Zhuhai

Zhuhai (珠海; Zhūhǎi in Mandarin, Jyūhói in Cantonese) is a city in Guangdong Province, China. The name means Pearl Sea; Zhuhai is where the Pearl River (珠江; Zhūjiāng) flows into the South China Sea (南中国海 Nánzhōngguóhǎi or simply 南海 Nánhǎi).

Zhuhai is known for its beautiful long coastline, waving palm trees, open spaces, low population density, and its many islands; Zhuhai's nicknames are the city of romance (浪漫之城) and the city of a hundred islands (百岛之市). Zhuhai serves as the gateway to the former Portuguese colony of Macau, as a tourist destination for Chinese, and as a playground for hedonistic Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan visitors who come for Zhuhai's very colorful nightlife.

The Zhuhai area has been inhabited for thousands of years. Until the 1970s, Zhuhai was a group of fishing villages with a population of around 100,000. Since 1980, when it was designated a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) by the central government, Zhuhai has expanded to include nearby areas and is now a fast-growing modern city with about 1.57 million inhabitants as of the 2010 census. However, it is still not as large and developed as neighboring cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Zhuhai's northern districts of Jinding and Tangjia, as well as the western district of Doumen, are less developed factory-driven areas that retain a deeper working-man, salt-of-the-earth quality.

Located in the Pearl River Delta, Zhuhai borders Jiangmen to the northwest, Zhongshan to the north, and former Portuguese colony Macau to the south. By sea, former British colony Hong Kong and Chinese boomtown Shenzhen are just across the Pearl estuary to the east. The provincial capital Guangzhou is about 150 km to the north.

Zhuhai is one of China's cleanest and prettiest cities, and received numerous accolades for its excellent ecological development efforts. In 1998, it was awarded the International Award for Best Practices in Improving Living Environment by the United Nations Center for Human Settlements. It is also commonly agreed to be one of the best cities in China to retire in. With a low population density compared to other cities in China, Zhuhai is unsurprisingly greener. Parks and open spaces dot the cityscape, and waving palm trees line the extensive coastline and many of the major streets.

The weather in Zhuhai is sub-tropical. Temperature varies between 10 °C (50 °F) in winter (Dec to Feb) to a hot and humid 35 °C (95 °F) in summer (Jun to Sep). Typhoons are also a possibility in summer. The best times to visit are during spring and Autumn.

The city of Zhuhai itself is composed of Xiangzhou, Jida, Gongbei, Qianshan and New Xiangzhou. The other areas mentioned are districts within the Zhuhai Special Economic Zone.

North to South along the coast, the main districts are:

• Jinding (金鼎; Jīndǐng) – Zhuhai's northernmost district is a factory town whose main attraction is a very large and lively nighttime outdoor BBQ; see the Eat Section for details. Jinding definitely has a working class edge, and is worth visiting for the BBQ alone, but wandering around may give you a different perspective to the ones you have previously experienced elsewhere in Guangdong Province. Visit Jinding to experience the real China before heading back to your more affluent Guangdong stomping grounds. Jinding can be reached via bus 3 or 10, or via sightseeing bus 2.

• Tangjia (唐家; Tángjiā) – Both Tangjia and Jinding are parts of the nowadays subdivision named Tangjiawan. However, Tangjia, the centre of Tangjiawan, is somehow different from Jinding, so the local usually regard them as two places. Tangjia is a moderate sized town between Jinding and Xiangzhou. Like Jinding, Tangjia's salt-of-the-earth qualities are more evident than its southern neighbours. Best known for the large Dragon Union Opera House (located inside the Dragon Union Hotel) which, as the name suggests, puts on live variety shows semi-regularly, its primary function is serving as a gigantic karaoke house that mixes karaoke with all-inclusive adult entertainment.

• Xiangzhou (香洲; Xiāngzhōu) – Government offices, big department stores (including AEON), and some bars and restaurants are scattered throughout this district. This is the area where the locals mainly go shopping.

  On the inland side is New Xiangzhou (新香洲; Xīnxiāngzhōu), an area that has undergone extensive development over the last few decades, especially midrange or upmarket residential buildings but with commercial and business buildings as well. Recently, it is often excluded when mentioning Xiangzhou only. Xiangzhou may be referred to as Old Xiangzhou (老香洲; Lǎoxiāngzhōu) in order to distinguish it from both New Xiangzhou and Xiangzhou District (香洲区; Xiāngzhōu Qū), a major administrative division which covers a much larger area and includes not only Xiangzhou and New Xiangzhou but also Jida, Gongbei, Qianshan, Tangjiawan, Wanzai and several other neighbourhoods. Both (Old) Xiangzhou and New Xiangzhou are informal names, which you won't necessarily find on city maps.

• Jida (吉大; Jídà) is along the coast between Xiangzhou and Gongbei. This district has a lot of offices, high-end hotels and shopping complexes. This is not a particularly useful district to mention for directions, except for the fact that a Jida location assures you that the location is fairly near to the water and that a taxi driver will likely take the road right along the coast until you get there.

• Gongbei (拱北; Gǒngběi) is the main tourist area with a wide variety of inexpensive hotels, clothing, electronics, souvenirs, food, drink, and colorful entertainment in relatively close proximity to the Macau border crossing. Lianhua Lu (Lotus Road; 莲花路; Liánhuālù; sometimes called Walking Street; 步行街; Bùxíngjiē) while interesting any time of day, is truly a must-see spectacle at night, with dozens of small outdoor-bar stalls which are always packed at night. Here you can see people drinking, playing dice with bar girls, and watching (or interacting with) working girls and passers-by on the crowded pedestrian-only street that is filled with shops and street-food vendors (see the Drink Section for more details). There is also the more upscale Bar Street (酒吧街; Jiǔbājiē), a modern strip of nicer upscale bars with indoor and outdoor seating, some featuring live music (many blasting loud music inside). Most of these cater to Chinese businessmen and moneyed tourists. At the southern edge of Gongbei is an underground shopping center and the Macau border crossing (see Buy Section for more details).

Going West from Gongbei are other districts:

• Wanzai (湾仔; Wānzǎi) has a ferry terminal to Macau and a Seafood Street where you get to select your own live seafood before they are prepared for your dining pleasure.
• Doumen (斗门; Dǒumén) is in the Norththwest. It is a bit out of the way, in that most of Zhuhai spreads north along the coast. The very scenic Jintai Buddhist Temple, built at the end of the Song Dynasty is over 1,000 years old and is well worth a visit if you are in the area. Get the full treatment at the Imperial Hot Springs Resort or Yu Wenquan in Doumen, the first Japanese outdoor garden-style hot springs resort in China, with over 20 kinds of hot springs.

Jinding (金鼎; Jīndǐng) – Zhuhai's northernmost district is a factory town whose main attraction is a very large and lively nighttime outdoor BBQ; see the [[#Eat|Eat]] Section for details. Jinding definitely has a working class edge, and is worth visiting for the BBQ alone, but wandering around may give you a different perspective to the ones you have previously experienced elsewhere in Guangdong Province. Visit Jinding to experience the real China before heading back to your more affluent Guangdong stomping grounds. Jinding can be reached via bus 3 or 10, or via sightseeing bus 2.

Tangjia (唐家; Tángjiā) – Both Tangjia and Jinding are parts of the nowadays subdivision named Tangjiawan. However, Tangjia, the centre of Tangjiawan, is somehow different from Jinding, so the local usually regard them as two places. Tangjia is a moderate sized town between Jinding and Xiangzhou. Like Jinding, Tangjia's salt-of-the-earth qualities are more evident than its southern neighbours. Best known for the large Dragon Union Opera House (located inside the Dragon Union Hotel) which, as the name suggests, puts on live variety shows semi-regularly, its primary function is serving as a gigantic karaoke house that mixes karaoke with all-inclusive adult entertainment.

Xiangzhou (香洲; Xiāngzhōu) – Government offices, big department stores (including AEON), and some bars and restaurants are scattered throughout this district. This is the area where the locals mainly go shopping.

On the inland side is New Xiangzhou (新香洲; Xīnxiāngzhōu), an area that has undergone extensive development over the last few decades, especially midrange or upmarket residential buildings but with commercial and business buildings as well. Recently, it is often excluded when mentioning Xiangzhou only. Xiangzhou may be referred to as Old Xiangzhou (老香洲; Lǎoxiāngzhōu) in order to distinguish it from both New Xiangzhou and Xiangzhou District (香洲区; Xiāngzhōu Qū), a major administrative division which covers a much larger area and includes not only Xiangzhou and New Xiangzhou but also Jida, Gongbei, Qianshan, Tangjiawan, Wanzai and several other neighbourhoods. Both (Old) Xiangzhou and New Xiangzhou are informal names, which you won't necessarily find on city maps.

Jida (吉大; Jídà) is along the coast between Xiangzhou and Gongbei. This district has a lot of offices, high-end hotels and shopping complexes. This is not a particularly useful district to mention for directions, except for the fact that a Jida location assures you that the location is fairly near to the water and that a taxi driver will likely take the road right along the coast until you get there.

Gongbei (拱北; Gǒngběi) is the main tourist area with a wide variety of inexpensive hotels, clothing, electronics, souvenirs, food, drink, and colorful entertainment in relatively close proximity to the Macau border crossing. Lianhua Lu (Lotus Road; 莲花路; Liánhuālù; sometimes called Walking Street; 步行街; Bùxíngjiē) while interesting any time of day, is truly a must-see spectacle at night, with dozens of small outdoor-bar stalls which are always packed at night. Here you can see people drinking, playing dice with bar girls, and watching (or interacting with) working girls and passers-by on the crowded pedestrian-only street that is filled with shops and street-food vendors (see the [[#Drink|Drink]] Section for more details). There is also the more upscale Bar Street (酒吧街; Jiǔbājiē), a modern strip of nicer upscale bars with indoor and outdoor seating, some featuring live music (many blasting loud music inside). Most of these cater to Chinese businessmen and moneyed tourists. At the southern edge of Gongbei is an underground shopping center and the Macau border crossing (see [[#Buy|Buy]] Section for more details).

Wanzai (湾仔; Wānzǎi) has a ferry terminal to Macau and a Seafood Street where you get to select your own live seafood before they are prepared for your dining pleasure.

Doumen (斗门; Dǒumén) is in the Norththwest. It is a bit out of the way, in that most of Zhuhai spreads north along the coast. The very scenic Jintai Buddhist Temple, built at the end of the Song Dynasty is over 1,000 years old and is well worth a visit if you are in the area. Get the full treatment at the Imperial Hot Springs Resort or Yu Wenquan in Doumen, the first Japanese outdoor garden-style hot springs resort in China, with over 20 kinds of hot springs.

