdong. Guangzhou, then called Fanyu, became its capital.
Guangzhou’s city walls underwent numerous restorations during the Song Dynasty. The Ming Court later combined three cities into the Old City. They constructed a new city to the south during the late Ming Dynasty.
Guangzhou stands as the capital of Guangdong Province. It is located in south-central Guangdong. For over 2,000 years, it has been the political and cultural heart of South China. Early on, it served as a distribution hub for tropical products.
During the Han Dynasty, Fanyu saw growth in commerce and textile industries. It became a vital port for foreign exchange. The Tang Dynasty transformed it into a world-renowned trading harbor. It connected with countries in the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. China’s earliest customs office was established here to boost foreign trade.
From the early 3rd century, Guangzhou became the primary port of the Maritime Silk Road. This lasted until Quanzhou took over from the late Song to Yuan Dynasty. Guangzhou later regained its status. It was the only open port during the Qing Dynasty’s isolation policy.
The term ‘Lingnan’ originates from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. It generally includes Guangdong, Guangxi, and northern Vietnam. Guangzhou represents the center of Cantonese culture along the Pearl River. It encompasses Cantonese dialect, opera, calligraphy, cuisine, and architecture.
Guangzhou is also known as the “City of Flowers”. Its subtropical climate promotes year-round growth. Many flower varieties have been introduced from overseas. The city hosts grand flower markets during Chinese New Year.
As one of China’s largest cities, Guangzhou hosts the Canton Fair twice a year since 1957. It stands as a major world trade center. Here in the Liuxu basin, you witness a region shaped by history, trade, and culture. The Liuxi River flows on. It connects this land to the Pearl River and beyond.