Zhuhai 7-day itinerary

Start along Lovers' Road — Zhuhai's 28km coastal promenade. The stretch near Xianglu Bay passes the Fisher Girl statue — a pearl goddess rising from the rocks, Zhuhai's most recognisable landmark. The morning light on the sea with fishing boats and distant islands creates the perfect introduction to China's most relaxed coastal city. Breakfast: congee and fried dough sticks (¥10).

Explore the Gongbei Underground Market beneath the Macau border — thousands of stalls with clothes, pearls, electronics, and souvenirs. Bargaining is expected. The district above ground has a lively mix of Chinese and Macau-influenced culture from the border proximity. Lunch at a Cantonese restaurant for dim sum and roast duck — ¥40–60 per person for an excellent spread.

Dinner at Wanzai Seafood Street — Zhuhai's famous strip with Macau casino skyline views. Choose live seafood from ice displays — mantis shrimp, clams, scallops — steamed, grilled, or stir-fried to order. A feast for two: ¥100–150. Add cold Tsingtao beer and watch the neon casino towers shimmer across the narrow waterway. This is Zhuhai's signature dining experience.

Take the first ferry from Xiangzhou Port to Dong'ao Island (¥120 return, 1 hour) — a tropical island with clear water, hiking trails, and uncrowded beaches. Arrive and head to Nansha Beach — the main stretch with blue-green water and soft sand. The island has a quiet, end-of-the-world feel that contrasts sharply with the mainland mega-cities nearby.

Walk the 3km coastal trail connecting the beaches through forest with ocean viewpoints. The southern coves have the best snorkeling — rent gear (¥30) and explore the rocky areas for tropical fish. Water visibility is the best in the Pearl River Delta. The island is small enough to explore entirely on foot in an afternoon, with several hidden coves accessible by trail.

Ferry back to Zhuhai and cycle Lovers' Road at sunset (bike rental ¥1.5/15 min via Meituan app). The western-facing sections offer stunning views as the sun drops behind the islands. Dinner at a local Cantonese restaurant near the waterfront — claypot rice and stir-fried vegetables for ¥30–50. Zhuhai evenings are wonderfully relaxed compared to the frenetic energy of Guangzhou or Shenzhen.

Visit the Meixi Royal Stone Archways (¥10) — ornate granite gateways from 1891, awarded by the Qing Emperor to a local merchant family. The dragon and phoenix carvings are extraordinarily detailed. Nearby, the Chen Family Garden is a restored Lingnan compound. These sites connect Zhuhai to its pre-modern past, before the Special Economic Zone transformed it into a modern coastal city.

Hike Jingshan (Prospect Hill) Park — Zhuhai's highest point with views of the city, coast, and Macau. The 1-hour trail winds through subtropical forest. At the summit, you can see the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge stretching across the sea. Locals use this as their daily exercise — you'll see groups doing tai chi, dancing, and playing badminton at every clearing.

Explore the Xiangzhou district — Zhuhai's commercial centre with shopping malls, night markets, and BBQ street-food alleys. Try Xinjiang lamb skewers (¥3–5 each) with cumin and chilli, paired with cold beer. Walk through the night market for grilled oysters, stinky tofu, and fried mantou (bread). The atmosphere is local and authentic — tourists are rare in Zhuhai's evening food scene.

Walk across the Gongbei/Portas do Cerco border to Macau (15 minutes, free if you have visa-free access). Start at the Ruins of St. Paul's and Monte Fort in the UNESCO Historic Centre. Walk through Senado Square's Portuguese cobblestones and visit A-Ma Temple. Grab free samples of almond cookies and jerky from the shops on Rua de S. Paulo. Macau's heritage is extraordinary for its size.

Bus to Taipa Village for Rua do Cunha — Macau's most famous food street. Lord Stow's egg tarts (MOP$11), pork chop buns at Tai Lei Loi Kei (MOP$40), and serradura pudding are essential. Walk through the Cotai Strip casinos — the Venetian's indoor Venice, the Parisian's Eiffel Tower, and Wynn Palace are all free to explore. Casino food courts offer meals from MOP$40.

Watch the Wynn Palace fountain show (free, every 15 minutes from 5pm) then walk back across the border to Zhuhai. The border closes around midnight. Return to Wanzai for a final seafood snack — grilled oysters and beer while watching the Macau skyline you were just walking through. The contrast between the two sides of the border — flashy Macau and relaxed Zhuhai — is fascinating.

Visit Hengqin National Wetland Park (free) — a surprisingly beautiful mangrove and wetland area on Hengqin Island, just across from Macau. Boardwalk trails wind through mangroves with birdwatching hides. The park is peaceful and largely tourist-free. Spot egrets, kingfishers, and mudskippers in the tidal pools. The morning mist over the mangroves with Macau's skyline behind is surreal.

If you enjoy theme parks, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (¥395) is one of Asia's biggest — record-breaking aquariums, roller coasters, whale shark exhibits, and a massive water park. Even non-theme-park people find the aquarium impressive — the main tank holding whale sharks is 22.7m tall. Budget a full afternoon. Alternatively, explore Hengqin's developing cultural district and waterfront.

Hengqin is famous for its oysters — the brackish waters where the river meets the sea produce uniquely plump, sweet oysters. Find a local oyster restaurant on the island — grilled with garlic and vermicelli (¥8–12 per oyster) or deep-fried in batter. A full oyster feast with side dishes runs ¥80–120 per person. These are among the best oysters in southern China.

Take the ferry from Xiangzhou Port to Wai Lingding Island (¥120–150 return, 1.5 hours) — a remote, mountainous island far out in the Pearl River Delta. The views during the crossing are spectacular. The island has hiking trails to viewpoints overlooking the open South China Sea, small beaches, and traditional fishing village atmosphere. It feels genuinely remote despite being accessible.

Hike to the island's peak (270m) for panoramic ocean views — the trail takes about 1 hour through forest and rocky outcrops. Then descend to one of the quiet beaches for swimming. The water here is cleaner than the mainland beaches. Lunch at a fishing village restaurant — the day's catch cooked simply with ginger and spring onion. Fresh fish and rice from ¥40 per person.

Ferry back to Zhuhai and head to the Jida night market area for street food — stinky tofu, grilled skewers, fried rice noodles, and bubble tea. The atmosphere is local and lively. Alternatively, walk the Lovers' Road one final time for the evening lights along the coast. Zhuhai's pace of life is its greatest charm — no rush, no pressure, just sea breeze and good food.

Relax at Haibinquan Hot Springs (¥168) — a sprawling oceanfront hot spring resort with dozens of themed pools ranging from flower-infused to herbal medicine to cold plunge. The outdoor pools face the South China Sea, and the experience is deeply relaxing. Alternatively, take a final morning walk along Lovers' Road and breakfast at a waterfront dim sum restaurant.

Final shopping at Gongbei Underground Market for pearls, silk, and souvenirs. Freshwater pearl earrings from ¥20–50 make lightweight, unique gifts. Pick up dried seafood and Cantonese pastries from local bakeries. Pack your bags — Zhuhai's gentle pace may have been surprising in a country known for intensity, but that's precisely what makes it special.

One last seafood dinner — this time at Nanshui, south of Hengqin, for the freshest catch. Steamed fish, salt-and-pepper prawns, and garlic clams with cold beer under the stars. Watch the sun set over the South China Sea and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge light up in the distance. Zhuhai may not headline travel guides, but its coastal charm and seafood make it one of southern China's best-kept secrets.