Overview
Zhanjiang is a rapidly developing port city of 1.6 million people on the Leizhou Peninsula in western Guangdong Province. Once a small fishing port under French occupation (1899-1946) renamed Fort Bayard, it retains colonial architecture and serves as the mainland gateway to Hainan Island by car and railway.
Architecture · Day Trips · History · Nature
Before you go
Connectivity
Standard Chinese mobile carriers (China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom) provide coverage. WiFi available in most hotels and cafes.
Food
Local specialties include charcoal-grilled oysters, Zhanjiang chicken, and Lianjiang red oranges. Budget meals available at local restaurants.
Money
Local currency is Chinese Yuan (¥). Budget hotels start from ¥60-70 for a double room. Taxis start at ¥5 plus ¥2/km plus ¥1 fuel surcharge.
Safety
General safety precautions apply as in any Chinese city. Standard emergency number is 110 for police, 120 for ambulance.
Transport
Zhanjiang has three train stations (South, West, North) plus Wuchuan Airport. Buses run to most nearby cities. A direct bus from Hong Kong takes 8 hours (¥280).