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).
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
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 2.4 million inhabitants as of the 2020 census. However, it is still not as large and developed as neighboring cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
Zhuhai is quite spread out. The terrain is coastal plain broken up by mountains or, seen from the sea, a series of bays and headlands. There are many clumps of development separated by hills, often parkland. You can walk or take a taxi from ¥10 (the first 3-kilometre); these are good options for moving within a single district. The University of Macau's campus on Hengqin Island is on land leased to Macau, meaning that you will have to pass through border control to access the campus from the rest of Zhuhai. On the other hand, you do not need to pass through border control to access the campus from Macau. Zhuhai has an extensive bus system.
1 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.
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). 1 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (中国国际航空航天博览会) (near Zhuhai Airport), ☏ +86 756 3375602, fax: +86 756 3376415, zhuhai@airshow.com.cn. 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. 2 Imperial Yuwenquan Hot Springs (御温泉), Huangyang Avenue West (黄杨大道西) (In Doumen District, take bus 609), ☏ +86 756 5797128.
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 (If you are standing at the border facing North, follow the street running West parallel to the border around 100 meters past the border area and several of the hotels, and then take any side street North and wind your way into a large outdoor eating area with scores of low key outdoor restaurants). There is a multitude of outdoor eating establishments with high quality seafood in Gongbei near the Macau border.
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 Lianhua Road (莲花路; Liánhuālù; lit. Lotus Road; also known as Walking Street (步行街; Bùxíngjiē)).
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 has a reputation for its sex trade, but be aware that prostitution is illegal in China.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Zhuhai typically sees ~32°C daytime highs and 28 rainy days.
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