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Top Attractions
Lover’s Road (情侣路)
The signature experience of Zhuhai: a 28-km-long seaside promenade running from the Fisher Girl Statue in the north through Xiangzhou District and continuing south along the coastline. The broad walkway is lined with palm trees, separated from the water by rocky beaches and sea gardens, and flanked on the inland side by parks and low-rise development.
Walking or cycling the full length takes most of a day. Most visitors do a partial circuit from the Fisher Girl Statue south for 2–3 hours. The path is maintained to a high standard and is genuinely pleasant at any time of day — at dusk, the Pearl River estuary light turns the water extraordinary colours.
Free access throughout. Bicycle hire available along the route; ¥20–¥40 per hour.
Fisher Girl Statue (珠海渔女雕像)
Zhuhai’s most recognisable landmark: an 8.7-metre bronze statue of a young woman holding a pearl above her head, standing on a rock in the sea along Lover’s Road. The statue (1982) has become the city’s icon, featuring on virtually all tourist materials.
The statue is best photographed in early morning or at sunset when the western-facing side catches the best light and there are fewer people around it.
Free, outdoor.
Zhuhai Fisherman’s Wharf (珠海渔人码头)
A waterfront leisure and hotel complex in the eastern part of the city, modelled vaguely on San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. The development has European-style faux-architecture, a range of restaurants, and views across to Macau’s casino skyline — which provides an interesting contrast. The Zhuhai Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (one of the world’s largest aquariums) is adjacent.
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom tickets: ¥280–¥320 ($39–$45). A full day’s entertainment option for families.
Hengqin Island and Free Trade Zone (横琴自贸区)
Hengqin Island, connected to Zhuhai by bridge and road, was designated a Special Economic Zone in 2021 and is being developed as a Macau-Zhuhai cooperation zone with specific policies for Macau residents and businesses. The island is also home to Chimelong International Ocean Tourism Resort.
For travellers, Hengqin is interesting for:
- Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (长隆海洋王国): One of the world’s highest-rated theme parks; excellent for families
- Hengqin Wetland Park: A preserved coastal wetland with walking trails and birdwatching
- The developing retail and dining scene: Duty-free shopping is available in specific Hengqin zones
Getting to Hengqin from Zhuhai: Bus, taxi or the Hengqin Light Rail.
Round Ming Yuanmingyuan Garden (圆明新园)
A partial reconstruction of the Old Summer Palace (destroyed by Anglo-French forces in 1860), this large theme park is controversial conceptually but provides a visually spectacular recreation of some of the lost architecture.
Tickets: ¥120 ($17).
The Macau Connection
Zhuhai shares a border with Macau and is the entry/exit point for the vast majority of land crossings between mainland China and the Special Administrative Region.
Border crossings:
- Gongbei Port (拱北口岸): The main crossing, adjacent to Zhuhai city centre. Open 24 hours for pedestrians. Macau SAR is immediately on the other side.
- Hengqin Port (横琴口岸): A newer crossing via Hengqin Island; specifically designed for the Macau-Hengqin cooperation zone development.
- Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Port (港珠澳大桥珠海公路口岸): Serving the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge for road transport.
From Macau to Zhuhai on foot: Walk from the Macau ferry terminal or casino area to the border gate; cross into Gongbei. Simple and quick on weekdays; significant queues on weekends and holidays.
From Hong Kong to Zhuhai: Via the HK-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge by bus (about 40 minutes from the Hong Kong boundary crossing point). Or ferry from Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal to Jiuzhou Port in Zhuhai (about 1 hour).
Offshore Islands
Zhuhai has a large number of offshore islands, several of which are accessible for day trips and overnight stays.
Wailingding Island (外伶仃岛): About 2 hours by ferry from Jiuzhou Port; the largest of the accessible islands, with good beaches, hiking trails and a preserved village atmosphere. A weekend escape popular with Guangdong urban residents.
Donao Island (东澳岛): Smaller and quieter than Wailingding; excellent swimming and snorkelling in clear water (visibility much better than mainland coast). Ferry from Jiuzhou Port; approximately 1 hour.
Overnight Island Stays: Basic guesthouses on the main islands charge ¥200–¥450/night ($28–$63). Book ahead for summer weekends.
