What is Haixinsha Park and why go there?

Haixinsha is a small Pearl River island that hosted the 2010 Asian Games opening and closing ceremonies, now a free public park. The leftover stages and Asian Games cauldron remain, but the real draw is the view: directly across the water sit Canton Tower and the Zhujiang New Town skyline, making it the city's best free photo angle.

When is the best time to visit Haixinsha Park?

Come about an hour before sunset. You catch the skyline in golden light, then watch Canton Tower and the towers light up at dusk. The nightly 'Two Banks One River' LED show runs roughly 19:30 to 21:30 on the building facades, and Haixinsha is the prime free, land-based seat to watch it.

How do I get to Haixinsha, and can I combine it with Canton Tower?

Take Metro Line 3 to Linhe Xilu, Exit C, or Zhujiang New Town on Line 3 or 5, Exit B1. The park is free and open around the clock. A footbridge crosses to the south bank and Canton Tower in about eight minutes, so many visitors pair a Haixinsha sunset with a Canton Tower visit.

Haixinsha Park, Guangzhou: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

The 2010 Asian Games opening venue — a Pearl River island park with the city's best free Canton Tower photo angle and front-row light-show seats.

At a glance

What it is: Outdoors
Also known as: 海心沙 (Hǎixīn Shā)
Opening hours: Always open
Time needed: 45-60 min
Best time to visit: Golden hour (60 min before sunset) for tower photos + lights
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Some English signage
Cards accepted: Cash only
Entry: Walk-in — no booking
Wi-Fi: No public Wi-Fi
Address: Haixinsha Island, Tianhe District, Guangzhou · 天河区海心沙

See Haixinsha Parktickets & tours

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Haixinsha (literally 'Sea-Heart Sand') is a small island in the middle of the Pearl River, transformed in 2010 from an industrial site into the open-air venue for the Asian Games' opening and closing ceremonies. The leftover stages, water features, and Olympic-style cauldron remain in place, now serving as a free public park. The view is the entire reason to come: directly across the river, Canton Tower's lattice spire and the entire Zhujiang New Town skyline (IFC Tower, CTF Tower, Opera House) line the south bank. Best at sunset, when both Tower and skyline light up. The nightly 'Two Banks One River' LED light show (19:30-21:30) runs on the building façades; mid-river is the optimal viewpoint, but Haixinsha is the best free land-based seat. The Footbridge to the south bank (Haixinsha Bridge) crosses to Canton Tower in 8 minutes — many visitors do Canton Tower observation + Haixinsha sunset photo as a combo. Free, 24/7. Closest Metro: Linhe Xilu (Line 3, Exit C) or Zhujiang New Town (Line 3/5, Exit B1).

Highlights

Canton Tower Front-Row ViewBest free photo angle — bring camera with night-mode for after-dark shots
Asian Games CauldronOriginal 2010 Asian Games torch and venue stages remain in place
Two Banks One River Light ShowNightly LED show on skyline towers; Haixinsha is the prime land-based viewpoint
Haixinsha Footbridge8-min walk across to Canton Tower south bank — great for combining both POIs
Free + 24/7No entry fee, no hours — perfect for a quick sunset stop

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

▸Arrive 60 minutes before sunset, you get daylight skyline shots, golden hour, and the lights switching on in one stay.
▸Use a phone or camera with a strong night mode; the after-dark tower shots are the reason most people come.
▸Stay for the roughly 19:30 to 21:30 LED light show, it is free here and the towers form the screen across the river.
▸Cross the 8-minute footbridge to pair this with Canton Tower rather than treating it as a separate metro trip.
▸It is genuinely 24/7 and free, so it works as a late stop after dinner when other Guangzhou sights have closed.
▸Weekend evenings get packed at the riverfront railing; arrive before dusk to claim a clear front-row spot.
▸Skip paying for the Canton Tower deck just for the view, this free island gives you the tower itself in frame.

Photos

ferris wheel near body of water during night time

Breathtaking view of Canton Tower glowing against the night sky in Guangzhou, China.

a large body of water with a bridge in the background

Illuminated skyscrapers of Guangzhou reflecting on the water under a night sky.

city skyline under blue sky during daytime

Majestic Guangzhou skyline featuring Canton Tower at twilight, reflecting cityscape elegance and modern architecture.

a tall tower towering over a lush green park

Panoramic aerial shot of Guangzhou skyline with Canton Tower and modern architecture.

Canton Tower framed by a circular opening against a clear blue sky.

Idyllic view of Canton Tower with pedalos on the river in Guangzhou, China, surrounded by lush greenery.

Stunning nighttime view of Guangzhou skyline with illuminated skyscrapers and riverfront.

What travelers say (5 reviews)

SkylineCollector·TripAdvisor·5/5

Best free view of Canton Tower in Guangzhou. Asian Games venue, now a public park. Bring your camera — sunset is unbeatable.

2026-04-09

海心沙日落·Xiaohongshu·5/5

广州塔最佳拍照地，免费！黄昏时分对岸塔灯亮起，每晚都有'一江两岸'灯光秀。

2026-03-04

Alex P.·Google Maps·5/5

Combine with Canton Tower across the river. Pedestrian bridge connects them in 8 min walk — do tower sunset + Haixinsha night photos.

2026-04-26

Yu C.·Ctrip·4/5

2010亚运会开闭幕场地，免费开放。带相机一定要来，晚上19:30看灯光秀。

2026-02-21

NightPhotog·YouTube·5/5

Filmed my Guangzhou night-city series from here. The 'Two Banks One River' LED show is straight out of Blade Runner.

2026-03-30

Videos

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Frequently asked questions about Haixinsha Park

What is Haixinsha Park and why go there?: Haixinsha is a small Pearl River island that hosted the 2010 Asian Games opening and closing ceremonies, now a free public park. The leftover stages and Asian Games cauldron remain, but the real draw is the view: directly across the water sit Canton Tower and the Zhujiang New Town skyline, making it the city's best free photo angle.
When is the best time to visit Haixinsha Park?: Come about an hour before sunset. You catch the skyline in golden light, then watch Canton Tower and the towers light up at dusk. The nightly 'Two Banks One River' LED show runs roughly 19:30 to 21:30 on the building facades, and Haixinsha is the prime free, land-based seat to watch it.
How do I get to Haixinsha, and can I combine it with Canton Tower?: Take Metro Line 3 to Linhe Xilu, Exit C, or Zhujiang New Town on Line 3 or 5, Exit B1. The park is free and open around the clock. A footbridge crosses to the south bank and Canton Tower in about eight minutes, so many visitors pair a Haixinsha sunset with a Canton Tower visit.