Facts:
Zhuhai Maps
Phone Code: 0756
Postal Code: 519000
Area: 1,701 square kilometers (656.6 square miles)
Population: 1,560,229 (statistics in 2010)
Nationalities: Han, Miao, Zhuang, Yao, and She
Neighboring Areas: Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan province, and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Location: It is located on the southwestern part of the Pearl River Estuary. The latitude is between 21° 48′-22°27′N, and the longitude is between 113°03′-114°19′E.
Physical Features: Since Zhuhai faces the South China Sea on the coast, the terrain slopes gently from northwest to southeast. The landform is mainly composed of hills, plains, sea-beach wetland and low mountains (Fenghuang Mountain and Jiangjun Mountain). Besides, there is a coastal alluvial plain deposited by the Xijiang and Beijiang Rivers. Moreover, the city contains a vast sea of more than 6,000 square kilometers with 146 small islands.
History: It belonged to Nanhai County after the founding of the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 207 BC). In the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 - 1279), Xiangshan County was established and was subjected to Guangzhou Province control until the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). In 1953, it was established as a county and changed into Zhuhai City in 1979. Most importantly, the economy boomed after it was set up as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in 1980. It was awarded the “Best Model of International Residential Environment Improvement” in 1998 by the UN.
Attractions: Zhuhai boasts gorgeous seashore scenery along the vast South China Sea where 146 emerald green islands are strung like pearls. The Zhuhai Fisher Girl Statue at Xianglu Bay is the landmark of the city. The New Yuanming Palace at the foot of the Stone Forest Mountain of the city is a reproduction of the old Summer Palace in Beijing. In this palace, there are buildings in both ancient Chinese and foreign styles. The private garden of Tang Shaoyi (first Prime Minister of the Republic of China) is also a famous scenic spot. Dong'ao Island located in the mouth of the Pearl River is a famous tourist attraction as well. Other recommended tourist resorts in and around the city are Dream Water City, Meixi Royal Stone Archways, Marvelous Spectacle in Agriculture Science, and Wailingding Island. In addition, China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (also known as Zhuhai Air Show or Air Show China) is held once every two years. The seventh exhibition in 2008 was considered the most successful in China and attracted worldwide attention.
Transportation: Plane, train and long-distance bus are all available in the city. If traveling from Zhuhai to Macau or Hong Kong, ship is also an option. When the construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (Lingdingyang Bridge) is finished, it will be more convenient to travel among the three cities by road.
Air: Zhuhai Sanzao Airport is located in the west of the urban area of the city. It can accommodate with 5,000 passengers departing and arriving during the rush hour. There are buses from the airport to the urban city, Macao, Zhongshan, and Jiangmen.
Train: Guangzhou-Zhuhai Railway connects the city with Foshan and Jiangmen. There are intercity trains from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Zhuhai Gongbei Railway Station Zhongshan, as well as to the Zhuhai Sanzao Airport. It takes less than 1 hour by train traveling among the Pearl River Delta region.
Ship: Zhuhai Jiuzhou Ferry Terminal operates several ferries every day to Hong Kong International Airport, HK-Macau Ferry Terminal, China Ferry Terminal and Shekou Ferry Terminal.
Bus: There are hundreds of buses from Guangzhou and Jiangmen to the city every day, via Beijing-Zhuhai Highway and Jiangmen-Zhuhai Highway. The Guangdong Western Coastal Highway is joined with two former highways. The fare for a city bus in the city is RMB 1.5 and RMB 2 with air-condition.
Taxi: The minimum fare is RMB 10 and RMB 2.4 per km after the first 3 km (1.9 miles).
Weather: With latitudes nearest to the Tropic of Cancer, the city is under the control of subtropical and marine climate with little temperature difference through all seasons. However, monsoons from the south result in thunder storms and the rainy season from May to October. Thus for tourists, the best time to visit is from March to April and October to December.
Dining and Shopping:
Zhuhai is located at the estuary of the Pearl River in Guangdong Province, so the dominant cuisine is that of Guangdong. Both Chaozhou and Hakka Cuisines are popular too. Cuisines from other parts of China and western-style food are also available. Being near to the sea, seafood in the city is in abundance such as fresh oyster, lobsters, and green crabs. Some local dishes are famous throughout all China, such as Lang Man Hao Qing (oyster cooked in Deyue Boat) and Cai Die Pan Long (stir-fried King Prawns with chef’s special sauce). For those who like bar-hopping, the Doumen District Bar Street and Shuiwan Road Bar Street are good choices.
Aquatic products are abundant in the city, including fish, eels, oyster sauce, crabs, prawns and teal. Sea Product Market at Jianghai Road in Wanzai Town is a good place to find them. Also fruits and flowers should not be missed when traveling in the city. Commercial Streets are mainly gathered in South Yingbin Road, Lianhua Road, Jingshan Road, Qinglu Road, and Fenghuang Road.