Dongguan

Houjie is an industrial town of 400,000 people, mostly temporary residents, 30 minutes southwest of Dongguan.

Cantonese is the traditional local language spoken in Dongguan. The local dialect has distinctive features relative to standard Cantonese, but it is still similar enough to allow for mutual comprehension, and locals can usually communicate in standard Cantonese too. Most people can also speak Mandarin, and due to high migration from other provinces, a significant number of people don't speak Cantonese.

By plane

The Pearl River Delta has one of the largest concentrations of international airports in the world, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong.

• Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is just over an hour from the Dongguan city center. There is a shuttle bus to the Dongguan airport check-in station at the South China Mall in Wanjiang. If hiring a car, the fare should be about ¥300. Also, there is Intercity Bus at Baiyun Airport. And the pick up port:Gate A9 of the Arrival Hall and South China International Auto Parts City of Dalang Town. Buses to/from other bus stations, such as the Dongguan City Terminal, are likely to be available as well, enquire locally.
• The Shenzhen Airport is also about an hour from the center city but much closer to some Dongguan towns, especially Chang'an and Humen, expect to pay ¥100-300 by car. By bus, it will cost ¥40-50, and the last one going to the airport departs (as of May 2018) at 20:00, at least if going from the Dongguan City terminal (See also the information on Shenzhen airport website). A light rail line connecting Shenzhen Airport to Humen, Houjie, and other parts of Dongguan is under construction and scheduled to open in 2019.
• Hong Kong International Airport can be reached by buses that depart on regular schedules from hotels across Dongguan. It is also accessible by a special ferry from Dongguan's Humen town that connects directly to the international flights area of the airport. To catch the ferry from the airport, go directly to the ticket counter without passing through Hong Kong immigration or customs; see Hong Kong International Airport#By ferry for details.

By train

There are several train stations in Dongguan; here are some of the most important:

• Dongguan Railway StationFrequent service from Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The station is connected to the Dongguan Metro.

• Changping Railway StationFormerly known as Dongguan Railway Station. Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway offers service (the former Kowloon-Canton Railway service) from Hung Hom Station in Hong Kong to Guangzhou with a stop in Dongguan. The fare is payable in either Chinese yuan or Hong Kong dollars. As of 2018, the one-way fare is HK$155. Schedule here.

• Dongguan East Railway StationService from lots of destinations all over China.

• Humen Railway StationOn the high-speed rail line between Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. Connected to Dongguan Metro line 2.

By bus

The most popular method for Hong Kong locals to travel to Dongguan is by bus. There are several companies that offer bus travel to Dongguan from Hong Kong. A good place to find a bus, would be at the bus stands inside the arrival terminal at Hong Kong Airport. Prices are usually HK$80–100 for a one-way ticket or HK$150 for a two-way ticket. Travel times usually are 1½-2½ hours depending on traffic conditions. If you are traveling from another part of China, you can also travel to Dongguan by bus, most major cities in China will have bus routes to the Dongguan Main Bus Station in Nancheng. There buses to several bus stations in Dongguan from the main Luohu border crossing bus terminal, so be careful that you choose the correct one.

By boat

One of the less used ways to get to Dongguan from Hong Kong is by ferry. This allows you to avoid the queues at the busy customs checkpoints on the border between Hong Kong and mainland China. Ferries are operated by CKS. They depart from Hong Kong International Airport's Skypier and arrive at (虎门港澳码头, Hǔmén Gǎng Ào Mǎtou) in Humen Town.

The best method for visitors to get around is taxi. Taxis are cheap, and a 30 minute ride should not cost more than ¥80. Beware however, some taxis are used for kidnapping. Be sure to only use the green, licensed Dongguan taxis.
Buses cost ¥2 per ride. The Yang Cheng Tong pass from Guangzhou works for the buses in Dongguan.

By rail

The metro system, Dongguan Rail Transit, opened in 2016 with a single line serving 15 stations between Dongguan Railway Station and Humen Railway Station. The system is being expanded, with plans for three additional lines and connections to the Guangzhou and Shenzhen metros.

Dongguan has an exhibition center in Dongguan city, which hosts many exhibitions and conferences. There is also a sports center for locals. If you only have a day and want to stay in one area, you might start at Jin'aozhou Pagoda (金鳌洲塔), go east and see Keyuan Garden (可园), and then walk along Dongcheng Avenue (东城大道) for shopping and food. It is not too far to bar street, where you can check out some pretty hopping clubs.

