Panyu is a district - the third level of administrative division in China - of Guangzhou prefecture. It lies at the heart of the Pearl River Delta. Facing the Lion Sea in the east and the estuary of the Pearl River in the south, its eastern border is separated from the Dongguan by a strip of water, and the western border of Panyu is adjacent to the cities of Nanhai, Shunde and Zhongshan, while it abuts the downtown of Guangzhou in the north. Although its area is much smaller than the world's largest cities, its population certainly exceeds many of the big metropolises.
Population: There are around 1.8 million people living in Panyu - that's as many people as there are in the state of Idaho.
Scenery: Today, Panyu is experiencing rapid change every single day. However, some corners have managed to preserve traces of life during the Song dynasty. True to its name (Yu means “ancient area”), Panyu’s Shawan village will transport you back in time. Imagine the inspiration that ancient scholars and artists drew from the scenery around their houses and shrines. The Lotus Mountain and the Baomo Garden were surely magical spots where the people of Panyu retreated to spend time with nature, gather their thoughts, or nowadays, escape the pressures of city life. Lingnan Impression Park is surrounded by water, with Luoxi Island in the west, Biological Island in the north , Changzhou Island in the east, and Pazhou Island, where the Convention and Exhibition Center is located, across the river. The distinctive streets, ancestral halls, dwellings and shops in Lingnan Impression Garden fully demonstrate the essence of Lingnan traditional culture.
Food: Panyu district is one of the birthplaces of Cantonese food. Its speciality dishes have a long and rich history. There is a famous saying: "Guangzhou food has its roots in Panyu and its flavour in Panyu". Some of the Cantonese staple dishes include fried rice, congee, sweet and sour pork, char siu, various types of fried noodles and many others. Some of the local Panyu specialties are the Shawan ginger milk and Dashi pickled tofu.