10 Things to Do in Zhuhai: China's Coastal Hidden Gem

When people think of the Pearl River Delta, they imagine Guangzhou's urban jungle or Shenzhen's futuristic tech hubs. But tucked right next to Macau, there's a city that does things differently.

Zhuhai is called the "City of a Hundred Islands"... and for good reason. With 146 islands dotting its coastline, a 28-kilometer scenic coastal road, and a vibe that's more Mediterranean resort (within reason) than Chinese megacity, it feels like a discovery that most tourists have yet to make it to.

We came in November, escaping colder destinations further north. The weather was perfect: sunny, warm enough for coastal strolls, with that golden autumn light photographers dream about. Our friend Raffaella, traveling China at the same time, decided to join us here... proof that Zhuhai's pleasant climate makes it a smart November choice when other places are already freezing.

We were also here to collaborate with TESSAN, a tech company based in Zhuhai... more on that soon. But beyond work, the city surprised us. It's not a place you rush through like most places in China. It's a place you breathe and chill a bit.

Let's have a look at the best things to do in Zhuhai.

Planning Your Pearl River Delta Journey?

Zhuhai sits at the southern edge of the delta, but the region has so much more to explore:

North of Zhuhai: Guangzhou
The heart of Cantonese culture and one of our favorite food cities in China. We spent 3 days eating dim sum, climbing the Canton Tower, and falling for this layered megacity. Check out our 3-Day Guangzhou Itinerary or our Gay Guangzhou Guide if LGBTQ travel is your thing.

East of Zhuhai: Shenzhen
China's futuristic tech capital, with the legendary Huaqiangbei electronics market. Our Shenzhen Guide is coming soon.

Right Next Door: Macau
A former Portuguese colony with cobblestone streets, egg tarts, and enough glitter to blind you. Our Macau Guide is also coming soon.

Four destinations, one unforgettable corner of China.

How to Get to Zhuhai

Zhuhai is incredibly well-connected:

• By train: High-speed trains connect Zhuhai to Guangzhou (about 1 hour), Shenzhen (via ferry or train+bridge), and other major cities. This is the option we chose... comfortable, efficient, and drops you right in the action. The Zhuhai Railway Station is literally right next to the Gongbei border crossing with Macau, making it a pretty unbeatable location.

• By ferry: Direct ferries run from Shenzhen Shekou Port to Zhuhai Jiuzhou Port (about 1 hour). It's a scenic way to arrive.

• By air: Zhuhai Jinwan Airport serves domestic flights. Alternatively, fly into Macau or Hong Kong and cross the border as sometimes international flights arriving through China are cheaper there.

• From Macau: This is the easiest. Simply walk across the Gongbei Port border crossing. It takes 30-60 minutes depending on queues, and deposits you right in the heart of Zhuhai.

• From Hong Kong: You can take the impressively long Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge and when you arrive on the Macau/Zhuhai side, just go through Zhuhai customs.

Where to Stay in Zhuhai

Where We Stayed

While we started off in the business district for meetings, we later stayed near the Gongbei border crossing... unbeatable for hopping to Macau and accessing the underground mall. Our hotel was comfortable, convenient, and exactly what we needed.

If You Want Beachfront

The area near Jida Beach or Zhuhai Fisher Girl offers coastal views and easy access to Lover's Road. Perfect if you want to wake up to sea breezes.

Things to Do in Zhuhai

1. Walk or Bike Lover's Road (情侣路)

This 28-kilometer coastal road is Zhuhai's beating heart. It winds along the shoreline, offering stunning views of the sea, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, and the city's skyline. You can walk sections, rent a bike (plenty of rental stations or if you are savvy with WeChat or Alipay, you can rent bikes right through the app), or just find a bench and watch the world go by.

The name "Lover's Road" comes from the couples who stroll here at sunset... and it's the perfect little place for a romantic wander. But even solo or with friends, it's got a vibe! We came here at night and the mist over the sea was something really special.

