What To Do In Zhongshan City, Discover The Real China
Zhongshan city it’s a rare pearl in Guangdong province, Southern China. It’s surrounded by well-know big cities like Guangzhou, Zuhai, Shenzhen or the ancient colonies of Macao and Hong Kong. But, despite been in the middle of all this, Zhongshan remains a mostly non-go city for foreigners. What to do in Zhongshan could seem not obvious, but this city host a big part of history of modern China, as the hometown of Sun Yat-sen, Father of the Nation.
While visiting Guandong province, probably you will get lured by the fancy Casinos of Macao, the modern life and skyline of Hong Kong, the techy paradise of Shenzhen or the commercial opportunities of Guagzhou. But you will be missing a visit to the real China, the one with no foreign influence in the very heart of the Xinhai Revolution. Zhongshan city area can offer a unique vision of both modern and traditional China, without the western influence or overcrowded tourism.
Save money while visiting Zhongshan
Another good reason to visit Zhongshan it’s prices. While the towns around are among the most expensive cities in China (HK been one of the most expensive cities on the world), the city of the Pearl River it’s affordable and very well communicated with train, boat and fast highways.
Bullet train tickets to Guangzhou are around 50¥, for a 30 minutes trip from Zhongshan Railway North Station, and you can also reach Zuhai from the South Station at similar rates.
A very nice ferry connects the East Bay of Zhongshan to Hong-Kong in 50 minutes, while tickets are around 200¥ for an economy seat.
The bus to the International airport in Guangzhou, takes around 2 hours due to the usual traffic, but it’s a direct connection for as low as 40 Yuan.
A very decent accommodation can be found in a range of prices from 150 to 500 Yuan per day in International hotels. Renting an apartment can be as low as 1000 CNY a month, and for the double you will get a really nice one.
You can eat in local shops for as low as 20¥ for a decent traditional Chinese meal, or get fancy with luxurious all-you-can-eat restaurants for 100¥. The equivalent in one of the surrounding cities will be at least 5 times this rate.
Understanding the History of China in Zhongshan
The city of Zhongshan got his name in honor of Sun Wen or Sūn Zhōngshān, first president of the Republic of China and key part of the history of nation.
Latterly known as Sun Yat-Sen, he was a well traveled and philosopher, and in Zhongshan we can visit his main residence. Sun Yat-Sen’s Residence Memorial Museum it’s a worth visit to understand the creation of the People Republic of China.
A very nice effort has been made by the authorities to preserve the residence and create a fully educational visit. During the visit, you will grow with the young Sun, travel to America, Japan and understand his motivations to make a modern China.
Another recommended visit, both for the views and historical heritage, it’s the Sun Wen Memorial Park. Situated on the very heart of the city, free admission, it’s a very good starting point for your visit. It you happen to visit during Chinease New Year, you will be impressed by plenty of installations to celebrate and play around.
Sunwen Xi Road, Shopping Area of Zhongshan City
A part of Xingzhong Street, the most recommended shopping area in Zhongshan would be the Sunwen Xi Road and the adjacent shopping mall. We particularly recommend this street as is a pedestrian one, and the shops are more authentic.
On the top of the Shopping Mall you will find Binjiang Huancai Ferris Wheel, which offers a single tour for a bit overpriced rate. Around this area you will also find the best hotels, nightclubs and Karaoke (KTV’s) of the city. If you are planning to meet some locals, a good starting point it’s the Friends Bar, just at the end of the Sunwen bridge.
Zhongshan Park and Fufen Wen Tower
This park, located in the middle of the commercial area, it’s the perfect escape from shopping and the busy life around. On the top of the park you will find a Ming dynasty Pagoda crowning the city.
This octagonal construction of around 25 meters high, it’s not accessible but the views are worth the walk. The classically cloudy landscape of the city will present you of a mix of old and new constructions as this city it hasn’t been completely renovated.
Shaxi Area, Textile Factories and Fancy venues
One of the most interesting areas around the city it’s the relatively new area of Shaxi. Big constructors and business men have invested here to create venues and fancy buildings that cohexist here with many textile factories showrooms.
You can have a walk thought the shops, they will surprise you with a mix of local fashion creations and copies of every mark from Occident.
Early in the morning, around the squares, old people gather to practice Tai Chi.
Shaxi also has his own green park. The Shaxi Park it’s a small cute mix with a local attraction park, where games are ridiculously cheap for children.
Rural Areas and Picking Flowers to Become a Zhongshan Citizen
Around the city there is many Industrial areas like Henglan or the big lighting town of Guzhen. In between all this, nature still very present on the life of the people of Zhongshan.
Summer nights are very hot and humid, so it’s not surprising to find the locals hanging around until very late at night to drink and eat fish barbecue.
Visiting hot water open air SPAs is another way of passing the weekend. Quanyan Hot Spring Hotel offers accommodation, all-you-can-eat food and access to their big swimming pools for very reasonable prices.
Around the city, there is plenty of restaurants specialized on this fish barbecue, always very, very spicy !
During the day, one of the local attractions are the flower camps. Zhongshan arboretum it’s one of the biggest and probably the best place to see this local hobby. Cantonese girls like to go there to pick some fruits, make beautiful flower compositions, or just take pictures of them.
