Lychee Bay or Litchi Bay (), a set of creeks and lakes that flow southwest to

Pearl River The Pearl River, also known by its Chinese name Zhujiang or Zhu Jiang in Mandarin pinyin or Chu Kiang and formerly often known as the , is an extensive river system in southern China. The name "Pearl River" is also often used as a catch-all ...

, is a tourist attraction in

Guangzhou Guangzhou (, ; ; or ; ), also known as Canton () and alternatively romanized as Kwongchow or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of Guangdong province in southern China. Located on the Pearl River about north-northwest of Hong Kon ...

(Canton),

Guangdong Guangdong (, ), alternatively romanized as Canton or Kwangtung, is a coastal province in South China on the north shore of the South China Sea. The capital of the province is Guangzhou. With a population of 126.01 million (as of 2020) ...

Liwan District Liwan District is one of 11 urban districts of the prefecture-level city of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, China. The district is split into two parts by the Pearl River: Xiguan in the northeast and Fangcun in the southwest. ...

, where Lychee Bay is located, was named after it. There are many historical relics and historical architectures in Lychee Bay, such as Wenta and Xiguan House. Various cultural activities are held on Lychee Bay, such as the

Cantonese opera Cantonese opera is one of the major categories in Chinese opera, originating in southern China's Guangdong Province. It is popular in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Macau and among Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. Like all versions of Ch ...

competition.

Geography

Lychee Bay is located in

Xiguan Saikwan or Xiguan is an ancient town and an area in the Liwan district of Guangzhou, China, which was located west of the old walled city. The Thirteen Factories trading enclave was located on its southern shore and the Shamian enclave was co ...

, Liwan District, Guangzhou. In the past, it usually referred to a large area from Sima Creek () to Huangsha (). It is a

drainage Drainage is the natural or artificial removal of a surface's water and sub-surface water from an area with excess of water. The internal drainage of most agricultural soils is good enough to prevent severe waterlogging (anaerobic conditio ...

system composed of several creeks, including

and Liwan Creeks, flowing into the

. This is called the old Lychee Bay () now. In a modern context, Lychee Bay usually refers to the segment of Xiguan Creek from Pantong () to the Pearl River, which is part of the old Lychee Bay.

History

Origin of Lychee Bay

Lychee Bay's history dates back to 2,200 years ago. In 206 BC, the Han emperor asked his subordinate Lu Jia to come to Guangzhou in order to surrender. After he did so, Lu Jia settled in Xicun, a small village in Guangzhou. He planted vegetables and flowers. Gradually, people started to call this place "Lychee Bay".

Rise of Lychee Bay

During the

Tang dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, t= ), or Tang Empire, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907 AD, with an Zhou dynasty (690–705), interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dyn ...

, people started to build the famous "Liyuan" (荔园) garden. During the Nanhan dynasty, there were many gardens, such as "Fanghuayuan" (芳华苑), "Hualinyuan" (华林园), and "Changhuayuan" (昌华苑). These became imperial gardens. During the

Yuan dynasty The Yuan dynasty (), officially the Great Yuan (; xng, , , literally "Great Yuan State"), was a Mongol-led imperial dynasty of China and a successor state to the Mongol Empire after its division. It was established by Kublai, the fifth ...

, there were also lemon gardens. At the time of the

Ming dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...

, Lychee Bay became a tourist attraction for ordinary people. Besides, it became one of the eight most famous attractions in Guangzhou. Its fame increased during the

Qing dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-speak ...

.The history of Lychee Bay
Retrieved Nov 27,2014. Canton Maps

Decay of Lychee Bay

In the 1940s, Lychee Bay became inhabited by vegetable growers and poor people due to the rapid development and urbanization in Guangzhou city. In order to expand the city area and build more houses, the citizens cut the trees down. At the same time, Xicun became the industrial base of Guangzhou city. The river became polluted and the water quality became increasingly worse.

