Dongguan
Discover Dongguan
Dongguan (东莞; Dūnggún in Cantonese, Dōngguǎn in Mandarin) is in the Pearl River Delta region of China, about 100 km from Hong Kong. It's a major manufacturing center, producing an estimated one fifth of the world's smartphones and one tenth of the world's shoes. Dongguan isn't really on the radar for most tourists. Its factories attract a steady flow of business travellers, but not many people visit unless they have a specific reason to. However, it does have a handful of fascinating Qing Dynasty historic sites, especially from the Opium Wars in Humen Town, as well as typical big-city amenities, lots of shopping, and some quite nice hiking trails.
What to Experience in Dongguan
Taste of Dongguan...
Dongguan is known for its Chinese sausages (腊肠 làcháng in Mandarin, laahpchéung in Cantonese), lychees (荔枝 lìzhī in Mandarin, laihjī in Cantonese) and roasted goose (烧鹅 shāo'é in Mandarin, sīungó 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 Dongcheng 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. Dongguan has more than 30 government-rated 5-star hotels. As anywhere, be careful. However, be more careful in Dongguan because the city is known to have a relatively high crime rate.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe Pearl River Delta has one of the largest concentrations of international airports in the world, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. There are several train stations in Dongguan; here are some of the most important: 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....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Unlike other Pearl River Delta cities, Dongguan is a very car-centric city — its car ownership is only slightly less than Shenzhen. Public transportation is therefore less developed than other cities, if not rarely used by car-owning locals. For travellers without a car, ride-hailing services are the best way to get around, as taxis are becoming rarer (if not virtually disappeared in some townships) due to fierce competition. If you decide to hail a taxi, a 30 minute ride should not cost more than ¥80. Be sure to only use the blue or yellow licensed taxis. The metro system, Dongguan Rail Transit, opened in 2016 with a single line (Line 2) 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. Line 1 of the Dongguan Metro from Dongguan West Railway Station (serving intercity railway) to Southeastern Dongguan is completed in 2025.
Where to Stay
Dongguan has more than 30 government-rated 5-star hotels. As anywhere, be careful. However, be more careful in Dongguan because the city is known to have a relatively high crime rate. 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.
Money & Budget
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. Dongguan is known for its Chinese sausages (腊肠 làcháng in Mandarin, laahpchéung in Cantonese), lychees (荔枝 lìzhī in Mandarin, laihjī in Cantonese) and roasted goose (烧鹅 shāo'é in Mandarin, sīungó in Cantonese). Most 5-star hotels offer buffets, these are around ¥30-60 for breakfast, ¥100-200 for lunch, and ¥100-300 for dinner.
Language & Talk
Cantonese is the traditional local language spoken in Dongguan. The local dialect has distinctive features relative to standard Cantonese, but if you are already fluent in standard Cantonese, this should not pose too much of a challenge, 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. The Pearl River Delta has one of the largest concentrations of international airports in the world, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. There are several train stations in Dongguan; here are some of the most important: The most popular method for Hong Kong locals to travel to Dongguan is by bus.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
As anywhere, be careful. However, be more careful in Dongguan because the city is known to have a relatively high crime rate. 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.
Glimpses of Dongguan
Busy roads at dawn.
A view of a city skyline at night
虎门
A crane is silhouetted against a pink sky
A view of a city skyline at dusk
Kodak 5207 Film
The sun is setting behind a tall building
A large building sitting on top of a lush green field
The sun is setting behind a tall building
A view of a city skyline at sunset
Busy roads at dawn.
A view of a city skyline at night
虎门