Pingsha Island in Foshan

Pingsha Island, located at the junction of Nanhai District (南海区) and Gaoming District (高明区) in Foshan City (佛山市), falls within the boundaries of the city’s primary and secondary drinking water protection zones (provincial level) and is under the jurisdiction of Nanhai District (南海区). It is a river island surrounded by water on all sides, one of the few “isolated islands” in Guangdong Province (广东省). Due to its flat terrain and mainly sandy soil, it is called “Pingsha” (平沙) or “Pingsha Island” (平沙岛). The island covers an area of approximately 7.28 square kilometers, with a population of over 5,600 people. The main industries on the island are agriculture and aquaculture, with no industrial production, making it an ecologically healthy environment with fresh air.

Pingsha Island is renowned for its “paradise-like” natural beauty. The island’s perimeter road is lush with greenery, making it a haven for cycling enthusiasts. The island is home to many elderly residents, many of whom are over 60 years old, which reflects the harmonious coexistence of nature and health. In terms of culture, Pingsha Island has retained a wealth of ancient tree resources. Ancient banyan trees and kapok trees witness the passage of time, adding a touch of antiquity. For entertainment, visitors can enjoy barbecue and picnic activities along the shallow riverbanks, though they must be cautious of the safety risks of wild swimming. Furthermore, the island advocates a low-carbon lifestyle, encouraging visitors to walk or cycle to the island to preserve the environment and protect this green oasis.

Opening Hours

Open all day.

Ticket Price

No entrance fee required.

Area

7.28 km².

Country

China (中国).

City

Foshan City, Guangdong Province (佛山市，广东省).

Recommended Visit Duration

5-6 hours.

Geographical Environment and Scenic Beauty

The island is a picture of scenic beauty, with its small sandy beaches covered in lush green grass, evoking a “paradise-like” feeling. Walking along the perimeter road, visitors can enjoy views of various shades of green, which evokes a sense of tranquility. The dominant color here is green, setting the tone for the island’s atmosphere.

In addition, the island has a large number of elderly residents, with nearly a thousand individuals over the age of 60, and over 200 residents aged 80 or older. This makes Pingsha Island a true “longevity village” (长寿村).

Environment and Flora

Pingsha Island is equipped with a perimeter road (环岛公路) that is approximately 12.5 kilometers long. The road is lined with numerous ancient trees, including banyan trees and kapok trees. Among these, the six ancient banyan trees near the Pingsha Community Service Center (平沙社区服务中心) are particularly famous, with each tree being over 100 years old. Another notable ancient kapok tree near Zhongsha Village (中社村) is a prominent landmark. It is said that the “Kapok King” (木棉王) at the north gate of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Guangzhou has an age of 326 years. The tree on Pingsha Island is believed to be even older. In addition, the island’s residential areas are also home to numerous fruit trees, such as longan trees (龙眼树), yellow-leaf trees (黄皮树), and other common fruit trees.

Due to the island’s limited vehicular traffic and its peaceful, clean environment, the island is well-suited for cycling. On the eastern shore, where the river water has eroded the land for years, there are vast riverbanks with shallow waters that are ideal for barbecues and picnics.

Safety Concerns Regarding Wild Swimming 

During the summer, the river water tends to become turbulent and murky due to ample rainfall. Additionally, illegal sand mining in the West River (西江) can cause complicated underwater conditions. Wild swimming in such areas is highly dangerous. Every year, incidents of drowning occur due to unsafe swimming. Therefore, visitors are advised not to swim in unfamiliar waters and to avoid encouraging others to do so. When swimming in open waters, proper safety measures should always be taken to prevent accidents. In the event of an emergency, prioritize ensuring personal safety before attempting rescue.

Traffic Information

By Car

You can search for “Foshan City – Nanhai District – Taiping Pingsha Ferry Terminal” (佛山市-南海区-太平平沙码头) on your GPS. Once at the ferry terminal, you can take the ferry to the island.

By Bus

1. Route 1: Take the Zen City – Gaoming Special Line (禅城-高明专线) to Gaoming Bus Station (高明汽车站), then transfer to Gaoming City Bus (高明城巴). Alight at the Gaoming District Government Station (高明区政府站), and walk towards the Gaoming-Pingsha Ferry Terminal (高明-平沙码头).

2. Route 2: Take the Foshan Tourist City Bus Line 1 (佛山旅游城巴1号线) to Gaoming Wenhua Market Station (高明文华市场站), then walk along Jiang Road to the Gaoming-Pingsha Ferry Terminal.

3. Route 3: Take the Xinxiqiao Bus Station (新西樵车站) to the Taiping Pingsha Ferry Terminal (太平平沙渡口).

Ferry Fees (过渡费用)

Starting from September 1, 2017, new fee standards for pedestrians and vehicles crossing the ferry have been implemented.

Cuisine and Economy

Pingsha Island is largely agricultural, with fields full of vegetables, fruits, and fish ponds. The island’s inhabitants are mostly self-sufficient, producing their own vegetables, fish, and meat, which are fresher and more nutritious than market goods.

In terms of traditional agriculture, the island once produced sugarcane and mulberry trees for silk production. However, since the 21st century, with the decline of the sugar industry and the silk industry, the island now focuses on vegetable cultivation, fruit farming (including grapes, bananas, dragon fruit, figs, longan, papaya, and bananas), horticulture, and aquaculture.

Education 

Pingsha Island only has one school: Pingsha Primary School (平沙小学), now known as the Xiqiao Education Base (西樵教育基地). However, due to the small number of children, most parents choose to send their children to nearby Taiping Primary School (太平小学).

Administrative Division

Pingsha Island is part of Pingsha Community (平沙社区), Taiping Township (太平乡), Xiqiao Town (西樵镇), Nanhai District (南海区), Foshan City (佛山市). The island has a community service center, a health station, a security team, a primary school, five natural villages, and 20 production teams. The total area of the island is about 7.28 square kilometers, with a registered population of about 5,600. The majority of the residents have the surnames Li (李) and Qu (区).