The Zhenhai Tower is a five-story tower in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. It was built in 1380, at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, by the Yongjia Marquis Zhu Liangzu . It is located in Yuexiu Gongyuan Park, in downtown Guangzhou.
In 1950, its name was changed to the Guangzhou Museum.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Yuexiushan Stadium
Yuexiushan Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Guangzhou, China. It is currently used mostly for matches and events. It serves as the home stadium for Guangzhou Pharmaceutical of the Chinese Super League. The stadium has a capacity of 35,000 people.
Sacred Heart Cathedral of Guangzhou
The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus also known as Sacred Heart Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Cathedral in Guangzhou, South China. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Guangzhou.
The cathedral is located at 56 Yide Lu , Guangzhou. Being on the north bank of the Pearl River, the cathedral stands at the heart of the busy old district.
The site of the cathedral was originally the residence of the in the Qing Dynasty. During the Second Opium War, the residence was completely destroyed and the viceroy Ye Mingchen was captured by the . Several years later, the obtained the site under the terms of an edict issued by Emperor Daoguang in February,1846 which promised compensation for churches destroyed and properties taken from the mission. With financial support from and Catholics in France, Bishop Philippe Fran?ois Zéphirin Guillemin, M.E.P. , the first vicar apostolic of Guangdong, was in charge of the project. He invited two architects, Vonutrin and Humbert, to design the cathedral and the Neo-Gothic design was approved in 1863. Guillemin himself didn't see the completion of the cathedral. He died in 1886 in Paris at the age of 72. The project was then under supervison of his successor, Bishop Augustin Chausse, M.E.P. .
The cornerstones were laid on June 28 1863. The words "Jerusalem 1863" were engraved on the east cornerstone and the words "Roma 1863" on the west cornerstone, stating that the Roman Catholic Church had its origin in Jerusalem in the east and evovled in Rome in the west. From each city, one kilogram of soil was taken to be laid under the two cornerstones.
The construction of the cathedral met a lot of difficulties, many of which arose from the all-granite structure of the cathedral. All the granite stones were transported to the site from Kowloon, Hong Kong by sailing ships. The lack of experience of Chinese workers of building western cathedral presented great challenges of constructing a cathedral of this size by hands in the Far East. The progress was slow in the first few years and later, the employed a worker named Cai Xiao from Wuhua County as . Cai Xiao had many years of experience in building houses in his hometown, which enabled him to adopt a lot of unique and creative methods. He had never left the site since being employed and the construction of the cathedral took most of his youth but was finished in his lifetime.
Tensions between the missionaries and the local people often existed. The construction of the cathedral and its affiliated school and hospital required the teardown of many houses and relocation of people, and when almost all houses in Guangzhou are not more than 2 storeys high in the 19th century, the high-rise cathedral and its pointed twin spires created an unusual scene in the city. Local people feared the cathedral would influence the city's Feng shui, and consequently bring disaster. This resulted in more conflicts between the two sides.
The cathedral was finally inaugurated in 1888 after 25 years of construction.
Covering an area of 2,754 square metres, it is the largest Roman Catholic church in the and the largest cathedral in China and Southeast Asia. The cathedral is 35 metres wide, 78.69 metres long, and the twin towers rise as high as 58.5 metres. The west tower is a clock tower while the east tower serves as a bell tower, inside which there are five gigantic copper bells shipped in from France in the 19th century.
The cathedral's structure consists mainly of granite blocks. It is one of the four all-granite gothic cathedrals in the world, while the other three ones include the Notre Dame de Paris in France. For this reason, it is nicknamed "Stone House" by local people. "石室" is pronounced "Shishi" in and "Seksat" in , hence the name "Shishi Cathedral" in or "Seksat Cathedral" in .
Since its completion in 1888, the cathedral has undergone three big renovations. The first one was in 1920s, when then Archbishop Antoine-Pierre-Jean Fourquet replaced the timber roof, beams and staircases with concrete ones. The government spent RMB 150,000 for a second restoration in 1984 and 1986. The latest restoration was initiated in 2004 and finished in the autumn of 2006. The church spent RMB 3 million for the 19.64 million restoration project while the rest was covered by the government. The aim of the restoration project was to solve the problem of leakage by rebuilding the whole roof and all the beams. New stained glass imported from Philippines was used to replace the broken 19th century one. New lighting, audio and surveillance systems as well as a large mechanical clock on the west tower were also installed.
Monday to Friday - 6:30a.m., 7:00a.m.
Saturday - 7:30p.m.
Sunday - 6:30a.m., 8:30a.m. , 10:30a.m. , 3:30p.m.
