Lingnan

Lingnan (岭南, Pinyin: Lǐngnán) refers to the geographic area encompassing the regions south of the Five Ridges (五岭, Wǔlǐng) in Southern China. The Five Ridges are a major mountain range in southern China, separating the Pearl River drainage basin from the Yangtze River basin.

Historically, Lingnan has referred to a broader, somewhat fluctuating area, but it generally includes the modern-day provinces of Guangdong and Hainan, as well as parts of Guangxi and sometimes the northern regions of Vietnam. The term translates literally as "South of the Ridges" or "South of the Mountains."

Lingnan is characterized by a subtropical climate, fertile land, and a rich cultural heritage distinct from the rest of China due to its geographic isolation and historical interactions with Southeast Asia and other regions. This distinct cultural heritage manifests in its language (Cantonese and other related Yue dialects), cuisine (Cantonese cuisine), architecture, and art.

The region's strategic location along the South China Sea has made it a significant hub for trade and cultural exchange throughout history. Important cities within Lingnan include Guangzhou (Canton), Shenzhen, and Hong Kong.

The term "Lingnan" is also used in contemporary Chinese to refer to aspects characteristic of the culture or region south of the Five Ridges, such as Lingnan architecture or Lingnan painting. The Lingnan School of painting, for example, is a modern style of painting blending traditional Chinese techniques with influences from Western art.