Zhuhai's Slow Life: Guishan Island to Jingshan Cable Cars
Island hopping and hilltop views in the "City of a Hundred Islands"
Known as the "City of a Hundred Islands," Zhuhai offers many hidden scenic spots beyond Chimelong and Lovers' Road. Take a ferry to Guishan Island, explore the mangroves of Qi'ao Island, and ride a cable car up Jingshan Park to overlook the mega-bridge.
Zhuhai is one of China's most romantic coastal cities. It lacks the frantic pace of tier-one cities but boasts hundreds of kilometers of coastline and scattered islands. On this journey, we will take you away from the crowded downtown to experience the pure essence of the "City of a Hundred Islands."
An Island Escape: Guishan Island
Departing from Zhuhai's Xiangzhou Port, a 45-minute fast ferry ride brings us to Guishan Island, the most artsy island in the Wanshan Archipelago. The island is small but offers stunning scenery. Rent a golf cart or walk along the coastal road; on one side is the deep blue South China Sea, and on the other are tiered fishing village houses. The most famous photo spot is the picturesque lighthouse. Standing on the breakwater at sunset, feeling the ocean breeze and watching ships pass by, all your worries will fade away. Don't miss the seafood market—you can pick freshly caught wild seafood and have a nearby food stall cook it for an incredibly sweet and fresh meal.
Ecology meets History: Qi'ao Island & Meixi Archways
Returning to the mainland, we drive across a sea bridge to a completely different type of island: Qi'ao Island. It has no sandy beaches but features a vast mangrove wetland reserve. Walking on the wooden boardwalks, you can see fiddler crabs and mudskippers active on the mudflats. The island also has a granite-paved "White Stone Street," which records the history of locals resisting foreign invaders. Speaking of history, the Meixi Royal Stone Archways in downtown Zhuhai are also worth a visit. These three archways were bestowed by the Qing Emperor Guangxu to honor Chen Fang, China's first consul to Hawaii. The stone carvings are exquisitely detailed, and the adjacent former residence is a rare East-meets-West Lingnan mansion.
Overlooking Lovers' Road: Jingshan Park
We conclude our journey at Jingshan Park in the downtown Jida area. This is the ultimate vantage point to overlook the entire city and its beautiful coastline. We highly recommend taking the retro, open-air, two-seater cable car up the mountain. As you ascend, the winding Lovers' Road, the iconic "Fisher Girl" statue, and the monumental Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge unfold before your eyes like a painting. For the descent, you can choose the thrilling jungle toboggan (alpine coaster), whizzing down through the forest to end this romantic trip with a burst of joy.
To reach Guishan Island, take a 45-minute ferry from Xiangzhou Port in Zhuhai. Qi'ao Island can be reached by car or bus via the cross-sea bridge. The Meixi Archways and Jingshan Park are both in downtown Zhuhai and easily accessible by taxi or public transit.
Ferry tickets to Guishan Island sell out fast on holidays; book round-trip tickets a week in advance via the "Xiangzhou Port" WeChat account. Bring mosquito repellent for the Qi'ao Island mangroves in summer. The alpine coaster at Jingshan Park is very popular; avoid peak afternoon hours to skip long lines.