Chen Liu
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I’ve been guiding tours in Zhuhai for over five years. And honestly? Most first-time visitors make the same mistake—they cram too much. This classic itinerary is the one I’ve tweaked after countless trips, balancing laid-back coastal vibes with a big theme park punch. No rushing, no regrets. Let’s jump in.
Day 1: Coastal Promenade & Fisher Girl
Morning: Lovers Road (情侣路) – the backbone of Zhuhai’s coastline. This 28-km seaside boulevard is where locals jog, couples stroll, and everyone snaps photos of the iconic Zhuhai Fisher Girl statue. Start at the south end near Rizhao Bay (日照湾) around 9am. The light is soft, and the breeze keeps you cool. Walk north for about 1.5 km to reach the statue – it’s the symbol of the city.
Pro Tip: Google Maps is unreliable in China. Use Apple Maps or download AMap (高德地图) – its English interface works fine. Search for “Fisher Girl Statue” – the Chinese address is 渔女像, 情侣中路, 香洲区. Show this to a taxi driver if needed.
Lunch break: Right next to the statue, you’ll find Jinhua Restaurant (金悦轩) for authentic Cantonese dim sum. Price: around ¥100 per person. They accept Alipay and WeChat Pay. Cash? Possibly, but cards? Nope. I always order the shrimp dumplings (虾饺) – they’re plump and juicy.
Afternoon: Zhuhai Museum & Jing’an Temple. A 15-minute walk (or 5-minute taxi) from the statue takes you to the museum (free entry, closed on Mondays). It’s small but gives good context on the city’s history. Then head to Jing’an Temple (景安寺) at 2pm – a peaceful Buddhist temple with a huge golden Buddha. Entry is ¥20. No advance booking needed; just pay at the gate (cash or mobile payment).
Evening: Sunset at the Zhuhai Opera House. Built on an island, the opera house looks like a pair of glowing shells. Grab a coffee at the nearby Yazhou Café and watch the sunset. For dinner, try Hengqin Oyster Restaurant (横琴生蚝) – their grilled oysters with garlic are legendary. Average ¥80 per person. Get there before 7pm to avoid a 30-minute wait.
Day 2: Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (Theme Park)
This is Zhuhai’s crown jewel – one of the largest marine theme parks in Asia. Plan a full day here (9am–8pm). Tickets: ¥395 for adults, ¥280 for children (3-12 yrs). You must book in advance – I recommend using Trip.com or Klook; they accept foreign credit cards and English interface. The park requires your passport number for booking.
Getting there: From the city center, take Bus Line 86 (¥2) or taxi (about ¥50, 30 minutes). The bus stop is “Changlong” (长隆). Use the AMap app to track real-time bus location – it’s surprisingly accurate.
What to do: Watch the whale shark exhibit, the beluga show, and don’t miss the 5D cinema. Best time for the main aquarium: right after lunch (1pm-2pm) – crowds thin out. The penguin exhibit is ice-cold, so bring a light jacket.
| Attraction | Best Time | Wait (avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Whale Shark Aquarium | 9:30am (first entry) | 10 min |
| Beluga Show | 11:00am & 3:30pm | 30 min (seat) |
| Roller Coaster | 4pm-5pm | 15 min |
Food inside: expensive (¥80-120 for a set meal). I often bring snacks – security is okay with small packs. For dinner, exit the park and walk 5 minutes to Shijia Street (食街) for local street food: grilled squid, skewers, and bubble tea. Average ¥40.
Day 3: History & Local Food
Morning: Yuanming New Garden (圆明新园). A replica of Beijing’s Old Summer Palace, but with fewer crowds. Entry is free (but you must register online via WeChat mini-program – a headache for foreigners). Alternative: ask your hotel staff to help you book, or visit the official website (yimingyuan.com) – though it’s mostly Chinese. Address: 九洲大道中段, 香洲区. Open 8am-5:30pm. I’ve taken dozens of groups here; the best photo spot is the “Western-style ruins” at the back – almost no one goes there.
Lunch at Wanzai Seafood Street (湾仔海鲜街). A 20-minute taxi from the park. This is a open-air market where you pick live seafood from tanks, then take it to a restaurant to cook (cooking fee ¥20-30 per dish). The freshness is unbeatable. Try the steamed garoupa (石斑鱼) and prawns with garlic. Total cost about ¥150 per person. Payment: only WeChat or cash – no cards.
Afternoon: Gongbei Underground Market (拱北地下商场). Right next to the border with Macau. It’s a huge maze of shops selling clothes, electronics, and souvenirs. Bargaining is expected – start at 50% of the asking price. This place is good for unique gifts like Chinese tea or silk scarves. Watch your belongings! It gets crowded.
Evening: Macau cross-border view & dinner. Walk to the Zhuhai-Macau Border Gate – you can see the Macau skyline lit up at night. Then have dinner at Macau Street (澳门街), a food alley near the border. Their Portuguese egg tarts (¥10 each) are as good as the ones in Macau.
FAQ: Common Concerns
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Honestly, I was expecting more from a 'classic' itinerary. The first day felt like a rush through generic tourist spots—the Fisher Girl statue was overcrowded and the Lovers' Road walk was nice but nothing special. The second day's cultural sites (temples and gardens) were okay but not very well explained; the audio guide was glitchy. On the positive side, the final day at Chimelong was fun, but the whole package felt overpriced for what it delivered. Maybe if you've never been to China before it'd be fine, but for a seasoned traveler, it was just average. 3 stars.
Good trip overall—glad I did it. The itinerary highlights the best of Zhuhai's coast and heritage. Day 1's Gongbei Port area and the old street were charming, and the seafood dinner was top-notch. What knocked it down from a 5? On day 2 the weather turned drizzly, so the planned beach walk felt damp and less enjoyable, and the guide didn't offer an alternative indoor option until we asked. Still, the ocean kingdom on day 3 made up for it. Solid 4-star experience if you're lucky with weather; pack a raincoat just in case.
Solo traveler here—this itinerary was a photographer's dream! Sunrises over the Pearl River Delta from the beach near Zhuhai International Circuit? Breathtaking. The Ming-style gardens at New Yuanming Palace gave me so many composition ideas, and the night market food tour (not on the basic plan but easily added) was authentic and lively. My only small complaint: the day 3 museum visit felt a bit rushed; I could have spent two hours more there. But the overall flow and variety were excellent. Highly recommend if you want both coast and culture.
Took the whole family (two teens, ages 14 & 16) on this 3-day classic Zhuhai tour, and it was a hit! The itinerary is perfectly balanced: morning culture (temples, gardens), afternoon beach time, and evening walks along the coast. Kids loved the dolphin show at the ocean kingdom, and we adults appreciated the slower pace. Only minor hiccup was the bus transfer on day 2 ran a bit late, but the driver made up for it with a scenic detour. We'll definitely use this route when we come back.
Absolutely loved this 3-day Zhuhai itinerary! The coastal walk from Lovers' Road to the fishing girl statue was even more stunning than the photos, especially at sunset. The cultural stops like the New Yuanming Palace were well-paced and not too touristy. Our guide even adjusted the schedule so we could catch the light show at the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom—total highlight! Every meal recommendation was spot-on, from the claypot rice to the fresh seafood. Can't recommend this trip enough for anyone wanting a relaxed but rewarding getaway.