Imagine Tianhenan decades ago. Rice fields once stretched where skyscrapers now pierce the sky. Today, Tianhenan stands as a testament to Guangzhou’s rapid transformation. It became a district in the 1980s. Before that, it was mostly suburban and rural. Many of the city’s colleges were here.
Tianhenan, Guangzhou means “a river in the sky”. That is also a Chinese name for the Milky Way. Now, look around you. This area is one of Guangzhou’s most desirable.
How did Tianhenan become what it is today? The story begins with sports. Guangzhou was chosen to host the Sixth National Games in 1986. The Tianhe Sports Center was built. It included a stadium with 65000 seats. This construction spurred further development. Rice fields started to disappear. They were replaced by residential complexes. These were called xiaoqu.
In 1990, the Guangzhou East railway station opened. This further boosted Tianhe’s growth. The old Guangzhou Railway Station was far to the west. The East Railroad Station became the terminus for trains to Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
Land became more valuable. New xiaoqu were smaller but taller. Developers built taller residential and office buildings. South of the Sports Center lies Zhujiang New Town. A decade ago, it was desolate. Now, it is one of Guangzhou’s fastest-growing areas. Many of Guangzhou’s newest and most iconic buildings are here.
Tianhenan also hosted events for the 2010 Asian Games. The district governs 21 sub-districts today. It was formally established in 1985. It originally consisted of two townships and four sub-district offices.
Several companies have their headquarters in Tianhe. Kung Fu restaurants and Jinyi Cinemas are here. Google also has its Guangzhou office in Teemtower. All Nippon Airways has an office here too.
Tianhenan boasts many educational institutions. Guangzhou Sport University and Jinan University are located here. South China University of Technology is also in Tianhenan. The Japanese School of Guangzhou is in this district.
Getting around Tianhenan is easy. Tianhe is served by nine metro lines. Tianhenan Station is on the APM line. This station is unique. It is the only one in Guangzhou with no escalators to the platforms.
Tianhenan is not just about business and transport. It is a vibrant mix of modern life and cultural spots. You can find the American Consulate here.
From rice paddies to skyscrapers Tianhenan’s journey is remarkable. Take a moment to appreciate Tianhenan’s dynamic spirit. It embodies Guangzhou’s ambition and progress.