Guangdong wants to be known for coastal beauty

A scenic highway will be developed along the coast of the South China Sea and shores of the Pearl River as Guangdong Province shifts from being the world's workshop toward an economy of consumption and services.

The Provincial Department of Transportation released the Guangdong Coastal Tourism Highway Plan on March 19. It states that a 1,875-km (1,165-mile) route -- the world's longest of its kind -- will come under construction in 2020. Zhuhai will have 129.7 km (80.6 miles) and 7.1 km (4.4 miles) of tourist roads.

The city's tourism and sightseeing section runs 49.9 km (31 miles) from Tangjiawan Town to Hengqin New Area. En route are eye-pleasing cityscapes and tourist attractions. These include the Fenghuang Mt Scenic Spot, Zhuhai Agricultural Wonders, New Yuanming Palace, and Hengqin Island. In all, the highway will serve 90 tourist attractions throughout the province.

With roads designed for a slower driving pace, travelers can safely enjoy the City of Romance's charming seas and islands and an overall aesthetic experience. 

Coastal Lovers Avenue from Shuiwantou to Gongbei [File Photo]

Specifically, a 6.7-km (4.2-mile) line is planned between the southern border of Zhongshan City and Tangjiawan. A 17.9-km (11.1-mile) road will connect Hengqin New Area with Sanzao New Town, and 42.6 km (26.5 miles) will run through Jinwan District to Fushan New Town in Doumen District. The highway construction plan is for "organic integration" of fast and slow-going systems. Higher speeds will be allowed where there really isn't much to see.

Other involved places include Jida, Gongbei, Nanping, and Wanzai in Xiangzhou District; Nanshui Town in the Gaolan Port Economic Zone, and Pingsha Town of Jinwan. The highway will give easier access to Xiangzhou, Jiuzhou, and Hongwan ports.

The plan calls for greener transportation and an economic belt promoting ocean-island-coast tourism. Coastal leisure is to be yet another calling card of Guangdong, according to an official. The increased appeal of this convenient tourist experience is sure to promote development of the coastal economic belt, he added.

All Guangdong routes will afford coastal urban views, tourism and sightseeing, rural landscapes, and scenic transition thoroughfares. Zhuhai will also have allowances for motorized traffic, slow flow, coastal scenery belts, and support facilities.

The Guangdong Coastal Tourism Highway consists of 600 km of upgrades and over 1,000 km of new construction. The route comprises motorways and bicycle lanes. Cities benefitting also include Zhanjiang, Maoming, Yangjiang, Jiangmen, Zhongshan, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Shenzhen, Huizhou, Shanwei, Jieyang, Shantou, and Chaozhou.