Zhongshan

Understand

Zhongshan is in the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong Province, on the west bank of the Pearl River estuary. It is connected by road and rail to Guangzhou (capital of Guangdong Province) to the north and Zhuhai to the south. Hong Kong can be reached by ferry and Macao via Zhuhai. Zhongshan covers an area of 1,800 km² and has a permanent population of some 4.4 million in 2020. The city is in a subtropical humid zone with an annual average temperature around 23 °C. Zhongshan has nurtured numerous prominent historical figures throughout its history. On November 12, 1866, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen (also Sun Zhongshan) the great leader of China's republican revolution, was born at Cuiheng village of Zhongshan. In memory of him, the county of Xiangshan, which was set up in 1152, was renamed after Dr. Sun as Zhongshan in 1925. It's one of very few cities in China named after a person. Zhongshan was also the location of a strong guerrilla force during World War II, and the villages that hid the guerrillas are a short drive away through wooded lanes. Zhongshan has a vibrant downtown river area, some beautiful Buddhist temples. It is an affordable place to live and work with housing being about one third that of its bigger sister cities nearby.

Municipal information Zhongshan City website

Getting there

By plane From Hong Kong International Airport (HKG IATA), direct ferries are available to Zhongshan. To take the ferry to Zhongshan, go directly to the ticket counter without passing through Hong Kong immigration or customs; see Hong Kong International Airport#By ferry for details. Hong Kong allows travelers from many nations to enter visa-free, and Chinese visas are easy to obtain at many locations. This will generally involve one or two nights' stay in Hong Kong. The closest airport to Zhongshan City is Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN IATA). (You will have to have your Chinese visa organised before departure from your country of origin. This can be done at any consulate.) Travelers have easy access to airport shuttle buses between CAN and Zhongshan: price: ¥68/person, 150 minutes.

CAN→Zhongshan: departure from A and B airport lounge once an hour from 08:50 to 19:50 at the A lounge; once an hour from 09:00 to 20:00 at the B lounges. Zhongshan→CAN: departure from Zhongshan Seasons View Executive Hotel, No.93, Dongyu Road, Eastern District (Take bus 1, 6, 9, or 12 to get to the hotel), once an hour from 06:00 to 10:00 and from 11:30 to 17:30. Leave at least 2½ hours before your plane is scheduled to depart. From Shenzhen Airport (SZX IATA), there are buses and ferries connecting to Zhongshan (see below).

By ferry High-speed ferries sail between 1 Zhongshan Port and Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Airport, the Macau ferry terminal, and Shenzhen's Fuyong Ferry Terminal (near Shenzhen Airport). The trip from Zhongshan to the Hong Kong International Airport takes about an hour and ten minutes, the trip to Shenzhen takes 45 minutes, while the other journeys take about an hour and a half.

Hong Kong–Zhongshan: seven or eight times a day. Hong Kong International Airport–Zhongshan: four or five times a day. Macau ferry terminal–Zhongshan: twice a day. Shenzhen Fuyong Ferry Terminal–Zhongshan: seven times a day. The ferry terminal has no amenities beyond a restroom; the nearest place to get a bite to eat is a 10–minute walk south. Buses to Zhongshan Port are the Numbers 1, 25, 34, 36, 62, and 212.

By bus Most visitors and locals rely on the bus system for both everyday and travel transport. The Zhongshan Main Bus Station connects to Hainan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Hunan and Henan provinces. 15 bus routes connect to other parts of Guangdong Province as well. The Zhongshan Main Bus Station is on the corner of Fuhua Road and the 105 National Highway. Buses to Guangzhou depart once every 25 minutes; buses to Shenzhen