2. See the Zhuhai Fisher Girl Statue (珠海渔女)

I loved this statue. It's powerful and quite beautiful... a young fisherwoman standing tall, lifting a pearl high above her head. She's become the unofficial symbol of Zhuhai, and for good reasons.

The statue sits right on Lover's Road, with the sea behind her. Go in the late afternoon when the golden light hits just right. You can walk out on these platforms over the calm sea to get there.

The restaurants nearby? A bit fancy, with cuisine from around the world, but we didn't find them very authentic. We skipped eating there and saved our appetite for better spots.

3. Explore Gongbei Market: Underground Mall & Historic Qilou Arcades

Right at the border with Macau, Gongbei Market offers two sides of the same coin... one above ground, one below.

Start above, where you'll find streets lined with Qilou (骑楼)... Southern Chinese-style arcade buildings with covered walkways. These are a hallmark of the region's architectural history, blending Chinese and Western influences. The streets buzz with local energy. It's not polished or touristy... it's real, and that's exactly why we loved it.

Then go downstairs. Beneath it all lies a massive underground mall where Macanese come to shop because everything is cheaper on the mainland. You'll find clothes, accessories, electronics, and all sorts of stuff flowing in from across China.

But the real win? The food. There are countless small eateries downstairs serving solid Chinese classics. It's chaotic, bustling, and absolutely worth an afternoon. We grabbed some great bites here... nothing fancy, just good, honest food.

4. Zhuhai Opera House (珠海大剧院): The "Sun and Moon Shells"

You can't miss it. Rising from the water on Yeli Island, the Zhuhai Opera House looks like two giant glowing shells... one large, one small... which is why locals call it "Sun and Moon Shells" (日月贝). It's the only opera house in China built on an island, and it's stunning. Designed by renowned architect Chen Keshi, the two shell-shaped structures house a 1,550-seat theater and a smaller 550-seat hall. By day, they gleam white against the blue sea. By night, they pulse with dynamic LED lights, reflecting off the water in a way that feels almost magical.

We didn't catch a performance inside (next time!), but even just walking around the island, watching the light change, and seeing the shells glow at dusk was worth the trip. It's free to visit the exterior and the surrounding area—perfect for a sunset stroll.

Getting there: Take bus Z11 to "Sun Moon Shell" stop, or walk across the bridge from Lover's Road. It's right next to the Fisher Girl statue along the coast.

5. Hike Mt. Jingshan (景山公园) for City Views

Take a short cable car ride up this small mountain, Mt. Jingshan, in the city center for a fantastic panoramic view of Zhuhai, the coastline, and Macau in the distance. On a clear day, it's breathtaking.

There's also a hiking trail if you're feeling energetic and don't mind the inevitable sweating... but after all that exploration, the cable car felt like a well-earned treat.

6. Visit the New Yuanming Palace (圆明新园)

A partial reconstruction of Beijing's Old Summer Palace (Yuanming Yuan), which was destroyed in the 19th century, the New Yuanming Palace a fascinating and beautiful park... a modern replica, yes, but the scale and detail are impressive.

You can wander through recreations of classic Chinese gardens, palaces, and waterways without flying to Beijing. It's a great place for a stroll and photos, especially in the late afternoon light.

7. Try Cantonese Food: Dim Sum, Clay Pots & Coastal Specialties

You can't visit the Pearl River Delta without diving face-first into Cantonese cuisine... and Zhuhai delivers. While Guangzhou gets the fame, Zhuhai's food scene is quietly excellent, with fresh seafood and classics done right.

Dim sum is the obvious starting point. Those little bamboo baskets of steamed dumplings, cheung fun (rice rolls), and siu mai are what Cantonese food is famous for worldwide. You can find it everywhere, from morning tea houses to dinner tables.

But don't stop there. The regional specialty is Zhe Zhe Bao (啫啫煲)... dishes cooked in clay pots until they sizzle and sing. We found 啫八 (Zhe Ba), where fresh ingredients hit scorching hot pots with green peppers and onions, arriving at the table still bubbling. Pure comfort.

