Core Points - Guangzhou has officially issued the "Historical and Cultural City Protection Plan (2021-2035)" which serves as a top-level design and guiding document for the protection and inheritance of its historical culture [1] - The plan integrates national and regional development strategies, optimizing the five major historical cultural values and six major city characteristics, while enhancing the historical and cultural protection system [1][3] - The plan aims to incorporate historical and cultural heritage protection into urban and rural construction, creating a world-class city with classic charm and contemporary vitality by 2035 [1] Summary by Sections Historical and Cultural Values and City Characteristics - The five major historical cultural values identified include: 1. Political and military center of the Lingnan region and a gateway for foreign exchanges 2. A thousand-year-old commercial hub and an important birthplace of the Maritime Silk Road 3. A cultural center reflecting the diverse and unified characteristics of Chinese civilization 4. A frontline for anti-imperialism and anti-feudalism, and a source of democratic revolution 5. A pioneering city in modern development and a leader in reform and opening up [3][2] - The six major city characteristics include: 1. A town pattern interwoven with mountains, fields, and seas 2. An urban environment characterized by clouds, mountains, and rivers 3. An ancient city layout with a thousand-year continuity and layered culture 4. A commercial hub with distinctive architectural styles 5. A blend of Lingnan charm and Western architectural styles 6. An open and inclusive city with vibrant cultural heritage [2][3] Overall Structure and Protection Framework - The plan proposes a new spatial structure for cultural and ecological integration, termed "One River, One River, One City, Nine Districts," which includes the Pearl River cultural belt and the Liuxi River cultural belt [5][4] - The "One City, Nine Districts" concept integrates historical culture and natural ecological resources, forming a central urban area and nine scenic areas rich in resources [5][4] Heritage Protection and Expansion - The plan expands the scope of heritage protection to include agricultural, industrial, and water heritage, such as the Guangdong Lingnan lychee planting system and historical sites like Guanggang and Guangchuan [9][8] - It emphasizes the protection of 9,961 ancient trees and various historical sites, enhancing resource identification and protection efforts [9][8] Historical Urban Area Protection - The historical urban area covers 20.39 square kilometers, with specific protection requirements for historical docks and water systems [11][12] - The plan maintains the traditional urban structure of "One Ring, Two Axes, Multiple Veins, and Multiple Points," emphasizing the preservation of historical features [12][14] Cultural Network and Regional Cooperation - The plan establishes a cultural network system for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, highlighting Guangzhou's role as a cultural center [18][17] - It encourages cultural innovation and the development of creative industries, integrating modern creative sectors with historical cultural promotion [18][17]