One of Zhuhai's nicknames is the city of a hundred islands (146 to be exact), and it has a number of islands that are accessible from ports by ferries. An often overlooked aspect is the fact that each of the islands has a unique character. Some have decent beaches, and some are eerily quiet fishing islands. Each trip is a noticeable escape from the hustle and bustle of living in Chinese cities. A trip to the islands is arguably comparable to leaving the country. High-quality seafood abounds. Information about where to go or what to do can be difficult to come by because most locals do not visit due to cost of transportation. As a result, most tourists do not get a chance to explore these beautiful places at all, and most of the information available on the internet regarding Zhuhai focuses on the urban areas. Nonetheless, the curious expat or adventurous traveler will be generously rewarded. From the Xiangzhou Port (香洲港; Xiāngzhōugǎng), formerly Xiangzhou Northern Wharf (香洲北堤码头; Xiāngzhōu Běidīmǎtóu), you can get to the Wanshan Islands (万山群岛; Wànshānqúndǎo):

• Dong'ao Island (东澳岛; Dōng'àodǎo) has diving facilities, clear waters, and a nice beach.
• Outer Lingding Island or Wailingding Island (外伶仃岛; Wàilíngdīngdǎo) is also a nice getaway with clear waters and nice beaches.
• Hebao Island (荷包岛; Hébāodǎo) is less developed and visited, and is a good spot for those who like wilderness.
• Guishan Island (桂山岛; Guìshāndǎo) has a sleepy fishing island town feel with exceptional seafood.

While not as distant and not part of the Wanshan Islands, Yeli Island (野狸岛; Yělídǎo), Hengqin Island (横琴岛, Héngqíndǎo), Qi'ao Island (淇澳岛; Qí'àodǎo), and Gaolan Island (高栏岛; Gāolándǎo) can all be reached by bus via a bridge or dam.

Remember to take plenty of cash with you on these island excursions because some islands might not have ATMs.

Dong'ao Island (东澳岛; Dōng'àodǎo) has diving facilities, clear waters, and a nice beach.

Outer Lingding Island or Wailingding Island (外伶仃岛; Wàilíngdīngdǎo) is also a nice getaway with clear waters and nice beaches.

Hebao Island (荷包岛; Hébāodǎo) is less developed and visited, and is a good spot for those who like wilderness.

Guishan Island (桂山岛; Guìshāndǎo) has a sleepy fishing island town feel with exceptional seafood.

Cantonese is the main local language of Zhuhai, it being a part of the Pearl River Delta. Nevertheless, due to the massive influx of immigrants from other parts of China over the last three decades, Mandarin is now the lingua franca. A dialect of Taishanese is the main language in the Doumen district.

English is not widely spoken, but some people, especially the young, speak it.

Zhuhai is one of the most popular cities for foreigners in China, and because of that, you can find some speakers of European languages here.

• Fisher Girl statue, Lovers' Road (Bus 9 or 99 or the sightseeing bus. Legend has it that an angel descended to earth one day and fell in love with the beauty of the land. Reluctant to return, she turned herself into a fisher girl, weaving nets and searching for precious pearls to earn a living. In addition, she unselfishly used her knowledge and powers to heal villagers who were ill, and so was well loved by one and all. Soon she met a young fisherman named Hai Peng and they fell in love. Not long after, however, Hai Peng heard and believed malicious accusations, and demanded the fisher girl to give him her magical bracelets as proof of her affection. The fisher girl tearfully explained the origin of the bracelets. While she was still the daughter of the South Sea Dragon King, the eight bracelets were given to her by the eight palace mistresses, to guard her against the thought of abandoning immortality. She would die if she even removed one. Tragically, Hai Peng did not believe her story and turned to leave. The fisher girl, to prove her love for Hai Peng, removed her bracelets and died in his arms instantly. Hai Peng was filled with remorse and grief. His great sorrow moved the Jiu Zhou Huan Elder, who taught him the way to bring the fisher girl back to life. For this he had to travel to the Jiu Zhou Island to find the Resurrection Grass, which must then be fed with man's blood. After much difficulty, Hai Peng found the grass and grew it with his own blood. Days turned to years, and the grass was finally ready and used to revive the fisher girl. Henceforth, the fisher girl became a true mortal. On the day of their wedding, all the girls together found a gigantic, magical pearl at the seashore. In gratitude, the fisher girl presented this to the reverent Elder.
• Guyuan Museum of Art, 388 Meihua East Road (梅华东路388号) (There is a bus stop named after this museum. Buses that stop here include bus nos. 13, 16, 17, b5 and b6. Tram route 1 also stops here, +86 756 3818032. 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on Mondays. A museum displaying works by local artist Gu Yuan. Free.
• New Yuanming Palace, +86 756 8610388. 08:30-21:00. An imitation of the Yuanming Palace in Beijing that covers an area of 1.39 km². Inside the park there is also 80,000 m² of lake. Along the lake are many places to hire motor boats and pedelos. The park has many attractions from ancient emperors' artifacts and traditional Chinese architecture to cable cars and floating restaurants. It offers amazing photo opportunities with the mountains as a backdrop and there are many little pagodas to distract yourself with. In the evening, at the Northern side of the park, there are impressive stage shows depicting traditional Chinese dances and stories in a Broadway style musical presentation. This is a must-see. Also, in the Northern most part of the park there is a sea-battle re-enactment using real boats, explosions and also a troop of cavalry to add to the realism. The ticket prices for these shows are ¥85 for adults, ¥60 for persons aged over 65, and ¥60 for children with a height of 150cm or less who carry a student card. You also have the opportunity to dress in the Emperor's clothes and have your picture taken for ¥40, which is quite expensive. You are allowed to take the pictures with your own camera. Entrance to the park is free.
• Zhuhai Museum, 191 Jingshan Road, Jida (吉大景山路191号) (The nearest bus stop is Jiuzhoucheng (九洲城), which is served by over twenty bus routes, +86 756 3324708. 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:00, closed on Mondays. A museum about the history of the Zhuhai region. The museum also hosts travelling exhibitions from other parts of China. Free.

Fisher Girl statue, Lovers' Road (Bus 9 or 99 or the sightseeing bus. Legend has it that an angel descended to earth one day and fell in love with the beauty of the land. Reluctant to return, she turned herself into a fisher girl, weaving nets and searching for precious pearls to earn a living. In addition, she unselfishly used her knowledge and powers to heal villagers who were ill, and so was well loved by one and all. Soon she met a young fisherman named Hai Peng and they fell in love. Not long after, however, Hai Peng heard and believed malicious accusations, and demanded the fisher girl to give him her magical bracelets as proof of her affection. The fisher girl tearfully explained the origin of the bracelets. While she was still the daughter of the South Sea Dragon King, the eight bracelets were given to her by the eight palace mistresses, to guard her against the thought of abandoning immortality. She would die if she even removed one. Tragically, Hai Peng did not believe her story and turned to leave. The fisher girl, to prove her love for Hai Peng, removed her bracelets and died in his arms instantly. Hai Peng was filled with remorse and grief. His great sorrow moved the Jiu Zhou Huan Elder, who taught him the way to bring the fisher girl back to life. For this he had to travel to the Jiu Zhou Island to find the Resurrection Grass, which must then be fed with man's blood. After much difficulty, Hai Peng found the grass and grew it with his own blood. Days turned to years, and the grass was finally ready and used to revive the fisher girl. Henceforth, the fisher girl became a true mortal. On the day of their wedding, all the girls together found a gigantic, magical pearl at the seashore. In gratitude, the fisher girl presented this to the reverent Elder.

Guyuan Museum of Art, 388 Meihua East Road (梅华东路388号) (There is a bus stop named after this museum. Buses that stop here include bus nos. 13, 16, 17, b5 and b6. Tram route 1 also stops here, +86 756 3818032. 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on Mondays. A museum displaying works by local artist Gu Yuan. Free.

New Yuanming Palace, +86 756 8610388. 08:30-21:00. An imitation of the Yuanming Palace in Beijing that covers an area of 1.39 km². Inside the park there is also 80,000 m² of lake. Along the lake are many places to hire motor boats and pedelos. The park has many attractions from ancient emperors' artifacts and traditional Chinese architecture to cable cars and floating restaurants. It offers amazing photo opportunities with the mountains as a backdrop and there are many little pagodas to distract yourself with. In the evening, at the Northern side of the park, there are impressive stage shows depicting traditional Chinese dances and stories in a Broadway style musical presentation. This is a must-see. Also, in the Northern most part of the park there is a sea-battle re-enactment using real boats, explosions and also a troop of cavalry to add to the realism. The ticket prices for these shows are ¥85 for adults, ¥60 for persons aged over 65, and ¥60 for children with a height of 150cm or less who carry a student card. You also have the opportunity to dress in the Emperor's clothes and have your picture taken for ¥40, which is quite expensive. You are allowed to take the pictures with your own camera. Entrance to the park is free.

Zhuhai Museum, 191 Jingshan Road, Jida (吉大景山路191号) (The nearest bus stop is Jiuzhoucheng (九洲城), which is served by over twenty bus routes, +86 756 3324708. 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:00, closed on Mondays. A museum about the history of the Zhuhai region. The museum also hosts travelling exhibitions from other parts of China. Free.

• Former residence of Su Zhaozheng, 461 Baishi Street, Qi'ao Island 唐家湾镇淇澳白石街461号 (take bus K1, K2, K3, 3, 3A, 10, 10A, 68, or 69 to Tangjia Station 唐家站, then transfer to bus 85 to Qi'ao North Station 淇澳北站. 09:30–17:00. Former home of early 20th-century communist activist Su Zhaozheng (1885–1929). The home has been turned into a museum with exhibits about the history of the area, Su's life, and his role in a major strike in Hong Kong. Unfortunately none of the information is in English. Don't miss the wall made of oyster shells and the various other well-preserved historic houses and structures in the neighborhood, including some old temples. Free.
• Martyrs Cemetery, 1149 Fenghuang Road (凤凰路1149号) (The nearest bus stop is Baihuogongsi (百货公司), which is an important bus stop in Zhuhai., +86 756 2225097. 06:00-19:00. A memorial to the martyrs in the revolution in Zhuhai led by marshal Ye Jianying. It was transformed to a quiet place for citizens and tourists to relax and pay homage in the busy centre of the city now. Free.
• Meixi Royal Stone Archways, 268 Lüyou Road, Qianshan (前山旅游路268号) (There is a bus stop named by this attraction, and it is served by many bus routes including routes 26, 36 and 70, +86 756 8635652, +86 756 8659577. 09:00-17:30. Built in 1886 and extended in 1891 under the orders of Emperor Guangxu, it was a memorial to praise Chen Fang, a consul of the Qing Empire. It was partly damaged during the Cultural Revolution, but not seriously. Chen Fang's former residence, which is just a few hundred metres east of the arches, can also be visited. ¥65.