Central Dongguan

• Dongguan Botanical Garden

  phone: +86 769 22985736, +86 769 27380708
  address: 99 Lüse Street, Nancheng District (南城区绿色路99号)

• Dongguan Exhibition Center

  phone: +86 769 22834016
  address: Central Plaza, 97 Hongfu Road, Nancheng District (南城区鸿福路97号中心广场)

• Dongguan Library

  phone: +86 769 22834111
  address: Central Plaza, 100 Hongfu Road (鸿福路100号中心广场)

• Dongguan Museum

  phone: +86 769 22119729
  address: 36 Xinfen Road, Guancheng District (莞城区新芬路36号)

• Dongguan Science & Technology Museum

  phone: +86 769-22835268
  address: 2 Yuanmei Middle Road (元美中路2号)

• Jin'aozhou Pagoda

  address: Jinqu Road South (金曲路南)
  This pagoda was built between 1597 and 1624, and attained its present appearance following a major rennovation in 1737. Experts are said to be impressed by the fact that since 1737, the pagoda has tilted by less than 1% despite being situated only a few meters from the river bank.

• Keyuan Museum

  phone: +86 769 2222 3600
  address: 32 Keyuan Road, Guancheng District (莞城区可园路32号)

• Mount Shuilian Forest Park

  phone: +86 769 22678983

• Qifeng Park

Houjie Town

See Houjie.

Humen Town

• Lin Zexu Memorial Museum

  phone: +86 769 85512065
  address: 113 Jiefang Road, Humen Town (虎门镇解放路113号)
  Part of the Opium War Museum (鸦片战争博物馆).

• Sea Battle Museum

  phone: +86 769 85527783
  address: Huandao Road, Humen Town (虎门镇环岛路)
  Part of the Opium War Museum (鸦片战争博物馆).

• Weiyuan Fort

  phone: +86 769 85527154
  address: Huandao Road, Humen Town (虎门镇环岛路)
  A 19th-century coastal fort that saw action during the Opium Wars. Administered by the Opium War Museum (鸦片战争博物馆).

Outlying areas

• Guanyin Mountain National Forest Park

  phone: +86 769 87799666
  address: Bijiashan Avenue, Shixin District, Zhangmutou Town (樟木头镇石新区笔架山大道)

• Lianhua Mountain Country Park

  address: Chang'an Town 长安镇
  Literally "lotus mountain", paved with extensive hiking paths. There's a temple not too far up.

• Songshan Lake

• Yinping MountainThe highest mountain in Dongguan, on the border between Xiegang Town and Huizhou. A beautiful area with waterfalls, paved trails, and cable cars.

Most four star hotels will have various "foot" massages and sauna services for upwards of ¥150. Saunas and foot massage parlors might be brothels.

• The Spa at Hyatt Regency Dongguan

  phone: +86 769 2289 1234
  address: Hyatt Regency Dongguan Hotel, Song Shan Lake Central District, Science and Technology Industrial Park, Qinyuan Road

• Dongguan Yulan Theater

  address: 96 Hongfu Road, Nancheng District (南城区鸿福路96号)

• Dongguan Basketball CenterHome of the Guangdong Southern Tigers.

Dongguan is well known for its Huanghe Fashion Town located in the Humen District along Renming Road, Renyi Road, Jinglong Road and Yinglong Road. The district houses one of China's largest clothing and textile wholesale markets, which extends over an area of about one square kilometre. Many of the products sold there are exported to Hong Kong and the rest of the world. Everybody can enjoy low wholesale prices, even when buying in small quantities.

Malls

• South China Mall

  address: 10 South Wanjiang Road, Wanjiang District (万江区万江路南10号)
  The largest mall in the world (depending on how you count), featuring an IMAX theater and a theme park.

• Hundred Flowers Times Square

  address: 1 Shichang Road, Changping Town (常平镇市场路1号)
  Eight-story mall with free Wi-Fi. The ground floor has a food court with a good selection of Chinese restaurants, and the fifth floor has a movie theater. Just outside the mall are several jewelry stores and clothing stores, and the neighborhood around it is lively and full of restaurants and shops as well.