Disappearance of Lychee Bay

In the 1950s, there were still water channels, but every branch of these water channels was filled with earth. With the establishment of factories in Guangzhou, the water system of Lychee Bay had become a cesspool. In the 1980s, more and more water channels were filled. In 1992, the last water channel—from Panxi Restaurant (泮溪酒家) to Fengyuan Bridge (逢源桥) — was filled. Lychee Bay disappeared.

Reappearance of Lychee Bay

In 1999, the

Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC, zh, 中国人民政治协商会议), also known as the People's PCC (, ) or simply the PCC (), is a political advisory body in the People's Republic of China and a central part of ...

raised a proposal about rebuilding Lychee Bay. In 2009, this proposal was finally put into effect because of the Asian Games. On 16 October 2010, water was imported into the river, and Lychee Bay was born anew.

Tourist attractions

Leung Ancestral Hall

Leung Ancestral Hall (梁家祠) is a building situated on 34 Liangjiaci Street. It is intended to convey a style reminiscent of the

Lingnan Lingnan (; Vietnamese: Lĩnh Nam) is a geographic area referring to the lands in the south of the Nanling Mountains. The region covers the modern Chinese subdivisions of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong, and Macau, as well as modern northe ...

region of China. Xi Guan House 2

Saikwan Mansion

Saikwan Mansion (西关大屋) represents the traditional culture of Guangzhou. This building first appeared during the Qing dynasty and was used by rich and powerful people.

Renwei Temple

Located in Longjing Road West, Guangzhou, Renwei Temple (仁威庙) is about 2,200 square meters in size. The temple is used to worship Emperor Zhenwu (真武帝) as well as by Taoists. Renwei Temple was built in 1052. It is famous for its decorations, such as wood, stone, and brick carvings.Renwei Temple
仁威庙旅游介绍. Retrieved Nov 27,2014. 文塔雲津閣

Wenta

Wen Tower (), also called Wenbita or () Wenchangta (), is located in Lychee Bay. It is uncertain when it was built. However, according to its architectural style, it dates from the Qing dynasty. Wenta is a 2-story brick/wood structure which stands at 13 meters high.The introduction of Wenta
.文塔旅游介绍. Retrieved Nov 27,2014.

Cruise ships

Electric cruise ships are available for people to visit Lychee Bay.

Food

Lychee Bay offers many types of traditional Guangzhou cuisine.

Beef offal

Beef offal Beef is the culinary name for meat from cattle (''Bos taurus''). In prehistoric times, humankind hunted aurochs and later domesticated them. Since that time, numerous breeds of cattle have been bred specifically for the quality or quantity ...

, which comes in many flavors, is famous in Guangzhou. The dish includes radishes and Chinese herbs. In Guangzhou, it is usually salty and spicy.The nutritive value of beef offal
牛肉营养价值. Retrieved Nov 27,2014. In Lychee Bay, many people would cup a bowl of beef offal.

Water chestnut cake

Water chestnut cake Water chestnut cake () is a sweet Cantonese dim sum dish made of shredded Chinese water chestnut. When served during '' dim sum'', the cake is usually cut into square-shaped slices and pan-fried before serving. The cake is soft, but holds it ...

is one of the traditional desserts in Guangdong province and southern

Fujian Fujian (; alternately romanized as Fukien or Hokkien) is a province on the southeastern coast of China. Fujian is bordered by Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, Guangdong to the south, and the Taiwan Strait to the east. Its capi ...

. There are many kinds of water chestnut cake, such as coconut-water chestnut cake and hawthorn-water chestnut cake.

Pickled radish

Pickle

radish The radish (''Raphanus raphanistrum'' subsp. ''sativus'') is an Eating, edible root vegetable of the family Brassicaceae that was domesticated in Asia prior to Roman Empire, Roman times. Radishes are grown and consumed throughout the world, be ...

, which tastes sweet and sour, is a typical dish of the region.

References

External links

Lychee Bay information
in Chinese. {{coord, 23, 7, 19.13, N, 113, 13, 46.65, E, display=title, region:CH Bays of China