Former residence of Su Zhaozheng, 461 Baishi Street, Qi'ao Island 唐家湾镇淇澳白石街461号 (take bus K1, K2, K3, 3, 3A, 10, 10A, 68, or 69 to Tangjia Station 唐家站, then transfer to bus 85 to Qi'ao North Station 淇澳北站. 09:30–17:00. Former home of early 20th-century communist activist Su Zhaozheng (1885–1929). The home has been turned into a museum with exhibits about the history of the area, Su's life, and his role in a major strike in Hong Kong. Unfortunately none of the information is in English. Don't miss the wall made of oyster shells and the various other well-preserved historic houses and structures in the neighborhood, including some old temples. Free.

Martyrs Cemetery, 1149 Fenghuang Road (凤凰路1149号) (The nearest bus stop is Baihuogongsi (百货公司), which is an important bus stop in Zhuhai., +86 756 2225097. 06:00-19:00. A memorial to the martyrs in the revolution in Zhuhai led by marshal Ye Jianying. It was transformed to a quiet place for citizens and tourists to relax and pay homage in the busy centre of the city now. Free.

Meixi Royal Stone Archways, 268 Lüyou Road, Qianshan (前山旅游路268号) (There is a bus stop named by this attraction, and it is served by many bus routes including routes 26, 36 and 70, +86 756 8635652, +86 756 8659577. 09:00-17:30. Built in 1886 and extended in 1891 under the orders of Emperor Guangxu, it was a memorial to praise Chen Fang, a consul of the Qing Empire. It was partly damaged during the Cultural Revolution, but not seriously. Chen Fang's former residence, which is just a few hundred metres east of the arches, can also be visited. ¥65.

• Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Fuxiang Bay, Hengqin (横琴新区富祥湾) (The park is served by a number of public bus routes, including routes 14, 86, K10 and K11. There are also dedicated bus services from Zhuhai Airport, the Zhuhai Railway Station and the Jiuzhou Ferry Terminal, as well as from hotels owned by the Chimelong Group. 09:00-20:30. One of China's most popular theme parks. Includes the largest oceanarium in the world. ¥350.
• Mangzhou Wetland Park, Qinhai North Road, Hengqin Island (横琴琴海北路) (The most northwestern part of Hengqin Island. The nearest bus stop is about 2km to the south at Hengqin West Road Bus Terminal (琴海西路总站), which is served by bus no. 87 - a bus that originates from the Qianshan Bus Terminal outside Qianshan Railway Station. 09:00-19:00. Located on the tip of Hengqin Island, the park is an excellent alternative to the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom if you don't want to pay for its ticket because the park is free. It's a place to escape the noise of city, enjoy the sea wind and the flow of water on the pontoon. Free.
• Qi'ao Mangrove Forest Wetland Park, Qi'ao Island (淇澳岛) (take bus K1, K2, K3, 3, 3A, 10, 10A, 68, or 69 to Tangjia Station 唐家站, then transfer to bus 85 to Qi'ao North Station 淇澳北站, +86 756 2239004. A province-level wetland preserve, also a good place to enjoy the nature and watch birds. Free.

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Fuxiang Bay, Hengqin (横琴新区富祥湾) (The park is served by a number of public bus routes, including routes 14, 86, K10 and K11. There are also dedicated bus services from Zhuhai Airport, the Zhuhai Railway Station and the Jiuzhou Ferry Terminal, as well as from hotels owned by the Chimelong Group. 09:00-20:30. One of China's most popular theme parks. Includes the largest oceanarium in the world. ¥350.

Mangzhou Wetland Park, Qinhai North Road, Hengqin Island (横琴琴海北路) (The most northwestern part of Hengqin Island. The nearest bus stop is about 2km to the south at Hengqin West Road Bus Terminal (琴海西路总站), which is served by bus no. 87 - a bus that originates from the Qianshan Bus Terminal outside Qianshan Railway Station. 09:00-19:00. Located on the tip of Hengqin Island, the park is an excellent alternative to the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom if you don't want to pay for its ticket because the park is free. It's a place to escape the noise of city, enjoy the sea wind and the flow of water on the pontoon. Free.

Qi'ao Mangrove Forest Wetland Park, Qi'ao Island (淇澳岛) (take bus K1, K2, K3, 3, 3A, 10, 10A, 68, or 69 to Tangjia Station 唐家站, then transfer to bus 85 to Qi'ao North Station 淇澳北站, +86 756 2239004. A province-level wetland preserve, also a good place to enjoy the nature and watch birds. Free.

• Lovers' Road. It stretches along a big chunk of Zhuhai's eastern coastline, from near the border with Macau to well past the Fisher Girl statue. It's good for walking or biking, and offers a majestic view of the Macau skyline across the border, but the sea tends to be brown and muddy.
• Zhuhai's many islands. One of Zhuhai's nicknames is the city of a hundred islands (146 to be exact), and it has a number of islands that are accessible from ports by ferry boat (see the Districts Section for more information).

Lovers' Road. It stretches along a big chunk of Zhuhai's eastern coastline, from near the border with Macau to well past the Fisher Girl statue. It's good for walking or biking, and offers a majestic view of the Macau skyline across the border, but the sea tends to be brown and muddy.

Zhuhai's many islands. One of Zhuhai's nicknames is the city of a hundred islands (146 to be exact), and it has a number of islands that are accessible from ports by ferry boat (see the Districts Section for more information).

• Doumen District Museum, 2233 Xidi Road, Jing'an Town (井岸镇西堤路2233号) (The nearest bus stop is Jianfeng Garden (尖峰花园), which is served by bus routes 303, 306, 308, 405, 411, 502, 503, 504, 510, 601 and 609, as well as the Gongbei-Xinhui bus line, +86 756-5103072. 09:00-17:00, closed on Mondays and the eve of Chinese New Year. A general museum with exhibits on the history of the district. The museum is also known as the Zhaozhen Museum, a name given to honour John C. Young (Rong Zhaozhen), a famous Chinese-American army colonel whose father was born in Doumen's Longtan Village. Free.
• Doumen Old Street, Dama Road, Nanmen Village, Doumen Town (斗门镇南门村大马路) (Take bus K4 or 609 from the Xiangzhou Long-Distance Bus Station, get off at Nanmen (南门), then walk to Dama Road (大马路) via Erma Road (二马路). A historic precinct featuring an agglomeration of old commercial buildings, most of which were built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Doumen was an important trading post. Free.
• Jintai Buddhist Temple, Doumen Town (斗门镇) (Take bus K4 or 609 from the Xiangzhou Long-Distance Bus Station, then a rickshaw to the temple entrance, +86 756 5797083. 07:00-17:00. Scenic temple built at the end of the Song Dynasty, over 1,000 years old and well worth a visit if you are in this area. Free.

Doumen District Museum, 2233 Xidi Road, Jing'an Town (井岸镇西堤路2233号) (The nearest bus stop is Jianfeng Garden (尖峰花园), which is served by bus routes 303, 306, 308, 405, 411, 502, 503, 504, 510, 601 and 609, as well as the Gongbei-Xinhui bus line, +86 756-5103072. 09:00-17:00, closed on Mondays and the eve of Chinese New Year. A general museum with exhibits on the history of the district. The museum is also known as the Zhaozhen Museum, a name given to honour John C. Young (Rong Zhaozhen), a famous Chinese-American army colonel whose father was born in Doumen's Longtan Village. Free.

Doumen Old Street, Dama Road, Nanmen Village, Doumen Town (斗门镇南门村大马路) (Take bus K4 or 609 from the Xiangzhou Long-Distance Bus Station, get off at Nanmen (南门), then walk to Dama Road (大马路) via Erma Road (二马路). A historic precinct featuring an agglomeration of old commercial buildings, most of which were built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Doumen was an important trading post. Free.

Jintai Buddhist Temple, Doumen Town (斗门镇) (Take bus K4 or 609 from the Xiangzhou Long-Distance Bus Station, then a rickshaw to the temple entrance, +86 756 5797083. 07:00-17:00. Scenic temple built at the end of the Song Dynasty, over 1,000 years old and well worth a visit if you are in this area. Free.

• Swim, sunbathe or go diving. At a number of islands which are approximately 50 minutes away by ferry (see Zhuhai Islands Section for more details).
• China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, +86 756 3375602. 09:00-17:00. Held every two years, it's the biggest airshow in China, attracting thousands of people and companies around the world including well-known Boeing, Airbus and Ilyushin. This show has already become the top card of Zhuhai. ￥500.
• Imperial Yuwenquan Hot Springs, Huangyang Avenue West (黄杨大道西) (In Doumen District, take bus 609, +86 756 5797128. The first Japanese-style open air hot spring in China. There are over 20 kinds of hot springs, massage rooms and sauna rooms. This is considered to be one of the best spa resorts in China. From Gongbei it takes about two hours to get to there by bus, or an hour and ~¥130 one-way by taxi. ¥188.
• Lost City, Lanpu Road, Jiuzhou Avenue, Xiangzhou District (香洲区九洲大道兰埔路) (Take bus no. 1, 13, 25, 30, 62, 69, 991, 992 or b7 and get off at the New Yuanming Palace bus stop, +86 756 8610388. April 26th to June 15th: 11:00-18:00 (weekdays), 10:00-18:30 (weekends and public holidays). June 16th to September 2nd: 10:00-22:00. September 3rd to October 7th: 11:00-18:00 (weekdays), 10:00-18:30 (weekends and public holidays). Closed from October 8th to April 25th. A water park with an ancient Egyptian theme. Features numerous water slides, an 800-metre long lazy river, a 3000-square metre wave pool, and various other water-based amusements. ¥135 (standard adult tickets), ¥95 (persons over 65), ¥95 (children between 1.2 and 1.5 metres in height). Children under 1.2 metres are free if accompanied by an adult.
• Ocean Spring Resort, Haiquanwan Road, Pingsha Town, Gaolan Port Economic Zone (高栏港经济区平沙镇海泉湾路) (Bus routes 540, 608, 826-2 and z143. If coming here directly from Guangzhou, you may choose to arrive at the Pingsha Bus Station, which is only 10km from the resort. There is also a special shuttle bus from the Jiuzhou Ferry Terminal, which makes a stopover at the Kee Kwan Bus Station in Gongbei. The shuttle bus charges ¥30 for a one-way ticket and ¥55 for a return ticket, +86 756 7728888. A major tourist resort on Zhuhai's far west coast.
  • Dreams Theater. Performances are usually held from 20:00 to 21:00, except on Mondays when the theater is closed. ¥120.
  • Mysterious Island Theme Park. 10:00-17:00 (normal weekdays and weekends), 09:00-18:00 (public holidays). ¥110.
  • Ocean Hot Springs. 09:00-01:30. ¥198.
• Zhuhai International Circuit. Here you can watch and enjoy the atmosphere of international auto and motorcycle racing, including the FIA GT Championship, A1GP (World Cup of Motorsports), Asian Formula 3 Series, Asian Festival of Speed and ZIC's very own Pan Delta Super Racing Festival. It is also possible to take the ride of a lifetime by buckling up on board Asia's one-and-only 2-seater formula car and being driven by an ART Motorsports professional racing driver. Receive expert instruction and spend a half hour on the actual race course in a formula car for HK$1500. Enjoy the ride yourself, or with a group of friends in a full 30-minute session doing 2 to 3 laps each. You can also rent go karts and motorcycles for use on a separate track.
• Zhuhai Opera House, 129 Yuwan Road, Yeli Island (野狸岛渔湾路129号) (The nearest bus stop is Riyuebei (日月贝), which is served by Bus No.Z11 only., +86 756 2221177. 09:00-18:00. A shell-like theater which made itself a new symbol of Zhuhai. The shape is also originated from the legend of the Fisher Girl. It's the only theater located on an island in China. Free.

