Joanna James
Occupying pride of place on the Pearl River Delta, Dongguan has often been called the ideal base location for exploring southern China's biggest highlights. Regardless of the duration of the visit, here's what tourists need to know about visiting this enchanting city.
The first order of business is deciding when to visit the city and tourists will find that the peak tourist season lasts from September to February. Deemed the perfect time of year to holiday in Dongguan, this is also the autumn and winter period in the region. Although the climate is not warm, it is sunny and suitable for outdoor excursions. The spring and summer months, on the other hand, are not suited for spending time outdoors as the high rainfall and humidity make for an uncomfortable experience. The summer and spring period also brings the risk of typhoons.
The next step is selecting a base location for your stay and there are countless Dongguan serviced apartments on offer for families, couples, and solo travellers of different financial means. Whether you select the Ascott Songshan Lake Dongguan or any other rest, make sure the venue offers easy access to some of the highlights in the city. If you are unable to secure a strategically situated hotel or apartment, the next best option is to find one that's close to a metro station or other public transport links.
Depending on the duration of the visit, travellers should craft a practical sightseeing itinerary for each day on holiday. Some landmarks that must be part of every tourist itinerary include the Humen Bridge and the breathtaking Keyuan Garden, which is the pride of Guangdong Province. The Opium War Museum, Dongguan Yulan Theatre, Jin'aozhou Pagoda, Dongguan exhibition centre and the New South China Mall are also worth a visit as the latter was once touted as the world's biggest mall occupying over 5 million square feet. Tourists who are visiting the city in time to witness some of the local festivals in Dongguan should also make the effort to join in the celebrations. Dongguan Lingnan Arts Festival, Qingxi Flower Festival and the Qishi Qiufeng Culture Festival are red-letter events in the local calendar.
When it comes to travelling around the city, travellers will find that hopping on the metro is the easiest way to get from Point A to Point B. The Dongguan Rail Transit operated by the Dongguan Rail Transit Corporation Limited offers efficient transfers around the city and has been expanded to include 4 lines, which also connect the city with neighbouring cities such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Local bus services are also affordable and reliable while taxi cabs are also less costly if one chooses the green coloured licensed ones operating inside Dongguan.
Don't forget to check out the buffet breakfasts and dinners available in 5-star hotels in the city as they offer a wide range of local delicacies. Hello Salad and Veggie Box are two restaurants worth checking out while bar hoppers can head down to One for the Road or the Liberty Brewing Co for the best tipple.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
