Hey Hey and a Big G'Day toya,
 
What is the outcome of massacres and martyrs?
Lush green parks full of lakes, pavilions and stone bridges!
 
Yes China honours its important past moments very well and as I have visited several Martyrs Parks in many cities I thought I'd make my way to the one in my current city. I must say the worst one I have visited would be in Xian and sadly there isn't much of a difference between the Xian Martyrs Park and their Botanical Gardens.
 
Both are honestly not worth your time.
The most outstanding prior to today would be Shanghai's Martyrs Park.
 
The most outstanding now, at 8:15pm as I sit with my ElcheapO Mc Donald's coffee would have to be the Guangzhou Martyrs Park. It was an absolute delight and I spent the entire afternoon slowly walking around its gardens and lakes. I really am falling in love with this city and its wonderful smells and sites. Strangely it makes me homesick for the south of China. On every street there is a new and tasty snack or meal waiting to be had and the weateher and the colours.
 
It feels so much like being back in Guangxi Province.
And to be honest, I really do miss it so so very much.
 
The north has Luo Wie but as I've written on so many occasions before, there really is a huge difference between the north and the south and being here now entrenches it even more. I simply can't compare them when thinking about foods, colours, smells, pollution, minority people and their history, different languages/dialects, the weather etc. Everything is different so much so that to me the north is like being in a black and white photograph and the south is like being in a ten megapixel digital photograph viewed on a big plasma screen.
 
Having lived and travelled in China for so long it becomes harder and harder to explain 'differences'. Especially between the north and south.
 
I know it should be easier but it isn't as its becoming more and more like a mental thing along with a physical one. Living in the north is like living in a drab industrial area and living in the south is more like living on a tropical island. That's a bit over the top I know but if you add to that the in the north your noodles would come, well, just as noodles do. But in the south they would be made to suite the people and the culture and your noodles would be colourful, full of spices and they would have an aroma that would have you drooling before you even lift your chopsticks.
 
Anyhow, enough of that.
Back to the topic of the Martyrs Garden shall we!
 
On Metro Line number one there is a station called Lieshi Lingyuan or now it is better known as the Martyrs Park Station and that's what you will find on all ticket mahines etc. Most of the station names have been changed to what ever tourist site is nearby. So if you are here with only your Lonely Planet or another guide book it may get a little confusing. If you are confused simply think of what you are going to visit that day and I'm sure that is what the station will be called.
 
When you arrive at the Martyrs Park station you are about two hundred meters from the main gate way.
(if you take exit D).
 
It costs only three Yuan to enter and if you love parks and gardens like me prepare yourself for quite a few hours of slow relaxed walking. I was lucky enough to come across a group of young students and their Art Teacher who organizes different places for them to spend each afternoon they have together. Some of them were really very good. Even though they are thirty years younger than me they simply can draw much better then me, that's why I have a camera! The two center pavilions are beautiful, the white one was my favourite, the other with the large concrete book before it, is where you'll find many old Chinese dancing and playing checkers etc.
 
Even the staff are happy and very friendly and offer you a big toothy grin and Helooow!
In China never be fooled by site just because it is a 'Revolutionary Site'.
Many of them really are well worth a visit and your time!
 
The Memorial Garden to the Martyrs
 
The Martyrs Cemetery Park was built in 1954 to commemorate those who died bravely during the Guangzhou insurrection led by the Communist Party of China in December 1927. Over five thousand lives were lost and the massacre occurred when a small group of workers, led by the Communist Party, were gunned down by Kuomintang forces.
 
The park was opened to the general public in May 1958.
Spanning an area of 186,000 square meters, the park is divided into two zones, the Memorial and Gardens.
 
Within the grounds you can visit Memorial Avenue, the Guangzhou Insurrection Monument, many spacious and green lawns, beautiful lakes with stone bridges and several what are known as 'Blood Sacrifice' Pavillions (North Korea, Russia etc). There is also a fun park, children's playground, a skate park and on many occasions each year the park hosts horticulture, photography, calligraphy and art exhibitions too. After my peaceful and relaxing green afternoon I soon found myself amongst the noisy tree covered and people filled neon streets. Depending on where you are here in Guangzhou, sometimes its like you an almost feel people spending money.
 
It just doesn't stop and the LP got it spot on with;
 
Influenced by neighbouring Hong Kong, consumerism has swept up the city in a head spinning frenzy.
But scratch away the cities glittery surface and you'll find a place quite special! 
It just takes a little time to grow on you!
 
And grow on me it has!
Indeed!
 
Beers N Noodles toya.....shane
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The soundtrack to this entry was by Massive Attack
The album was the beautiful 'Mezzanine'
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