The cathedral is located at 56 Yide Lu , Guangzhou. Being on the north bank of the Pearl River, the cathedral stands at the heart of the busy old district.
History
The site of the cathedral was originally the residence of the in the Qing Dynasty. During the Second Opium War, the residence was completely destroyed and the viceroy Ye Mingchen was captured by the . Several years later, the obtained the site under the terms of an edict issued by Emperor Daoguang in February,1846 which promised compensation for churches destroyed and properties taken from the mission. With financial support from and Catholics in France, Bishop Philippe Fran?ois Zéphirin Guillemin, M.E.P. , the first vicar apostolic of Guangdong, was in charge of the project. He invited two architects, Vonutrin and Humbert, to design the cathedral and the Neo-Gothic design was approved in 1863. Guillemin himself didn't see the completion of the cathedral. He died in 1886 in Paris at the age of 72. The project was then under supervison of his successor, Bishop Augustin Chausse, M.E.P. .
The cornerstones were laid on June 28 1863. The words "Jerusalem 1863" were engraved on the east cornerstone and the words "Roma 1863" on the west cornerstone, stating that the Roman Catholic Church had its origin in Jerusalem in the east and evovled in Rome in the west. From each city, one kilogram of soil was taken to be laid under the two cornerstones.
The construction of the cathedral met a lot of difficulties, many of which arose from the all-granite structure of the cathedral. All the granite stones were transported to the site from Kowloon, Hong Kong by sailing ships. The lack of experience of Chinese workers of building western cathedral presented great challenges of constructing a cathedral of this size by hands in the Far East. The progress was slow in the first few years and later, the employed a worker named Cai Xiao from Wuhua County as . Cai Xiao had many years of experience in building houses in his hometown, which enabled him to adopt a lot of unique and creative methods. He had never left the site since being employed and the construction of the cathedral took most of his youth but was finished in his lifetime.
Tensions between the missionaries and the local people often existed. The construction of the cathedral and its affiliated school and hospital required the teardown of many houses and relocation of people, and when almost all houses in Guangzhou are not more than 2 storeys high in the 19th century, the high-rise cathedral and its pointed twin spires created an unusual scene in the city. Local people feared the cathedral would influence the city's Feng shui, and consequently bring disaster. This resulted in more conflicts between the two sides.
The cathedral was finally inaugurated in 1888 after 25 years of construction.
Features
Covering an area of 2,754 square metres, it is the largest Roman Catholic church in the and the largest cathedral in China and Southeast Asia. The cathedral is 35 metres wide, 78.69 metres long, and the twin towers rise as high as 58.5 metres. The west tower is a clock tower while the east tower serves as a bell tower, inside which there are five gigantic copper bells shipped in from France in the 19th century.
The cathedral's structure consists mainly of granite blocks. It is one of the four all-granite gothic cathedrals in the world, while the other three ones include the Notre Dame de Paris in France. For this reason, it is nicknamed "Stone House" by local people. "石室" is pronounced "Shishi" in and "Seksat" in , hence the name "Shishi Cathedral" in or "Seksat Cathedral" in .
Restorations
Since its completion in 1888, the cathedral has undergone three big renovations. The first one was in 1920s, when then Archbishop Antoine-Pierre-Jean Fourquet replaced the timber roof, beams and staircases with concrete ones. The government spent RMB 150,000 for a second restoration in 1984 and 1986. The latest restoration was initiated in 2004 and finished in the autumn of 2006. The church spent RMB 3 million for the 19.64 million restoration project while the rest was covered by the government. The aim of the restoration project was to solve the problem of leakage by rebuilding the whole roof and all the beams. New stained glass imported from Philippines was used to replace the broken 19th century one. New lighting, audio and surveillance systems as well as a large mechanical clock on the west tower were also installed.
Mass schedule
Monday to Friday - 6:30a.m., 7:00a.m.
Saturday - 7:30p.m.
Sunday - 6:30a.m., 8:30a.m. , 10:30a.m. , 3:30p.m.
Nanjing Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium
The Nanjing Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium is an indoor arena in Nanjing, China. The arena used mainly for indoor sports such as basketball and figure skating. The facility has a capacity of 13,000 people and was opened in 2005. It is located near Nanjing Olympic Sports Center.
List of tallest buildings in Guangzhou
This list of tallest buildings in Guangzhou lists skyscrapers in Guangzhou, China by height. The tallest building in Guangzhou is currently CITIC Plaza, which stands 391 m tall.
This lists ranks Guangzhou skyscrapers that stand at least 150 m tall, based on standard height measurement. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts. Existing structures are included for ranking purposes based on present height. The Chinese name of each building is given in Traditional Chinese.
