Whenever I drive to the Sunflower Garden I am always amazed by the scene that greets me -  5km car-queues, the horns of impatient drivers, the blaring voices on the loudspeakers, the exhaust pollution and the sweating hordes of pedestrians. It's yet another typical picture of Chinese tourism. And yet just 15 minutes down the road is the Nansha Wetland Conservation Park, one of Guangdong's great wonders, and a place free of traffic, crowds and deafening noises. Pure bliss. 
   Actually, even getting there is a pleasant experience. You drive down avenues lined by tall trees and broken only by lovely streams. And if you're looking for a tranquil breezy weekend break, and you happen to be something of a bird freak, then Nansha is going to be your perfect cup of tea. 
   The Wetland itself is full of mangroves and reeds providing a perfect habitat for the migratory birds that shelter here from the north. At first glance, the place may seem deserted, even slightly empty.  Yet look a little closer and you will observe countless breeds of birds nestled among the many species of mangroves and channel beds. Insects buzz and sing everywhere, and colorful dragonflies hover merrily above the tall grass. It's one of the Province's best places to relax and take in the views. Only a few moments after arriving I spotted egrets with striking white plumages and bright yellow beaks standing among the reeds.
   When we reached the incubation area, my guide showed me countless nests brimming with multi-colored eggs. Don't miss the chance to watch budding parents busily tidying up their homes for the big day. And vultures - yes, bearded vultures - can also be seen among the marshes, though the Wetland workers make sure to keep them away from the incubation zone.  
   These Wetlands, as you can guess, boast a great biodiversity, with rare and unique species, such as the black-faced Spoonbill (of which there are only 774 left in the world, making them even more precious than the panda.) Perhaps the destruction caused by the 2004 tsunami in South Asia may leave you with the impression that wetlands such as Nansha need to be protected at all costs, especially from the encroaching real estate activity. Mangrove forests, as any natural scientist will tell you, are really essential for the wellbeing of many animal life forms, and that includes human beings. All in all, if you want to get back to nature for the weekend, but don't want to travel too far, then these Wetlands provide the perfect setting to observe, reflect and take flight on the wing.

Getting there

From Guangzhou
Take Metro line 2 to Wan Sheng Wei, then transfer to line 4. Get off at Huang Ge Auto Town, and find Huang Ge bus terminal (10mins walk). The No.362 (line B) bus(4RMB) takes you there direct and runs every 30 minutes.

From Shenzhen
Take the CRH(80RMB) to Guangzhou East Station. Take the Metro line 1 at the East Station to Chi Gang. Transfer to line 2, and again transfer to line 4 at Wan Sheng Wei. Then follow the Guangzhou bus instructions above.
Commonly Seen Birds

Entrance: 10RMB
Eco tour weekends: 100RMB (adult) 50RMB (kids)
Eco tours: 60RMB (adult) 30RMB (kids)
Bicycles: 10RMB per hour
Tandem/Triple bikes: 20RMB per hour
Entrance gate capacity per day: 320 people
Eco tour daily capacity:180 people
Opening hours: 9am-5pm
Phone: 020-84951083