There are several golf courses in the area. These are popular with Hong Kong players who come on weekends as they are cheaper and less crowded than those in Hong Kong. For more details see Golf in China. There is also a driving range in Jida. This is accessible via the #4 bus. Golf equipment is readily available and cheap in Zhuhai, but all branded clubs are knock-offs of varying qualities. There are several small golf shops in the underground shopping complex at the Macau border, several on Lianhua Lu (Lotus Road) in Gongbei, and two larger ones across the road from the driving range in Jida.

• Golden Gulf Golf Club, 2000 Jinwan Avenue, Jinwan District (金湾区金湾大道2000) (There is a bus stop just outside the golf club, which is served by bus routes 201, 207, 504, 801 and z102, +86 756 7631888. 07:00-18:00. Features a 27-hole golf course designed by Scottish golf champion Colin Montgomerie. Accommodation is available on-site at the Golden Gulf Golf Hotel (珠海金湾高尔夫酒店). Prices for non-members start from ¥575.
• Zhuhai Golf Club, Tangjiawan, Xiangzhou District (香洲区唐家湾) (The nearest bus stop is the Pearl Land (珍珠乐园) bus stop, which is served by bus routes 3, 3a, 10, 10a, 66, 68 and 69. You can also catch a free shuttle bus from the Jiuzhou Ferry Terminal, which runs twice a day on weekdays and three times a day on weekends and public holidays. Seats on the shuttle bus heading to the golf club must be booked at least one day in advance while seats on the return journey must be booked at least 2 hours in advance, +86 756 3311673, +86 756 3311173, +86 756 3311674. 07:00-18:00. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday prices for non members: ¥730 (18-hole course), ¥530 (9-hole course). Monday and Friday prices for non-members: ¥930 (18-hole course), ¥650 (9-hole course). Weekend & public holiday prices for non-members: ¥1480 (18-hole course), ¥1000 (9-hole course).

Golden Gulf Golf Club, 2000 Jinwan Avenue, Jinwan District (金湾区金湾大道2000) (There is a bus stop just outside the golf club, which is served by bus routes 201, 207, 504, 801 and z102, +86 756 7631888. 07:00-18:00. Features a 27-hole golf course designed by Scottish golf champion Colin Montgomerie. Accommodation is available on-site at the Golden Gulf Golf Hotel (珠海金湾高尔夫酒店). Prices for non-members start from ¥575.

Zhuhai Golf Club, Tangjiawan, Xiangzhou District (香洲区唐家湾) (The nearest bus stop is the Pearl Land (珍珠乐园) bus stop, which is served by bus routes 3, 3a, 10, 10a, 66, 68 and 69. You can also catch a free shuttle bus from the Jiuzhou Ferry Terminal, which runs twice a day on weekdays and three times a day on weekends and public holidays. Seats on the shuttle bus heading to the golf club must be booked at least one day in advance while seats on the return journey must be booked at least 2 hours in advance, +86 756 3311673, +86 756 3311173, +86 756 3311674. 07:00-18:00. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday prices for non members: ¥730 (18-hole course), ¥530 (9-hole course). Monday and Friday prices for non-members: ¥930 (18-hole course), ¥650 (9-hole course). Weekend & public holiday prices for non-members: ¥1480 (18-hole course), ¥1000 (9-hole course).

Swim, sunbathe or go diving. At a number of islands which are approximately 50 minutes away by ferry (see [[#Islands|Zhuhai Islands Section]] for more details).

China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, +86 756 3375602. 09:00-17:00. Held every two years, it's the biggest airshow in China, attracting thousands of people and companies around the world including well-known Boeing, Airbus and Ilyushin. This show has already become the top card of Zhuhai. ￥500.

Imperial Yuwenquan Hot Springs, Huangyang Avenue West (黄杨大道西) (In Doumen District, take bus 609, +86 756 5797128. The first Japanese-style open air hot spring in China. There are over 20 kinds of hot springs, massage rooms and sauna rooms. This is considered to be one of the best spa resorts in China. From Gongbei it takes about two hours to get to there by bus, or an hour and ~¥130 one-way by taxi. ¥188.

Lost City, Lanpu Road, Jiuzhou Avenue, Xiangzhou District (香洲区九洲大道兰埔路) (Take bus no. 1, 13, 25, 30, 62, 69, 991, 992 or b7 and get off at the New Yuanming Palace bus stop, +86 756 8610388. April 26th to June 15th: 11:00-18:00 (weekdays), 10:00-18:30 (weekends and public holidays). June 16th to September 2nd: 10:00-22:00. September 3rd to October 7th: 11:00-18:00 (weekdays), 10:00-18:30 (weekends and public holidays). Closed from October 8th to April 25th. A water park with an ancient Egyptian theme. Features numerous water slides, an 800-metre long lazy river, a 3000-square metre wave pool, and various other water-based amusements. ¥135 (standard adult tickets), ¥95 (persons over 65), ¥95 (children between 1.2 and 1.5 metres in height). Children under 1.2 metres are free if accompanied by an adult.

Ocean Spring Resort, Haiquanwan Road, Pingsha Town, Gaolan Port Economic Zone (高栏港经济区平沙镇海泉湾路) (Bus routes 540, 608, 826-2 and z143. If coming here directly from Guangzhou, you may choose to arrive at the Pingsha Bus Station, which is only 10km from the resort. There is also a special shuttle bus from the Jiuzhou Ferry Terminal, which makes a stopover at the Kee Kwan Bus Station in Gongbei. The shuttle bus charges ¥30 for a one-way ticket and ¥55 for a return ticket, +86 756 7728888. A major tourist resort on Zhuhai's far west coast.

• Dreams Theater. Performances are usually held from 20:00 to 21:00, except on Mondays when the theater is closed. ¥120.
• Mysterious Island Theme Park. 10:00-17:00 (normal weekdays and weekends), 09:00-18:00 (public holidays). ¥110.
• Ocean Hot Springs. 09:00-01:30. ¥198.

Ocean Spring Resort, Haiquanwan Road, Pingsha Town, Gaolan Port Economic Zone (高栏港经济区平沙镇海泉湾路) (Bus routes 540, 608, 826-2 and z143. If coming here directly from Guangzhou, you may choose to arrive at the Pingsha Bus Station, which is only 10km from the resort. There is also a special shuttle bus from the Jiuzhou Ferry Terminal, which makes a stopover at the Kee Kwan Bus Station in Gongbei. The shuttle bus charges ¥30 for a one-way ticket and ¥55 for a return ticket, +86 756 7728888. A major tourist resort on Zhuhai's far west coast.

• Dreams Theater. Performances are usually held from 20:00 to 21:00, except on Mondays when the theater is closed. ¥120.
• Mysterious Island Theme Park. 10:00-17:00 (normal weekdays and weekends), 09:00-18:00 (public holidays). ¥110.
• Ocean Hot Springs. 09:00-01:30. ¥198.

Ocean Spring Resort, Haiquanwan Road, Pingsha Town, Gaolan Port Economic Zone (高栏港经济区平沙镇海泉湾路) (Bus routes 540, 608, 826-2 and z143. If coming here directly from Guangzhou, you may choose to arrive at the Pingsha Bus Station, which is only 10km from the resort. There is also a special shuttle bus from the Jiuzhou Ferry Terminal, which makes a stopover at the Kee Kwan Bus Station in Gongbei. The shuttle bus charges ¥30 for a one-way ticket and ¥55 for a return ticket, +86 756 7728888. A major tourist resort on Zhuhai's far west coast.

• Dreams Theater. Performances are usually held from 20:00 to 21:00, except on Mondays when the theater is closed. ¥120.
• Mysterious Island Theme Park. 10:00-17:00 (normal weekdays and weekends), 09:00-18:00 (public holidays). ¥110.
• Ocean Hot Springs. 09:00-01:30. ¥198.

Ocean Spring Resort, Haiquanwan Road, Pingsha Town, Gaolan Port Economic Zone (高栏港经济区平沙镇海泉湾路) (Bus routes 540, 608, 826-2 and z143. If coming here directly from Guangzhou, you may choose to arrive at the Pingsha Bus Station, which is only 10km from the resort. There is also a special shuttle bus from the Jiuzhou Ferry Terminal, which makes a stopover at the Kee Kwan Bus Station in Gongbei. The shuttle bus charges ¥30 for a one-way ticket and ¥55 for a return ticket, +86 756 7728888. A major tourist resort on Zhuhai's far west coast.

• Dreams Theater. Performances are usually held from 20:00 to 21:00, except on Mondays when the theater is closed. ¥120.
• Mysterious Island Theme Park. 10:00-17:00 (normal weekdays and weekends), 09:00-18:00 (public holidays). ¥110.
• Ocean Hot Springs. 09:00-01:30. ¥198.

Zhuhai International Circuit. Here you can watch and enjoy the atmosphere of international auto and motorcycle racing, including the FIA GT Championship, A1GP (World Cup of Motorsports), Asian Formula 3 Series, Asian Festival of Speed and ZIC's very own Pan Delta Super Racing Festival. It is also possible to take the ride of a lifetime by buckling up on board Asia's one-and-only 2-seater formula car and being driven by an ART Motorsports professional racing driver. Receive expert instruction and spend a half hour on the actual race course in a formula car for HK$1500. Enjoy the ride yourself, or with a group of friends in a full 30-minute session doing 2 to 3 laps each. You can also rent go karts and motorcycles for use on a separate track.

