Guangzhou Guide, China Business Environment. In terms of population, Guangzhou is one of the largest cities in China. It is a modern scientific-technical, educational, and cultural center. Thus, it is incredibly popular among travelers. The city's name is associated with numerous controversial stories. Just a few decades ago, residents of European countries called this city Canton. It is believed that the modern name of the city has appeared because of an incorrect interpretation of the Cantonese dialect. It is noteworthy that nowadays some Europeans officially use the old name of Guangzhou Canton. It's hard to imagine that the stylish and large metropolis is one of the oldest cities in the world. In fact, Guangzhou is more than 2,000 years old. According to the historical records, it was founded in 862 BC as a trading port. At that time, this small town was the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. The strategic location of the city largely contributed to its rapid development. Notably, during its long history, the city has always been an important center of shopping. At the present time, Guangzhou is also known as a major center of trade. It is famous for its ultra-modern shopping malls and colorful markets. It attracts not only shoppers but also adherents of excursion tourism. The city has managed to preserve its priceless historical monuments that belong to different eras. The territory of Guangzhou is home to more than 120 historical monuments of the national level. Besides that, tourists certainly love to attend modern convention centers and galleries.