What it is: A coastal city in southern China’s Guangdong province, known for its relaxed vibe, seaside promenades, and proximity to Macau.
Affordability: Budget-friendly, with inexpensive transport, seafood, and accommodations compared to nearby urban centers.
Safety: Very safe, with low crime rates and a generally peaceful atmosphere.
Popularity: Popular with domestic tourists and Macau day-trippers, but still under-the-radar for most international travelers.
Tourist Infrastructure: Decent, with improving transport links, well-kept parks, and a growing number of hotels and attractions.
Accommodation Options: Budget hotels, mid-range business stays, beachfront resorts, and high-rise chain hotels.
Dining Scene: Known for fresh seafood, Cantonese cuisine, and casual beachfront restaurants; also easy to find dim sum and hotpot.
Nightlife: Laid-back, with bars and lounges near the coast, some karaoke joints, and nightlife geared more toward locals than tourists.
Weather: Subtropical, with hot, humid summers and mild winters; rainy season runs from May to September.
Best Time to Go: October to December for drier weather and cooler temperatures.
Known For: Beaches, seafood, gardens, leisure tourism, proximity to Macau, family-friendly parks, quiet pace.
Top Attractions: Zhuhai Fisher Girl Statue • Lovers’ Road • Chimelong Ocean Kingdom • New Yuan Ming Palace • Zhuhai Grand Theatre • Dong’ao Island • Jintai Temple • Meixi Royal Stone Archways.
- Population: Approximately 2.4 million in the city.
- Emergency Numbers: 110 for police, 119 for fire, and 120 for medical emergencies.
- Time Zone: China Standard Time (CST), UTC +8 (no daylight saving time).
- Currency: Chinese Yuan (¥ CNY); ATMs are widely available, and credit cards are accepted in many places, though mobile payment apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay are more common.
- Language: Mandarin Chinese is the official language; Cantonese is also widely spoken, and English is used in tourist areas.
- Electricity: Standard voltage is 220V; plugs are type A, C, and I (mix of North American, European, and Chinese plugs).
- Internet: Good coverage, but access to many global sites is restricted without a VPN.
- Convenience stores: Found everywhere, 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, and local minimarts are common.
- Nearest International Airport: Zhuhai Jinwan Airport (about 30 miles / 50 km southwest of the city center); also near Macau International Airport via border crossing.
- Trivia: Zhuhai is one of China’s original Special Economic Zones and is known as the “City of a Hundred Islands.”
- Iconic Local Foods: Must-try dishes include seafood hotpot, Portuguese egg tarts (influenced by nearby Macau), and dim sum.
- Fun Fact: The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge, connects Zhuhai directly to Hong Kong and Macau.
Zhuhai, a coastal city in southern China’s Guangdong province, is known for its relaxed atmosphere, attractive beaches, and proximity to Macau. Most tourists come to enjoy seaside promenades, visit the iconic Fisher Girl Statue, and explore Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, one of Asia’s largest theme parks. Zhuhai also offers island-hopping opportunities and a growing arts and café scene.
What sets Zhuhai apart is its laid-back vibe, unusual for a Chinese city of its size, and its scenic setting along the South China Sea. It’s a favorite getaway for those looking to escape the hustle of nearby cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Top attractions include Lovers’ Road (a picturesque coastal walk), the Fisher Girl Statue, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, New Yuan Ming Palace, and Zhuhai Opera House. A ferry ride to Hebao Island or a visit to nearby Macau are popular side trips.
Zhuhai is a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and sits on the Pearl River Delta. It is far more laidback and not as busy as nearby Macau and Hong Kong, yet has excellent tourist facilities, with numerous hotels, restaurants and shops. There are two major airports within reach, along with a smaller one within town, as well as major road and rail lines.
Zhuhai is primarily the gateway to Macau for visiting Chinese and is a lot cheaper than Hong Kong. The main tourist area in Zhuhai is Gongbei, which is loaded with cheap hotels, numerous shops, and a decent nightlife. Jinding is the industrial part. Side attractions in Zhuhai are its hot springs and golf clubs, while the Fisher Girl statue is the city’s symbol.
For lodging, the waterfront area around Lovers’ Road is ideal for views and easy access to attractions, while Gongbei offers convenient border access to Macau. Accommodations range from luxury seaside hotels to budget-friendly stays.
Getting around is easy with taxis, buses, and the expanding light rail network. Walking and biking along the waterfront promenades are especially enjoyable.
Dining features Cantonese seafood, dim sum, and specialties like Portuguese egg tarts thanks to the Macau influence. Nightlife is low-key but growing, with seaside bars and live music spots. Shopping ranges from large malls to the bustling Gongbei Underground Market.
Zhuhai is generally safe, clean, and tourist-friendly. The climate is subtropical, with hot, humid summers and mild winters, and the occasional typhoon between July and September.
