Knowing Guangzhou, Knowing the History of China--A Book Review

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 ◆ Knowing Guangzhou, Knowing the History of China--A Book Review

Title: Heaven Is High, the Emperor Far Away -- Merchants and Mandarins in Old Canton Written by: Valery M. Garrett Pages: 210 Published by: Oxford University Press (China) Ltd. Reviewed by: Gloria Shang Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province, was known widely in the West as Canton. Situated by the Pearl River, the city has easy access to the South China Sea. Foreign trade developed earlier here than in any other port city in China. The book Heaven Is High, the Emperor Far Away  Merchants and Mandarins in Old Canton gives detailed accounts on Guangzhou's history of developing from an ancient port city to a modern metropolis. Guangzhou, Where the Ancient Silk Road on the Sea Started During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Arabic merchants sailed from the Mid-east to Guangzhou to trade for silk and porcelain produced in China with what they had brought: spices, agate, amber, ivory and rhinoceros horn Guangzhou became the start point of the Silk Road on the Sea. Guangzhou was one of the greatest international markets of the world. As described in the book: "A market was officially opened in 750, with an officer appointed to receive imperial duties. Between 763 and 778 more than 4,000 foreign ships arrived at the port." The Portuguese came to dominate trade in Asia in the 16th century. "In the years following the Portuguese arrival, more foreigners sailed for Canton in search of trade, with the Japanese arriving in 1575, the Dutch in 1601, and the English in 1637." While more and more foreign merchants settled down in Guangzhou to do business, they established their own communities, called fanfang by the Chinese, outside the city walls of Guangzhou. The author gives a vivid picture of lives of the Arabic people in the fanfang of Guangzhou: "After mooring their ships, Arab merchants made straight for the mosque next to the minaret to give thanks for a safe journey." Huaisheng (or Wai Sheng, meaning "In Memory of the Saint") Mosque, was built in 620 by Abu Wangus, an Islamic missionary who was said to be an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad. It is the oldest mosque ever found in China and one of the oldest in the world. Guangta, or Light Tower, is a minaret, which was first built in 850 and renovated in 1468. A witness of the Arabic merchants' activities in Guangzhou, Guangta and Huaisheng Mosque remain as a venue for Islamic activities as well as a tourist attraction. A Reflection of Modern Chinese History The title of the book, literally meaning Tian Gao, Huangdi Yuan in Chinese, shows the author's deep understanding of the Chinese history and culture. As the Central Plains in the north had headquartered ancient China's ruling authorities of various dynasties, Guangzhou, located on the southernmost edge of the Chinese mainland, separated from the northern part of the country by the Nanling Mountains, was indeed far away from the emperor, or the central ruling authorities. This gave the city a private stage to display its unique characteristics in each period of Chinese history. Alongside foreign trade, Guangzhou was also one of the first Chinese cities Western missionaries visited. Foreign influences had not only left Guangzhou clusters of Western-style houses in the district called Shamin, but also, in many ways, defined Guangzhou's roles in modern Chinese history. The city always stood on the frontline during the country's progressive changes. Hong Xiuquan, leader of the Heavenly Peace Kingdom, a peasant uprising that took place in the mid-19th century, was born in a village 50 km from the city proper of Guangzhou. The city was Dr. Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary base, from where he launched many uprisings and democratic movements before the victory of the 1911 Revolution. In the early 1920s, under the city government of the Republic system, kindergartens, schools and colleges following Western examples were established. Meanwhile, the Nationalist Party founded the Huangpu Military School to train officers for the North Expedition and Communist leaders, such as Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, also gathered in Guangzhou to run training courses for peasant leaders. It is not surprising that Guangzhou again led the country in the late 20th century in opening to the outside world and accelerating economic development. Scenes of Chinese Social Lives Unlike some history books, which often bore the readers with overloaded charters and numbers, Heaven Is High, the Emperor Far Away presents you such vivid descriptions that when you read it, you feel as if you were going through the scenes of a historical documentary. You are presented not only major events of various historical periods, but scenes of people's lives of the time. For example, as far as the means of transportation in the early 20th century is concerned, it writes: "The general public traveled in sedan chairs made of bamboo and covered with dusty black oil-cloth carried by two or three groaning bearers Wealthy merchants and lower-ranking mandarins sat in smart four-bearer chairs covered with blue cloth and decorated with braid and tassels, while high officials had eight bearers." During 1920-21, the city walls were demolished, according to the book, and three-lined thoroughfares were built "so that motor buses, taxis, and trams could travel alongside rickshaws and sedan chairs." Through these lines, we can obtain a clear picture about how people of different social status traveled in the Guangzhou streets during those historical periods. It is a book not only for scholars, but tourists and others too. Popular scenic spots are introduced deliberately. Yuexiu Park, for example, is mentioned on P. 179: "Yuexiu Park was formed in 1927 by enclosing Yu Hill and Kwun Yam Hill, the Five-Story Pagoda became the Canton Municipal Museum two years later. After the museum's opening, it was fashionable to take tiffin, a light lunch, on the top floor, and it remains a pleasant place to sit with a cool drink, looking south towards the Pearl River." After reading this book, I'm sure the reader will put Yuexiu Park on top of his or her itineraries once in Guangzhou, to enjoy the beautiful scenery and to imagine how the park looked and functioned in the past. The numerous illustrations, historical photos and drawings inserted in relevant chapters make reading of this history book a pleasant enjoyment. Also, the "Addendum", including "Table of Chinese Dynasties and Periods", "Selected Bibliography" and "Index", helps readers, even those with little background in Chinese history, feel easy to read.