Nanguo Peach Garden in Foshan

Nanguo Peach Garden is a newly developed tourist destination in the Nanhai District of Foshan, one of the eight scenic spots of Foshan. It is located at Pingdingshan and Jianfengling in Shishan Town, Nanhai District, and covers an area of 6.8 square kilometers. The development of the area began at the end of 1992. Nanguo Peach Garden is renowned for being one of Guangdong’s famous peach blossom areas.

Features

The area is filled with lush greenery, fragrant flowers, strange caves, and scenic rocks, offering a charming atmosphere. This region is one of the few places in the Pearl River Delta that remains unspoiled and free from significant human impact and pollution.

Now, Nanguo Peach Garden has become a large modern tourism destination, combining tourism, vacation, conference, culture, sports, commerce, and rural landscapes into one.

Location

• English Name: Nanguo Peach Garden
• Chinese Name: 南国桃园旅游度假区
• Location: Hongji Avenue, Shishan Town, Nanhai District, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China

Climate

• Climate: Subtropical monsoon climate
• Open Hours: Open year-round, from 00:00 to 24:00 every day
• Ticket Price: 10 RMB
• Area: 6.8 km²
• Famous Attractions: Changshou Valley (长寿谷)
• City: Foshan, Guangdong, China
• Recommended Visiting Time: 2 hours
• Best Visiting Season: All seasons are suitable

Geographical Advantage

Nanguo Peach Garden enjoys a highly favorable geographical location. It is located at the intersection of Guangzhou, Foshan, Nanhai, Huadu, and Sanshui, with a distance of only 12 kilometers to Guangzhou, Foshan, and Nanhai Guicheng, and about 18 kilometers to the Nanhai Passenger Port. The transportation to Hong Kong and Macau is very convenient. Public buses running between Guangzhou, Foshan, and Huadu are frequent.

Infrastructure Development

The infrastructure of Nanguo Peach Garden is well-developed. A 36-kilometer-long concrete road links all scenic spots and functional areas within the garden. The water and power supply is abundant, and there are 4,000 telephone lines available. The entire development is planned to be completed in ten years, with a total investment estimated at 5 billion RMB.

Development History

Nanguo Peach Garden was officially opened on November 1, 1995. The opening ceremony was accompanied by the first Nanguo Peach Garden International Dragon Boat Invitational Race, marking a precedent for large international events hosted by county-level cities and organized by towns in China.

The Nanhai Film and Cultural City, invested by China Central Television (CCTV), was built to become China’s “Hollywood” and is already in operation. This location also hosted the television series “The Story of Hong Kong,” filmed in the “Hong Kong Street” area of the Film and Cultural City, and in other scenic areas within Nanguo Peach Garden.

Major Attractions

Nanhai Guanyin Temple (南海观音寺)

Located just 12 kilometers from both Guangzhou and Foshan, the Nanhai Guanyin Temple is a popular religious site with numerous worshippers. The temple is particularly crowded on the 26th day of the first lunar month, when devotees flock to the temple to celebrate Guanyin’s (Goddess of Mercy) Day. The temple features a large release pond, lotus flowers, and a serene atmosphere with flying pigeons and willow trees swaying in the wind. The architecture of the temple, designed by the Department of Ancient Architecture of Tianjin University, follows the style of palace architecture from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, modeled after the Beijing Imperial Palace.

Egrets Paradise (鹭鸟天堂)

Located in Huangji Village, Jiujiang Town, Nanhai, Egrets Paradise is home to tens of thousands of egrets. These egrets have been a part of the local community for over 130 years, and their protection has become an important cultural heritage. The sight of egrets soaring in the sky is particularly striking at dawn and dusk, and the area also hosts many other bird species, making it a true birdwatcher’s paradise. Due to its ecological significance, Huangji Village was designated as one of Guangdong’s first ecological demonstration villages in 1999.

CCTV Nanhai Film and Cultural City (中央电视台南海影视城)

CCTV Nanhai Film and Cultural City is one of the four major film production bases for China Central Television, covering 1,500 acres in Songgang Town, Nanhai. It is known for its excellent location, offering a mix of mountain and lake scenery, and is an ideal spot for both filming and tourism. The city hosts several scenic spots and is a great place to appreciate Chinese architectural history. The site also boasts an ancient water town that beautifully mirrors the picturesque charm of China’s past.

Bibo Lake Egret Paradise (碧波湖鹭鸟天堂)

In addition to bird watching, Bibo Lake also provides visitors with a tranquil experience, with its picturesque landscape of blue skies, green trees, and white birds. The location is perfect for enjoying the unique charm of the Lingnan water towns and offers relaxation along its river.

Peach Blossom Valley (桃花谷)

Peach Blossom Valley is famous for its large number of ornamental peach trees. Every year around the Chinese New Year, the peach blossoms bloom, covering the mountainside in shades of purple and pink. The flowers, along with the lake and bridges, create a stunning scene that draws thousands of visitors for photography and sightseeing.

