On November 11, Italian President Sergio Mattarella visited Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong province, as part of his state visit to China. During his stay, he explored several iconic spots in the city. Here’s a glimpse of his stops around this vibrant metropolis.
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (陈家祠)
President Mattarella’s first stop was the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, a historical gem hidden in Guangzhou’s modern urban landscape. Built 131 years ago, it was originally a gathering place for members of the Chen family across Guangdong, serving as a venue for scholarly preparations, official business, and other community functions.
(Photo: Guangdong Folk Arts Museum)
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is an ornate, well-preserved, and the largest traditional Lingnan-style ancestral hall in Guangdong. It is renowned for its exquisite decorations, such as wood, brick, and stone carvings, as well as vivid ceramics and sculptures.
Today, it is home to the Guangdong Folk Arts Museum, housing over 20,000 artifacts, including nearly 3,000 national-level treasures. Exhibits of local craftsmanship include olive-stone carvings, jade sculptures, Kwon-glazed porcelains, and more, among which a Chaozhou lacquered wood carving left a lasting impression on the President.
(Photo: Guangdong Folk Arts Museum)
Add.: No. 34, Enlong Li, Zhongshan 7th Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou (广州市荔湾区中山七路恩龙里34号)
Pearl River Night Cruise (珠江夜游)
Mattarella and his delegation enjoyed a Pearl River night cruise trip, one of the “Top Eight Sights of Guangzhou”. As the boat glided along the shimmering river, historical buildings along the riverside and the illuminated cityscape provided a stunning backdrop. Sights like the Canton Tower, White Swan Pond (Bai’etan), Shamian Building Complex, and Haixinsha made this 70-minute cruise trip a captivating experience.
(Photo: Official website of Canton Tower)
Add.:
Canton Tower Fortune Pier: By the Pearl River Bank, at the northeast of Canton Tower, No. 222, Yuejiang West Road, Zhuhai District, Guangzhou (广州市海珠区阅江西路222号广州塔东北侧珠江堤岸边)
Haixinsha East Wharf (Haixinsha Red Boat Pier): Haixinsha East District, Linjiang Avenue, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (the pier to board Pearl River Red Boat) (广州市天河区临江大道海心沙东区红船船说码头)
Canton Tower (广州塔)
Standing at 600 meters, the Canton Tower is China’s tallest sightseeing tower and the third tallest in the world. Located at the intersection of Guangzhou’s new central axis and the Pearl River landscape, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city.
The tower features various attractions, including observation decks, a Bubble Tram, the “Sky Drop” free-fall ride, and more. Mattarella visited the Star Observation Deck on the 108th floor, enjoying panoramic views and Guangzhou’s sparkling night lights from the Glass Walk made of transparent double-layer glass.
(Photo: Official website of Canton Tower)
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Add.: No. 222, Yuejiang West Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (广州市海珠区阅江西路222号)
Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院)
This year marks the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo’s death and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy. President Mattarella attended a performance of the original opera Marco Polo at the Guangzhou Opera House.
Designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the iconic Opera House features a unique exterior and world-class acoustics. Hosting international operas and performances, Guangzhou Opera House has an impressive lineup of upcoming shows, including the German musical masterpiece Rebecca Das Musical Staged Concert, the dance drama The Flowers of War, the Listening to Dunhuang concert, the French musical Notre Dame de Paris, and the English musical The Phantom of the Opera. For more information, you can check the official WeChat account “广州大剧院 (pinyin: guang zhou da ju yuan)”.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Schedule of upcoming performances at Guangzhou Opera House (Photo: Guangzhou Opera House)
Add.: No.1 Zhujiang West Road, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (广州市天河区珠江新城珠江西路1号)
Author: Huang Xinying
Poster: Lai Meiya
Editor: Wei Shen, James, Shen He