This lists buildings that are under construction in Guangzhou and are planned to rise at least 150 m . Buildings that have already been topped out are also included.
* Table entries without text indicate that information regarding building heights, floor counts, and/or dates of completion has not yet been released.
This lists buildings that are approved for construction in Guangzhou and are planned to rise at least 150 m .
This lists buildings that are proposed for construction in Guangzhou and are planned to rise at least 150 m .
* Table entries without text indicate that information regarding building heights, floor counts, and/or dates of completion has not yet been released.
Tallest buildings
This lists ranks Guangzhou skyscrapers that stand at least 150 m tall, based on standard height measurement. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts. Existing structures are included for ranking purposes based on present height. The Chinese name of each building is given in Traditional Chinese.
Tallest under construction, approved, and proposed
Under construction
This lists buildings that are under construction in Guangzhou and are planned to rise at least 150 m . Buildings that have already been topped out are also included.
* Table entries without text indicate that information regarding building heights, floor counts, and/or dates of completion has not yet been released.
Approved
This lists buildings that are approved for construction in Guangzhou and are planned to rise at least 150 m .
Proposed
This lists buildings that are proposed for construction in Guangzhou and are planned to rise at least 150 m .
* Table entries without text indicate that information regarding building heights, floor counts, and/or dates of completion has not yet been released.
Huaisheng Mosque
The Huaisheng Mosque in Guangzhou, also known as the Lighthouse Mosque, is, at over 1,300 years old, one of the oldest mosques in the world. It was named in memory of Prophet Muhammad. Its calling tower is 36 feet tall with a pointed tip. The building used to serve as a beacon for boats, which is how it got its alternative name. It has many other variant names like Great Mosque of Canton,Guangta Si Mosque, Hwai Sun Su Mosque, Huai-Sheng Mosque, Ying Tong Mosque, Huai-Shang Mosque, and Huai-Shang Si Mosque.
According to old manuscripts the mosque was built by Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas who was an uncle of Prophet Muhammad. He was on his first Muslim mission to China in the 630s. It is certain that the mosque existed during the Tang Dynasty, or in the early years of the Song Dynasty. The mosque was rebuilt in 1350 then in again in 1695 after being destroyed in a fire. The Huaisheng Light Tower or minaret was built at an earlier period.
History
According to old manuscripts the mosque was built by Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas who was an uncle of Prophet Muhammad. He was on his first Muslim mission to China in the 630s. It is certain that the mosque existed during the Tang Dynasty, or in the early years of the Song Dynasty. The mosque was rebuilt in 1350 then in again in 1695 after being destroyed in a fire. The Huaisheng Light Tower or minaret was built at an earlier period.
Guangzhou TV Tower
Guangzhou Tower is a 217 metres tall lattice telecommunication tower in the southern city of Guangzhou with an observation deck. It was erected in 1991.
A new Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower of 610 meters is being built in Guangzhou. Completion is expected in 2009.
A new Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower of 610 meters is being built in Guangzhou. Completion is expected in 2009.
Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower
Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower is a tower currently under construction in the city of Guangzhou, . It is due to be completed at the end of 2009, in order to be fully operational for the 2010 Asian Games.
The form, volume and hyperboloid structure are generated by two ellipses, one at foundation level and the other at an imaginary horizontal plane just above 450 metres. The tightening caused by the rotation between the two ellipses forms the characterizing ‘waist-line ’of the tower, and a densification of material. This means that the lattice structure, which at the bottom of the tower is porous and spacious, becomes denser at waist level. The waist itself is tightened, like a twisted rope; Further up the tower the lattice opens again, accentuated here by the tapering of the structural column-tubes.
The waist of the tower contains a 180m long open-air skywalk where visitors can physically climb the tower. There are outdoor gardens set within the structure, and at the top at +450m a large open-air observation deck.
The interior of the tower will be subdivided into programmatic zones with various functions including: TV and radio transmission facilities, observatory decks, revolving restaurants, computer gaming, restaurants, exhibition spaces, conference rooms, shops and 4D s.
A deck at the base of the tower hides the giant building’s functional workings. All infrastructural connections – and bus stations, and a pedestrian link to the northern of the river – are met underground. This level supports other facilities as well, including a museum, a food court, extensive commercial space, a 600-vehicle parking area for cars and tourist coaches. The entrance operates on two levels, one a continuation of the landscape above ground, the other connected to the mass-transit and underground-parking facilities. Slow-speed panoramic and enclosed high-speed double-decker lifts serve both entrance levels.
