Greater Bay Area develops featured towns

According to the released development outline of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a group of attractive and featured towns will be developed in the Pearl River Delta. In detail, efforts will be made in the towns to improve infrastructure and public service facilities, promote industries and the inheriting of traditional culture, in order to support overall regional development. Smart towns will be built as models to explore the development of future cities.

Following are introductions to featured towns in the Pearl River Delta listed in national featured towns released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People's Republic of China.

Xiqiao town, Foshan
A town famous for Xiqiao Mountain culture

Located in Nanhai district, Foshan, Xiqiao town is a national 5A-rated tourist attraction and a national forest park. It is also known as “the hometown of textiles”.

Xiqiao Mountain, one of the four famous mountains in Guangdong province, features elegant scenery and profound folk culture. As the birthplace of many knowledgeable people who played a vital role during the turbulent period from feudal dynasties to the founding of People’s Republic of China, such as Kang Youwei, Zhan Tianyou and Huang Feihong, the town won fame a “the lighthouse of Peal River civilization”.

Every May, a temple fair to pay tribute to traditional Chinese celestial beings is held in the town with many interesting activities drawing crowds of visitors.

Shawan town, Guangzhou
National historical and cultural town

Shawan town is located in the southeastern part of Fanyu district, Guangzhou. With a history of more than 800 years, it is the only national historical and cultural town in the city with many well-preserved ancient buildings.

The town is the birthplace of one national intangible cultural heritage – the lion dance – and three provincial intangible cultural heritages – He family’s music, Shawan piaose (a traditional folk arts performance) and stone carving. In addition, traditional dishes are also an attractive part of the town’s culture.