Zhongshan City Travel

Zhongshan, Guangdong — the hometown of the great man Sun Yat-sen, a national historical and cultural city, integrating modern historical heritage with Lingnan water town customs, is a bright pearl on the west bank of the Pearl River Delta.

800+
Years of Urban History
1
Number of 5A Scenic Spots
531
Meters (Highest Altitude - Wugui Mountain)
4.4 Million+
Permanent Resident Population

3-Day 2-Night Cultural Leisure Tour in Zhongshan City

Visit the hometown of the great man, tour the Lingnan water town, taste Zhongshan cuisine

Trip Duration
3 Days 2 Nights
Main Destinations
Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence, Qijiang Park, Xiaolan Ancient Town, Zhan Garden, Minzhong Water Town, Mangrove Wetland Park
Suitable for
History and culture lovers, family with children, food seekers, photography enthusiasts
Per Capita Budget
¥1000-¥2000
01
Footprints of the Great Man
Sun Yat-sen Cultural Tour
Itinerary Highlights

Visit the Memorial Museum of Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence in the morning to learn about the great man's life, tour Cuiheng Ancient Village in the afternoon to experience the characteristics of Lingnan dwellings, and stroll in Qijiang Park in the evening to enjoy the night view on both sides of the river.

Attraction Arrangement
Memorial Museum of Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence
A key national cultural relic protection unit, including Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence, Exhibition Hall and Cuiheng Village, systematically displaying Mr. Sun Yat-sen's life story and the historical changes of modern China.
Qijiang Park
An urban park built along the Qijiang River, integrating industrial relics with modern landscape design, is a good place for citizens to relax and take night tours. You can take a boat to enjoy the scenery on both sides of the Qijiang River.
Practical Information
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Hotels in Shiqi District
  • Homestays along Qijiang River
  • Zhongshan International Hotel
Food Recommendations
  • Shiqi Pigeon
  • Bowl Rice Cake
  • Almond Cake
  • Jidi Congee (Pork Offal Congee)
Travel Tips
  • The Memorial Museum of Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence is open free of charge, advance reservation is required
  • It is recommended to book tickets in advance for Qijiang night tour
  • The starting price of taxi in urban area is about 10 yuan
02
Ancient Town Customs
Xiaolan Cultural Experience
Itinerary Highlights

Go to Xiaolan Town in the morning, visit Longshan Park and Shuise Za to experience the style of the ancient town, visit Xiaolan Chrysanthemum Fair (seasonal) in the afternoon to experience intangible cultural heritage culture, and return to the urban area in the evening.

Attraction Arrangement
Xiaolan Ancient Town
An ancient town with a history of more than 800 years, famous for chrysanthemum culture, preserving a large number of traditional Lingnan buildings and folk customs. The Chrysanthemum Fair held every autumn is renowned at home and abroad.
Shuise Za
An ancient river course in Xiaolan Town, with numerous Ming and Qing buildings and ancestral halls distributed along the bank. Taking a boat tour can experience the Lingnan water town style of "one river, two banks".
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Bus from urban area to Xiaolan Town takes about 1 hour (K12 Route)
  • Taxi takes about 40 minutes, cost about 80 yuan
  • It is recommended to walk or ride shared bikes in the ancient town
Ticket Information
  • Free entry to Xiaolan Ancient Town
  • Ticket 60 yuan during Chrysanthemum Fair
  • Shuise Za cruise ship 30 yuan per person
Featured Experiences
  • Make chrysanthemum cake by yourself
  • Visit the production of intangible cultural heritage olive carving
  • Visit Xiaolan hardware characteristic market
  • Taste Xiaolan fried fish balls
03
Garden & Water Town
Zhan Garden + Minzhong Water Town
Itinerary Highlights

Visit Zhan Garden, the largest classical garden in Lingnan, in the morning to appreciate traditional architecture and gardening art, go to Minzhong Town in the afternoon to experience Lingnan water town customs, and return in the evening.

Attraction Arrangement
Zhongshan Zhan Garden
The largest classical private garden in Lingnan area, integrating the characteristics of Jiangsu-Zhejiang gardens and Lingnan architecture, with pavilions, terraces, towers, small bridges and flowing water, showing the beauty of Jiangnan and Lingnan gardens.
Minzhong Water Town
Preserving intact Lingnan water town style, with dense river networks and banana forests. You can take a black-awning boat to shuttle through the river courses and experience farm activities such as fruit picking and fishing.
Practical Information
Return Suggestions
  • Minzhong Town is about 30 minutes' drive from Zhongshan Station
  • About 1 hour from Zhuhai Jinwan Airport
  • It is recommended to depart before 5 pm in the afternoon
Food Map
  • Dongsheng Crispy Grass Carp
  • Minzhong Sandun Goose
  • Shaxi Braised Pork
  • Tuwei Wine
Souvenir Recommendations
  • Zhongshan Almond Cake
  • Huangpu Cured Meat
  • Xiaolan Chrysanthemum Meat
  • Ancient Town Lighting Crafts

Must-Try Foods in Zhongshan City

Shiqi Pigeon

Zhongshan's signature dish, using local young pigeons, mainly cooked by crispy braised or salt-baked methods, with crispy skin, tender meat and rich juice, is a must-try food when visiting Zhongshan.

Dongsheng Crispy Grass Carp

A specialty of Dongsheng Town, Zhongshan, grass carp bred by special methods, with firm and crispy meat, can be sliced for hot pot or steamed, with a unique taste, is a characteristic ingredient of Lingnan.

Xiaolan Fried Fish Balls

Traditional snack of Xiaolan, made by chopping fresh mud carp meat into fish paste, squeezing into balls and frying until golden, crispy outside and tender inside, eaten with clam sauce, with unique flavor.

Zhongshan Almond Cake

Classic pastry of Zhongshan, baked with almond powder, flour, sugar and other raw materials, with crispy taste and rich almond flavor, is a famous specialty of Guangdong.

Zhongshan City Travel Tips
Best Travel Time
  • March-May: Mild climate, suitable for outdoor activities
  • September-November: Avoid extreme heat, best during Xiaolan Chrysanthemum Fair (November)
  • June-August: Hot and rainy, pay attention to heatstroke prevention and sun protection
Must-Experience Activities
  • Red culture tour of Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence
  • Qijiang night tour by boat
  • Xiaolan Chrysanthemum Fair (seasonal)
  • Farm picking in Minzhong Water Town
  • Classical garden photography in Zhan Garden
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: Zhan Garden 60 yuan + Water Town Cruise 30 yuan ≈ 90 yuan
  • Accommodation: 300-800 yuan per night
  • Catering: 200-400 yuan per day
  • Transportation: About 150 yuan (including urban transportation)
  • Total: 1000-2000 yuan
Frequently Asked Questions
  • Where is the most concentrated area for Zhongshan's food? → Fengyuan Commercial Street in Shiqi District, Shaxi Food Street
  • Is transportation convenient for traveling to Zhongshan? → There are high-speed railway stations (Zhongshan Station, Zhongshan North Station), and urban public transportation covers a wide area
  • What's the difference between Lingnan water town and Jiangnan water town? → Lingnan water town pays more attention to practical functions, and most buildings are arcade buildings
  • Do I need to make an appointment to visit Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence? → Yes, you can make an appointment in advance through the official public account