Bai’e Tan: How It Supports Guangzhou’s Western Gateway

In Guangzhou, the urban renewal of Bai’e Tan has preserved its history with care rather than bypassing it. “Too slow” has been a common lament over the past decade regarding Guangzhou’s commercial development. Most commercial resources have been concentrated in the old four districts, with the Tianhe commercial zone long holding the untouchable status of a single “core business district.” Whether on weekdays or holidays, voluntarily or not, most people habitually flock to the narrow, long-saturated streets of Tianhe. Congestion has become the norm. Tianhe Road, a single-kilometer stretch, has dominated for thirty years, with retail rents climbing steadily, which explains why many high-profile brands have long been hesitant to enter Guangzhou’s market. Even high-end commercial complexes and luxury brands show significant gaps in number, scale, and density compared to other first-tier cities. In short, Guangzhou’s urban spatial pattern has long been stagnant, suffering from a prolonged “single-center” dilemma.On the other hand, this very gap highlights equal potential. Contemporary consumers, especially locals, seem to be rethinking “Tianhe”: seamless malls have created little more than a purely consumption-oriented, fast-paced shopping destination. For a slower pace and a taste of authentic local life, locals are likely to suggest turning back to Liwan or Yuexiu. There, the unique human touch allows visitors to truly immerse themselves and enjoy life at leisure.

Moreover, new commercial opportunities are quietly emerging there, ready to draw the world’s attention back to Bai’e Tan—the historic commercial heart of Guangzhou, where business networks and cultural heritage converge. Foot traffic and commercial resources naturally follow the commercial zones.Breaking the pattern through planning became a key decision for Guangzhou a few years ago. Under the “14th Five-Year Plan” for International Consumption Center Cities, Guangzhou is moving from “one dominant center” to a “multi-core era.” Among these developments, the long-vacant Bai’e Tan world-class commercial zone has attracted the most attention. Guangzhou Bai’e Tan MixC City, along with Julong Bay Taikoo, the Guangzhou Shipyard and Guangzhou Steel complexes, Sam’s Club, and Vanke Huadiwan Super Shopping Center, have successively launched, challenging Tianhe’s long-standing monopoly. The massive population base, the emergence of commercial clusters exceeding one million square meters on a “blank slate,” and its golden location at the intersection of the Guangzhou-Foshan region, which together boast nearly 4.5 trillion RMB in GDP, all reinforce its potential as Guangzhou’s new western commercial extreme.Bai’e Tan has a long historical legacy. Over more than a century of “direct foreign trade,” it served as the waterway starting point of the Guangdong Customs and the first window through which the world recognized China, witnessing Guangzhou’s rise as a global trade hub.

Naturally, Liwan became the gathering place for wealthy merchants and the first generation of “old money.” During the early Reform and Opening period, China’s first five-star hotel—the White Swan Hotel—was established in Bai’e Tan, Liwan, becoming a long-standing landmark. The grandeur of “Bai’e Tan’s vast waters reflecting the city” complements the elegance of “Goose Pond under the night moon.”In the past two years, the signal of “returning to Bai’e Tan, returning to Guangzhou’s commercial origins” has grown ever more frequent: last Chinese New Year, the Bai’e Tan fireworks show, beloved by many post-90s, returned after 12 years; mid-year, the Greater Bay Area Cultural and Art Center—merging three museums—opened to the public. Nationwide attention converged on this landmark, a rare moment of prominence for Guangzhou in years. The profile of this commercial card continues to refresh. In the first half of this year, news of Guangzhou Bai’e Tan MixC City topping out—the city’s first MixC—has been widely reported, becoming a trending topic. The blueprint for the Bai’e Tan commercial zone is accelerating toward realization, no longer left unrealized.The convergence of art, culture, and commercial landmarks distinguishes Bai’e Tan: it is not merely a cold forest of concrete seeking industrial expansion, but a space illuminated with the depth of Cantonese culture. Due to the complexity of urban development and old district renovations, Guangzhou Bai’e Tan MixC City “arrived” roughly twenty years later than Shenzhen MixC City, despite both being first-tier cities in the Greater Bay Area with old urban centers. This delay, however, increases anticipation.