And of course, seafood. Being coastal, the oysters are exceptional... grilled with garlic, chili, or vermicelli. We had one. It was fresh, as expected!

Uyghur BBQ: A Surprise Find

We spotted several Uyghur restaurants in Zhuhai... a reminder of China's incredible ethnic diversity, even down here in the south. It also made us want to take our next China trip up to Xinjiang. We tried one Uyghur BBQ place, and it hit the spot. Smoky, spicy, hearty... washed down with craft beers (a newer concept in China). Just look for Arabic script and you will have stumbled upon one.

Warning: The spicy eggplant is heavy. Delicious, but approach with caution (and maybe a cold beer).

8. Visit Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (长隆海洋王国) – If You Have Time

If you have any interest in aquariums or are traveling with kids, this is world-class. Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is byfar one of the best marine theme parks on the planet. We didn't go this time, but it's worth mentioning because it's genuinely impressive.

9. Stroll Through Beishan Village (北山村): Zhuhai’s 780-Year-Old Artsy Heart

For a complete change of pace from Zhuhai's coastal paths, head inland to Beishan Village. This isn't a rebuilt tourist attraction; it's a living, breathing 780-year-old village that has been transformed into one of the city's coolest cultural hubs.

Here, traditional Lingnan-style ancestral halls have been given new life, now housing trendy cafés, art galleries, live music venues, and boutiques. You can spend hours getting lost in its narrow alleys, discovering everything from a jazz bar inside a centuries-old temple to a French bakery beloved by locals.

10. Take a Day Trip to an Island: Wailingding or Dong'ao

This is the #1 day trip from Zhuhai, and one of the best things you can do in the region. The "City of a Hundred Islands" delivers.

• Wailingding Island (外伶仃岛): The most popular choice. It's a bit further out, which means the clearest water. You'll find seafood restaurants right on the shore and a small hill you can climb for a fantastic panoramic view of the surrounding islands. Perfect for a full-day escape.

• Dong'ao Island (东澳岛): Known for its beautiful, sandy beach (Nansha Bay)... which is actually rare in this part of China. It's a bit more resort-like, great if you want to spend a day relaxing on the sand.

Practical Tips for Zhuhai

• Best time to visit: October to November, when summer heat fades but winter cold hasn't arrived. Sunny, pleasant, perfect for coastal exploring.
• Getting around: Taxis and DiDi are cheap. Bikes are perfect for Lover's Road. There are also buses, but no metro at the moment.
• Day trips: Islands! Don't skip them (or Macau/Hong Kong)
• Border crossing: Gongbei Port to Macau is a 30-60 minute walk. Bring your passport.
• Language: Mandarin and Cantonese. English is limited, so have your translation app ready.

Important Addresses for Your AMap

• Zhuhai Fisher Girl Statue (珠海渔女)
• Lover's Road (情侣路)
• New Yuanming Palace (圆明新园)
• Gongbei Underground Mall (拱北口岸地下商场)
• Mt. Jingshan (景山公园)
• Zhuhai Xiangzhou Port (香洲港) – for island ferries
• Wailingding Island (外伶仃岛)
• Dong'ao Island (东澳岛)
• Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (长隆海洋王国)

Final Thoughts: Is Zhuhai Worth Visiting?

Yes... especially as a gateway to the region. It's not a party city. It's not a cultural heavyweight like Beijing or Xi'an. Its charm is quieter: clean air, sea views, islands to escape to, and a pace that lets you breathe.

But here's the thing... don't skip Gongbei Market even if you're based in Macau. A walking border is something to see. On a not-busy day, it takes less than 30 minutes to cross from one "country" to the other. It's not a must, but why not if you're nearby? The contrast between Macau's Portuguese glamour and Zhuhai's grounded chaos is part of the experience.

If you're traveling the Pearl River Delta and need a break from urban intensity, Zhuhai is your answer. Come for the coast, stay for the oysters, and cross into Macau when you're ready for glitter.

Planning your own Zhuhai trip? Book ferries, trains, and hotels here: Trip.com