Changshou Spring (长寿泉)

Changshou Spring, located at the intersection of Huan Mountain Road and Panlong Road near the foot of Jianfengling, is renowned for its life-giving waters. The spring is widely known in the surrounding areas, with many people from nearby villages, even from Guangzhou, coming to collect water throughout the day. The spring is an enduring symbol of longevity and vitality.

Scenic Area Facilities

Nanguo Peach Garden Fengdan Golf Course (南海桃园枫丹高尔夫球场) covers nearly 2,000 acres with a total length of 10,615 yards. It is a perfect golf course meticulously designed by the world-renowned golf course design company, JMP.

The first 18-hole course with a par of 72 (including a 9-hole floodlit course) has already been successfully opened, with the construction of an additional 9 holes underway. Once completed, the Nanguo Peach Garden Fengdan Golf Club will be a 27-hole international standard golf course with a total par of 108 (featuring 18 holes with floodlights).

The club’s clubhouse is fully equipped with comfortable changing rooms, Chinese and Western restaurants, a retail shop, a multifunctional meeting hall, and more. The clubhouse combines traditional styles with modern elements, offering spacious, elegant interiors and a panoramic view of the golf course while enjoying delicious dishes from both Chinese and Western cuisines. The practice area also features a separate VIP room.

Travel Information

Public Transport

1. Visitors can take bus routes 2, 206, 281, 219, 223, City Bus 2, 16, or 20 from Nanhai (南海) and Chancheng (禅城) districts to reach the area.
2. For tourists from Guangzhou, direct buses from Guangzhou Bus Station to Guanyao Bus Station take approximately 30 minutes.

Subway

The Guangzhou-Foshan Line to the Financial High-Tech Zone Station is the nearest metro station.

Self-Driving

Tourists driving from Guangzhou, Dongguan, or Shenzhen can take the Guangfo Expressway (广佛高速) and then transfer to the Guangsan Expressway (广三高速). Exit at Yayao (雅瑶) and follow Guihe Road (桂和路), where road signs will guide you.

Scenic Area Cuisine

Da Ka Yi Fried Dough Sticks and Imperial Examination Congee (大可以油条和及第粥)

A popular snack in Foshan, Da Ka Yi Fried Dough Sticks and Imperial Examination Congee (状元及第粥) has been a local favorite since 1932. The fried dough sticks, also called “Yao Zha Gwai” (油炸鬼), are crispy and flavorful, perfect for a savory snack. The “Zhuangyuan Congee” (状元粥) is a treasured recipe passed down through generations, known for its unique ingredients and cooking methods, preserving its taste for nearly a century. Both dishes earned the title “Chinese Famous Snack” in 2000 and later won honors such as “Top 10 Famous Snacks in Guangdong” in 2002 and “Top 10 Flavorful Snacks in Foshan” in 2003.

Ying Ji Wonton Noodles (应记云吞面)

In 1936, the first bowl of Ying Ji Wonton Noodles (应记云吞) was made in Foshan, and it quickly became a beloved dish. Today, there are 14 Ying Ji Wonton Noodles locations in Foshan. The “King Prawn Wonton Noodles” (皇牌鲜虾云吞面) features thin skin and plump shrimp, offering a crisp, sweet flavor. It costs nearly twice as much as regular wonton noodles, priced at 6 yuan per bowl. The “King Prawn Wonton Noodles” won “Chinese Famous Snack” in 2000 and “Top 10 Famous Snacks in Foshan” in 2003.

Local Specialties

Nanhai Rattan Products (南海藤席)

With a history of over 100 years, Nanhai Rattan Products (南海藤织品) have been exported to more than 50 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, the United States, Canada, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Some of these rattan products were used in the Guangdong Hall of the Great Hall of the People until its recent renovation. Nanhai rattan products were once considered “the most Chinese” by foreign news agencies. However, the tradition is gradually fading, and these products are becoming less commonly seen today.

Nanhai Lishui Winter Melon (南海里水冬瓜)

This special variety of winter melon, grown exclusively in the Lishui area of Nanhai, is known for its quality. When used in winter melon soup, it maintains its shape and does not collapse after long stewing. The region is famed for its history, as it is said that the ancestors of the local residents brought superior winter melon seeds when they fled during the Yuan Dynasty, allowing the variety to take root in this area.

Nanhai Shaxi Horsehoof Powder (南海沙溪马蹄粉)

This specialty, made in Shaxi (沙溪), is similar to the horsehoof powder produced in Paitang (泮塘), Guangzhou. Legend has it that when Paitang’s harvest failed, merchants turned to Shaxi’s horsehoof powder as a substitute. The response was so positive that it became a staple, even though Paitang remained the more famous producer. Today, Shaxi’s horsehoof powder is often produced under the Paitang name, representing about 90% of the market share.