Life of Guangzhou - Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall & Flower Fair

Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall 中山纪念堂

The Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall is a national major cultural relic of Guangdong Province. It was designed by Mr. Lu Yanzhi, a reputable Chinese architect, and sponsored by the local people of Guangzhou and overseas Chinese to commemorate Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great forerunner of Chinese revolution. The Hall saw its construction started in 1929 and completed in 1931 at where the Presidential Palace had been.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall, an octagonal building with grand presence, features a strong Chinese style. The 52m-high main hall accounts for 12000m2 out of the total 6.3 hectares of the whole complex. It spans as wide as 71 meters in the absence of a single pillar, thanks to the designer's ingenious application of the architectural mechanics and structural combination of steel framework and ferroconcrete. The main hall holds a 15m-wide, 20m-deep stage and 3238 seats. Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is one of most symbolic buildings of Guangzhou, and it is also a major site for great convention and performance, a tourist attraction to visitors from home and abroad.

Guangzhou's Flower Fair 广州迎春花市

Guangzhou is also called the Flower City. It is said, that people have made a living by planting flowers for a thousand years. The annual Flower Fair of the Spring Festival has become a grand affair in Guangzhou. Visiting the Flower Fair is the tradition for the Guangzhou locals during the Lunar New Year.

When there is half a month to go before the Festival, many flower shows are held in some pedestrian streets or parks to attract citizens. Farmers from around the Pearl River Delta bring their best works to the fairs looking forward to a reward for their hard work over the year.

Usually Guangzhou's Flower Fair opens five days ahead of the holiday and ends at 2:00am of on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

(by Carrot Chan)