Guangzhou/North and East

North and East Guangzhou refers to five outlying districts of Guangzhou:
 * Baiyun (白云 Baahk wàhn in Cantonese, Báiyún in Mandarin) — This district has a big rural touch, but is slowly being taken over by new developments. Highlights include the Baiyun Mountain.
 * Huangpu (黄埔 Wòhng bou in Cantonese, Huángpǔ in Mandarin) — Not well known among foreign tourists, this district is to the east of the city center. Highlights include the former Huangpu Military Academy. Luogang (萝岗 Lòh gōng in Cantonese, Luógǎng in Mandarin) District became a part of Huangpu District in 2014.
 * Huadu (花都 Fā dōu in Cantonese, Huādū in Mandarin) — This is a developing industrial area. Highlights include Huadu Square and the New Baiyun International Airport.
 * Zengcheng (增城 Jāng sìhng in Cantonese, Zēngchéng in Mandarin) is famous for its lychee fruit, which are picked in June and July.
 * Conghua (从化 Chùhng fa in Cantonese, Cónghuà in Mandarin) is known for its hot springs and Tianhe (Heavenly Lake) Recreation area.

Understand
A once densely forested area, Zengcheng was founded in the year 201AD, and is a well developed town with good transportation. Within China, Zengcheng is famous for its high quality and juicy lychees, which are sold under the brand-name of Gualu (挂绿 guàloù). It cannot be considered a tourist destination but if you find yourself there, head towards the river to see the locals going about their business much as they have done for centuries. There are a number of good restaurants and a few moderate bar/clubs, just 2 serious supermarkets and one multi storey shopping mall.

When to visit
The best time to visit Zengcheng is in June and July when the lychees are ripe and dripping with juice.

Places to visit
Lycheng - is the central area of the city of Zengcheng.

Xintang - the economomic city of the Zengcheng area. A huge electrical industry is growing in Xintang because the Xintang city government is offering the best regulations to the factories. Because of the superiority, more and more companies have built new factories in Xintang.

By bus
Buses run from Guangzhou to Zengcheng from around 07:00 to 21:00. There are several routes (including the 637 and 638 - others are not numbered) departing from different places in Guangzhou. A good place to get a bus is from Tianhe bus station. You can catch a bus from a mini bus station at the front of the main one or cross the road and catch one of many routes. A one way ticket costs from ¥16 from Tianhe, and the journey takes about 1 hour 45 minutes from the Liuhua bus station opposite the main railway station, or about 1 hour 20 minutes from Tianhe bus station.

Get around
Zengcheng has an efficient bus service. Most bus stops have a map showing the routes, but the routes on the city map are completely wrong (2007).

If you want to go to the villages you will have to take a local bus. But you need a local guide who can take you there.

Do
Visit the villages. They are old and historic. The Chans come from Sa Chuen, Sun Gaai and Hargee. The Wongs from Gua Leng, Bak Sui and Yiel Tien.The Lees from Go Yi.

Buy
Zengcheng produces high quality and the best tasting rice, which is called ZengCheng Si-Miao rice.

Eat
The lychees were really good. Apparently there are a few varieties, each having its own season. The best is supposed to come from Gua Leng village. A word of warning, don't eat too many - you'll lose your voice.

Drink
For a truly unique and exhilarating, Zengcheng experience, head to the Windflower after 11PM where you will be looked after by the locals as if you were royalty. The music is loud and fast and the waitresses louder and faster. Play your cards right and you won't even need to pay for a beer. Amazing

Go next

 * Baihua Hill Village - near a reservoir and Baihua hill. As the village is situated at a higher altitude than the city, it is always cooler and the atmosphere is peaceful and relaxing. The area also has an abundance of flowers. There is a frequent bus service between the village and Zengcheng city center.