With profound history and culture, Baiyun district in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, is home to many prominent historical and literary figures. They include Zhong Yuyan, founder of the renowned Yuyan Academy; Chen Zizhuang, a senior official during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); and He Yucheng, a hero in the fight against British military forces during the first Opium War (1840-42).

By the end of 2021, Baiyun had one historical and cultural site under national-level protection, three under provincial-level protection and 50 under municipal-level protection.

Baiyun has witnessed many well-known historical events, and a large number of historic celebrities lived or worked in the district.

The Sanyuanli anti-British uprising in Baiyun in May 1841 fully demonstrated the determination of the Chinese people to resist the British military invasion and safeguard their homeland.

Wu Yinzhi, a top official in Guangzhou in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), was known for his adherence to integrity and fine personal conduct during his tenure. He drank the water from a well which was said to induce people to become corrupted, aiming to dismiss a groundless yet popular rumor.

Zhao Ziyong, a famous litterateur in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), was noted for the Cantonese love songs he composed.

Baiyun was a key place for the Communist Party of China during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and in the liberation of Guangzhou and surrounding areas during the War of Liberation (1946-49). The former Guangdong Weapon Manufacturing Factory in the district epitomized Chinese people's endeavors to build a strong army and a great nation in the first half of the 20th century.

Descendants of the Chinese philosopher Zengzi, a disciple of Confucius, have lived in Longgang village of Zhongluotan Town in Baiyun for centuries. The ancestral hall of the Zeng family has become a popular tourist destination in the district.

Zhanggang village in the town has a history of over 600 years. There are many ancient houses built in the architectural style of Ming and Qing dynasties distributed among seven streets in the village.

The ancestral hall of the Zhou family in Nancun village of Taihe town has been included in the list of Guangzhou’s key historical and cultural sites for its unique and exquisite architectural style. The ancestor of the village is Zhou Dunyi, a philosopher and writer in from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), who was known for his essay Ode to the Lotus Flower.

Other ancient villages in Baiyun, such as Xiaogang village at Yuncheng Street, Yagang village at Shimen Street and Yuanwei village in Taihe town, also provide an access for visitors to review the district’s glorious history.