Lingnan

Lingnan is a geographic and cultural region in southern China, comprising mainly Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with historical references extending to nearby areas such as Hainan. The name Lingnan denotes the lands south of the Nanling Mountains, a natural boundary that separates southern China from the central plains. The region has a subtropical climate and includes major river systems, notably the Pearl River in Guangdong, which supports a highly developed economy in the Pearl River Delta.

Lingnan has a distinctive cultural tradition known as Lingnan culture. It is the heartland of the Cantonese language and cuisine, and its arts include a painting tradition known as the Lingnan School, established in Guangzhou in the early 20th century, which blends traditional Chinese ink with Western color and composition. Lingnan architecture, crafts, opera, and music reflect a coastal, cosmopolitan heritage shaped by centuries of trade and contact with other regions.

Historically, Lingnan functioned as a gateway for maritime commerce and cultural exchange with Southeast Asia and beyond. In modern times, the term Lingnan remains a cultural-historical designation used in scholarship and branding to refer to Guangdong and Guangxi and their shared linguistic and culinary traditions, even as administrative boundaries have evolved.