TAKE A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE: 2017 > BACK TO THE HOMELAND

BY HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

1 APRIL 2024

After 5 days in China (Yangshuo, Guilin, and Guangzhou), the time has come for us to return to our beloved Motherland.

We are expected to depart for Kuala Lumpur by Air Asia Flight from Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou at 10.00 am.

BAIYUN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, GUANGZHOU

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, we continue to Baiyun Airport, Guangzhou, which is located approximately 5.3 km from our hotel.

Baiyun International Airport is the main airport of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province. In 2015, Baiyun International Airport was the 3rd busiest airport in China and the 17th busiest in the world, with a total of 55,201,915 passengers. This airport was opened on August 5, 2004, to replace the old airport, which has now been closed.

We will definitely miss our tour guide, Mr. Alex.

This is the end of our 6-day journey in Mainland China. This visit will always be the most beautiful memory for our family, God willing. If there is sustenance, we will go to another country... May God grant us sustenance to walk on this beautiful earth created by Almighty God.

GOODBYE CHINA.....

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

1 April 2024 > 21 Ramadan 1445H: 9.28 a.m

TAKE A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE: 2017 > GUANGZHOU (2ND DAY)

HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

31 MARCH 2024

Previously, we had breakfast outside the hotel, but this morning we had breakfast at our hotel, the Royal Tulip Luxury Carat Hotel.

Second and last day in Guangzhou, our first visit program is to the herb shop. I don't remember where the location is.

HERBAL TEA - GUANGZHOU

Herbal tea shops can be seen on many of the city's streets, and it is even said that "Guangzhou has more herbal tea shops than rice shops."

Herbal teas are beverages made from the infusion or decoction of herbs, spices, or other plant materials in hot water. In Guangzhou, herbal teas are divided into sweet teas and bitter teas. The teas help expel heat and dampness from the body, providing great relief during the hot summer.

From here, we headed to Yuexiu Park, which is the largest recreational park in Guangzhou, with an area of 920,000 square meters. Every year, there is a Spring Festival held here.

YUEXIU PARK, GUANGZHOU

Yuexiu Park in the Zhongshan area covers the Yuexiu area before it was enlarged in 2005. It is said to have existed since 214 BC.

Among the main attractions of Yuexiu Park are the Guangzhou Museum located in Zhanhai Tower, Orchid Garden, Nanyue King's Tomb, Guangxiao Temple, Six Banyan Temple, Huaisheng Mosque, Beijing Lu Shopping District, Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, and others.

A fantastic place for older people to enjoy some exercise.

Completed in 1931, this grand structure dedicated to Dr. Sun Yat Sen contains displayss of memorabilia. He is called the "Father of the Nation" in the present-day Republic of China (Taiwan) and the "Forerunner of the Revolution"  in the People's Republic of China for his instrumental role in the overthrowing of the Qing Dynasty during the 1911 Revolution. 

A famous museum mainly displays the original site of the 2000-year-old stone chamber tomb of Zhao Mo, the second King of Nanyue State, and the precious unearthed cultural relics from the tomb. 

From Yuexiu Park, we were taken for lunch at Mint Leaf Sri Lanka Restaurant, a Muslim restaurant located on Beijing Road, Guangzhou. The distance is approximately 3 km from Yuexiu Park.

Mint Leaf Sri Lanka Restaurant is a Halal restaurant that serves Southeast Asian cuisine. The restaurant is a good choice for customers who want a variety of options and cuisines to choose from. Popular dishes of the restaurant include cauliflower masala, salt and pepper tofu and many more. 

The service is good and the waiters and waitresses are very pleasant - they always want to help although their English is very limited. 

All are 

Halal food here, I would definitely recommended it to anyone looking for Malaysian or Indian food in Guangzhou, even you can find most of the Asian style food, but don't expect it to taste exactly like your own country. its more of Chinese cooking style. For me it's fine, at least, its able to cure the longing of Malaysians who are abroad‼ 

After lunch, we were given the opportunity to go shopping around Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, which is located in front of this restaurant.

BEIJING ROAD PEDESTRIAN STREET

Located in downtown Guangzhou, Beijing Road is the most prosperous Commercial centre of Guangzhou and the good place for tourism and shopping. Beijing Road has a unique charm with deep traditional atmosphere and bustling  fashion elements. 

Beijing Road is one of the busiest shopping locations in Guangzhou, here you will find some of the biggest brands for clothes and cosmestics. 

After a few hours on Beijing Road, we were taken to another shopping place, Onelink International Plaza, located at YiDe Lu, Yuexiu Qu, Guangzhou, approximately 2.2 km away.

ONELINK PLAZA, GUANGZHOU

Onelink Plaza is the largest wholesale market in Guangzhou with 138.9 meters high and a total of 41 layers. It is one of the landmark buildings in the north shore of Pearl River, the large modern business centre for wholesale, sales and business office. 

Here you will find toys, home furnishings, gifts, arts and crafts. You most certainly will find some items here that you will not find anywhere else and is the best place to shop for souvenirs and gifts for friends and family.

As the Asr prayer time was almost over, we headed straight to the oldest mosque in Guangzhou, the Huaisheng Mosque on Guangta Road, for the Asr and Zohor Prayers (Jamak Takhir). The distance is approximately 2.7 km from Onelink International Plaza. 

HUAISHENG MOSQUE, GUANGZHOU

The Huaisheng Mosque at 56 Guangta Road, also known as the Lighthouse Mosque, is the main mosque in Guangzhou. It is the oldest and first mosque built in China approximately 1300 years ago.

In the historical records of the State of China and also in the old Muslim Manuscripts in China, it is recorded that this mosque was built in the year 627 AD by one of the companions of Rasulullah s.a.w named Saad bin Abi Waqqas (one of the 10 companions who were promised heaven). Most Chinese historians agree that Muslims reached China in the 7th century AD.

Huaisheng Mosque was built during the Tang Dynasty. This mosque was then rebuilt in 1350 AD during the Yuan Dynasty and again in 1695 AD during the reign of the Qing Dynasty after being destroyed in a fire.

Reference:

1. Wikipedia - Islam in China

2. Wikipedia - List of Mosques in China

After the prayer, we returned to the hotel because tonight we have a program suggested by our Tour Leader, Ustaz Ariff. We held a potluck at Ustaz Ariff's hotel room because tonight was our last night in China. Tomorrow, we will be going back to Malaysia.

Feeling sad as this is our last night together. Tomorrow, we will go back to our country. A little advice from Ustaz Ariff is that our friendship will not end here. Hopefully, we will be in touch with each other often in the future.

Next:

Back to Malaysia

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

1 April 2024 > 21 Ramadan 1445H: 2.22 a.m