Atlas
Pearl River
The Pearl River forms a major water network through the delta, linking South China Sea routes with regional trade.
Prefecture: Foshan
Province: GuangdongA sailing boat and several cargo boats cross the broad river, while on the right, hanging roots of large trees frame a yellow arched-window building with stone steps down to the water.
Vista1
- Bai'etan Pearl River Scenic Confluence
The historic harbor where three rivers converge, facing Shamian Island and the Thirteen Hongs maritime enclave.
Gate & Wall1
- Shamian Island Historic Architecture in Guangzhou
A 19th-century European architectural quarter on Shamian Island by the Pearl River, shaded by banyan trees.
Archaeology1
- Humen Forts & Weiyuan Coastal Defense Site
The formidable coastal forts guarding the Pearl River Estuary, key battlefield of the First Opium War.
Infrastructure1
- Lingyang Gorge Ancient Trail on West River
A 9km cliffside trackers' trail carved above the deepest gorge of the West River entering the Pearl delta.
In its history2
- Li Longji685–762 CE
Part of Pearl River's history: Maritime Silk Road Flourishing. Tang emperor of the Kaiyuan and Tianbao eras who took power in the coups of 710 and 713 and fled to Sichuan when An Lushan rebelled
- Jianzhen688–763 CE
Part of Pearl River's history: Maritime Silk Road Flourishing. Tang Vinaya master from Yangzhou who reached Japan on his sixth attempt in 753, blind by then, and founded the Toshodaiji in Nara
Han1
- Zhao Tuo Establishes the Nanyue Kingdomc. 204 BCE
Around 204 BCE, Zhao Tuo annexed Guilin and Xiang commanderies, proclaimed himself Martial King of Nanyue, and established his capital at Panyu.
Tang2
- Maritime Silk Road Flourishing
Establishing maritime customs in Guangzhou, inaugurating the flourishing era of Indian Ocean trade.
- Guangzhou Establishes a Maritime Trade Office714 CE, Tang
In 714, the Tang court appointed a maritime trade commissioner at Guangzhou to manage overseas commerce and shipping.
Qing1
- Lin Zexu Destroys Opium at HumenQing Dynasty (1839 CE)
From 3 to 25 June 1839, Lin Zexu supervised the public destruction of confiscated opium at Humen, totaling more than 2.37 million jin.