Canadian World Traveller / Summer 2016 Issue

A few cultural notes:
Guangxi and Guangdong mean “Western
and Eastern Expanse.” Traditionally,
Guangxi has had a close connection with
Cantonese culture and language. These
influences are noticeable in the easternmost
areas of the region.
Three varieties of Chinese are spoken in
Nanning: Southwestern Mandarin, Yue,
and Pinghua.
Attractions
Lijiang River: The eighty-three-kilometre
green river flows from Piled Festoon Hill to
Bilian Peak in Yangzhou. Marvel at the
steep peaks, luxuriant flowers, and green
hills that reflect in the blue water.
Reed Flute Cave: This attraction, located
five kilometres west of Guilin, got its name
from verdant reeds that grew outside the
cave (flutes are made with this type of
reed). Walk inside this water cave and
explore many stalactites, stone pillars, and
rock formations. Don’t expect to see complete
darkness: You’ll be greeted with many
coloured lights as you tour the site.
West Street: This ancient street is found in
the heart of Yangshuo County. It has been
the centre of eastern and western cultures
since the 1980s. Walk along the marbled
streets and enjoy the simple styles and
courtyard-like settings. While you’re here,
have a coffee on a patio, purchase a number
of souvenirs, or take a bite into local
cuisine (the beer fish dish is worth a try).
67
are between 25°C to 29°C. As tourists
would expect, summers are hot. This is particularly
true in northern areas of Hainan.
A few notes about local cuisine:
Dig in on seafood! Chefs prepare many
meals with shrimp, lobster, crab, and other
sea life creatures.
Wenchang chicken: a drier meat with lots of
texture.
Hainan chicken rice: a dish with rice marinated
in chicken soup.
Attractions
Five Officials Temple: Built in honour of the
five Tang (618–907 AD) and Song dynasty
officials (960–1279). This site is southeast
of Haikou. The temple complex has many
buildings, including the Guanjia Hall,
Xuepu Hall, East and West Hall, and the
Ancestral Hall of the Two Fubo Generals.
Yangpu Ancient Salt Field: An archaeological
heritage site in Yantian Village. See
more than one thousand stones that evaporate
seawater to produce salt (stones are cut
on top). Stones are equipped with a thin rim
to contain water.
Yanoda: A rainforest located near Sanya.
The Chinese government has reserved
forty-five square kilometres for the Cultural
Tourist Zone, while the rest of the rainforest
(123 square kilometres) is fully protected.
China’s tourism department has rated this
attraction AAAAA, the highest rating on the
country’s rate scale.
Kaiping Diaolou and Villages, Guangdong
Canadian World Traveller Summer/Fall 2016