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The 16th Asian Games has opened in central Guangzhou in a blaze of fireworks as China staged the biggest sporting gala since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The spectacular ceremony took place on Haixinsha Island in the Pearl River, with the 610-meter high Guangzhou Tower as a backdrop. Before the event tens of thousands of ordinary Guangzhou residents welcomed the games to their city as the 45 participating delegations sailed from White Swan Bay in the stunning Pearl River pageant. To view video from the opening ceremony and pageant and keep up to date with the games action visit the CNTV Special Feature 16th Asian Games.

The Shanghai World Expo 2010 was officially closed on 31 October 2010 after receiving a record 73 million visitors. China realised its century-old dream of hosting the event, and at the 184-day grand gala China and other countries from around the world eagerly showcased their history and culture. The Shanghai World Expo, the first held in a developing country in the event’s 159-year history, set one record after another in terms of the number of participating countries or regions, the size of the Expo park, and the number of visitors.

Under the theme of “Better City, Better Life,” the Shanghai Expo drew 246 participating nations and international organizations at the largest ever world fair site of 5.28 square kilometers. The ideas of pluralism, harmony, tolerance, originality and co-existence that the Shanghai Expo has upheld will carry on, inspire and encourage people to carry on and create an even brighter future in the post-Expo era.

To look back on the many facets of this great event visit the CNTV Special Feature World Expo 2010 Shanghai China.

Guangdong province features famous hot spring resorts than can be visited in tours from Shenzhen. To see impressive pictures of these resorts and find out about tour planning visit the Shenzhen Daily article Famous hot spring resorts in Guangdong.