Zhuhai Pearl Sea (China)

Beautiful people, warm smiles, pristine beaches and unspoiled scenery - this is Zhuhai. Located in the Pearl River Delta, it serves as the gateway to Macau. By sea, former British colony Hong Kong and Shenzhen are just across the bay to the east. The provincial capital Guangzhou is about 150 km to the north. The city's 6,000-square-km sea territory is studded with 146 islands, the better known of which are Linding Island, Qi'ao Island and Gaolan Island. Zhuhai means Pearl Sea, and its name is immortalized by an 8.7-metre tall Lady of Pearl Statue standing elegantly at picturesque Xianglu Bay. According to legend, she was the daughter of the Southern Sea Dragon King who was attracted by the fantastic scenery at Xianglu Bay, and decided to stay there as a common fisher girl, weaving nets and searching for precious pearls to earn a living.

Gradually, she fell in love with a fisherman called Hai Peng. He wanted her magic bracelet as a token of her love, which she then gave. However, without this bracelet, the fisher girl would be destined to loose her immortality and died. Hai Peng deeply regretted this and decided to bring her back to life. He eventually found a remedy that would revived her and they lived happily ever after. Today, Zhuhai is one of three cities in Guangdong province designated as special economic zones following China's reforms and opening-up in the late 1970s. It is also one of the fastest growing cities with a modern port and booming tourism. Among the scenic attractions are an imperial hot spring resort and the new Yuan Ming Palace set on a 1.39-square-kilometre park. It is a partial reconstruction of the Old Summer Palace in Beijing that was destroyed in 1860 by French and British troops during the second Opium War. "It took 150 years to build the most beautiful palace in China, but it was burnt down in only three days," our guide told us. At night, there are cultural performances at two outdoor stadiums. Shijing Mountain Park in downtown Zhuhai is famous for its rocky landscape and beautiful scenery. Capped with pines and fir trees, the cliff top resembles a rhinoceros looking at the sky. For a bird's eye view of the Zhuhai, take the 350-metre-long Shijing Mountain Ropeway from the foot of the mountain to the summit. Other attractions in Zhuhai include the 'Meixi Royal Stone Archways' built by Emperor Guangxu to honour Chen Fang, the first Chinese consul to Hawaii. Zhongshan, the birth place of Dr Sun Yat-sen, the father of Modern China, is also worth a visit. There are, of course, other attractions, in Zhuhai including shopping centres in Gongbei district, where you can find everything from leather products and handicrafts to fake watches and pirated goods. If you are a motor-racing fan, you may already know that Zhuhai International Circuit, is the first permanent motor racing circuit in China. And every two years, there is an International Aviation & Aerospace Expo in Zhuhai, which is recognized as the grandest in China.

Courtesy of globalmayorsforum and borneobulletin

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