Zhuhai Opera House, 129 Yuwan Road, Yeli Island (野狸岛渔湾路129号) (The nearest bus stop is Riyuebei (日月贝), which is served by Bus No.Z11 only., +86 756 2221177. 09:00-18:00. A shell-like theater which made itself a new symbol of Zhuhai. The shape is also originated from the legend of the Fisher Girl. It's the only theater located on an island in China. Free.

Always inspect the product before paying for it and leaving the shop. Also, note down where you bought the item. You will never get a refund, but Gongbei shop owners are surprisingly diligent about protecting their reputation, so they will more than likely exchange defective merchandise.

• Lianhua Road. Pedestrian-only street. The merchandise available here is similar to what you find in the underground shopping mall, primarily clothing and electronics. There is also a Bank Of China branch here with ATMs for foreign cards.
• Underground shopping complex. This is a huge complex; the entire open concrete area in front of the border crossing has two floors of shops under it. There are several hundred shops, many with goods targeted at tourists, such as clothing and shoes, jade and other jewelery, handicrafts e.g. Tibetan accessories, and consumer electronics. There are also many CDs and DVDs for sale at cheap prices, although they are unlicensed copies. Also available in abundance are imitation watches with incredible resemblance to the real ones (e.g. Rolex, Breitling, Patek Philippe, Movado, and Omega). Even among these knock-offs, differences in grade can be seen for the same model in different shops. Whatever you buy here, always bargain and bargain hard. Mind your bags for pickpockets too.
• Yingbin Road. It has several large shopping complexes with everything from cheap Chinese goods to trendy pricey international brands. On the left, there is Wanjia Department Store (万家百货 or formerly 万佳百货; Wànjiā Bǎihuò), which is the most recognizable landmark in Gongbei. Any local or taxi driver will know where it is. Slightly further up, there is also the Yingbin Plaza (迎宾广场; Yíngbīn Guǎngchǎng) on the right which has a McDonald's on the ground floor and a KFC right above it. Most of the shops here sell clothing.
• Your Family Store, 152 Yuehua Road, Gongbei, Xiangzhou District (香洲区拱北粤华路152号) (From Gongbei, take bus 2.

Lianhua Road. Pedestrian-only street. The merchandise available here is similar to what you find in the underground shopping mall, primarily clothing and electronics. There is also a Bank Of China branch here with ATMs for foreign cards.

Underground shopping complex. This is a huge complex; the entire open concrete area in front of the border crossing has two floors of shops under it. There are several hundred shops, many with goods targeted at tourists, such as clothing and shoes, jade and other jewelery, handicrafts e.g. Tibetan accessories, and consumer electronics. There are also many CDs and DVDs for sale at cheap prices, although they are unlicensed copies. Also available in abundance are imitation watches with incredible resemblance to the real ones (e.g. Rolex, Breitling, Patek Philippe, Movado, and Omega). Even among these knock-offs, differences in grade can be seen for the same model in different shops. Whatever you buy here, always [[bargain]] and bargain hard. Mind your bags for pickpockets too.

Yingbin Road. It has several large shopping complexes with everything from cheap Chinese goods to trendy pricey international brands. On the left, there is Wanjia Department Store (万家百货 or formerly 万佳百货; Wànjiā Bǎihuò), which is the most recognizable landmark in Gongbei. Any local or taxi driver will know where it is. Slightly further up, there is also the Yingbin Plaza (迎宾广场; Yíngbīn Guǎngchǎng) on the right which has a McDonald's on the ground floor and a KFC right above it. Most of the shops here sell clothing.

Your Family Store, 152 Yuehua Road, Gongbei, Xiangzhou District (香洲区拱北粤华路152号) (From Gongbei, take bus 2.

The main drag in Jida is Jingshan Road (景山路; Jǐngshānlù) and it has two blocks of nice department stores:

• Tongluowan Shopping Mall.
• Zhuhai Jida Duty Free Shopping Mall, 220 Jingshan Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区景山路220号) (From Gongbei, take bus 2.
• Zhuhai Shopping Mall.

Tongluowan Shopping Mall.

Zhuhai Jida Duty Free Shopping Mall, 220 Jingshan Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区景山路220号) (From Gongbei, take bus 2.

Zhuhai Shopping Mall.

• Computers and electronics. Two large buildings full of computer and electronics shops. This is the place to go in Zhuhai for anything computer or electronics related.
• Xiangzhou Shopping Mall and Yangming Plaza. Has plenty of shops, and is generally less touristy than Jida or Gongbei. Many locals shop here to buy their Chinese brand name clothing. The main street has the Japanese department (and grocery) store Jusco. There are also a number of other shops and several fairly large shopping complexes along the street north of Jusco.

Computers and electronics. Two large buildings full of computer and electronics shops. This is the place to go in Zhuhai for anything computer or electronics related.

Xiangzhou Shopping Mall and Yangming Plaza. Has plenty of shops, and is generally less touristy than Jida or Gongbei. Many locals shop here to buy their Chinese brand name clothing. The main street has the Japanese department (and grocery) store Jusco. There are also a number of other shops and several fairly large shopping complexes along the street north of Jusco.

To shop for imported groceries, including items such as cheese, chocolate, and milk, try

• AEON, There are two AEON stores in Zhuhai, one at Yangming Plaza (扬名广场) on Fenghuang Road, one at Aoyuan Plaza (奥园广场) on Meijie Road. AEON (formerly Jusco and still called Jusco by many locals) is the place many Zhuhai expats go to buy groceries. Even though they seem to specialise in Japanese food, you can also find some decent western items at fair prices. More expensive than other supermarkets but carries a much wider range of products.
• Carrefour. There are two Carrefour supermarkets. The one in Jida has western food available; the other one does not

AEON, There are two AEON stores in Zhuhai, one at Yangming Plaza (扬名广场) on Fenghuang Road, one at Aoyuan Plaza (奥园广场) on Meijie Road. AEON (formerly Jusco and still called Jusco by many locals) is the place many Zhuhai expats go to buy groceries. Even though they seem to specialise in Japanese food, you can also find some decent western items at fair prices. More expensive than other supermarkets but carries a much wider range of products.

Carrefour. There are two Carrefour supermarkets. The one in Jida has western food available; the other one does not

Cantonese cuisine is commonplace, but street food stalls and restaurants featuring food from all over China are also easily found. Seafood is a local specialty.

• Gongbei Seafood. There is a multitude of outdoor eating establishments with high quality seafood in Gongbei near the Macau border. Simply wandering around would probably work, but one large area with many such establishments is just Northwest of the border. Only a 5 minute walk from the border, any type of seafood can be had here (crab, oysters, prawns, large fish and the more exotic variety) as well as other non-seafood dishes that are just as good. They are authentic and much cheaper than anything you can find in the more pricey restaurants. Keep an eye out for the people cleaning large stacks of oysters.

Other tasty local grub in Gongbei can be found on any of the side streets off of Lianhua Lu (Lotus Road).

• Jinding Barbeque. The BBQ opens around 17:30 and ends around 24:00. By far the largest outdoor street barbeque in Zhuhai. The BBQ is over 100 meters long,, with scores of proprietary stalls and tables (who vigorously compete against one another). Steam rises, motorcycles whiz by, and music blares from shops as dozens of proprietary stands serve up street specialties (such as spicy grilled squid tentacles) well into the night to a lively crowd seated at plastic tables and chairs. Meals are served on plastic bag covered plates and beer from the thinnest plastic cups in the world! Come here to experience regular Chinese street life, and leave full and satisfied.

Gongbei Seafood. There is a multitude of outdoor eating establishments with high quality seafood in Gongbei near the Macau border. Simply wandering around would probably work, but one large area with many such establishments is just Northwest of the border. Only a 5 minute walk from the border, any type of seafood can be had here (crab, oysters, prawns, large fish and the more exotic variety) as well as other non-seafood dishes that are just as good. They are authentic and much cheaper than anything you can find in the more pricey restaurants. Keep an eye out for the people cleaning large stacks of oysters.

Jinding Barbeque. The BBQ opens around 17:30 and ends around 24:00. By far the largest outdoor street barbeque in Zhuhai. The BBQ is over 100 meters long,, with scores of proprietary stalls and tables (who vigorously compete against one another). Steam rises, motorcycles whiz by, and music blares from shops as dozens of proprietary stands serve up street specialties (such as spicy grilled squid tentacles) well into the night to a lively crowd seated at plastic tables and chairs. Meals are served on plastic bag covered plates and beer from the thinnest plastic cups in the world! Come here to experience regular Chinese street life, and leave full and satisfied.

• Macanese Vegetarian Buffet, 2A, Level 2, Laimeili Womens' World, Xiangzhou District (香洲区来魅力女人世界2楼2A) (Level 2A, in the Laimeili Womens' World (魅力女人世界) building southeast and diagonally opposite Bank of China on walking street. Look for the escalators up, then turn right twice., +8615338151373. Lunch roughly 11-3PM, dinner roughly 4:50-9PM. Buddhist vegetarian restaurant offering unlimited all you can eat vegetarian buffet including everything from cooked vegetarian Chinese dishes through cakes and pastries, cold dishes, noodle bar, fresh fruit, fresh real fruit juices, various teas, various soups, even vegetarian pizza! Tremendously popular and great value. 46元 (one off) or 35元 (if buying 10x tickets).

For a cheap and filling snack, look for the tiny noodle places run by Muslims.

• Muslim Restaurant. One good one.

Macanese Vegetarian Buffet, 2A, Level 2, Laimeili Womens' World, Xiangzhou District (香洲区来魅力女人世界2楼2A) (Level 2A, in the Laimeili Womens' World (魅力女人世界) building southeast and diagonally opposite Bank of China on walking street. Look for the escalators up, then turn right twice., +8615338151373. Lunch roughly 11-3PM, dinner roughly 4:50-9PM. Buddhist vegetarian restaurant offering unlimited all you can eat vegetarian buffet including everything from cooked vegetarian Chinese dishes through cakes and pastries, cold dishes, noodle bar, fresh fruit, fresh real fruit juices, various teas, various soups, even vegetarian pizza! Tremendously popular and great value. 46元 (one off) or 35元 (if buying 10x tickets).

Muslim Restaurant. One good one.