Getting around

By bus You can travel around Zhongshan easily on the city buses. Over 80 bus lines operate in Zhongshan, most of which are self-service so have correct change of ¥2 when you board each bus. Some buses are more expensive and can cost as much as ¥10; some of these will have an attendant who can give change. The sights of Zhongshan are wide spread and no special tour lines and sightseeing buses are available. However, there are city buses running to some scenic spots. For example, Bus No.2 passes Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall. Bus 33 can help you getting to the beautiful water town in Minzhong Town. The highly praised green cascade of the Yangtze River can be visited by Bus No.006. Get off the bus at Changjiang Leyuan. Zhongshan Spring and gulf course are easy of access with Bus No.11 A and B, Bus 12 Zhongshan-Zhuhai Bus can take you there straight from the city center. You need to change at the Zhuhai terminal to Zhuhai Bus 10.

By taxi There are more than 1000 taxis in Zhongshan. The fare is about ¥7 for the first 2 km and then ¥2.48 for every additional kilometer. The other rate is for trips further than 10 km. The same start-rate is the same as the former, but each additional kilometer is ¥2.6. During the night from 22:00 to 05:00, 20% of basic fare per kilometer is additionally charged if the distance is more than 2 km. There are also motor cycles available for the more adventurous on short hops and the fair for these is negotiable. A great form of travel available is the electric rickshaw if you are heading out for dinner or just want to enjoy the night air on a short distance ride. The price is negotiable.

See

Downtown area The main sights in Zhongshan's downtown area are not far apart and could be covered in a single day on foot. 1 Sunwen Xi Pedestrian Street (孙文西路文化旅游步行街) is lined with beautiful old European-style buildings, many of which now have shops on their first floors.

Museums 2 China Radio Museum (Zhongshan) (中山·中国收音机博物馆), Zhongshan Museum Annex Building, 197 Sunwen Middle Road, Shiqi District (中山市孙文中路197号中山市博物馆副楼) (nearby bus stops include Fengyuan Road (逢源路), Gongchen Road (拱辰路) and Sun-Yat-sen Memorial Hall (中山纪念堂); take bus no. 001, 002, 005, 009, 021, 032, 050 or 209), ☏ +86 760 88873686. 09ː00-17ː00, closed on Mondays. Contains what may be the largest and most diverse collection of old radios in China. Of the more 2000 items in the collection, just over 200 are on public display at any one time. Captions are in Chinese only but that should be no deterrence, particularly if you happen to be a radio enthusiast. Free. (updated Dec 2017) 3 Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (孙中山纪念堂), 188-192 Sun Wen Middle Road (孙文中路188-192号) (bus routes 001, 002, 005, 009, 021, 050 and 209), ☏ +86 760 88822037. 08ː30-17ː00. Not to be confused with the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Museum (listed below). Contains a photographic exhibition of Sun Yat-sen's life and legacy. Captions are in Chinese only. Free. (updated Dec 2018) 4 Xiangshan Commercial Culture Museum (香山商业文化博物馆), 152 Culture & Tourism Pedestrian Mall, Sunwen West Road, Shiqi District, Zhongshan (中山市石岐区孙文西路文化旅游步行街152号) (in the middle of the pedestrian mall; the nearest bus stop is Fengming Road (凤鸣路), which is served by bus routes 001, 002, 006, 009, 016, 017, 018, 035, 050 and 201), ☏ +86 760 88838581, [email protected]. 09ː00-17ː00, closed on Mondays. From the 1920s to the 1940s, this building served as the offices of the Shiqi Town Chamber of Commerce. Today it is a museum about the history of the city, with a focus on commerce. The museum occupies three floors. The ground floor gives a general overview of Zhongshan's commercial history and culture, the second floor introduces some business people who were prominent in Zhongshan during the early 20th century, and the third floor focuses on some Zhongshan natives who established department stores in Shanghai. Free. (updated Dec 2017) 5 Zhongshan Cartoon Museum (中山漫画馆), Inside Yixian Lake Park, Hubin Road, Shiqi District (中山市石岐区湖滨路 逸仙湖公园内) (bus routes 005, 018, 021, 032, 035 and 209.; the museum is on the northern side of the lake), ☏ +86 760 88829276, [email protected]. 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on Mondays. Zhongshan is the hometown of several of C

