Zhuhai

Zhuhai occupies a narrow strip of land on the western shore of the Pearl River estuary, where fresh water meets the South China Sea. Its name, rendered in Chinese as “pearl sea,” refers both to its coastal position and to the city’s origins at a river mouth long prized for fishing and trade. Since its elevation to city status in 1979, Zhuhai has drawn attention for its seaside setting and for policies aimed at accelerating growth and opening the region to external capital.

Bordering Jiangmen to the west, Zhongshan to the north and Macau to the southeast, Zhuhai forms one corner of the Pearl River Delta’s dense cluster of municipalities. Across the estuary lie Shenzhen and Hong Kong, both accessible by water or bridge. Within its own boundaries, the urban core sits in Xiangzhou District, directly adjacent to Macau, where border crossings at Gongbei and Lotus Bridge handle daily flows of commuters and cargo.

In 1980, the central government designated Zhuhai one of four inaugural Special Economic Zones. That status introduced tax breaks, streamlined customs procedures and looser controls on foreign investment. Planners envisioned a multifaceted hub—combining port operations, science and education, tourism and transport. The city’s proximity to Macau offered a gateway to overseas markets, strengthening trade links that had long run through colonial-era ports on the peninsula.

Over the decades, infrastructure followed policy. A deep-water port at Gaolan opened to large cargo vessels, while the smaller Jiuzhou Port specialized in passenger service. Investments totaling more than US $10 billion by 2008 reflected commitments from multinationals such as ExxonMobil, BP and Siemens. As part of the Pearl River Delta’s general plan, approved by the State Council, Zhuhai earned designation as a medium-port metropolis, entrusted with both regional logistics and niche industry clusters.

Xiangzhou District, together with Macau, belongs to the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greater Bay Area, currently the world’s most populous built-up region. The 2020 census recorded over 65 million residents across cities like Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan and Zhongshan. While Hong Kong remains administratively distinct, urban expansion and transport links have narrowed the gaps between these centers, drawing Zhuhai into a continuous belt of manufacturing zones, office parks and new residential districts.

Originally a Cantonese-speaking city, Zhuhai’s workforce now includes large numbers of Mandarin-speakers who migrated from inland provinces. They arrive for construction jobs, factory posts or service-sector roles, joining long-term residents whose families have worked the delta’s river channels for generations. This demographic shift has reshaped local commerce and social life: shops and schools offer both dialects; eateries range from traditional seafood stalls to northern-style noodle houses.

The city’s climate has shaped its reputation as a place to live and to visit during winter months. Humid subtropical conditions bring long, warm summers punctuated by thunderstorms and brief, dry winters with average highs near 18 °C. Frost and snow have never appeared in the urban core, and extreme heat waves remain rare. A 2014 report by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences ranked Zhuhai as China’s most liveable city, a verdict reinforced by steady demand for housing from northern retirees seeking milder winters.

Zhuhai’s administrative area encompasses some 690 kilometers of coastline and 217 islands, of which 147 exceed 500 square meters. Near-shore islands—Hengqin, Qi’ao and Yeli—connect by causeways and bridges, forming extensions of the mainland’s road network. Beyond these lie the Wanshan Archipelago, scattered across the South China Sea and in some cases nearer to Hong Kong than to Zhuhai’s main urban zone. Until 2009, Nei Lingding Island fell under Zhuhai’s jurisdiction before transfer to Shenzhen.

In recent years, the city has cultivated trade shows and exhibitions as a pillar of its economy. Its convention center hosts events in fields from marine technology to consumer goods. Zhuhai also introduced China’s first permanent motor-racing circuit. The local track has accommodated national series and occasional international rounds, underscoring the city’s interest in diversifying beyond port and factory work.

Air connections begin at Zhuhai Jinwan Airport, formerly Sanzao Airfield, which links most provincial capitals and hosts an annual air show. Within Xiangzhou lies Jiuzhou Airport, a facility with a short runway and helipad, used largely for medical evacuation and offshore charters. Macau International Airport, though outside Zhuhai’s limits, sits closer to the city center than Jinwan and offers an “Express Link” that bypasses Macau customs for passengers heading onto Hengqin. Since September 2018, the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge has shortened access to Hong Kong International Airport, while bus and ferry links serve Shenzhen Bao’an Airport.

Rail infrastructure centers on Zhuhai Railway Station, adjoining Gongbei Port of Entry. High-speed services carry passengers to Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guilin. A light-rail link connecting Gongbei with the airport is under construction, poised to reduce the commute to roughly thirty minutes when full operation begins around 2024. A tram line inaugurated in 2017 ceased service in January 2021 after technical issues and low ridership.

Maritime services complement land and air transport. Chu Kong Passenger Transport runs ferries from Jiuzhou Port to Hong Kong’s Shekou terminal and directly to the airport skypier. A separate link to Hong Kong International Airport for air passengers launched in July 2007, offering seamless transfers for travelers. Natural deep-water ports give Zhuhai unique status on the western edge of the delta, in contrast to shallower harbors to its east.

Road links include the G94 Pearl River Delta Ring Expressway, which circumscribes Guangzhou’s metropolitan area and connects Zhuhai to Foshan’s Sanshui District. The G0425 Guangzhou–Macau Expressway provides a direct spur from the national north-south corridor. In addition to hopes for future extensions across Hengqin, the city relieved border congestion in 1999 with the Lotus Bridge, diverting traffic from the crowded Gongbei border checkpoint.

Urban growth prompted concerns about pollution and habitat loss in the 1980s. Zhuhai responded by issuing strict environmental regulations and consulting engineers from Singapore to refine its urban plan. Green belts, parklands and coastal reserves now buffer industrial areas. Local authorities promote new tourist zones on offshore islands—Hengqin, Dong’ao, Hebao, Qi’ao and Yeli—while preserving marine ecosystems and seaside farmland.

Today, Zhuhai balances its origins as a fishing district with roles as port operator, exhibition host and transport hub. Its mild winter climate draws retirees. Its strategic position, reinforced by bridges and high-speed rail, links mainland markets with Macau and Hong Kong. Continued emphasis on environmental controls and tourism infrastructure shapes a city between delta currents and open sea, where trade, leisure and daily life proceed along shorelines that once served only small boats and fishing nets.