Dongguan is known for its Chinese sausages (腊肠 làcháng in Mandarin, laahpchéung in Cantonese) and lychees (荔枝 lìzhī in Mandarin, laihjī in Cantonese).
Most 5-star hotels offer buffets, these are around ¥30-60 for breakfast, ¥100-200 for lunch, and ¥100-300 for dinner.
There are many expat-oriented western restaurants in the bar area, particularly on Doncheng East road. Expect to pay the prices a bit higher than is typical for China, however (but generally cheaper than Hong Kong).
Smaller Chinese restaurants are the likely choice if you wanna be more on a budget - if (not unusually for mainland China) you can manage the lack of the English menus and limited English skills of the staff.

The most popular bars are on or around "Bar Street" (Jiǔbājiē) in Dongcheng. However, like many parts of China, various kinds of services are popular, including prostitution. One should be careful with local girls if they seem to be getting too friendly if you are not looking for such services. Beware of your drink, it is not unheard of foreigners being drugged and robbed. Beer at supermarkets should not cost more than ¥4 a bottle for Tsingtao. Red wine costs from ¥10 a bottle.

• Beijing BarA popular hangout.

• BBPopular club and local hangout with a dance floor.

• V8Popular club and local hangout with a dance floor and good cocktails.

• One for the RoadPopular ex-patriate bar. English pub style. Good food, good beer.

• Day & Nite

  address: 21 Yangwu Street, Changping Town (常平镇朝阳五街21号)
  The center of expat life in Changping, with a TV playing football (soccer) and a menu with Western comfort foods like macaroni and cheese, burgers, and fries, as well as a variety of drinks. Menu in Chinese and English.

Budget

Mid-range

• Oriental Glory Hotel - Humen Avenue Humen Town Dongguan City Guangdong Province. Tel: 86-769-85220888. www.orientalglory-hotel.com . Nice room costs ¥298 per night. Nice KTV Room with minimum spending of ¥728 per night, not inclusive of DJ (¥200 per night)to pour your drink for you.

Splurge

Dongguan has more than 30 government-rated 5-star hotels.

• Crown Prince Hotel

  address: Huangjiang
  An excellent 5-star hotel. Certainly worth a visit with excellent facilities, and even its own 'opera' house presenting superb show extravaganzas (do not be mislead by the 'opera' title).

• South China International HotelQuite old and does not have the best buffet in town.

• Grand Noble

  address: Humen Town
  The first 5-star business hotel to open in Dongguan. It is centrally located and convenient to shopping and dining options. In-house restaurants feature Cantonese, Japanese, American, and Italian foods.

• Hyatt Regency Dongguan

  phone: +86 769 2289 1234
  address: Song Shan Lake Central District, Science and Technology Industrial Park, Qinyuan Road
  5 star hotel with 350 rooms and suites, a 2,500-m² Convention and Exhibition Centre, a 1,800-m² freeform swimming pool and a spa. The Hyatt Regency is decent and big, but very inconvenient in location. It is also expensive compared to the other hotels, and the buffet is overpriced.

• Pullman Dongguan Forum

  phone: +86 769 23368888
  address: 32 Dongchengzhong Road
  This new hotel is a charming low rise Chinese style hotel adjoining a museum and art gallery and offers private access to the famous Qifeng Mountain. Guests enjoy a choice of restaurants, private rooms, meeting rooms for over 400 delegates, spa, gymnasium.

• Richwood Garden Hotel

  address: Humen Town
  While a bit out of the way, is spectacular in design and construction. The restaurants, particularly the Chinese and Southeast Asian restaurants, are also some of the best in the area.

• Sofitel Royal Lagoon HotelSecluded and set back away from the main road. It has a resort type feel and even has its own water park. A 36-hole golf course is adjacent to the property.

As anywhere, be careful. However, be more careful in Dongguan because the city is known to be quite dangerous. Violent crime is more common here than in nearby cities; you can be robbed by thieves riding on motorcycles, especially in less populated areas, and despite the city government's total ban on motorcycles.

• Beware of and stay away from pyramid schemes, as they are known to operate in the city and use coercion.
• Prostitution was widespread for years, with many men from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and especially Hong Kong flocking here on the weekends. But after a major government crackdown that began in 2014, the industry has diminished.
• Do not gamble. You will end up in jail, with a maximum security detention period of 15 days if you are caught gambling, so save it for Macau.
• Lastly, a lot of the police force is corrupt, but since the government is still watching over them, they are discreet. So if a policeman tries to get money from you, calmly ask to see a superior.

Newspapers

• HERE! Dongguan, the local English-language magazine with a nice guide to the city

• Guangzhou
• Hong Kong
• Shenzhen