Liwan District

Liwan District, a historic and culturally rich area in Guangzhou, China, has evolved into a dynamic blend of tradition and modernity. Here's an overview of its key features and recent developments:

### 1. **Culinary Excellence**
Liwan is renowned for its diverse food culture, highlighted by six distinct food hubs:
- **Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street & Yong Qing Fang**: A hotspot for traditional Lingnan cuisine and Xiguan-style architecture, featuring time-honored eateries like Pantang Wuyue .
- **Shamian Island**: Combines European colonial charm with Western-style dining, offering riverside views of the Pearl River .
- **Dongsha International Trade Port**: A multicultural hub with international cuisines, including Chinese regional dishes and Cantonese snacks .
- **Bai’etan Business Zone**: Hosts Michelin-starred restaurants and food-themed river cruises .
- **Huangsha to Liu’ersan Road**: A seafood haven where visitors can purchase, cook, and enjoy fresh catches .
- **Yuehui City**: A family-friendly mall with over 70 dining brands for casual leisure .
In 2025, a **Long Table Banquet** at Liwan Lake showcased nearly 100 traditional Sai Kwan dishes, reviving lost specialties like Deep-fried Shrimp with Taro Shreds .

### 2. **Economic Growth**
Liwan's economy thrives on innovation and industrial development:
- **2023 GDP** reached 1,277.93 billion RMB, growing 4.8% year-on-year .
- The district ranks third in Guangzhou for industrial investment growth (93.7% in 2024) and hosts the **Guangzhou Liwan Industrial Park**, the city's first provincial-level industrial park focusing on laser manufacturing, modern TCM, and smart equipment .
- Over 370 billion RMB is invested in key projects like MixC and Swire Properties Julong Wan .

### 3. **Cultural Heritage**
- **Cantonese Opera**: Designated a "Chinese Opera Hometown," Liwan boasts the Cantonese Opera Art Museum, 78 private music clubs, and annual performances attracting thousands. The district allocates 1 million RMB annually to preserve this art form .
- **Festivals**: During Chinese New Year, events like lion dances, flower fairs, and Cantonese opera shows animate streets like Yongqing Fang and Shamian Island .

### 4. **Talent and Innovation**
Liwan actively attracts global talent through policies supporting industries like e-commerce and pharmaceuticals. In 2024, it introduced 24 talent-service policies and hosted exhibitions at the Overseas Talents Convention, emphasizing sectors like additive manufacturing and AI .

### 5. **Urban Development**
The district is revitalizing historic areas while expanding modern infrastructure:
- Over 600,000 m² of old properties were upgraded in 2024, including the Guangzhou Power Plant redevelopment .
- **Bai’etan Business Zone** and **Dongsha Port** exemplify Liwan’s fusion of riverside leisure and economic activity .

Liwan District seamlessly bridges its past as the "Millennium Business Capital" with forward-looking initiatives, making it a microcosm of Guangzhou’s cultural and economic vitality. For deeper insights, explore the cited sources .

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