A state-supported urban farm in Guangzhou's Nansha District has launched a 14-day free admission program to mark Guangdong's inaugural "National Science Popularization Month". The Nansha Mingzhu Urban Agricultural Park will waive entry fees from September 1 to 14 for all individual visitors, offering immersive experiences from crop harvesting to high-tech greenhouse tours.
The 132-acre park features a variety of engaging zones for visitors:
1. Shatian Farming Culture Gallery
This exhibition hall focuses on the evolution of Shatian's agricultural heritage, showcasing the integration of historical practices and future innovations in the Bay Area's farming. It allows visitors to journey through time, exploring traditional farming tools and their connection to modern smart agriculture.
2. Mist-Fruit Greenhouse (Aerosol Cultivation Dome)
This 7,968 m² facility includes a greenhouse structure, aeroponic beds, nutrient systems, climate controls, and an educational space. It serves as an agricultural innovation demonstration zone using high-efficiency aeroponic technology, primarily growing Yulu melons—crisp, juicy, and aromatic varieties popular in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Note: Currently closed during critical growth phases to protect crops.
3. Banxia Green Corridor
A 520-meter-long, 4-meter-wide shaded pathway is divided into four zones: passionfruit, screen vines, gourds, and flowers. It provides relief from summer heat and retains lush greenery even in winter.
4. Special Vegetable Zone / Pearl Medicinal Garden / Southern Spice Garden
This area features special vegetables, including ornamental edible plants like daylilies, motherwort, and Artemisia lactiflora, as well as a medicinal garden with Lingnan-native herbs such as moringa, Finger Citron Fruit (Buddha's hand), Ficus hirta, and patchouli. A spice garden offers culinary plants like edible roses, mugwort, mint, and basil. Each section has educational plaques highlighting the "food-medicine concept."
5. Four Seasons Picking Garden
Operates year-round using eco-friendly intercropping methods. Seasonal produce includes corn, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, watermelons, and melons—all pesticide-free for safe harvesting.
September highlights: Various eggplants, okra, lettuce, water spinach, malabar spinach, taro, chicory, and mulberry leaves. Open weekends and holidays.
6. Petting Zoo
A 1,800 m² interactive space with sika deer, ostriches, goats, peacocks, pigeons, squirrels, rabbits, and black swans—perfect for family nature education.
7. Plant Adventure Park & Camping Site
The park's Adventure Zone features non-powered facilities like roller coasters, ziplines, trampolines, and swings for immersive nature play, while the Campground provides barbecue pits and wild cooking stations for "field-to-pot" dining experiences that allow visitors to enjoy meals prepared with freshly harvested ingredients.
Visitor information
Free access: 9:00-17:30 until September 14 (individuals only; groups excluded)
Paid activities: Picking, dining, and equipment rentals require separate fees
Location: No. 5-3 Nanjiang Er Road, Nansha District, Guangzhou (search "Nansha Pearl Agricultural Park") (广州市南沙区南江二路5号之3 南沙明珠农业公园)
Booking: Recommended for weekends via +86 20-8496 3101
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Nanfang Plus
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
