Experience the charming Gulou Waterfront in Heshan, Jiangmen

Nestled in Heshan, Jiangmen, within the Greater Bay Area, OCT Gulou Waterfront is a traditional Lingnan water village, dotted with fishponds, villages and stone bridges. After an investment of RMB 5 billion, this historic area to the west of the Pearl River Delta has been transformed into an eco-cultural tourism resort, spanning approximately 10sq km, with the main tourist area covering about a third of that area. It preserves the traditions of ancient villages over 700 years old, blending rural life with contemporary attractions.

Gulou Waterfront is perfect for family outings, as it encompasses four main areas: Drifting in Dream Boat Tour, Children’s Dream Paradise, Countryside Time and Gulouxu Waterfront Commercial Street. Spend a day wandering through ancient banyan trees and embankments as you explore this unique open-air water town museum.

Start your trip with a boat ride

No visit to Gulou Waterfront is complete without joining a Drifting in Dream Boat Tour. You’ll cruise along on a canopy-covered boat, feeling the gentle breeze and watching playful egrets skimming the water. The 6km-long route takes about 35 minutes to complete and passes through Children’s Dream Paradise, Countryside Time and the commercial street. As you enter the village, you’ll spot locals washing oars by their home docks and dragon boats on the waterways – a charming window into the leisurely water town lifestyle.

An architectural timber bridge masterpiece

As well as its fishponds and long history of fish farming, Gulou Waterfront is known for its many bridges, which connect the areas segmented by water. The most famous of these is its wooden bridge, or Qiao Yi Bridge, designed by Luo Studio, a 25m-wide timber structure completed in 2022 that connects the commercial street and Children’s Dream Paradise. The bridge’s is both stylish and practical, with an arched structure that allows boats to pass underneath. At night, the reflection of its lights on the river creates a very romantic scene.

There’s lots for children to do

Children’s Dream Paradise is a favourite among younger visitors and features themed recreation zones, including Longxi Village, Mud Island and Fishing Island, with games inspired by the childhood of fishing village youths. The area also features numerous amusement park rides, such as a pirate ship and a popular Flying Fish Train that travels through lawns and waterways – be prepared to get splashed.

A taste of country life

Adjacent to Children's Dream Paradise, Countryside Time, which covers over a hectare and comprises a large lawn, a campsite and a fish and vegetable farm. The campsite offers air-conditioned tents for two to four people, with public bathrooms, toilets and self-service laundry facilities. This tranquil camping location is relatively free from light pollution – perfect for great stargazing at night.

Shopping and historic snacks on a bustling commercial street

The lively Gulouxu Waterfront Commercial Street is a new shopping area with several themed streets and squares. The two-storey buildings along the waterways incorporate traditional Lingnan architectural styles, which combine with Nanyang architectural elements in the squares to recreate the bustling atmosphere of this 700-year-old fishing and trading town. 

The commercial street houses several exhibition halls, including the Wang Lao Ji Herbal Tea Museum. At Wang Lao Ji, you can sample freshly brewed herbal tea and learn about the history of Wang Lao Ji (Wong Lo Kat), whose founder hails from Gulou. Another exhibition hall, Heshan Kwai Kee, showcases dried tangerine peel, which is widely used in medicine and cooking. The ice cream, coffee and pastries on offer here all feature Xinhui dried tangerine peel. The commercial street is also a great place to enjoy local delicacies, including beef brisket noodles, matcha red bean double-skin milk, traditional fish skin dumplings and tea cakes.

Where to stay at Gulou Waterfront

Right on the water’s edge on Gulouxu Waterfront Commercial Street, Shui Mo Fang Zhou Guesthouse was converted from a primary school to become a modern boutique guesthouse in 2020. Offering double rooms and family rooms, this architecturally impressive hotel features nautically inspired decor in the lobby, an onsite art gallery and waterway views throughout that promise an unforgettable stay.

Dining at Gulou Waterfront

In addition to the diverse culinary offerings in Gulouxu Waterfront Commercial Street, you’ll also find authentic local cuisine in the nearby Shuangqiao Village. The family-run eatery Li Qun is famous for its handmade fish skin dumplings, best enjoyed with fish slice congee. Another must-visit is the Shaping Hilltop Shahe Noodle Shop, which has been serving traditional handmade Shahe noodles for three generations – the signature dry-fried beef noodles are a must-try.

How to get to Gulou Waterfront

Address: Yuanjiang Road, Gulou Town, Heshan, Jiangmen.

Transport: Take the Eternal East Cross-Border Coach from downtown Hong Kong directly to Shaping City Centre in Heshan, Jiangmen, a journey of approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, including border crossing time. Then, take a taxi to the tourist area, which takes about 20 minutes.

You can also take the high-speed rail from Hong Kong West Kowloon to Jiangmen East, which takes just under two hours, then take an hour’s taxi north to OCT Gulou Waterfront.

Opening hours: 10am to 9pm daily.

Admission: No entrance fee; individual charges apply for attractions and activities.