Perhaps a sea pearl shimmering under the Guangzhou sun? That’s Haizhu District. It is Guangzhou’s only island district. Imagine it. You are standing on the south bank of the Pearl River.
Haizhu District has a history stretching back to the Eastern Han Dynasty. That’s around 25 to 220 AD. Think about that for a moment. This district has seen empires rise and fall.
Once, Haizhu was the largest district here. It was the southernmost. It was also the least dense. Guangzhou has expanded and changed. Haizhu no longer holds those titles. Now, it boasts some of the city’s most expensive real estate.
Did you know Haizhu means “Sea Pearl”? It is easy to see why. This district is a gem. It sits nestled between the waterways. These waterways were once vital for shipping goods. They connected Haizhu to the Pearl River Delta ports.
Look around and you will spot cultural relics. There is Yungui Bridge. There is also Pazhou Tower and Chigang Tower. These structures date back to the Ming Dynasty from 1368 to 1644 AD. They stand as silent witnesses to centuries of change.
Consider Sun Yat-sen University. This famous institution of higher learning is in Haizhu. Nearby, Xingang Lu is becoming a science and technology hub. Innovation thrives here.
Haizhu is not all concrete and commerce. The district is celebrated for its ecosystem. Rivers, inlets, hills, and gardens create an ideal place to live and work.
Take a deep breath here. The air feels different in Haizhu. The district works to develop the Jiangnan Culture. This includes business and tourism. It all combines in an integration circle.
Now picture this. It is the modern Haizhu District. It has an Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy Experimental Zone at Pazhou. The SYSU International Innovation Valley is also here.
Before we move on remember the district’s administrative divisions. There are 18 subdistricts and 265 communities. Each contributes to Haizhu’s unique character. In 2023, Haizhu’s GDP reached 272.01 billion yuan. That’s a year-on-year increase of 8.6 percent.
Haizhu District is a blend of ancient history and modern ambition. It is a place where tradition meets innovation. This “Sea Pearl” continues to shine brightly.