Located on the southern coast of Guangdong province on the border with Macau, Zhuhai is a modern city and one of China’s first Special Economic Zones. It’s affectionately known as the “Chinese Riviera”, with its islands scattering off the Pearl River Delta and an excellent selection of golf resorts and theme parks.

The symbol of Zhuhai is the “Fisher Girl Statue” who stands by holding a pearl towards the sky on the edge of Xianglu Bay. There are great views across the Pearl River Delta from its location within Seashore Park, while nearby Lover’s Road offers impressive panoramas across the Macau skyline. Zhuhai boasts more than 140 islands, many of which have idyllic beaches and quaint fishing villages to explore and are accessible by passenger ferry from the Xiangzhou Northern Wharf. Dong'ao Island is renowned for its diving and Hebao Island for its pristine wilderness, while Guishan Island dishes up some of the region’s best seafood. Just inland is the Zhuhai Museum, set within its own landscaped gardens and housing a fine collection of Chinese ceramics, Neolithic artefacts, coins, jade items and paintings. Also of note is the New Yuan Ming Palace at the foot of Stone Forest Mountain which recreates a number of scenic spots from the Old Summer Palace in Beijing. Traditional pagodas dot the park, and there’s the opportunity to dress up in the Emperor’s clothes, while daily performances highlight the culture of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Adjacent is an Egyptian-themed water park, Dreams Water City, with river rapids, fountains, waterslides and a children’s swimming pool.

There are both domestic and international flights from Zhuhai Jinwan Airport, as well as frequent high-speed trains from the Zhuhai Railway Station to Guangzhou, Guilin and Beijing. Regular ferry services operate between Zhuhai’s Jiuzhou Port, Hong Kong and Shekou in Shenzhen, while public buses access all districts of Zhuhai.

There is evidence of human habitation in the area that is now Zhuhai dating back to the Neolithic Age, but it was during the Han and Tang dynasties that its island ports became stopovers on the Maritime Silk Road. It remained a cluster of small fishing villages up until 1979 when its name was changed to Zhuhai City, and the Zhuhai Special Economic Zone was founded.