Reform and opening has brought prosperity to the Cantonese, allowing them the time to cultivate their spiritual pursuits, and enhance their life style and cultural concepts.

The Guangzhou People's Park is always thronged with people dancing, or performing local Yue (short name for Guangdong) Opera, whether at dawn in the humid summer, or at the mild winter's dusk. The free ballroom dancing classes there attract both young and old dance enthusiasts, whose graceful movements, and dresses swirling to popular music are just one aspect of this city's transition from old to new, in whose midst can be witnessed a melding of Eastern and Western culture.

The People's Park itself is a combination of Eastern and Western architectural styles. From the Sui (581-618) to the Qing (1644-1911) Dynasty it was site of the local government mansion. In 1917, at the suggestion of Sun Yat-sen, it was rebuilt into the Number 1 Park, to be used, as might be the case in the West, as a recreational site for the local people. In November 1926, its name was changed to the Central Park, and in 1966 at the beginning of the "cultural revolution" (1966-76) it was renamed the People's Park. In 1998 the wall between the park and the neighboring Guangdong Provincial Government was knocked down, thus creating a public square.

Most of the park's patrons are middle-aged and senior citizens. The latter come to sing, dance, drink tea and read newspapers, or to look after their grandchildren.

The Shamian area along the Zhujiang River was a foreign settlement during the 1920s and 1930s, so most of the architecture there is in Western style. The scene in nearby Xiguan, however, is completely different. This district was formerly the residence of wealthy businessmen, but the old buildings are now broken down, dilapidated and moss covered. There is a plan to build a subway in this region, and most of the old houses now await demolition. Many families have already moved out. One might occasionally see a white-haired, inscrutable elderly women in the alleyways -- a reminder of the old days of the city. Like other parts of the city, the area will soon be covered by highrise buildings.

The new buildings and facilities will not, however, change local people's living habits. The cheap, delicious snacks of Xiguan, sold at small shops along the streets, are typical Guangdong cuisine. The older people enjoy sitting in a teahouse, reading the newspaper and eating sweetmeats to pass away their mornings. The park is another popular spot for them. Cheapness and convenience are the characteristics of life in Guangzhou, making it an eminently suitable place for seniors.

The new cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai, further attractions within this southern Chinese province, form a marked contrast with Guangzhou. Young Shenzhen citizens live a very up-to-date lifestyle. In 1997, Madame Zhang commuted from Hong Kong to her job at a public relations company in Shenzhen, whereas now, she has moved to Shenzhen to enjoy its tranquility, fresh air and open spaces. Shenzhen has become the back garden of Hong Kong.

Zhuhai is constructed as a tourist city. The broad avenue along its riverside is known as Sweetheart Road, because on summer evenings, when shaddocks are in season, young people would gather there to eat this fruit and to court. With its small population, Zhuhai City has complete facilities and beautiful views, which draw vistors to it all year round.

Guangzhou is trying to adjust to one particular international practice -- that of being open for business 24 hours a day. Its streets bristle with 24-hour shops that sell food and everyday commodities, and a few first-aid type medical and pharmeutical goods. According to international practice, prices there are 10 to 20 percent higher than those in ordinary super markets. Some pharmacies and banks also open 24 hours, a symbol of a cosmopolis.

As the earliest city to open up, Guangzhou is something of a leader in national development trends. Consequently many young people go there seeking work opportunities and experience.

In the early 1980s, when China had just begun its reform and opening, Hong Kong pop music was introduced to the mainland via Guangzhou, and many of the current Chinese pop stars began their careers in Guangzhou. There is also scope for more classical style entertainment in the city. Zhang Dandan, a leading dancer in the China Central Ballet Troupe of Beijing, came to Guangzhou to set up the Guangzhou Ballet Troupe, introducing a cultural aspect to the lives of local people, and at the same time, providing herself with the chance to develop her career.

Guangdong newspapers and periodicals seem relatively open and tolerant, and focus on international politics, culture and economy in unselfconscious, uninhibited reportage. The economic boom within the province has promoted its cultural development. The Hong Kong media was originally the main influence on the Guangdong mass media, which, whereas now, has developed its own open-minded characteristics, and shows more cultural diversity. Some of its local newspapers, such as Southern Weekend, 21st Century Economic Report and the Southern City News have become influential nationally. Such journals suit the tastes of middle-class citizens and intellectuals.

Guangdong is the southern door to China, and presents an image of rapidly changing China to the outside world, at the same time introducing the rest of the world to the country.