Guangdong is one of the southernmost provinces in China and close to Hong Kong and Macao, conditions that made the province a window to the rest of the world.

The vibrant province's tourism industry has also developed along with the nation's opening-up and reforms, mirroring the change and progress of the Chinese society.

Ranked at the top of the country in tourist numbers and revenue for decades, Guangdong receives 100 million overseas tourists and hundreds of millions of domestic visitors every year that generate more than 100 billion yuan in total revenue, more than 40 billion yuan of which comes from overseas travelers.

Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have jointly promoted Pearl River Delta regional tourism since 1993. The concept is now internationally well known. Hundreds of travel agencies from more than 20 countries and regions are selling the travel route, characterized as "a Pearl River connecting three pearls".

Among the pearls, Hong Kong is an international metropolis famed as a shopping paradise, Macao is a casino paradise combining cultures of the West and East, and as a starting point of the ocean-borne silk route, Guangdong's thousands of years of civilization have resulted in deep historical heritage.

The province has a beautiful and charming landscape with a sub-tropical climate. All four seasons are suitable for traveling in the province.

Among its number of historical destinations, the Maba Man site dates back more than 100,000 years. Other attractions include the Museum of the Western Han Dynasty Mausoleum of the Nanyue King and relics of the ocean silk route.

The province has six cities that have been appraised as national historically well-known cities - Guangzhou, Foshan, Chaozhou, Meizhou, Zhaoqing and Leizhou.

Internationally noted Danxia Mountain in Shaoguan is bidding to be listed as a World Cultural Site.

More than 70 golf courses, dozens of coastal resorts and more than 30 hot spring resorts in the province provide an array options for leisure holidays.

As one of the most developed provinces in China, Guangdong has advanced transportation and hospitality facilities catering to holidaymakers from home and abroad.

The Pearl River Delta, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Zhongshan and Dongguan, hosts a range of commercial activities, trade fairs and gourmet festivals every year.

Editor: Yan