Why Go to Zhuhai?
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Coastal Scenery: Stroll seaside promenades and enjoy beachside parks.
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Family Attractions: Visit Chimelong Ocean Kingdom and other kid-friendly spots.
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Macau Gateway: Cross easily into Macau for a blend of cultures and casinos.
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Seafood & Dim Sum: Enjoy fresh Cantonese cuisine and Macau-inspired treats.
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Relaxed Pace: Unwind in a quieter, more laid-back Chinese city.
Who Might Not Enjoy Zhuhai?
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Travelers Seeking Major Historic Sites: Zhuhai is modern, with limited historical landmarks.
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Those Avoiding Humid Weather: Summers are hot, sticky, and prone to typhoons.
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Visitors Wanting Bustling Nightlife: The scene here is quieter than in nearby Macau or Shenzhen.
What’s Cool
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park, Lovers’ Road seaside promenade, New Yuan Ming Palace, Zhuhai Opera House, Zhuhai Grand Theatre, day trips to Macau, coastal islands and beaches (Hengqin, Wailingding), seafood dining, modern skyline with ocean views, relaxed vibe compared to nearby cities.
What’s Not
Hot and humid summers, occasional typhoons, language barrier (mostly Mandarin and Cantonese), limited nightlife, fewer historical landmarks, tourist crowds at major attractions, pricey theme park tickets, traffic congestion near Macau border, dual pricing in some spots, patchy public transport coverage.
Zhuhai is located in southern China, on the southern coast of Guangdong province, bordering Macau to the south and facing the South China Sea. It’s part of the Pearl River Delta and is known for its coastal scenery and status as a Special Economic Zone. Zhuhai Jinwan Airport serves the city, and it’s well connected by buses, ferries, and the Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
Covering around 1,700 km² (656 mi²), Zhuhai is laid out along the coast, with key areas including Xiangzhou, Gongbei, Hengqin, and Jida. The city blends modern developments with beaches, islands, and green spaces.
Most tourists stay in Gongbei or Xiangzhou for proximity to Macau and local attractions.
Gongbei
Gongbei is Zhuhai’s main gateway area, adjacent to the Macau border, bustling with shopping centers and transport hubs.
- Accommodations: (Mid-Range to High-End) – Hotels and serviced apartments.
- Nearby Attractions: Gongbei Port • Port Plaza • Underground Shopping Mall
- Dining: (Varied) – Chinese, Macanese, and international restaurants.
- Nightlife: (Lively) – Bars, karaoke, and clubs.
- Shopping: (Excellent) – Malls and duty-free shops.
Xiangzhou
Xiangzhou is the administrative and cultural heart of Zhuhai, offering a mix of business, residential, and tourist services.
- Accommodations: (Mid-Range) – Business hotels and guesthouses.
- Nearby Attractions: New Yuanming Palace • Bailian Cave Park
- Dining: (Local) – Cantonese cuisine and seafood.
- Nightlife: (Moderate) – Local bars and pubs.
- Shopping: (Good) – Markets and shopping centers.
Hengqin
Hengqin is a large island district focused on entertainment and tourism, featuring resorts, theme parks, and casinos.
- Accommodations: (High-End) – Luxury resorts and hotels.
- Nearby Attractions: Chimelong Ocean Kingdom • Hengqin Port
- Dining: (Family-Friendly) – Theme park restaurants and hotel dining.
- Nightlife: (Casual) – Resort bars and lounges.
- Shopping: (Tourist-Focused) – Malls and souvenir shops.
Jida
Jida is a coastal district with beaches, parks, and business centers, popular for its seaside vibe and central location.
- Accommodations: (Mid-Range to High-End) – Hotels and serviced apartments.
- Nearby Attractions: Zhuhai Seaside Park • Lover’s Road
- Dining: (Scenic) – Beachside restaurants and seafood spots.
- Nightlife: (Casual) – Coastal bars and cafés.
- Shopping: (Moderate) – Local malls and markets.
Tangjiawan
Tangjiawan is home to universities and tech parks, offering a quieter environment with some historic and cultural sites.
- Accommodations: (Budget to Mid-Range) – Guesthouses and budget hotels.
- Nearby Attractions: Tangjia Bay Ancient Fort • Zhuhai Opera House
- Dining: (Simple) – Local eateries and cafés.
- Nightlife: (Quiet) – Few local bars.
- Shopping: (Limited) – Local markets and small shops.
Doumen
Doumen is a more rural and traditional district with natural scenery, wetlands, and hot springs, ideal for eco-tourism.
- Accommodations: (Budget to Mid-Range) – Resorts and local inns.
- Nearby Attractions: Jintai Temple • Doumen Hot Springs
- Dining: (Traditional) – Cantonese and seafood cuisine.
- Nightlife: (Minimal) – Quiet and nature-focused.
- Shopping: (Basic) – Local stores and wet markets.