The lotus ponds, ice and snow, and Wing Chun in Gulao, Jiangmen hide surprises you don’t know about
Scattered fish ponds, winding rivers, and the villages spread among them form the most original water town landscape in the Pearl River Delta.
“Boating on the green waves, people travel in a painting.” When I took a small boat through the waterways of Gulao Water Town in Jiangmen, I finally understood the meaning of this poem. What lies before me is not Jiangnan, yet it surpasses Jiangnan—the indigo river network stretches like the veins of the earth, the 700-year-old mulberry-based fish ponds shimmer with ripples, black canopy boats cut through the emerald water, startling egrets flying over the contiguous lotus ponds.
This is Gulao Water Town, known as the “last water town of Lingnan,” a treasure destination just 1-2 hours by car from Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
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01 Water Town Scroll: Ecological Wonder and 700 Years of Farming Heritage
Stepping into Gulao Water Town, I was instantly struck by its magnificent ecological vitality. As the last original ecological water town in the Pearl River Delta, it fully preserves the largest and most typical mulberry-based fish pond system in Lingnan.
Ten thousand acres of fish ponds spread like mirrors, with checkerboard-style embankments dividing the waters into geometric secrets.
The ancient wisdom of “planting mulberry on pond embankments, feeding silkworms with mulberry leaves, raising fish with silkworm sand, and fertilizing ponds with fish manure” has continued on this land for over 700 years, making every inch of land a breathing ecosystem.
While other water towns freeze history as exhibition photos, Gulao Water Town turns tradition into living life—the elderly cooling off and playing chess under banyan trees, villagers casting nets in fish ponds, farmers drawing water to irrigate fields, and smoke rising gently from embankments.
This unique model of “production as landscape, life as performance” makes Gulao Water Town a rare “living water town museum,” creating an irreplaceable cultural tourism attraction.
02 Scenic All Year Round: An Ecological Scroll in Ink and Color
Gulao Water Town has its own charm in every season.
In spring, the vast mulberry-based fish ponds ripple with green waves and fresh new leaves; in summer, the fragrance of lotus flowers fills the air for miles, and boating among the lotus leaves feels like stepping into the poetic painting of “endless green lotus leaves reaching the sky”;
In autumn, century-old banyan trees hold up emerald canopies, lush and verdant; in winter, the swaying reeds create silver waves with a unique charm.
Henghailang Wetland Park is the “green lung” of the water town and a paradise for egrets. Especially during the Qingming breeding season, boat rides reveal flocks of egrets flying together, forming the spectacular “thousand-pond egret shadows.”
The water town still preserves the over 200-year-old Water Dragon Bridge, a winding stone slab bridge over 300 meters long that connects ancient villages. Walking on the bridge, you can almost hear echoes of history.
03 Cultural Tourism Integration: The Passionate Collision of Classic and Modern
The charm of Gulao Water Town lies not only in its ancient charm but also in its bold integration of tradition and modernity.
Thrilling rides like roller coasters and high-altitude flying on Screaming Island will get your adrenaline pumping, while the indoor ice and snow world lets Lingnan locals experience snowy fun right at their doorstep.
Who would have thought that in a Lingnan water town, you could enjoy a whole “Frozen” experience? Ice and snow slides, Nezha-themed ice sculptures, and an ice and snow tunnel instantly transport you from the water town to the northern lands.
Culture and performances are another highlight of the water town. Every day, there are Wing Chun performances, Xianbei equestrian shows, water weddings, and other cultural displays in the scenic area.
Visitors can ride the “Water Koi Train,” enjoying the scenery while watching schools of koi fish in the river.
The night in Gulao is not to be missed. The iron flower performance showers sparks like a meteor shower, dazzling and brilliant; water screen movies and light shows dress the ancient water town in a dreamy and enchanting way.
04 Cultural Treasures: The Hometown of Wing Chun and Celebrities
Gulao Water Town is not only beautiful but also a culturally rich treasure land.
It is the hometown of Wing Chun founder Leung Jan. At Leung Jan Cultural Park, the wooden dummy stands silently, telling the story of the martial arts master, where martial arts enthusiasts can feel the charm of Wing Chun culture.
Gulao also nurtured many celebrities, including Wang Zebang (founder of Wanglaoji herbal tea), China’s first film queen Hu Die, Hong Kong director Wong Pak-ming, and basketball star Yi Jianlian.
The water town’s intangible cultural heritage is rich and colorful—four provincial-level intangible cultural heritages are passed down here: Wing Chun, Crane Style Lion Dance, Sanjia Tenglong (Gulao Dragon Boat), and Donggu brand sauce-making techniques.
During the Dragon Boat Festival, the grand “Sanjia Tenglong” ceremony is held, with lively scenes of dragon raising, boat racing, and eating dragon boat rice, continuing the collective memory of the water town.
05 Taste of Gulao: Delicious Witness to Water Town Revitalization
Living by the water, Gulao’s river delicacies are not to be missed.
Fish skin dumplings are translucent, fish porridge is smooth and sweet, steamed bighead fish in copper pots retains its original flavor, and the crispy-skinned, fragrant Xijiang roast goose leaves a lasting impression with every dish.
In Gulao, food is not only a taste enjoyment but also a witness to the water town’s revitalization. Locally, the “company + tea garden + farmer” model boosts income for surrounding tea farmers, relying on rich tea culture resources to vigorously develop the tea tourism integration industry.
The Tea Mountain Ecological Park boasts 800 acres of tea fields where visitors can experience tea picking and making, and taste authentic Tea Mountain water-steamed chicken.
“Before Heshan County existed, Gulao tea was already famous,” reflecting the long history of tea culture in Gulao Town.
06 Travel Tips: Tailor-Made Water Town Experiences
Based on different interests, I have designed several special routes for you:
· Classic Water Town Route: Gulao Water Town Visitor Center → Henghai Boating → Shang Gulao Market Street → Wing Chun Hall → Night viewing of iron flower performance. Suitable for first-time visitors who want a comprehensive understanding of the water town.
· Ancient Village Cultural Route: Shangsheng Village (visit Wanglaoji’s former residence, Li family residence) → Water Dragon Bridge → Leung Jan Cultural Park → Tea Mountain to taste silver needle tea and Tea Mountain water-steamed chicken. Suitable for culture lovers and history buffs.
· Family Nature Fun Route: Gulao Water Town Screaming Island → Countryside Time Lawn Camping → Rainbow Slide Flying → Fish and Vegetable Farm for vegetable picking. Suitable for family trips, letting children get close to nature.
Practical Information:
Tickets: Various ticket options are available; some tickets are about 49 RMB each, with other options including boat rides.
Opening Hours: Daytime 9:00-17:29, nighttime 17:30-08:59 (boat times may vary, please refer to scenic area announcements).
Address: Riverside of Xijiang River, Gulao Town, Heshan City, Jiangmen, Guangdong Province.
Recommended Visit Duration: 4-5 hours; for a full experience, a whole day is recommended.
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Travel Tips: Driving from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and other Greater Bay Area cities to Gulao Water Town generally takes less than 1.5 hours.
Walking on the stone slab bridge in Gulao Water Town, watch the sunset gild this water town with golden light. The lights at the visitor center gradually come on, blending beautifully with the natural scenery—these two buildings were selected for the Arch Daily 2022 World Architecture Awards.
Today, this wall-less museum welcomes every traveler eager to escape the urban hustle with an open attitude.
Pack your bags and set off this weekend to experience the freely flowing water town life!