The Guangzhou Story (Two-Volume Set)

Drawing on rich, detailed historical sources and written in lively, accessible prose, The Story of Guangzhou recounts the city's turbulent history from the Neolithic Age to 1949. It traces how Guangzhou went from a remote, uncivilized land to a major center of foreign trade, enduring repeated destruction before flourishing again. The book is organized by dynasty and follows four interwoven threads. The first is the changing shape of the city: how Guangzhou grew from nothing, and how its walls, buildings, and streets took shape. The second is the changing way of life, especially in clothing, food, housing, transport, and entertainment, as well as folk customs and festivals. The third is economic change: what made Guangzhou prosper? Not industry or agriculture, but commerce, especially foreign trade. Guangzhou was one of the starting points of the Maritime Silk Road and holds an important place in the history of foreign trade both in China and around the world. The fourth is cultural change, encompassing Guangzhou's culture, education, religion, folk arts, and crafts.