The intermediate zone, from +80m up to +170m, consist of facilities including a 4D , a play-hall area, restaurants, coffee shops and outdoor gardens with teahouses.
An open-air staircase, the Skywalk, starts at the height of +170 metres and spirals almost 200 metres higher, all the way through the waist.
The top zone of the building begins above the stairway, housing various technical functions as well as a two-storey rotating restaurant, a damper and the upper observation levels. From the upper observation levels it is possible to ascend even higher, via a further set of the stairs, to a terraced observation square rising above the tower’s top ring, high above the booming city of Guangzhou.
Design
The form, volume and hyperboloid structure are generated by two ellipses, one at foundation level and the other at an imaginary horizontal plane just above 450 metres. The tightening caused by the rotation between the two ellipses forms the characterizing ‘waist-line ’of the tower, and a densification of material. This means that the lattice structure, which at the bottom of the tower is porous and spacious, becomes denser at waist level. The waist itself is tightened, like a twisted rope; Further up the tower the lattice opens again, accentuated here by the tapering of the structural column-tubes.
The waist of the tower contains a 180m long open-air skywalk where visitors can physically climb the tower. There are outdoor gardens set within the structure, and at the top at +450m a large open-air observation deck.
The interior of the tower will be subdivided into programmatic zones with various functions including: TV and radio transmission facilities, observatory decks, revolving restaurants, computer gaming, restaurants, exhibition spaces, conference rooms, shops and 4D s.
A deck at the base of the tower hides the giant building’s functional workings. All infrastructural connections – and bus stations, and a pedestrian link to the northern of the river – are met underground. This level supports other facilities as well, including a museum, a food court, extensive commercial space, a 600-vehicle parking area for cars and tourist coaches. The entrance operates on two levels, one a continuation of the landscape above ground, the other connected to the mass-transit and underground-parking facilities. Slow-speed panoramic and enclosed high-speed double-decker lifts serve both entrance levels.
The intermediate zone, from +80m up to +170m, consist of facilities including a 4D , a play-hall area, restaurants, coffee shops and outdoor gardens with teahouses.
An open-air staircase, the Skywalk, starts at the height of +170 metres and spirals almost 200 metres higher, all the way through the waist.
The top zone of the building begins above the stairway, housing various technical functions as well as a two-storey rotating restaurant, a damper and the upper observation levels. From the upper observation levels it is possible to ascend even higher, via a further set of the stairs, to a terraced observation square rising above the tower’s top ring, high above the booming city of Guangzhou.
Guangzhou Gymnasium
The Guangzhou Gymnasium is an indoor arena in Guangzhou, China. The arena used mainly for basketball. The facility has a capacity of 10,000 people and was opened in 2001. It was designed by Paul Andreu.
Guangdong Provincial Museum
The Guangdong Provincial Museum is located on what was the original site of Zhongshan University in Guangzhou, on Wenming Road on the corner with Yuexiu Road.
There are two separate buildings. The building which housed the original Zhongshan university is now the Lu Xun Memorial Hall and contains an exhibition of objects related to Lu Xun and some other intellectuals who influenced Chinese modernization and indirectly prepared the way for the communist revolution. All notices are only in Chinese.
The new building to the right was initially built in 1957-1959 and greatly enlarged in 1992. It contains several distinct exhibitions and has notices in English. As you enter the main door, to the right, you can find an impressive historical exhibition of "Chaozhou wood carving" which is well worth seeing. On display are screens and other objects elaborately carved in wood as well as an explanation of the history and different techniques used in the art.
The next section on the ground floor is an exhibition of modern ceramic figures done in traditional Shiwan style. Each window is dedicated to a different artist with a brief biography and some examples of their work.
Upstairs there is a section dedicated to the history of the city of Guangzhou from prehistoric times to modern days. Guangzhou was always a center of trade with foreign nations and many of the objects from the semi-colonial years come from England .
Another section houses an exhibition of old Chinese pottery and china wares while yet another section contains posters in traditional Chinese calligraphy.
No photography is allowed in the museum. Admission fee in early 2004 was 15 yuan.
Sections
There are two separate buildings. The building which housed the original Zhongshan university is now the Lu Xun Memorial Hall and contains an exhibition of objects related to Lu Xun and some other intellectuals who influenced Chinese modernization and indirectly prepared the way for the communist revolution. All notices are only in Chinese.
The new building to the right was initially built in 1957-1959 and greatly enlarged in 1992. It contains several distinct exhibitions and has notices in English. As you enter the main door, to the right, you can find an impressive historical exhibition of "Chaozhou wood carving" which is well worth seeing. On display are screens and other objects elaborately carved in wood as well as an explanation of the history and different techniques used in the art.