• Azur Restaurant, Shop 1-04, Building 9, Midtown, 2055 Jiuzhou Avenue West, Xiangzhou District (香洲区九州大道西2055号富华里9栋1-04室) (Buses that stop outside the Midtown (富华里) commerical complex include routes, 1, 14, 25, 30, 60, 202, 603, 605 609, 826-2, 992, b2, b7, b8, k6, k7 and k9., +86 756 8694868. 10:00-02:00. Very good Mediterranean cuisine with a Croatian chef. The menu is quite small and constantly changes according to seasons and what's freshly available on the market. Most of the items on the menu are handmade, including bread, pastas, gnocchi etc. They also do excellent events with great musicians from all over the world. They are linked to the Hong Kong Jazz Festival, and occasionally bands that play in Hong Kong also play at Azur. Main courses from ¥60-130.

Azur Restaurant, Shop 1-04, Building 9, Midtown, 2055 Jiuzhou Avenue West, Xiangzhou District (香洲区九州大道西2055号富华里9栋1-04室) (Buses that stop outside the Midtown (富华里) commerical complex include routes, 1, 14, 25, 30, 60, 202, 603, 605 609, 826-2, 992, b2, b7, b8, k6, k7 and k9., +86 756 8694868. 10:00-02:00. Very good Mediterranean cuisine with a Croatian chef. The menu is quite small and constantly changes according to seasons and what's freshly available on the market. Most of the items on the menu are handmade, including bread, pastas, gnocchi etc. They also do excellent events with great musicians from all over the world. They are linked to the Hong Kong Jazz Festival, and occasionally bands that play in Hong Kong also play at Azur. Main courses from ¥60-130.

• Jenny's Cafe, 10 Haibin Road North, Xiangzhou District (香洲区海滨北路10号) (Bus 69 one stop past Jusco, it is on the right side of the road, just past the Cinema/Great Hall of Zhuai.. A neat, cozy, jazz infused cafe serving mostly Chinese food but with an extensive and reasonably priced drinks menu that includes coffee, tea and some alcoholic drinks. (It's tucked back from the road, but easily seen due to the large signage around the door.) average.
• May Flower Restaurant, 3F, Ridong Square, 49 Qinglü Middle Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区情侣中路49号日东广场3楼; Xiāngzhōuqū Qínglǚzhōnglù Rìdōngguǎngchǎng), +86 756 3230000. Offers excellent seafood. As in many places in this area, you pick your fish from tanks. You may also pick your own vegetables and specify the cooking methods. This is not the kind of place to come if you like to pick things off a menu, but if you are willing to select your food while it is still swimming, it is a great choice. There is a large airplane attached to the front of the building.
• Shishen Seafood City.

  * Shishen Seafood City Gongbei Branch, 108 Gaosha Middle Street, Xiangzhou District (香洲区高沙中街108号; Xiāngzhōuqū Gāoshāzhōngjiē) (Near the border, a short distance along the road by the clock tower, +86 756 8132108.

  * Shishen Seafood City Tangjia Branch, Gangwan Avenue, Xiangzhou District (香洲区港湾大道; Xiāngzhōuqū Gǎngwāndàdào) (A bit north of town on the coastal road, take bus 3 or 10 or the sightseeing bus, +86 756 3611726. In an interesting old building

Jenny's Cafe, 10 Haibin Road North, Xiangzhou District (香洲区海滨北路10号) (Bus 69 one stop past Jusco, it is on the right side of the road, just past the Cinema/Great Hall of Zhuai.. A neat, cozy, jazz infused cafe serving mostly Chinese food but with an extensive and reasonably priced drinks menu that includes coffee, tea and some alcoholic drinks. (It's tucked back from the road, but easily seen due to the large signage around the door.) average.

May Flower Restaurant, 3F, Ridong Square, 49 Qinglü Middle Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区情侣中路49号日东广场3楼; Xiāngzhōuqū Qínglǚzhōnglù Rìdōngguǎngchǎng), +86 756 3230000. Offers excellent seafood. As in many places in this area, you pick your fish from tanks. You may also pick your own vegetables and specify the cooking methods. This is not the kind of place to come if you like to pick things off a menu, but if you are willing to select your food while it is still swimming, it is a great choice. There is a large airplane attached to the front of the building.

Shishen Seafood City.

* Shishen Seafood City Gongbei Branch, 108 Gaosha Middle Street, Xiangzhou District (香洲区高沙中街108号; Xiāngzhōuqū Gāoshāzhōngjiē) (Near the border, a short distance along the road by the clock tower, +86 756 8132108.

* Shishen Seafood City Tangjia Branch, Gangwan Avenue, Xiangzhou District (香洲区港湾大道; Xiāngzhōuqū Gǎngwāndàdào) (A bit north of town on the coastal road, take bus 3 or 10 or the sightseeing bus, +86 756 3611726. In an interesting old building

Food from other regions of China is also available. Hunan and Sichuan food is common.

Within walking distance north of Jusco on the main street of Xiangzhou, there are many restaurants:

• Turn right at the first corner (KFC) for a big seafood restaurant and a good Sichuan restaurant.
• Turn left at the seafood restaurant, and 20 meters along the side street will be an alley on your right with assorted cheap local restaurants.
• At the end of the alley, turn left again for more of the same, including a good Muslim noodles place about half a block along on your right.
• Back on the main street, turn left at the first pedestrian overpass for good Northeast China (Dongbei) food.

There is a fine Xinjiang restaurant on bus 4 route, one stop north of the Jida ferry port. That is part of a cluster of at least a dozen mid-range restaurants in a newly developed area.

Around the border shopping area, there are a number of good and reasonably priced Thai restaurants.

There are several good pizza places, popular with the local expatriate community:

• Amici Miei Authentic Italian Restaurant, 珠海市华伐世纪城 (Enter Huafa Century City, turning right at the main entrance. Pass Starbucks and Amici Miei in on the right, on the second floor. Access on the waterfront.. Truly authentic Italian cuisine, owned and operated by Italians, Amici Miei is the latest addition to Zhuhai's pizza scene.
• Mr Pizza, Level 2, K-Box Houfang, Tangren Commercial Street, Tangjia Town (唐家镇唐人街商业街K-BOX后方2楼) (The nearest bus stop is the Tangjia Market (唐家市场), which is served by bus routes 3a, 3, 10a, 10, 66, 68, 69, 85, k1, k2, k3, z75 and z76, +86 756 3666885. Imported wine is available here. The restaurant also has a small deli where you can buy cheese and other goodies. The first owner was an Englishman named Ken, but Mr. Pizza is now under new management. Pizza is ¥40-80. Happy Hour 17:30-19:00 with beer at half price.
• Pizza Hut (Jida Branch), Level 1, Zhuhai Duty Free Mall, 220 Jingshan Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区景山路220号珠海免税商场1层). Approximately half the cheese used in US Pizza Huts.
• Portofino Ristorante Italiano, 102 Building 9, Midtown, 2021 Jiuzhou Avenue West, Xiangzhou District (香洲区九洲大道西2021号富华里9栋102室), +867568150111. After 11:30AM or so. A reliable source of good Italian food. Two beers on tap. 100-120RMB/pizza. Extremely expensive wine..
• Uncle Mike's Pizza and Chicken, 10-105 Building 5, Tangren Street, 3399 Tangqi Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区唐淇路3399号唐人街5栋105-10) (Under the Old Chinese Junk. Great pizza and chicken is now accompanied by a partner Italian Restaurant and the Down Under Pub.

Pizza can also be found in other local restaurants, including a local chain called Pizza Coffee, but the pizza is not very appealing to Western tastes.

Amici Miei Authentic Italian Restaurant, 珠海市华伐世纪城 (Enter Huafa Century City, turning right at the main entrance. Pass Starbucks and Amici Miei in on the right, on the second floor. Access on the waterfront.. Truly authentic Italian cuisine, owned and operated by Italians, Amici Miei is the latest addition to Zhuhai's pizza scene.

Mr Pizza, Level 2, K-Box Houfang, Tangren Commercial Street, Tangjia Town (唐家镇唐人街商业街K-BOX后方2楼) (The nearest bus stop is the Tangjia Market (唐家市场), which is served by bus routes 3a, 3, 10a, 10, 66, 68, 69, 85, k1, k2, k3, z75 and z76, +86 756 3666885. Imported wine is available here. The restaurant also has a small deli where you can buy cheese and other goodies. The first owner was an Englishman named Ken, but Mr. Pizza is now under new management. Pizza is ¥40-80. Happy Hour 17:30-19:00 with beer at half price.

Pizza Hut (Jida Branch), Level 1, Zhuhai Duty Free Mall, 220 Jingshan Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区景山路220号珠海免税商场1层). Approximately half the cheese used in US Pizza Huts.

Portofino Ristorante Italiano, 102 Building 9, Midtown, 2021 Jiuzhou Avenue West, Xiangzhou District (香洲区九洲大道西2021号富华里9栋102室), +867568150111. After 11:30AM or so. A reliable source of good Italian food. Two beers on tap. 100-120RMB/pizza. Extremely expensive wine..

Uncle Mike's Pizza and Chicken, 10-105 Building 5, Tangren Street, 3399 Tangqi Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区唐淇路3399号唐人街5栋105-10) (Under the Old Chinese Junk. Great pizza and chicken is now accompanied by a partner Italian Restaurant and the Down Under Pub.

• Deyuefang Seafood Restaurant, Inside Mingting Park, Yeli Island, Xiangzhou District (香洲区野狸岛名亭公园内; Xiāngzhōuqū Yělídǎo Míngtínggōngyuánnèi) (From Gongbei, take bus 9 or the sightseeing bus along Qinglu Road (Lovers' Road) until you see the ship and bridge on your right, just as the bus turns left, get off the bus and walk across the bridge; from Jusco, walk south along the main street to the first corner and turn left, the bridge is one block ahead, +86 756 2251188. Large and popular high-end seafood place on an impressive looking boat in Xiangzhou harbour.

Deyuefang Seafood Restaurant, Inside Mingting Park, Yeli Island, Xiangzhou District (香洲区野狸岛名亭公园内; Xiāngzhōuqū Yělídǎo Míngtínggōngyuánnèi) (From Gongbei, take bus 9 or the sightseeing bus along Qinglu Road (Lovers' Road) until you see the ship and bridge on your right, just as the bus turns left, get off the bus and walk across the bridge; from Jusco, walk south along the main street to the first corner and turn left, the bridge is one block ahead, +86 756 2251188. Large and popular high-end seafood place on an impressive looking boat in Xiangzhou harbour.

• The Old Chinese Junk, 5-401 Tangrenshangye Street, 3399 Tangqi Road, Tangjiawan District (唐家湾唐淇路3399号唐人商业街5栋401号; Tángjiāwān Tángqílù Tángrénshāngyèjiē (4th floor of the shopping-center-like-complex, near the Dragon Opera house, the bar is connected to the Longmen Hotel and can reached using their elevator, +86 756 3319668. The Old Chinese Junk in Tangjia is a rooftop restaurant and pub run by an Englishman named Mike.

