Guangzhou is the capital and largest city of Guangdong province in southern China. Located on the Pearl River about 120 km (75 mi) north-northwest of Hong Kong and 145 km (90 mi) north of Macau, Guangzhou has a history of over 2,200 years and was a major terminus of the maritime Silk Road; it continues to serve as a major port and transportation hub as well as being one of China’s three largest cities.
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| Guangzhou in 1978 |
For a long time the only Chinese port accessible to most foreign traders, Guangzhou was captured by the British during the First Opium War. No longer enjoying a monopoly after the war, it lost trade to other ports such as Hong Kong and Shanghai, but continued to serve as a major transshipment port.
Due to a high urban population and large volumes of port traffic, Guangzhou is classified as a Large-Port Megacity, the largest type of port-city in the world. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, the major airport of Guangzhou, became the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic in 2020.
Guangzhou is home to many of China’s most prestigious universities, including Sun Yat-sen University, South China University of Technology, Jinan University, South China Normal University, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou University, Southern Medical University, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine.
These fascinating photos were taken by
David G. that documented everyday life of Guangzhou in 1978.
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| Acrobatics lesson, Guangzhou, 1978 |
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| Acrobatics lesson, Guangzhou, 1978 |
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| Bicyclist, Guangzhou, 1978 |
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| Big character poster posted during the Democracy Wall period, Guangzhou, December 1978 |
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| Bookstore, Guangzhou, 1978 |
