Zhuhai -- A coastal garden
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Introduction
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The Statue of Zhuhai Fisher Girl |
Every city has its gardens. However, can you imagine a whole city as a big big garden?
Here the garden is Zhuhai city in southeast China's Guangdong Province. Official titles such as "Top Tourist City of China", "State Garden Green City", 'State Environmental Protection Model City", "State Hygienic City" and "National Level Ecology Demonstration Zone" may testify a little to its unique beauty. The air is pure and fresh in Zhuhai. The sun paints the sky with an intense blue. White clouds and an azure sky meld together. Everything in Zhuhai is so clean and clear.
When you come to Zhuhai, one place you must not miss is Zhuhai Fisher Girl. There is folklore about it. It is said that long and long ago, there was a fairy captivated by the shocking beauty of Zhuhai. She descended to the world and pretended to be a fisher girl. Later, she fell in love with a local fisherman. However, the fisherman became frightened after listening to the locals' gossip and asked her to take off her bracelet, which had been keeping her alive. To show her faithful love, the fairy did as her lover asked and died in tears. With endless regret and sadness, the man's cries reached an immortal spirit, who revived the fairy, and finally she became a real fisher girl.
There are a lot of places for fun in Zhuhai. If you are a motor-racing fan, you may already know there's only one international race in China, and it's in Zhuhai. And every two years, there'll be the International Aerospace Expo, which is recognized as the grandest aerospace expo in China. If youd like to dig into the foliage world, Zhuhai Nong Ke Qi Guan (Wonders of Agriculture) is waiting for you. You might also wish to experience the imperial life in Yuan Ming Xin Yuan, a theme park which recreates the Yuan Ming Garden from the Qing Dynasty (1636 to 1912). Meng Huan Shui Cheng (Water Town in Fantasy), a theme park makes you feel like entering the Egyptian mythology. Besides, spending one of two nights on these isles and listening to the whisper of the various birds and the breath of the sea.
People
Zhuhai is a new immigrant city. Just like taking part in a grand carnival in this great park of Zhuhai, people pour in this city. There's a population of 1,500,000, of which at least 35% is from other provinces and countries. Some people would rather call it the City of the Young, for it is full of passion and romance. Lots of college graduates come here to grasp their chances and seek a bright future in Zhuhai. Speak Cantonese and eat sea food, the local People are open and hospitable, which is probably why the out comers come.
Geography
Zhuhai is situated in the southwest of the Pearl River Delta of Guangdong Province. It faces Hong Kong on the east across the Lingding Sea, Macau on the south, Xinhui and Taishan on the west, and Zhongshan on the north. It is 150 kilometers away from Guangzhou. Zhuhai has jurisdiction over Xiangzhou District and Doumen County. Its total land area reaches 1,300 square kilometers.
Temperature
Zhuhai is located at 21.48 to 22.27 N and 113.3 to 114.18 E; it has a subtropical monsoon climate. The city enjoys adequate sunshine and rainfall. The annual average temperature is 22.4 degrees Celsius. The temperature in January and February is the lowest. The temperature rises in April. From May to September it gets relatively hotter and more rainfall. The annual average precipitation is 1,700 to 2,300 millimeters. East wind blows all the year. However, southeast wind dominates in the summer and northeast wind dominates in the winter. In summer and autumn, typhoon hits the city. The average relative air humidity is 79%.
Where to go
Pearl Land
Pearl Land, an amusement park for children in excess of 40,000 square meters, is on the coastal road north of town near the Zhuhai International Circuit. Entrance fee is ?60 for adults and 30 RMB for children under the height of 1.4m. Take the sightseeing, #3, #10, #68 or 69 bus.
Fisher Girl Statue
Be sure to see the 8.7m tall Fisher Girl statue, the city's symbol, along Qinglu Lu (Lovers' Road). Take the sightseeing 9 or 99 bus. Legend has it that an angel descended to earth one day and fell in love with the beauty of the land. Reluctant to return, she turned herself into a fisher girl, weaving nets and searching for precious pearls to earn a living. In addition, she unselfishly used her knowledge and powers to heal villagers who were ill, and so was well loved by one and all.
Soon she met a young fisherman named Hai Peng and they fell in love. Not long after, however, Hai Peng heard and believed malicious accusations, and demanded the fisher girl to give him her magical bracelets as proof of her affection. The fisher girl tearfully explained the origin of the bracelets.
While she was still the daughter of the South Sea Dragon King, the eight bracelets were given to her by the eight palace mistresses, to guard her against the thought of abandoning immortality. She would die if she even removed one.
Tragically, Hai Peng did not believe her story and turned to leave. The fisher girl, to prove her love for Hai Peng, removed her bracelets and died in his arms instantly. Hai Peng was filled with remorse and grief. His great sorrow moved the Jiu Zhou Huan Elder, who taught him the way to bring the fisher girl back to life.
For this he had to travel to the Jiu Zhou Island to find the Resurrection Grass, which must then be fed with man's blood. After much difficulty, Hai Peng found the grass and grew it with his own blood. Days turned to years, and the grass was finally ready and used to revive the fisher girl. Henceforth, the fisher girl became a true mortal. On the day of their wedding, all the girls together found a gigantic, magical pearl at the seashore. In gratitude, the fisher girl presented this to the reverent Elder.
New Yuanmingyuan Garden
Built based on the original Yuanmingyuan Garden in Beijing, the New Yuanmingyuan Garden in Zhuhai is an imitation one having eighteen of the original forty sights. Chinese palaces, buildings, and pavilions demonstrate the imperial architectural style of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) and the layout of the classical gardens in southern China, while the Western style architecture in the west section of the garden manifests the classic European style. It is a good place for architectural enthusiasts.
What to do
Sunbathe
Hot Springs
Imperial Yu Wenquan Hot Springs in Doumen District is the first Japanese-style open air hot spring in China. There are over 20 kinds of hot springs, massage rooms and sauna rooms. This is considered to be one of the best spa resorts in China. Take bus #609. Phone: 756-5797128
Swim, Sunbathe & Dive
Swim, sunbathe or go diving at a number of islands which are approximately 50 minutes away by ferry.
Golf
There are several golf courses in the area. These are popular with Hong Kong players who come on weekends as they are cheaper and less crowded than those in Hong Kong. For more details see Golf in China. There is also a driving range in Jida, use the number four bus.
Golf equipment is readily available and cheap in Zhuhai, but all 'brand name' clubs are knock-offs of varying qualities. There are several small golf shops in the underground shopping center at the Macau border, several on Lotus Road in Gongbei, and two larger ones across the road from the driving range in Jida.
Motorsports
Go to the Zhuhai International Circuit where you can:
Watch and enjoy the atmosphere of international auto and motorcycle racing which includes the FIA GT Championship, A1GP (World Cup of Motorsports), Asian Formula 3 Series, Asian Festival of Speed and ZIC's very own Pan Delta Super Racing Festival.
Take the ride of a lifetime by buckling up on board Asia's one-and-only 2-seater formula car while being driven by an ART Motorsports professional racing driver. Receive expert instruction and spend a half hour on the actual race course in a formula car for $1500 HKD. Enjoy the ride yourself, or with a group of friends share a full 30-minute session at two to three laps each.
Rent go carts and motorcycles for use on a separate track.
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