Ancient Coastline Relics of Guangzhou

Ancient Coastline Relics of Guangzhou

The Ancient Coastline Relics of Guangzhou are designated as a cultural relic protection site of Guangzhou.

The Ancient Coastline Relics of Guangzhou are located on the northwest side of the intersection between Shiliugang Road in Haizhu District and the Huannan Expressway, and are designated as a cultural relic protection site of Guangzhou. The relics consist of three parts: a sea-eroded cliff, a sea-eroded cave, and a sea-eroded platform. These formations were created by wave erosion and serve as evidence of an ancient coastline that existed in Guangzhou around six to seven thousand years ago. Today, the coastline has shifted more than 100 kilometers. This site is one of the most inland-reaching ancient coastlines discovered in the world.

On Shiliugang Road in Haizhu District, ancient sand dunes have also been found, containing shells (oyster shells) of marine mollusks, which provide further evidence of the ancient coastline. These sea-eroded cliffs, caves, platforms, ancient sand dunes, and the numerous oyster shells collectively demonstrate the dramatic geological changes that Guangzhou has undergone over time, making the site of significant scientific, educational, and tourism value.

In May 1937, Wu Shangshi, a geography professor at Sun Yat-sen University, first discovered this well-preserved sea-eroded terrace, cliff, and cave complex at Qixinggang. He identified it as landforms formed during the Quaternary Period approximately five to six thousand years ago, proving that this area was once an ancient coastline. Modern geologists have further studied the site and concluded that Haizhu Island was originally a cluster of hills in the ancient “funnel bay” estuary of the Pearl River. Over time, prolonged marine submersion led to the gradual accumulation of silt around the hills, which eventually extended and connected to form land. By the Ming Dynasty, it had reached a size similar to what it is today. It is reported that such ancient coastline relics are rare in the world today. They hold great academic value for the study of sea level changes and land elevation. In recognition of this, the Guangzhou Municipal Government listed the site as a key cultural relic protection unit in 1982. The provincial and municipal geography and cultural heritage departments also built walls to protect the site at the same time, and erected a “Ancient Coastline Relics” stele and stele pavilion on the hill.