Harbor Street, a coastal pearl inlaid in the eastern part of Nansha District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, is a vital gateway for Guangzhou to the sea. This land, with a total area of 54.79 square kilometers, is bordered by the Humen Waterway to the east, facing Shatian Town and Humen Town of Dongguan City across the river; it connects with the Fuzhou Waterway to the south, facing Longxue Street in the distance; it extends to Huangshanlu and Dayong Metro Station to the west; and reaches Jingang Avenue to the north. Its southeastern tip stretches directly to the Lingding Ocean at the Pearl River Estuary. The street encompasses four uninhabited islands – Fuzhou, Jinsuopai, Shanghengdang Island, and Xiahengdang Island – forming a unique pattern of mountains, sea, and city. The name of this land originates from its long maritime history – as early as the Tang Dynasty, it was a natural harbor for anchoring boats, hence the name "Harbor" has been passed down to this day.
In 2023, Harbor Street was separated from Nansha Street and officially established, marking a new historical development stage for this area. On December 28 of the same year, a cadres' meeting on the administrative division changes of Huangge Town and Nansha Street in Nansha District, along with the unveiling ceremony for Harbor Street, was grandly held at No. 133 Gangqian Avenue South, signifying the official launch of this new street. Tracing back through history, the administrative divisions of this land have undergone several changes: from the Song Dynasty until the early years after the founding of the People's Republic of China, it was under the jurisdiction of Dongguan County; from 1953 to 1958, it was successively transferred with Wanqingsha to Zhuhai County and then Zhongshan County; in 1959, it was merged into Panyu County with the Wanqingsha People's Commune; it was not until 1961 that it was separated from the Wanqingsha People's Commune to establish the Nansha People's Commune. After stages including the conversion from a commune to a district in 1984, from a district to a town in 1987, and the establishment of Nansha Street under Panyu City in 1993, the present-day Harbor Street finally took shape in 2023.
Today, Harbor Street administers 8 administrative villages (Lujing Village, Nanheng Village, Luwan Village, Shenwan Village, Tangkeng Village, Dalingjie Village, Jiuwangmiao Village, Dongjing Village) and 5 communities (Nansha Community, Hongling Community, Nanbeita i Community, Haiwan Community, Puzhou Community). It also oversees the Huangshanlu Forest Farm and the Nansha Demonstration Farm. As of January 2025, this land is home to approximately 120,000 people, including 52,000 registered residents and 67,000 floating population, forming a dynamic and diverse demographic structure. The street office is located at No. 133 Gangqian Avenue South, providing convenient and efficient government services for residents. The uniqueness of this land lies in its preservation of rural natural features combined with the modern atmosphere of urban communities, presenting a distinctive trend of integrated urban-rural development.
Harbor Street is not only administratively important but also a beautiful place where nature and culture enhance each other. It is home to the Huangshanlu Forest Park, boasting superior natural endowments, a long coastline, and rich landscapes of mountains, water, forests, fields, and sea. Ecological corridors, coastal greenways, and urban bike paths are easily accessible. Puzhou Garden and Binhai Park within the jurisdiction are great places for residents' leisure and entertainment. The 20-kilometer greenway system, including the Humen Waterway Greenway, Fuzhou Waterway Greenway, and Baihuitian Reservoir Greenway, forms a natural ecological corridor with clear waters, green banks, and swimming fish. These green spaces are not only cultural and leisure paths for nostalgia and healthy living but also ecological and vibrant waterfront economic belts promoting high-quality development. In January 2025, Harbor Street was honored with the "Exemplary Streets/Towns - Guangzhou Top Ten Charming Streets/Towns Award," which is high recognition of its unique charm. From a harbor for boats in the Tang Dynasty to a modern street today, Harbor Street is writing a new chapter of development with its ecological foundation of connected mountains and sea, its dynamic and diverse population, and its profound historical heritage.
