Zhuhai 3-day itinerary

Start with a walk along Lovers' Road, Zhuhai's famous 28km coastal promenade. The stretch near Xianglu Bay passes the Fisher Girl statue, Zhuhai's landmark (a pearl goddess rising from the rocks). The morning light on the sea, fishing boats, and distant islands creates a postcard scene. Breakfast at a waterfront congee shop: preserved egg and pork congee with fried dough sticks for ¥10.

Explore the Gongbei Underground Market beneath the Macau border: thousands of stalls with clothes, pearls, electronics, and souvenirs at wholesale prices. Bargaining is standard. The Gongbei district above ground has a lively mix of Chinese and Portuguese-influenced architecture from the Macau border proximity. Lunch at a local Cantonese restaurant for dim sum and roast duck (¥40–60 per person).

Dinner at Wanzai Seafood Street, Zhuhai's famous strip right on the Macau border with casino skyline views. Choose your live seafood from ice displays (prawns, mantis shrimp, clams, scallops) and have it steamed, grilled, or stir-fried. A generous feast for two costs ¥100–150. Add cold Tsingtao beers and watch the Macau casino lights shimmer across the water. This is Zhuhai at its best.

Take the ferry from Xiangzhou Port to Dong'ao Island (¥120 return, 1 hour), a small tropical island with clear water, hiking trails, and a fraction of the crowds you'd find at similar spots elsewhere. The island has beautiful beaches, snorkeling spots, and a coastal walk connecting the main beach to quieter coves. Pack snacks and water. Island prices are double mainland levels.

Spend the afternoon at Dong'ao's beaches. Nansha Beach is the main stretch with clear blue-green water and soft sand. Rent snorkeling gear (¥30) to explore the rocky areas with tropical fish. For more adventure, take the 3km coastal trail connecting the beaches. It winds through forest with occasional ocean viewpoints. The water visibility is the best in the Pearl River Delta area.

Ferry back to Zhuhai and head straight to the Lovers' Road for a sunset walk. The western-facing section near Jida offers stunning views as the sun drops below the horizon over the islands. Dinner at a Cantonese dai pai dong (open-air food stall) near the waterfront: stir-fried noodles, wonton soup, and grilled squid for ¥30–50. The relaxed pace of Zhuhai evenings is a welcome contrast to nearby mega-cities.

Visit the Meixi Royal Stone Archways (¥10), a cluster of ornate granite arched gateways from 1891, awarded by the Qing Emperor to honour a local merchant family. The carvings are exceptionally detailed with dragons, phoenixes, and historical scenes. Nearby, the Chen Family Garden is a restored traditional Lingnan compound worth a stroll. These sites are Zhuhai's connection to its pre-modern past.

Hike up Jingshan (Prospect Hill) Park, Zhuhai's highest point with a panoramic view of the city, the coast, and Macau in the distance. The 1-hour trail winds through subtropical forest with exercise stations along the way. Locals use this as their daily workout spot. At the summit, the view stretches from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge to the islands dotting the South China Sea.

For a farewell meal, head to the Hengqin district near Chimelong. The area has been redeveloped with new restaurants and a waterfront promenade. Try Cantonese claypot rice (¥25–35) and grilled oysters. Zhuhai is famous for its Hengqin oysters, plump and sweet from the brackish waters. If time allows, view the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge at night from the coastal road. The illuminated 55km bridge is a stunning engineering marvel.