Powering Up the Greater Bay Area: Guangzhou’s Nansha District Speeds Up Development into a Global Hub for Culture, Tourism and Performing Arts

GUANGZHOU, China, May 28, 2026 /Xinhua-Asianet/–

Here in Nansha, international sports events take place against the backdrop of an enchanting coastal landscape. It is also in Nansha where you can witness the interplay of thousand-year-old Lingnan cultural heritage and dynamic digital creative industries. As the cruise economy and water sports seamlessly blend with the lifestyle of the Greater Bay Area, this vibrant, open coastal city is rapidly grabbing global attention.

 

At the 34th Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF), Nansha set up its own pavilion for the first time. The district hosted a promotional event themed Shape the Future in Nansha to showcase its urban identity and attract cultural tourism investment, extending a warm invitation to global businesses, investors, and tourists. During the event, Nansha unveiled the “1+6+N” program – covering the hosting of flagship events, the development of ten trendy destinations, the curation of themed itineraries, and a suite of policies aimed at facilitating the development of the culture and tourism industry – creating a blueprint for the high-quality development of this sector in Nansha.

 

Nansha is not only a National New District and a Pilot Free Trade Zone but also a Demonstration Zone for Comprehensive Cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. These identities enable Nansha to pioneer new practices for high-quality urban development in China through the integration of “Culture and Tourism + Sports + Tech + Openness.”

 

From Sightseeing to Urban Immersive Experiences: Sports and Energy Become Nansha‘s New Calling Card

 

For any city, the ultimate draw lies not just in its landscapes, but in its lifestyle.

 

As Guangzhou’s only district with direct ocean access, Nansha weaves together mountains, urban spaces, farmland, rivers, and the sea. This diverse landscape has endowed Nansha with a distinctive portfolio of tourism experiences. In the north, you can enjoy activities such as climbing mountains, admiring seasonal blossoms, and exploring intangible cultural heritage; in the center, you may indulge yourself in river cruising and trendy, immersive city walks; while the south is a haven for appreciating ocean vistas, birdwatching, and savoring fresh river delicacies.

 

“Nansha boasts unparalleled geographical advantages and seamless transport connectivity. We are guided by a far-reaching strategic vision, and we offer highly distinctive cultural and tourism resources,” noted an official from Guangzhou’s Nansha District. The district is fully committed to driving the in-depth integration of culture, tourism, and sports to continuously elevate its urban appeal and industrial capacity. This event serves not only as an important window to showcase Nansha’s urban charm, prime location, cultural and tourism resources, and industry prospects, but also as a crucial platform to actively connect with market resources and deepen investment cooperation in the culture and tourism sector.

 

In recent years, sports have become one of the most distinctive components of Nansha’s urban identity. The district is equipped with a massive 60,000-seat stadium, a 20,000-seat indoor arena, and a 4,000-seat diving and swimming center. The International Tennis Center in Nansha is known for featuring one of the highest numbers of clay courts in China. Furthermore, Nansha offers abundant recreational spaces, including a 20-kilometer coastal cycling trail, a comprehensive water sports complex, and a premium golf course. High-profile events, such as the Wushu Taolu and tennis competitions of the 15th National Games, have been hosted here, alongside the thrilling Davis Cup World Group I Playoffs.

 

The continuous influx of sporting events is turning Nansha into a vibrant city. Data shows that over the past five years, the number of active tennis players in Nansha has grown nearly 200-fold to over 20,000, achieving a remarkable transformation from a “tennis desert” to a “global tennis hub”. At the same time, coastal sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and yachting are flourishing, with water sports, urban cycling, and outdoor camping rapidly gaining popularity. Sports are no longer just about the competitions themselves; they have gradually become an indispensable way for visitors to experience the charm of Nansha. Perceiving the city through sports and experiencing local life through events is becoming a new approach for an increasing number of young travelers to discover Nansha.

 

From the “Hinterland of the GBA“ to a “Global Gateway“: An International Vibe Sets the Tone for Urban Growth

 

If sports have breathed new life into Nansha, then openness is what has shaped its international character. Situated at the geographical heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Nansha is a crucial strategic hub connecting the east and west banks of the Pearl River Estuary, and a key national platform for deepening cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.

 

In recent years, with the accelerated construction of its international cruise homeport, the introduction of policies allowing Hong Kong and Macao yachts to travel north, and continuous improvement in cross-border travel facilitation, the flow of people, logistics, and information between Nansha, Hong Kong, and Macao has grown increasingly robust.

 

As one of the largest international cruise homeports in China, the Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Homeport is accelerating the creation of new experiences for international travel. The domestically built mega-cruise ship, the Adora Flora City, will soon embark on its maiden voyage from Nansha, launching special itineraries covering East and Southeast Asia, further elevating the status of the GBA as an international tourism gateway. A development environment that champions internationalization is continuously attracting global resources.

 

“Nansha boasts a profound cultural heritage, offers beautiful views of both mountains and waters, moreover, and is a culinary paradise. Its exceptional cultural and tourism resources perfectly cater to the diverse and personalized travel demands of Hong Kong residents, making it a premium leisure destination,” said Freddy Yip Hing-Ning, President of the Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents and member of the Consultative Committee on Guangdong-Hong Kong Co-operation (Guangzhou Nansha). Yip observed that in recent years, a growing number of Hong Kong residents have been visiting Nansha during weekends and holidays to relax by the sea, enjoy the charming ecological environment, and explore local culture, making Nansha a premier short-haul travel destination within the GBA.

 

Simultaneously, Nansha continues to provide global investors with the additional benefits of open policies. For instance, eligible enterprises can enjoy a reduced corporate income tax rate of 15%, while Hong Kong and Macao residents are exempt from the portion of their personal income tax burden that exceeds that of their home regions. Targeted support policies are in place for industries such as large-scale performing arts events, sports events, film and television production, and the digital creative industry. Since the beginning of 2025, Nansha has successfully hosted concerts by major acts like Mayday and Teens in Times (TNT), continuously unleashing the spillover effects of a model featuring “Entertainment + Tourism + Consumption,” further strengthening industry agglomeration and Nansha’s overall appeal.

 

From “Lingnan Culture“ to a “Digital Future“: A New Urban Narrative is Taking Shape

 

Culture is the cornerstone of a city’s competitiveness. Unlike many emerging urban districts, Nansha’s development is not merely about urban expansion. Instead, its modernization journey is marked by the continuous revitalization of traditional cultural resources, shaping a unique urban narrative.

 

The blue bricks and black tiles of Dongchong Water Town whisper tales of ancient Lingnan; intangible cultural heritage like Xiangyun silk and Xianshui songs carry forward a millennium of craftsmanship; and the legacies of the Tanka fishing communities, water towns, and maritime history collectively forge the distinctive cultural foundation of Nansha. At the same time, emerging sectors such as the digital creative industry, AI short drama production bases, and immersive experience spaces are growing rapidly. Innovations such as unmanned boat night tours, digital culture and tourism spaces, and smart mobility experiences are also garnering attention, enabling the effortless integration of traditional culture and modern technology.

 

During this promotional event, several projects were officially unveiled, including the Asia Television (ATV) Nansha AI Culture and Tourism Short Drama Production Training Base and the Nansha Culture and Tourism Short Video Creation OPC (One Person Company) Digital Center. Additionally, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Sports and Culture Research Institute was officially established in Nansha, further enriching the innovation ecosystem for the integrated development of culture and tourism.

 

Source: The Publicity Department of Nansha District