Tao Xu
What's Inside
I'll be straight with you — most 5-day Zhuhai itineraries you find online are either written by someone who never actually visited, or they squeeze in so many activities you'd need a vacation after. I've been guiding international travelers in Zhuhai for years, and I've seen it all: tourists stuck with no cash, lost because Google Maps showed a wrong bus stop, or exhausted from walking under the subtropical sun. So here's my honest, battle-tested plan for 5 days in Zhuhai that covers the best spots without making you hate this beautiful coastal city.
Key reality check: Alipay and WeChat Pay are the only reliable payment methods. Bring a backup credit card (Visa/Mastercard sometimes work at hotels and big shops, but don't count on it). Cash is rarely used. And forget Google Maps — use Apple Maps or download AMap (高德地图) in English mode. I'll give you Chinese addresses to show taxi drivers.
Why Zhuhai? (And Why 5 Days Is Just Right)
Zhuhai is often overshadowed by neighboring Macau and Shenzhen, but that's exactly its charm. It's cleaner, greener, and way less crowded. With 5 days, you can explore the coastline, visit China's best ocean park, eat incredible seafood, and even hop to a quiet island — without rushing. Let's dive in.
Day 1: Settle In & Stroll Lovers' Road
Morning: Arrive and Check In
Most flights into Zhuhai arrive at Zhuhai Jinwan Airport (ZUH). From there, a taxi to the city center costs about ¥150-200 (45 minutes). Alternatively, the Airport Express bus (¥25) goes to several stops — but I'd recommend a taxi after a long flight. Check into a hotel near Lovers' Road (情侣路) — the coastal promenade is the city's lifeline.
Where to stay? I've had good experiences with Hengqin Bay Hotel (near Chimelong) or Zhuhai Marriott Hotel in Gongbei. Both have English-speaking staff and stable Wi-Fi (VPN required for Google). Ask for a room facing the sea — worth the extra ¥50.
Afternoon: Walk Lovers' Road
Lovers' Road stretches 28 km along the coast. You don't need to walk all of it. Start at Zhuhai Fisher Girl statue (珠海渔女) — the city's icon. Then rent a bike (¥20/hour, deposit ¥200 cash or use Alipay deposit-free). Cycle south toward Riverside Park. The path is flat, with sea breeze and views of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Pro tip: Go around 4 PM to avoid the intense sun and catch the golden light for photos.
Evening: Dinner at Seaside Restaurant
For dinner, walk to Seafood Street (海味街) on Lovers' Road. I always take my groups to Yide Seafood Restaurant (益德海鲜). Their steamed garoupa (石斑鱼) is incredible — tender, with ginger and scallion. Price: about ¥150 per person. They accept WeChat Pay but not cards. Don't worry, you can pay your Chinese friend later? No friend? The staff can help you scan with Alipay. If you're vegetarian, order the sautéed greens (炒时蔬) and eggplant claypot (茄子煲).
Day 2: Chimelong Ocean Kingdom
This is the #1 attraction in Zhuhai, and it's massive. You'll need a full day.
Morning: Get There Early
Buy tickets in advance on Trip.com or Klook (¥380 adult, ¥265 child). Print the QR code or save offline. Open 10 AM - 8 PM (check seasonally). Arrive by 9:45 AM to beat the school groups. Take a taxi from the city center (¥60, 25 min). Address: 珠海长隆海洋王国, 横琴新区. Show this Chinese to the driver.
Inside the park: Download the park map on your phone (WiFi available but slow). Don't miss the whale shark aquarium — it's one of the largest in the world. The orca show at 2 PM is spectacular. Lines for popular rides can hit 40 min — I suggest skipping the spinning cup ride and prioritizing the 5D cinema and polar bear pavilion.
Afternoon: Lunch Inside
Food inside is overpriced and mediocre. The Hero Plaza Restaurant offers acceptable burger and pasta combos for ¥80. Better option: bring your own snacks (sandwiches, water). There are water refill stations near restrooms.