The Old Chinese Junk, 5-401 Tangrenshangye Street, 3399 Tangqi Road, Tangjiawan District (唐家湾唐淇路3399号唐人商业街5栋401号; Tángjiāwān Tángqílù Tángrénshāngyèjiē (4th floor of the shopping-center-like-complex, near the Dragon Opera house, the bar is connected to the Longmen Hotel and can reached using their elevator, +86 756 3319668. The Old Chinese Junk in Tangjia is a rooftop restaurant and pub run by an Englishman named Mike.

There are several notable Japanese restaurants in Zhuhai:

• Musashi, Shop A3023a, Level 3, Block A, Huafa Mall, 8 Zhuhai Avenue, Xiangzhou District (香洲区珠海大道8号华发商都A馆3层A3023a号铺) (Buses that stop outside Huafa Mall include routes 14, 16, 18, 25, 34, 61, 81, 87, 201, 202, 207, 601, 601b, 603, 605, 608, 609, 991, b2, n20, z12 and several others, +86 756 8330521. 11:00-22:00. Large upscale Japanese restaurant. Expect to pay over ¥200 per head.
• Sushi-Oh, Shop 4009, Level 4, Section 2, Yangming Plaza, 1066 Fenghuang Road South, Xiangzhou District (香洲区凤凰南路1066号扬名广场二期4楼L4009铺) (Bus routes that stop near Yangming Plaza (扬名广场) include routes 2, 3, 3a, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 26, 56, 69, 99, 204, 605, b2, b3, b5, b6, k3 and z11, +86 756 2138009. Good conveyor belt style sushi restaurant. A bit pricey. An average meal costs over ¥100.

Musashi, Shop A3023a, Level 3, Block A, Huafa Mall, 8 Zhuhai Avenue, Xiangzhou District (香洲区珠海大道8号华发商都A馆3层A3023a号铺) (Buses that stop outside Huafa Mall include routes 14, 16, 18, 25, 34, 61, 81, 87, 201, 202, 207, 601, 601b, 603, 605, 608, 609, 991, b2, n20, z12 and several others, +86 756 8330521. 11:00-22:00. Large upscale Japanese restaurant. Expect to pay over ¥200 per head.

Sushi-Oh, Shop 4009, Level 4, Section 2, Yangming Plaza, 1066 Fenghuang Road South, Xiangzhou District (香洲区凤凰南路1066号扬名广场二期4楼L4009铺) (Bus routes that stop near Yangming Plaza (扬名广场) include routes 2, 3, 3a, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 26, 56, 69, 99, 204, 605, b2, b3, b5, b6, k3 and z11, +86 756 2138009. Good conveyor belt style sushi restaurant. A bit pricey. An average meal costs over ¥100.

• Indian Restaurant. The name refers to the Native American Indian decor of the restaurant, not curries and nan bread. The specialty is high-priced steak that is no more than tolerable. However, you might consider going for the decor, which is American Plains Indian with a few pieces of Northwestern coastal art. The waitresses there wear fringed skirts with feathers in their hair.

Indian Restaurant. The name refers to the Native American Indian decor of the restaurant, not curries and nan bread. The specialty is high-priced steak that is no more than tolerable. However, you might consider going for the decor, which is American Plains Indian with a few pieces of Northwestern coastal art. The waitresses there wear fringed skirts with feathers in their hair.

Zhuhai is known for its nightlife due to its status as a tourist destination for Chinese nationals, and as a playground for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan businessmen looking for female company. Whether it's enjoying Chinese street life, mixing it up with all walks of life on Walking Street, sipping cocktails on Bar Street, or hitting the wild electronic discos, Zhuhai has what you're looking for!

For a truly unique experience, have a beer or coffee at one of the couple dozen open-air bar booths along Linhua Road (莲花路; Liánhuālù; lit. Lotus Road; also known as Walking Street (步行街; Bùxíngjiē)). It is parallel to Yingbin Road and a block east of it, starting on the western side of Gongbei Bus Station, opposite the northeast exit from the underground shopping complex at the Macau border. By day, it is a busy pedestrians-only shopping street with numerous shops.

It transforms into a spectacular must-see atmosphere at night. There are many small outdoor bars, 3 or 4 meters square with a half-dozen stools on each side. In the middle is an open area for the bar girls. These girls earn commission on the drinks so their goal is to get you to buy as much beer as possible, partly by helping you put it back and often by winning at various games where the loser must drink. They are experts; do not expect to win. Also, do not expect to take one of them home; they are professional flirts, not prostitutes.

There are many streetwalkers in the area and offers from them are common, but prostitution is illegal in China. There are also beggars who offer to sing or shine your shoes, or present their pet monkey or simply point to their baby sadly.

There are two groups of outdoor bars with the one further south nearer the border emphasizing food (nothing special) and the one a little further north emphasizing drinks. There is a stretch of shops in between the two areas. Drinks are cheap (¥18 for a bottle of beer, fresh fruit juice or cup of coffee), and you get to meet all sorts of travelers, expats, Hong Kong and Macau residents coming over for shopping or cheaper entertainment, local wannabes, and working girls. Hanging out here is by far one of the most interesting things to do in Zhuhai. Use common sense late at night, as things can get pretty wild. Most stalls are open till 03:00 and a few stay open later for enthusiastic customers.

Bar Street (酒吧街; Jiǔbājiē), at around 300 meters long, is a well-established, modern strip of more upscale bars, some featuring live music. It is easily the first place newcomers to Zhuhai go to experience the energy and liveliness of life in Zhuhai after dark. This strip primarily caters to Chinese businessmen, Chinese yuppies, and moneyed or uninformed tourists. It is one block inland and a 20-minute walk from the Gongbei border. Follow the street with the clock tower until it becomes Bar Street.

• No. 88 Bar, First Bar on Bar Street. 203-209 Shuiwan Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区水湾路203-209号) (At the Corner of Bar Street (Shuiwan Road) and Lian'an Road. The nearest bus stop is Yinhai Xincun (银海新村), which is served by bus no. 4. By far the most popular bar in Zhuhai is the no. 88 bar. It's on the corner and the first bar you see when you approach bar street. It's ¥380 for a dozen beers or ¥500 for a bottle of whiskey like Jack Daniel's or Chivas Regal. Beware of the bottle service though, you might get counterfeit alcohol and feel like crap afterwards. The best thing about this place is that most of the females that show up are customers themselves, as opposed to the other bars on bar street where most of the females work for the bar. open till 05:00. ¥50.
• Casa Pepe, 215-217 Shuiwan Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区水湾路215-217号) (The nearest bus stop is Yinhai Xincun (银海新村), which is served by bus no. 4., +86 18688182268. Quiet place where you can sip red wine and have some fine dining. They have a private room in the back.
• Cohiba, 203-209 Shuiwan Road (香洲区水湾路203-209号) (The nearest bus stop is Rihua Huayuan (日华花园), which is served by bus nos. 4, 9, 13 and 99, +86 756 8892444. Older crowd with quiet outdoor seating and fireplace outside. Indoor seating with live singers and dancers. A nice break once in a while from the hardcore partying at Bar 88. ¥20-30 for beer, more for cocktails.
• Hill Cocktail, Basement level, 223 Shuiwan Road, Xiangzhou District 香洲区水湾路223号负一层地窖 (The nearest bus stop is Yinhai Xincun (银海新村), which is served by bus no. 4. The only bar of its kind in Zhuhai where the bartenders actually mix cocktails according to specifications. For example a Long Island Ice Tea actually has 5 different kinds of alcohol in it. If you order this in other bars it's just a mix of lemon iced tea and vodka. Located in the basement of a hotel up the ramp from back street. It's a quiet setting - good for romancing a date you just met at the other clubs. The bar has another branch on the 19th floor of the Harbour View Hotel (怡景湾大酒店) in Jida.
• La Bohemia, Level 1, Haiwan Haoyuan, 225 Shuiwan Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区水湾路225号海湾豪苑1楼) (The first bar / restaurant on Bar Street when coming from the North East. The nearest bus stop is Yinhai Xincun (银海新村), which is served by bux no. 4, +86 756 8896683. Aside from the hugely popular Friday night Latin dance parties, La Bohemia offers excellent Portuguese food, Mediterranean food and Asian dishes, as well as a large selection of fine wines and cocktails.

Zhuhai is heavily infested with pickpockets and bar street is among their favorite areas. Beware of pairs of well-dressed young men who quietly follow groups of revelers; typically they have razor blades for cutting open pockets,

No. 88 Bar, First Bar on Bar Street. 203-209 Shuiwan Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区水湾路203-209号) (At the Corner of Bar Street (Shuiwan Road) and Lian'an Road. The nearest bus stop is Yinhai Xincun (银海新村), which is served by bus no. 4. By far the most popular bar in Zhuhai is the no. 88 bar. It's on the corner and the first bar you see when you approach bar street. It's ¥380 for a dozen beers or ¥500 for a bottle of whiskey like Jack Daniel's or Chivas Regal. Beware of the bottle service though, you might get counterfeit alcohol and feel like crap afterwards. The best thing about this place is that most of the females that show up are customers themselves, as opposed to the other bars on bar street where most of the females work for the bar. open till 05:00. ¥50.

Casa Pepe, 215-217 Shuiwan Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区水湾路215-217号) (The nearest bus stop is Yinhai Xincun (银海新村), which is served by bus no. 4., +86 18688182268. Quiet place where you can sip red wine and have some fine dining. They have a private room in the back.

Cohiba, 203-209 Shuiwan Road (香洲区水湾路203-209号) (The nearest bus stop is Rihua Huayuan (日华花园), which is served by bus nos. 4, 9, 13 and 99, +86 756 8892444. Older crowd with quiet outdoor seating and fireplace outside. Indoor seating with live singers and dancers. A nice break once in a while from the hardcore partying at Bar 88. ¥20-30 for beer, more for cocktails.

Hill Cocktail, Basement level, 223 Shuiwan Road, Xiangzhou District 香洲区水湾路223号负一层地窖 (The nearest bus stop is Yinhai Xincun (银海新村), which is served by bus no. 4. The only bar of its kind in Zhuhai where the bartenders actually mix cocktails according to specifications. For example a Long Island Ice Tea actually has 5 different kinds of alcohol in it. If you order this in other bars it's just a mix of lemon iced tea and vodka. Located in the basement of a hotel up the ramp from back street. It's a quiet setting - good for romancing a date you just met at the other clubs. The bar has another branch on the 19th floor of the Harbour View Hotel (怡景湾大酒店) in Jida.

