The urban origin of Guangzhou, also known as the coordinate origin of the city, is located at the South Square of People’s Park in front of the Guangzhou City Government, along the traditional central axis of the city. Major buildings and historical sites in Guangzhou can be oriented and measured in terms of distance from this point.
The Guangzhou origin point was established on October 21, 2010. Made from three tons of fine copper, it marks the geographical center of Guangzhou and is not only open for visitors to step on and take photos but also equipped with an anti-theft and automatic alarm system, striving to remain ‘as bright as new’ for a millennium. The surface of the origin point is slightly convex, raised 15 centimeters above the ground, with a diameter of 3 meters. The outer edge of the marker is lined with gray and black granite, with copper strips embedded along the radial direction. The granite surface has a brief history of Guangzhou’s founding inscribed on it. The inner circle is made from a 2-centimeter-thick brass plate and Brazilian crystal stone, weighing 3 tons. The design is inspired by the ‘Dragon and Phoenix Jade Pendant’ and ‘Feathered Man Driving a Boat’ relief patterns unearthed from the tomb of the Nanyue King, showcasing the characteristics of Lingnan culture. The copper plate of the urban origin is not made using the traditional casting process but is crafted through a combination of computer, mechanical, and manual carving techniques. A total of 37 workers were involved, and it took 35 days to complete. The opening hours and specific business status are subject to the daily opening conditions.