Evening: Night Show
Stick around for the evening parade and fireworks (starts 7:30 PM). Best viewing spot: in front of the giant whale shark statue. After, take a taxi back. Expect surge pricing — the Didi app (Chinese Uber) might show double fare. I normally walk 10 minutes to the nearby Hengqin Port bus stop and take bus 14 back (¥2, works with Alipay transit code).
Day 3: Old Town & Food Crawl
Morning: Zhuhai Museum
Head to Zhuhai Museum (珠海博物馆) in Jida district. Free entry with passport. Open 9 AM - 5 PM (closed Monday). It's small but gives a great overview of the city's fishing village past. English labels are limited, but you can use Baidu Translate app (works offline).
Lunch: Gongbei Street Food
Take bus 9 to Gongbei Port (拱北口岸) — the border crossing to Macau. The area is a food paradise. I always stop at Lianhua Road (莲花路) night market, but at lunch try Xihe Seafood Dumplings (西河海鲜饺子馆). Their shrimp dumplings (虾饺) are stuffed with whole shrimp — ¥38 for a big plate. No English menu, but point at what others are eating.
Afternoon: Visit New Yuanmingyuan Park
A replica of Beijing's Old Summer Palace, but in Zhuhai. New Yuanmingyuan Park (圆明新园) is huge and free. Entry requires passport scan at the gate. Best to go on weekdays — weekends are packed with domestic tourists. Highlights: the European-style fountain and the Grand Palace. Pro tip: Rent a golf cart (¥60/hour) if you're tired of walking. The park closes at 6 PM.
Evening: Dinner in Gongbei
You can't leave Zhuhai without trying raw oyster hotpot. Go to Haiwei Seafood Hotpot (海味海鲜火锅) at Yinyi Plaza. The oysters are farmed locally — sweet and plump. Dip in ginger-scallion sauce. Price: ¥120 per person. They accept WeChat Pay and cash, but not foreign credit cards. Expect a 20-min wait at 7 PM.
Day 4: Islands & Nature Escape
Full Day: Wailingding Island
Take a ferry from Jiuzhou Port (九洲港) to Wailingding Island (外伶仃岛) — 1 hour ride, ¥120 one way. Book tickets on Trip.com or at the port counter (passport required). Ferries run at 8:30 AM and 2:30 PM. I recommend the early one to maximize your time.
The island is quiet, with hiking trails and a small beach. Hike up to Wailingding Peak for a 360-degree view of the South China Sea (1 hour up, moderate difficulty). Bring water and sunscreen — no shade on top. For lunch, the seafood stalls near the pier serve simple grilled fish and squid (¥50-80).
Important: The last ferry back is at 4:30 PM. Don't miss it, or you'll be stranded overnight (there are a few guesthouses, but dirty and expensive). If you want to stay overnight, book Wailingding Eco Hotel in advance — about ¥400/night.
Day 5: Culture & Departure
Morning: Jing' an Temple
One of the oldest temples in Zhuhai, Jing'an Temple (静安寺), is a peaceful spot. Free entry, opens 8 AM. It's small but authentic — you'll see locals burning incense and praying. Take bus 26 from the city center to the stop "Jing'an Si". Spend an hour here.
Lunch: Last Local Meal
Before you go, eat at Zhuhai Noodle King (珠海面王) near the train station. Order the "三鲜面" (three-fresh noodle soup) with shrimp, squid, and pork — ¥25. It's a hole-in-the-wall, no English, but the owner is used to pointing tourists. Cash only, so keep some small bills.
Afternoon: Departure
If flying out, allow 1.5 hours to get to Zhuhai Jinwan Airport. Taxi from Gongbei costs ¥180. If taking the high-speed train to Guangzhou or Shenzhen, Zhuhai Station is next to Gongbei. Buy tickets on 12306.cn (use passport number) or via Trip.com.
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