Like Shenzhen MixC City, which began in the old downtown of Luohu yet became a defining moment in the city’s commercial landscape, Guangzhou Bai’e Tan MixC City continues this legacy. It preserves Liwan’s historic commercial memory and local character while introducing new commercial formats and lifestyle experiences. This “new MixC in the old city” not only fills gaps in the commercial pattern but also has the potential to become a signature of Guangzhou, carrying a generation’s living memories and spirit.Since its announcement, Guangzhou Bai’e Tan MixC City has continually sparked curiosity and anticipation across the industry and public. Its riverside location positions the waterfront as a primary urban stage. Globally, influential urban landmarks have always used waterfronts as golden stages. Whether Canary Wharf in London, ICONSIAM in Bangkok, or Hudson Yards in New York, these areas are more than scenic spots—they are citizens’ living spaces, suitable for morning runs, evening gatherings, performances, and community activities, seamlessly integrating daily life with festive occasions. Indeed, Guangzhou was born of and thrives by water, yet it has long lacked a waterfront commercial icon. Bai’e Tan MixC City, with its prime riverside advantage, aligns perfectly with this natural gift, revitalizing Guangzhou’s waterfront as a “city stage.” Accordingly, the main facade facing the river becomes the primary frontage—a notable distinction from most shopping centers.

From grand concepts to minute details, the design of Guangzhou Bai’e Tan MixC City is infused with a masterful sense of “landscape artistry.” Large-scale, terraced outdoor spaces create continuous viewing and activity platforms, interweaving seamlessly with interior circulation. The arched glass canopy stretches like an open shell, embracing the wind and light of the Pearl River. Viewed from across the river, the building reveals a surprisingly “non-commercial” character—resembling a monumental art installation, or a treasure chest freshly retrieved from the riverbed.The 20,000-square-meter riverside park is more than greenery; it is a carefully woven riverside extension of everyday life. Morning joggers pass through misty waters, children chase each other on the lawns in the afternoon, some watch sunsets from the steps, while evenings may host outdoor concerts or local markets. Along the riverside walk, scattered cafes, wide promenades, and viewing platforms invite visitors to pause, watch boats traverse the river, and observe the city lights slowly flickering to life across the water. Here, the waterfront is not a distant view—it is an integral part of daily life.In our view, what China Resources has achieved in Guangzhou goes beyond simply reshaping the city’s commercial districts. It leads a new standard for waterfront commercial forms and integrated complexes, renewing the urban interface and redefining lifestyle.

On the foundation of history, it cultivates entirely new public life. For old-Guangzhou locals, Liwan represents a cultural epicenter that needs little introduction, a “living fossil” of Cantonese culture. Zoom in on the map, and the significance of MixC City at Bai’e Tan becomes clear: at the confluence of three rivers, between traditional architecture and modern landmarks, there is no shortage of historical stories and cultural inspiration. In the Bai’e Tan renewal, history has been preserved with care rather than ignored. Today, this riverside area responds to that legacy with a wholly new form of public space—efficient and diverse like a modern complex, yet scaled and refined like a landscaped garden, allowing visitors to feel the city’s rhythm while experiencing the warmth of Lingnan culture in the details.The century-old building, the “Somewhat Warren House,” was carefully relocated and restored—not to lock it behind barriers, but to allow it to continue participating in contemporary urban life. On one side, open glass facades exude clarity and modernity; on the other, red brick sloped roofs convey delicacy and warmth. The juxtaposition of heritage and modern architecture creates a dialogue between tradition and contemporary design, maintaining harmonious proportions. This spatial combination lets visitors feel the modern rhythm of the city while experiencing the texture and materiality of Guangzhou’s history.In the future, the heritage street blocks will not be mere objects for viewing or “antique relics,” but functional public spaces.

They will host limited-time brand pop-ups, curated exhibitions, lifestyle salons, and community events, allowing historical buildings to actively participate in contemporary life, adding diverse layers and giving people more reasons to linger, walk slowly, and explore attentively.Moreover, with the convergence of three rivers, the parallel banks, and connections to landmarks such as Shamian, Yongqingfang, and the Greater Bay Area Cultural and Art Center (“Three Museums”), Guangzhou Bai’e Tan MixC City naturally integrates into the city’s cultural loop, positioning itself as a truly world-class tourist destination. For Bai’e Tan MixC City—already a self-contained attraction—the ability to foster deeper emotional ties with its surroundings is a remarkable bonus. Unlike a pure consumption destination, it aims to cultivate a neighborhood warmth reminiscent of old Guangzhou streets: opening your door, greeting neighbors, encountering friends in the riverside park, or casually chatting.Supporting this human-scale atmosphere is China Resources Land’s comprehensive planning and systematic development of the area. This strategic capability makes Guangzhou Bai’e Tan MixC City not just a shopping center, but a complete lifestyle ecosystem, linking residential space, cultural facilities, riverside parks, heritage streets, and contemporary commerce into one interactive experience.Currently, Guangzhou Bai’e Tan MixC City is steadily taking shape, and it is already evident that the ambition and sincerity behind the project are substantial. As observers and consumers, we can look forward with great anticipation to its continued unfolding.