Guangzhou's Tianhe District is advancing the development of international neighborhoods, with Liede serving as a flagship model and Xiancun emerging as the next high-standard international community.
One of Guangzhou's first international neighborhoods, Liede Subdistrict spans 3.2 square kilometers and hosts 29 consulates, along with more than 3,300 foreign residents as well as residents from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. Built on a culture-commerce-tourism integration model, Liede blends Lingnan and Cantonese heritage with international urban design and has been recognized as a demonstration zone for cultural and tourism innovation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The district features bilingual signage, themed streetscapes, global dining clusters, and smart services powered by the "Lide" urban IP, offering AI-enabled access to local cultural, commercial, and tourism information. Liede has been designated Guangzhou's first national AAA-rated modern urban tourism area and supports international residents through a citywide service network that has served over 50,000 users.
Located in the heart of Tianhe CBD, Xiancun Subdistrict covers 3.6 square kilometers and is home to about 37,000 market entities, 1,506 major enterprises, and 58 Grade-A office buildings, providing a strong economic foundation for international community development.
Xiancun plans to develop an international neighborhood that integrates culture, commerce, tourism, and technology, with a focus on Cantonese cultural districts, AI-enabled urban services, industrial incubation, and cross-border financial service platforms to attract global talent and investment.
Together, Liede and Xiancun highlight Tianhe District's efforts to build globally connected neighborhoods that combine Lingnan character with international engagement.
Author | He Fengyu
Photo | Nanfang Plus, Guangzhou Tianhe Fabu
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