Do

1 Changjiang Water World (长江水世界, Yangtze River Water World), at the intersection of Changjiang and Jingguan Roads in Shiqi District (bus nos 006 or 030), ☏ +86 760 8866-3111. Apr 28-Jun 30: 10:00-18:00, Jul 1-Aug 31: 10:00-21:00, Sep 1-Oct 7: 10:00-18:00; closed Oct 8-Apr 27. A water-based amusement park. ¥120 for adults, ¥80 for persons over 60, ¥80 for children between 1.2 and 1.5 metres in height who are accompanied by an adult, free admission for children with a height of 1.2 metres or less who are accompanied by an adult. 2 Chung Shan Hot Spring Golf Club (中山温泉高尔夫球会), Sanxiang Town (三乡镇) (most visitors would probably come here by taxi; if you prefer to take a bus, take bus nos 211 or 213 and get off at the Yongmo (雍陌) bus stop), ☏ +86 760 86690055, [email protected]. About 25 km from downtown Zhongshan. Features two 18-hole golf courses designed by American golf champions Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Claims to be the first modern golf club to be established in the PRC. Fees for non-members vary between ¥400 and ¥1600. Discounts are available if accompanied by a club member. (updated Apr 2018) 3 Qi River Cruises (岐江游船), Qi River Cruise Boat Pier, Qi River Park, West District (中山市西区岐江公园内岐江游码头) (catch a bus to Fuhua Hotel (富华酒店), Zhongshan No. 1 Bridge (中山一桥) or Zhongken Department Store (中恳百货)), ☏ +86 760 88662333, [email protected]. Boats depart every half an hour from 18:30 to 22:00. A short cruise down the Qi River and back. The journey time is about 30-40 minutes. You may either sit in the cabin or stand on the rear deck. Standing on the front deck is not permitted. ¥60. (updated Jun 2018) 4 Zhongshan Culture & Art Center (中山市文化艺术中心), 73 Xingzhong Avenue, East District (中山市东区兴中道73号) (take bus no. 030, 035 or 036 and alight at the Culture & Art Center bus stop; or catch bus no. 031, 042, 213 or 216 and get off at the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Park bus stop), ☏ +86 760 88223666, +86 760 88883351, [email protected]. Zhongshan's premier performing arts venue. International artists sometimes perform here. (updated Jun 2018) 5 Zhongshan Hot Spring Resort (中山温泉宾馆), Sanxiang Town (三乡镇) (take bus nos 211 or 213 and get off at the Yongmo (雍陌) bus stop), ☏ +86 760 86683888. ¥198. 6 Zhongshan Sky Wheel (幻彩摩天轮), Level 5, Block C, Central Power Plaza, 9 Fengming Road, Shiqi District (石歧区凤鸣路9号兴中广场C座5楼) (the closest bus stop is the Central Power Plaza (兴中广场) bus stop, which is served by bus nos. 001, 010, 077, 209, and k13), ☏ +86 760 8998-2999, [email protected]. 10:00-22:30. The Zhongshan Sky Wheel is a 108-m-high Ferris wheel on the roof of a shopping centr

Buy

There is an antique furniture shopping area in the Zhongshan Sanxiang Guhe area. The prices are high by national standards and expats should bargain fierce (hire local to assist) as Chinese business people are good bargainer. Most of the pieces look like real antiques, but are actually newly made replicas from tropical rain forest wood. Guzhen town at the border of Jiangmen is lighting central. If you're feeling hungry or underdressed, too bad—the central town core is light shop after light shop selling everything from bulbs to chandeliers to accessories. Hotels will have multiple light shops in the lobby and banks are rare because they can't compete against the rents offered by light shops.