The next section on the ground floor is an exhibition of modern ceramic figures done in traditional Shiwan style. Each window is dedicated to a different artist with a brief biography and some examples of their work.
Upstairs there is a section dedicated to the history of the city of Guangzhou from prehistoric times to modern days. Guangzhou was always a center of trade with foreign nations and many of the objects from the semi-colonial years come from England .
Another section houses an exhibition of old Chinese pottery and china wares while yet another section contains posters in traditional Chinese calligraphy.
Miscellaneous
No photography is allowed in the museum. Admission fee in early 2004 was 15 yuan.
Guangdong Province Museum
Guangdong Province Museum is located on 215 Wenming Rd., Guangzhou, Guangdong Province of China. It is a provincial general museum, founded in 1959 and with a land area of 43,000 square meters. It comprises three major parts: the museum, the relic of first national congress of Kuomintang and Lu Xun Memorial House. Other affiliated buildings include Red Tower and the observatory of Sun Yat-sen University.
Guangdong Olympic Stadium
The Guangdong Olympic Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. Currently used mostly for matches, the stadium was built in 2001. It has a capacity of 80,012 with multi-colored seats, positioned in multiple sections, and are connected via a ribbon pattern.
The Guangdong Olympic Stadium was opened to the public for the ninth National Games of the People's Republic of China in 2001. It was originally planned to help host the 2008 Summer Olympics until a decision was made to construct the in Beijing. The original design for the Guangdong Olympic Stadium was announced in 1999. Taking Guangzhou's nickname, the ''Flower City'', the firm of Ellerbe Becket designed Guangdong Olympic Stadium's sunscreen roof to resemble layers of petals on a flower. The design firm stated in its press release: "The stadium bowl grows out of the ground to a sculpted upper edge, like the petals of a flower. Floating above the bowl is a shimmering ribbon of roof flowing like a wave over the s. It parts at the ends and holds the Olympic flame, suspended between the two ribbons. A hotel surrounds a circular opening in the roof that forms a vertical tower of light, which at night is visible for a great distance."
* Guangzhou Pharmaceutical hosted the Premier League champions Manchester United here on 27 July 2007.
* Guangzhou Pharmaceutical hosted Chelsea F.C. on 23 July 2008 in the latter's first ever trip to China.
* The stadium will host the upcoming 2010 Asian Games.
The Guangdong Olympic Stadium was opened to the public for the ninth National Games of the People's Republic of China in 2001. It was originally planned to help host the 2008 Summer Olympics until a decision was made to construct the in Beijing. The original design for the Guangdong Olympic Stadium was announced in 1999. Taking Guangzhou's nickname, the ''Flower City'', the firm of Ellerbe Becket designed Guangdong Olympic Stadium's sunscreen roof to resemble layers of petals on a flower. The design firm stated in its press release: "The stadium bowl grows out of the ground to a sculpted upper edge, like the petals of a flower. Floating above the bowl is a shimmering ribbon of roof flowing like a wave over the s. It parts at the ends and holds the Olympic flame, suspended between the two ribbons. A hotel surrounds a circular opening in the roof that forms a vertical tower of light, which at night is visible for a great distance."
Major events
* Guangzhou Pharmaceutical hosted the Premier League champions Manchester United here on 27 July 2007.
* Guangzhou Pharmaceutical hosted Chelsea F.C. on 23 July 2008 in the latter's first ever trip to China.
* The stadium will host the upcoming 2010 Asian Games.
China Hotel
The China Hotel is a hotel in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
It was built in 1979 by the Hong Kong listed conglomerate Hopewell Holdings Ltd under a novel contractual agreement that came to be known as Build-Operate-Transfer, a means of building and operating joint ventures with local authorities in China. This arrangement allowed a foreign partner to build a facility at its own expense, operated it for an agreed length of time to generate a return on its investment, then hand it over to a local partner at no cost.
The 5-star, 1,200 room hotel was, at the time, the largest and most modern hotel in mainland China and is located in Guangzhou's commercial district.
It was built in 1979 by the Hong Kong listed conglomerate Hopewell Holdings Ltd under a novel contractual agreement that came to be known as Build-Operate-Transfer, a means of building and operating joint ventures with local authorities in China. This arrangement allowed a foreign partner to build a facility at its own expense, operated it for an agreed length of time to generate a return on its investment, then hand it over to a local partner at no cost.
The 5-star, 1,200 room hotel was, at the time, the largest and most modern hotel in mainland China and is located in Guangzhou's commercial district.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)