Abstract During the past two decades, as a result of the development of productivity and the coming of the in formation age, we are coming into a society in which more free time are available for everyone. At the same time, recreation, being one way of rest for modern people, is undergoing some changes among Guangzhou residents as well. This article analyzes the motive of recreation among Guangzhou residents from the aspects of natural property, economic property and culture property by using the method of questionnaire survey, and reveals the characteristics of recreational behavior among Guangzhou residents according to the data from two aspects. Firstly, we reveal the choice of facilities of recreation among Guangzhou residents from the aspects of the motive, sociality recreation, culture and arts recreation, sports recreation, health recreation and informal outdoor recreation. Secondly, from the aspects of the destination, natural scenery, parks, and humanity scenery and recreational places. Aiming at current problems on facilities of recreation, transportation, lines of recreation, quality of service, concepts, policies and patterns of thinking in the recreational industry in Guangzhou, this article gives solutions to them. These are of great importance both conceptually and practically for the exploitation of tourism resources in Guangzhou, the improvement of the management and development of facilities of recreation in Guangzhou, the city planning and the building of a harmony society.
2007, Vol. 22 