1 Holiday Plaza (假日广场), 6 Xingzhong Avenue, Shiqi District (石岐区兴中道6号) (bus routes 002, 032, 050, 209, 213 and b11), ☏ +86 760 88225050, [email protected]. This shopping centre is noteworthy for its many art shops (particularly on the 2nd floor), some of which double as art schools or training centres. The interior of the shopping centre is decorated with sculptures and other forms of public art. The 3rd and 4th floors are home to Pok Art (博雅), one of the city's largest privately-owned book stores, which besides books, also sells a wide range of gifts, music, stationary and art supplies. If you are looking for Zhongshan-themed souvenirs, try the shop named Crowd (交关) at Shop No. 2111 on the 2nd floor. (updated Sep 2018)

Eat

Budget Yangtze River Food Court (chang jiang mei shi xuan), Yijing Rd (southern end of Changjiang Rd past the Water World). Come here for Zhongshan style hotpot (da been lo). You are given a dried bowl of ground nuts, cilantro, dried yellow beans and red beans. After adding in a scoop of the broth, it becomes dipping sauce for the food cooked at the table.

Mid-range Bellavista Restaurant, Unit 3, Borough 1, 39 Qiguan West Road (岐关西路39号，一区，3卡), ☏ +86 760 88812988, fax: +86 760 88804588, [email protected]. 3 Chefs Restaurant. German and Italian (Peter), Thai (Toffee), and Indian (Johnny). Prices medium. Italy Square, Zhongshan Dongqu Qiguan Xilu, Renren Zhuru Pangbian, Hengxing Jie 12 (中山市东区岐关西路人人足浴旁恒信街12号). 11:00 to late. 3 Chefs Restaurant. Italian (Gigi) Prices medium. 1 Hefeng Japanese Restaurant (和风日本料理), 2 Fukang Road, Shiqi District 富康路2号 (take bus no. 015, 038 or 042 and get off at the Zhongshan People's Congress (市人大); the restaurant is easily recognizable by its distinctly Japanese features), ☏ +86 760 88239366. Established in 1996, this is one of Zhongshan's oldest-established Japanese restaurants. It offers a variety of different dishes in a traditional Japanese setting. The restaurant has another branch at No. 6 Changjiang Road South (长江南路6号). (updated Sep 2018)

Splurge

Drink & nightlife

Beware: Chinese bars/disco are extremely loud and you can lose your hearing if you are a frequent guest. Expat bars are among the few places that one can have nice beer and still speak.

Gen Ju Di Jiu Ba (opposite People's Hospital). A truly authentic Chinese bar. Look out for the communist star over the entrance. New Bar Street, Qiguan West Road (near Peter's Place). A whole complex of clubs and bars, including iClub and Fashion Club. O Hagan's Zhongshan's only Irish Pub, Nan Xia Xin Ma Tou Cnr Bo Ai Lu and Qi Guan Xi Lu (南下新码头博爱路中山). 17:00 till late. A wide range of scotches and beers at a reasonable price. Peter's Place, Qiquan West Road (next to Wei Jing Wan). Really good German-style bar with German beer. Live music every day. The food is great, and they have nice pool tables! If you go Fridays or Saturdays, it is advisable to reserve a table. On Fridays you can eat pizza for ¥39, all you can eat. On Saturdays they do a buffet for ¥88, of which the best offerings are the Indian and Thai curries and the BBQ. See Club (next to Zhongshan International Hotel). Biggest and most vibrant night club in Zhongshan.

Sleep

1 Crowne Plaza Zhongshan Wing On City, No.9 Xingnan Road, Southern District, 528455 Zhongshan, ☏ +86-760-89916888. Shangri-La, 16 Qi Wan Road N Eastern Area, ☏ +86-760-88386888, fax: +86-760 88386666. Yihe Grand Hotel, Zhongshan No.5, Xingzhong Avenue, Shiqi District (中山市石岐区兴中道5号), ☏ +86-755-88850655.