Guangzhou (also known as 'Canton') is heavily influenced by nearby Hong Kong. It is dwarfed by skyscrapers, has felt the tidal wave of consumerism and has a fondness for neon lights. Situated north of the Pearl River Delta, since 1957 Canton has been home to the famous annual trade fair, Chinese Export Commodities Fair. The clean and modern metro system has ... More> radically improved the once horribly congested city's transport system, providing a time-efficient and pleasant way to get around. Due to the fact that it was an Anglo-French concession after the Opium Wars, Guangzhou is hugely influenced by European architecture, with several neighbourhoods evoking architectural qualities reminiscent of Paris or London’s tree-lined avenues. Guangzhou has seemingly endless attractions; from temples to museums to herbal medical markets, zoos and beautiful orchid gardens. The nightlife here is lively while the culinary scope varies widely.