La Bohemia, Level 1, Haiwan Haoyuan, 225 Shuiwan Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区水湾路225号海湾豪苑1楼) (The first bar / restaurant on Bar Street when coming from the North East. The nearest bus stop is Yinhai Xincun (银海新村), which is served by bux no. 4, +86 756 8896683. Aside from the hugely popular Friday night Latin dance parties, La Bohemia offers excellent Portuguese food, Mediterranean food and Asian dishes, as well as a large selection of fine wines and cocktails.

Your best bet is to hit your bar of choice first and then inquire and explore. The discos tend to be large, intense, heavily into generic Chinese imitation euro-trance music, and popular with the young and rebellious. Cover charges may or may not apply, drinks are expensive by Chinese standards (generally ¥30 or more). Be careful with your possessions as these places are notorious for pickpockets.

There are numerous discos in Zhuhai that will allow you to continue your night into the morning. There are several in Gongbei within a short cab ride of either Bar Street or Walking Street:

• . Open until 06:00. Disco with lots of action.

There are several slightly smaller, dance type clubs located right on Bar Street.

The Xiangzhou and Jida areas also have popular discos.

For singing and drinking in private rooms with your friends, the following places charge per hour for the room and drinks are bought separately in the mini-supermarket within the facilities.

GongBei

• Sea & Sand, Shop E16, 3 Huaping, Road, Xiawan, Xiangzhou District (香洲区夏湾华平路3号E16号铺) (The nearest bus stop is Guoshou Dasha (国寿大厦), which is served by bus nos. 11, 35 and 62, +86 756 8110111. Small karaoke lounge with private rooms on 2nd floor. ¥15 a beer. Jida
• Xing Ge Hui Discount KTV, Level 1, West Wing Podium Building, 2 Jida Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区吉大路2号国会西侧裙楼一楼) (The nearest bus stop is Junyi Huayuan (君怡花园), which is served by bus nos. 9 and 25, +86 756 3227788. There are a handful of karaoke establishments across the street from the McDonald's as well.

XiangZhou

There are many KTVs in Xiangzhou.

Jinding

Come to Jinding Barbeque for a unique dining experience and beers aplenty (see Eat Section) and then go to Jinding Karaoke Bar Street, an off-the-beaten-path strip of about 10 truly hole-in-the-wall karaoke bars located northeast of the main street in Jinding. Come here if you want to experience where real salt-of-the-earth working class Chinese people go to get their drinks and howl at high decibel levels into a microphone. It is not easily reached by walking if you do not know where you are going, but it is easy to flag down any of the locals and get a ride on their motorcycle (takes about 3 minutes and costs ¥5) or take any of the taxi vans parked all around the middle of the main street. Just motion that you want to drink and sing and point in a eastward direction from the center of the main street to convey the message. You will be popular here and may be encouraged to join someone's table and drink gratis as most locals will be surprised a foreigner would come here. Drink plenty of beer or bring earplugs or both to dull the volume of the howling.

Sea & Sand, Shop E16, 3 Huaping, Road, Xiawan, Xiangzhou District (香洲区夏湾华平路3号E16号铺) (The nearest bus stop is Guoshou Dasha (国寿大厦), which is served by bus nos. 11, 35 and 62, +86 756 8110111. Small karaoke lounge with private rooms on 2nd floor. ¥15 a beer.

Xing Ge Hui Discount KTV, Level 1, West Wing Podium Building, 2 Jida Road, Xiangzhou District (香洲区吉大路2号国会西侧裙楼一楼) (The nearest bus stop is Junyi Huayuan (君怡花园), which is served by bus nos. 9 and 25, +86 756 3227788.

The Blarney Stone in the Crowne Plaza Zhuhai City Center (珠海粤财皇冠假日酒店) (listed in the Sleep section below) has quite a number of beers on tap. It is located in Jida. It features live western music performed by Filipino groups, among others, on some nights (usually weekends). The German beers on tap are rather expensive at ¥58 (+15%) but ¥23 (+15%) for a pint of draught Filipino San Miguel is rather a good deal, especially during happy hour (18:00-20:00 everyday) when it is buy one get one free. Although the Irish decor is pretty average, it is a large and comfortable venue for those who are looking for a tamer night out. One of the cheaper hotel bars in Zhuhai and enjoys a reasonable mix of clientèle for a bar in a western hotel.

• Dragon Union Opera House, Dragon Union Hotel, Building D, Tangjia Commercial Plaza, Shanfang Road, Tangjiawan, Xiangzhou District (香洲区唐家湾山房路唐家商业广场D栋聚龙酒店内) (The nearest bus stop is Tangjia Market (唐家市场), which is served by bus nos. 3, 3a, 10, 10a, 66, 68, 69, 85, k1, k3, z75 and z76, +86 756 3317888. a large entertainment venue inside the Dragon Union Hotel (聚龙酒店), occasionally featuring live, perhaps tacky, variety shows with acrobats, jugglers, rope climbers and singers, etc. Beer is expensive during shows. There is also a floor dedicated to massages. There are quite a few karaoke rooms available, complete with furniture, beds, food, drink, choice of girls, and optional adult entertainment options to fulfill your every need no matter how unusual. Known even in Hong Kong as a destination for those seeking an 'all inclusive' karaoke experience, it can be as tame or as involved as you want it to be.

Dragon Union Opera House, Dragon Union Hotel, Building D, Tangjia Commercial Plaza, Shanfang Road, Tangjiawan, Xiangzhou District (香洲区唐家湾山房路唐家商业广场D栋聚龙酒店内) (The nearest bus stop is Tangjia Market (唐家市场), which is served by bus nos. 3, 3a, 10, 10a, 66, 68, 69, 85, k1, k3, z75 and z76, +86 756 3317888. a large entertainment venue inside the Dragon Union Hotel (聚龙酒店), occasionally featuring live, perhaps tacky, variety shows with acrobats, jugglers, rope climbers and singers, etc. Beer is expensive during shows. There is also a floor dedicated to massages. There are quite a few karaoke rooms available, complete with furniture, beds, food, drink, choice of girls, and optional adult entertainment options to fulfill your every need no matter how unusual. Known even in Hong Kong as a destination for those seeking an 'all inclusive' karaoke experience, it can be as tame or as involved as you want it to be.

The area code for Zhuhai is 0756. When calling from overseas, dial +86 756 XXXX-XXXX

• In general, Zhuhai is a safe and friendly city. However, it is heavily infested with pickpockets, especially in the crowded shopping areas in Gongbei and on buses. Using a razor to get a wallet out of a hip pocket on a bus is a favorite tactic.
• In residential and collegial areas, street crimes are extremely rare. However, the police are also rarely seen patrolling at night. Go to the police station or police room to seek help in emergency.
• Zhuhai is well known for its sex trade, but it is not Thailand. Prostitution is illegal in China, and if you are caught with a prostitute by the police, you may be sentenced up to 15 days of security detention (administrative imprisonment without trial).
• As is true everywhere in China, do not drink the tap water, avoid undercooked meats and watch out for counterfeit bills (especially 50s).
• Unlike most cities in China, cars usually give way to pedestrians, even this may cause traffic jams, because drivers not yielding to pedestrians may be fined. But still be cautious about traffic. Also, most road junctions in Zhuhai do not have traffic lights, and largely rely on the signals of police officers.
• It's illegal to drive motorcycles in Xiangzhou District.
• Some tour guides will take you to shops that pay them commissions. Those shops are often overpriced, and the usual advice is to never let any local except a trusted friend take you to any tourist shop. One Zhuhai variant involves outrageously priced herbs from a Chinese medicine company called Bai Cao Tang (百草堂).

• The bus to Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, costs ¥60 to ¥65, runs every half hour and takes 2½ hours from Gongbei or 1 hour 45 minutes from Tangjia. Allow an extra hour for the inevitable Guangzhou traffic jam. You can board one at the underground station in Gongbei to reach Garden Hotel in Guangzhou (花园酒店), or one from near the Gongbei border to get to the Provincial bus station (省汽车站) or Tianhe Dasha bus station (天河大厦). Additionally, it is possible to take the bus from Tangjia in northern Zhuhai to get to the Guangzhou airport, or Guangzhou proper.
• Between Zhuhai and Guangzhou is the city of Zhongshan, the hometown of Sun Yat-sen, leader of the Xinhai Revolution and founder of China's first republic. There are frequent buses to Zhongshan from Zhuhai, particularly from bus stations in Gongbei. Moreover, trains on the Guangzhou-Zhuhai Intercity Railway usually include several stops in Zhongshan, though they sometimes bypass Zhongshan's main stations (Zhongshan Station and Zhongshan North Station) and stop only at suburban stations. If you plan on doing a day-trip just to see Sun Yat-sen's former residence, you should take the train to Nanlang Station (南朗站), then either take a taxi or catch a no. 12 bus. Sun Yat-sen's former residence is about 7km south of Nanlang Station.
• Neighbouring Macau can be reached on foot or by car through the Gongbei border crossing, by ferry from Wanzai area (temporarily closed), or on foot or by car through the Lotus Bridge from Hengqin.
• Hong Kong can be reached by a 1-hour ferry boat trip from Jiuzhou Port (九洲港). Bus #3 will take you to the ferry terminal. Ferries run regularly all day, with the last boat to Hong Kong leaving at 21:30.
• Shenzhen can be reached by a 1-hour ferry boat trip from Jiuzhou Port (九洲港). You can also reach Shenzhen by high-speed train, which takes about 2 hours because the train must go via Guangzhou. The train terminates at Shenzhen North Station, whereas the ferry will take you to Shekou in the city's far southwest.
• There are also buses to most nearby cities including Shenzhen (cheaper than the ferry), and overnight buses to Guilin, Xiamen, Zhanjiang and Beihai.
• The Xiangzhou and Gongbei bus stations have overnight buses to Guilin or Yangshuo. These are fairly uncomfortable. Unlike most overnight buses, they have no on-board toilets, but they do make several stops during the 12-hour trip. A quicker and more comfortable option would be to take a high-speed train. The train from Zhuhai to Guilin takes just under 4 hours. You can also take the train to Yangshuo County, but keep in mind that Yangshuo Station is over 30km from Yangshuo Town.
• Flying can either be accomplished by using the Zhuhai airport in the western Doumen district of the city, or taking the bus to the Guangzhou airport. Times vary for transportation depending on how far south in Zhuhai you are departing from. If leaving from Xiangzhou, Tangjia, or Jinding it is nearly as fast, and more perhaps more convenient, to get to the Guangzhou airport. If leaving from Gongbei or Jida the Zhuhai airport would be nearer.
• There are remote check-ins for nearby airports in Zhuhai. For Guangzhou airport, the check-in is at Gongbei bus station, near the KFC. For Hong Kong and Shenzhen airports, you can check in at the ferry terminal, Jiuzhou Port.