Guangzhou

Some of the key events about Guangzhou

• 214 BCE

  The city was founded as Panyu, serving as the capital of the Nanyue Kingdom
• 1516

  The first European trading post was established in the city
• 1684

  Guangzhou became the sole port for foreign trade in China
• 1841

  The First Opium War resulted in the forced opening of Guangzhou to foreign trade
• 1842

  The city was opened to foreign trade following the First Opium War
• 1894

  A devastating plague outbreak killed thousands in the city
• 1917

  The first modern bridge across the Pearl River, Haizhu Bridge, was completed
• 1938

  Japanese forces occupied Guangzhou during the Second Sino-Japanese War
• 1950

  A major fire destroyed much of the city's historic Thirteen Factories district
• 1957

  The Canton Fair, China's largest trade fair, was established
• 1958

  The Great Leap Forward campaign led to economic disruption and food shortages in the region
• 1966

  The Cultural Revolution caused widespread social and economic upheaval in Guangzhou
• 1984

  Guangzhou was designated as one of China's first Special Economic Zones
• 1987

  A major fire in the Guangzhou Textile Factory killed 37 workers
• 2003

  Guangzhou was severely affected by the SARS epidemic
• 2010

  The city hosted the 16th Asian Games
• 2010

  Severe flooding caused by heavy rains killed over 100 people in Guangzhou and surrounding areas
• 2011

  The Canton Tower, one of the world's tallest structures, was opened to the public
• 2016

  Guangzhou was recognized as a UNESCO Creative City in the field of gastronomy
• 2020

  The COVID-19 pandemic led to lockdowns and economic disruption in the city

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.