With a history of over 2000 years, Liwan has always been a fascinating place with beautiful sceneries and historic relics. It’s the window and epitome of Guangzhou’s “4 Place”:
1. The starting place of the Marine Silk Route. The well known 13 Hongs was the only foreign trading port in Qing Dynasty. It was the starting point of the Marine Silk Route. More than 1700 years ago, the Honorific Buddhist monk Damo came along the Marine Silk Route and landed in the place in this district named Xilanchudi to preach in Zen Buddhism.
 2. The Center Place of Lingnan Cullture. Typical representatives of construction culture in Liwan District include Chen Clan's Academy, Xiguan Residence, Arcade-houses, and Flagstone Street. The Hualin Temple is the typical representative of Zen Buddhism culture. Typical representatives of cooking culture include Guangzhou Restaurant, Lianxianglou Restaurant, Taotaoju Restaurant and Banxi Restaurant. It is said that “Best food in Guangzhou, Best Taste in Liwan and Both Rooted in Bantang”. Bahe Complex is the typical representative of Cantonese Opera. It’s China’s hometown of folk art.
3. The Source Place of modern revolution in China. Located on the bank of the Pearl River, the Taying Tower was the historical former address where Dr. Sun Yat-sen planned the 1911 Revolution. It witnessed Guangzhou’s great changes for 100 years.
4. The front place of China’s reform and opening-up. The first self-employed worker of Guangzhou appeared here. The first Chinese-foreign cooperation 5-star hotel of China, the White Swan Hotel located in this district. Nowadays private economy has become the important pillar of the district’s economic development. Liwan District has won the national titles of “Advanced District of Scientific & Technological Progress” and “Popular Science Demonstration Area”.
　  Over the past 30 years of China’s reform and opening-up, Liwan District, which has caught the opportunities of the strategic adjustment and deepening of development of Guangzhou, has been working hard to build “2 Business Centers”: Bai-E-Tan and 13 Hongs; to build “3 industry zones”: Longxi Logistics zone, Dongsha Economic zone and Chuangyi Industry zone; to build “4 Hi-Tech Industry Gardens”: Returned Students Science & Technology Garden, Guangzhou Numerical Control Equipment Hi-Tech Industry Garden, Guangzhou Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Innovation Science & Technology Garden, Kengkou Electronic Number Base; to build “5 Industry Areas”: Jinsha, Hainan, Wuyanqiao, Datansha and Haibei; to build “8 cultural tourism areas”: Xiguan Residence, Chen Clan's Academy, Shamian Scenic Spot, 13 Hongs, Hualin Zen Buddhism, Flower Exposition, Huangdaxian Temple, and Huadi Recreation; to build “10 kinds of markets”: medicine & medical equipments, aquatic products, antique crystal & jade articles, clothes & shoes, culture masterpieces, furniture & building materials, communication electron, tea, car, flowers & aquarium fish. Liwan District is aiming to develop the economic society healthily and rapidly, making it a powerful, attractive and harmonious district.