Zhuhai Food
Zhuhai’s food reflects its position at the intersection of Cantonese and seafood traditions. The city is famous for the freshness of its seafood, available from the Pearl River estuary and the adjacent South China Sea.
Must-eat:
- Roast goose (烧鹅): Zhuhai’s Doumen district is famous for its roast goose; juicy, crispy-skinned and excellent with white rice
- Sand worm (沙虫): A local delicacy — small worms from the sandy estuary shores, dried and stir-fried or added to porridge. Unusual but genuinely good.
- Seafood hot pot: Multiple seafood hot pot restaurants along Lover’s Road serve the day’s catch; budget ¥150–¥250 for two ($21–$35)
- Dim sum: The usual excellent Cantonese morning tea; the markets near Gongbei are good for dim sum restaurants
Getting to Zhuhai
From Guangzhou
High-speed rail (recommended): Guangzhou South to Zhuhai (North or Station), approximately 40–55 minutes; tickets ¥55–¥85 ($8–$12). Very frequent services.
From Shenzhen
High-speed rail: Shenzhen North to Zhuhai, approximately 50–60 minutes; tickets ¥60–¥90 ($8–$13). Via Guangzhou or direct via Zhongshan, depending on service.
From Hong Kong
Ferry: Regular ferry services from China Ferry Terminal (Kowloon) and Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Terminal to Jiuzhou Port in Zhuhai, approximately 1 hour; tickets ¥180–¥260 ($25–$36).
Bus via HK-ZM Bridge: Bus services from the Hong Kong boundary crossing point to Zhuhai via the new bridge; approximately 40 minutes.
From Macau
On foot/taxi: Walk across Gongbei Port. From Macau’s Barrier Gate to Zhuhai city centre taxi, ¥20–¥30 ($3–$4).
Where to Stay
Budget (¥150–¥280 / $21–$39): Several guesthouses and budget hotels near Gongbei Port are convenient for the Macau day-trip crowd. Zhuhai Inn and multiple unnamed guesthouses in the area.
Mid-range (¥350–¥700 / $49–$98): Doubletree by Hilton Zhuhai is a good central option. Sofitel Zhuhai near Lover’s Road is well-positioned.
Upscale (¥900+ / $126+): The St. Regis Zhuhai is the flagship luxury property. Rosewood Hengqin on the island offers resort-style luxury.
Island eco-resorts: Several boutique eco-resort options on Wailingding and Donao islands provide a unique experience at ¥500–¥1,200/night ($70–$168).
Best Time to Visit
October–April: The best season. Comfortable temperatures (15–25°C), lower humidity and very few typhoon risks. Air quality is best in winter and early spring.
May: Warm but not yet hot; shoulder season with good value accommodation.
June–September: Peak summer heat (32–37°C) and high humidity; typhoon risk July–September. Island ferries can be cancelled with little notice. Still popular domestically, especially for beach tourism.
Practical Tips
- Border crossing queues: The Gongbei Port to Macau crossing can have very long queues on weekends, public holidays and Chinese school holidays. Crossing mid-week or early morning/late evening significantly reduces wait times.
- WeChat Pay and Alipay: Standard across Zhuhai. Macau-side requires HK dollars, Macau Pataca or the Macau-specific payment apps.
- Air quality: Zhuhai consistently has better air quality than most Pearl River Delta cities; even so, check AQI before planning beach days.
- Island ferry schedules: Check the day before visiting islands; services are suspended during typhoon warnings and sometimes during strong south wind conditions.
A Suggested 2-Day Zhuhai Itinerary
Day 1: Morning cycling along Lover’s Road → Fisher Girl Statue → Lunch at Jiuzhou fishing port seafood restaurant → Hengqin Island afternoon (Wetland Park or Chimelong) → Dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf area
Day 2: Morning: Doumen Roast Goose breakfast + district village walking → Afternoon: Ferry to Wailingding Island (or Macau day trip if timing allows) → Evening return
Final Word
Zhuhai is the Pearl River Delta’s hidden gem for travellers who want something calmer than Hong Kong’s intensity or Guangzhou’s scale, but with easy access to both. The combination of good coastal infrastructure, the Macau connection and the offshore island options gives it a relaxed flexibility that makes it an excellent 2–3 day base.