China - Part 3: Guangzhou (Seafood Extravaganza!)

Seeking lower altitudes, we headed from the Yunnan province to warm and sunny Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province. Located in the southern part of China, it is a port on the Pearl River. It is renowned for its seafood, pottery and the very cool safari hotel - ChimeLong Hotel...the home of 2 white tigers, dozens of flamingos and a wild animal park. GZ is rich in history and the home of my ancestors. We visited the countryside where we had the opportunity to see villages and palaces called "Diew Lao". Chinese businessmen who conducted overseas trading with the U.S. ended up settling in this area of GuangDong and built these "palaces" once they made their fortune. For these businessmen, after making their fortune, they shifted focus to building a family.

One of our memorable meals was upon our arrival in Guangzhou where we hit up a local seafood restaurant located close to our hotel. This restaurant came highly-recommended from my dad's friend who is a GZ local.

Fresh homemade meat buns

Baby shrimp and fish stir-fry

Handmade Shrimp Wonton Soup

Freshly-milled black seasame seed pudding

With the abundance of seafood in this harbor city, our last meal in Guangzhou was at another famous seafood restaurant. The restaurant occupies four stories. The first floor consisted of a supermarket where restaurant goers had the opportunity to select their meal. From live crocodiles to fresh sea urchin, we were in awe of all the live selection.

Live crocodiles

Sea Urchin

Lobster

Water Bugs (looked like roaches... :S)

Sea Turtle

Sand worms

After walking through the first floor, we were ready to eat! The special thing about this restaurant was that it was all private dining rooms. Each room had its own personal waiter/waitress, private bathroom and private food preparation room. The room itself was elegantly designed room with plasma TV. GZ locals sure know how to live and eat!

Razor clam stir-fry

Roast pork

Fresh shrimp stir-fry

House specialty chicken

Garlic baked scallops

Soy-braised duck wings

Shrimp dumplings

Turnip pastries

Sweet clementines

Our stay in Guangzhou was short but definitely memorable as this province represented our roots. The flavors of this province is the heart and soul of Cantonese cuisine. Not to mention, our accommodations at the Chimelong Hotel was top-notch. Waking up and having breakfast next to white tigers and pink flamingos located in the atrium of the hotel was quite a site. Thank you Guangzhou...Macau here we come!