Guangzhou, post-Asian Games

2011 8

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As part of the grand preparation for the 2010 Asian Games, Guangzhou, the host city, underwent a stunning amount of changes for the better. There were complaints on the (mis-)handling of some engineering projects, as well as the management decisions made on some of the “beautification” projects. But as someone who grew up in Guangzhou, Flying still couldn't help but feel proud of the great transformations took place in this ancient city.

During my family visit, Flying witnessed many exciting improvements around the citizens of Guangzhou. Let’s hope that all these betterment can be kept up and there will be further improvements even in the post-Asian Games months and years to come.

作为2010年广州亚运准备工作的一部分，广州市经历了一系列“大变”。有许多居民抱怨这些准备工程的决策、管理等各个环节（其中的大型公交基建和“穿衣戴帽”工程等就更是为人所诟病了）。但是从一个自小在广州长大的海外游子的角度来说，Flying还是不得不对亚运给广州带来的巨大变化感到由衷的自豪。

在回家探亲、访友的两周里，Flying亲眼见证了好些发生在广州人身边的可喜变化。但愿这股动力能够很好地被广州人（以及广州政府）继承下来，使未来的广州变得更加美好、更加精彩！

The famous ancient Litchi Bay has been restored into a place for recreation and antique trading. (The maintenance management was still not up to standard, though. *sigh*)
The Erawan Shrine at Litchi Bay blesses all devotees
A tranquil koi pond with stellar lotus flowers in the restored Shixiang Garden.

Despite living so close by (a mere 20 minutes’ walk from home), it was a shame that Flying only visited this beautiful birth place of the Lingnan school of painting so late.
A “mini T. rex” spotted in Shixiang Garden
Elegant condominium blocks the blended well into the ambience of Shixiang Garden

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The gigantic outdoor screen outside the new Guangzhou Children’s Palace illuminates the surrounding against the towering Guangzhou West Tower in the backdrop

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Guangzhou New Library at Huacheng Plaza, Zhujiang New Town
The New Guangdong Museum at Huacheng Plaza, Zhujiang New Town
Guangzhou Opera House shrouded in the shadows of skyscapers around Huacheng Plaza, Zhujiang New Town

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The glittering Canton Tower on the opposite side of the Pearl River from Huacheng Plaza
The glittering decoration along the shores of Haixinsha Island next to Huacheng Plaza

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201108a/GZ_11.mp4
In the name of the “City of Flowers,” the new Donghaochong Viaduct has been transformed into Donghaochong Greenway
Cute doggies gaming in Donghaochong
Clean water from Baiyun Mountain brings fish (Donghaochong Greenway)
A rental bicycle station along Donghaochong Greenway
A witness of the transformation of a densely populated residential area to a greenway—a tree trunk that is still embedded in the remnant of a wall
Kids are having fun all over places in BB Mall near Donghaochong Greenway
For those, like Flying, who have witnessed what Donghaochong was like in the old days, it’s hard to believe the great transformations that have happened here!
The 400-year-old Pazhou Pagoda—one of the remnants of Pazhou Village, which has now become the construction sites of the so-called Guangzhou foreign consulates district
The ancestral temple of Pazhou Village, another remnant of the village that has now become the construction sites of the so-called Guangzhou foreign consulates district
A panoramic view of the Pearl River from atop Pazhou Bridge

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201108a/GZ_23.swf

Flash^® panorama
The restored Xiaobei Gate (literally, “Small North Gate”) of the ancient city wall (now the eastern entrance of Yuexiu Park)

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The “twin towers” (Yuexiu Mountain Tower in Yuexiu Park and Guangzhou TV Tower to the north)