Less remarkable for its tourist attractions than for its proclivity for commerce, Dongguan is the most productive county in the Pearl River Delta. Bargain hunters revel in Dongguan's proximity to factories and warehouses, as prices for anything from electronics to fashion items, bedding, pirated DVD's (much to Beijing's ineffectual consternation) and computer software (despite periodic threats of trade sanctions) can often be negotiated to nearly wholesale prices - even for single items.
Commercial activity rules here, but if you've ever had a morbid curiosity to see what a commercial dystopia looks like, look no further than Dongguan's South China Mall, the world's largest and emptiest commercial complex. Though this mall features a couple kilometers of man made river, complete with touring gondolas, rides for children, a miniature Arc de Triomphe and seven zones modeled on: Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Venice, Egypt, the Caribbean, and California, it is still a sprawling ghost town. But it's actually worth seeing if just to experience the unsettling juxtaposition of monstrous hyper-kitsch replicas with the skein of ghastly quietness that engulfs them.
For the honest tourist, Dongguang's pickings are a little on the slim side, but there is still enough to see and do to pack a couple of full days. Dongguan's importance in the Opium Wars necessitates the presence of several museums. To brush up on this interesting part of China's history you'll want to check out the Opium War Museum, as well as the Humen Naval Battle Museum.
Dongguan also has a few spots of leaf and shade to relax in, and there is even a mountain to climb. First on the list is the centrally located Keyuan Garden, one of Guangdong's historic "four famous gardens." Though "Keyuan" literally means "a garden not too bad for visiting," the place considerably outshines its name - which is the product of builder Zhang Jingxiu's legendary modesty. You'll no doubt be impressed by the site's labyrinthine layout, and have the opportunity to relax among the leaves, orchids and shade that shelter visitors from the metropolitan cacophony outside. Also worth visiting is the picturesque Yingxian Resort, a little further out at about 15km (10mi) from the city. Offering dense forests, endless mountain vistas, a host of temples, and a 2,000 ton white marble statue of Kwan-Yin (China's Goddess of Mercy), Yingxian makes for a good full day excursion.
To finish up before moving on to nearby Guangzhou, Shenzhen, or Hong Kong, you can try taking a stroll on the Humen Bridge at sunset to take in panoramic views of the city below.
History
Archeological records show that the area around Dongguan has been occupied for over 5000 years. But, up until 226, Dongguan was not a part of the Chinese nation. That development was the result of the expansionist Qin Dynasty regime's forced migration of hundreds of thousands southwards to populate their new province of Guang (Guangdong today). During the Eastern Jin Dyansty (317-420), Dongguan was known as the county of Baoan. Later, Dongguan got the name we know today from the Tang (618-907).
Later, Dongguan served as a Southern Song Dynasty refuge. They fled from the invading Mongols who took over after the Battle of Yamen in 1279, one of the largest naval battles in world history. In the 16th Century, the region opened up to trade with the West, including trade in opium - fateful catalyst for the opium wars which saw China concede territory to the French, British and Portuguese. In the 19th Century, Dongguan was one of the major exit ports for laborers being moved to the United States and Canada, which explains why the majority of Chinese Americans and Chinese Canadians speak dialects of Cantonese, instead of China's majority language - Mandarin.
In the 1920's, Dongguan and the surrounding areas were KMT staging points for the Northern Expeditions - an effort to bring China's various warlords under Central Government control. During the War of Resistance against Japan, Dongguan was a base for Chinese forces in the East River Basin area. Finally, about 20 years ago, Dongguan - like nearby Shenzhen - began its rapid development from an economic backwater to a bustling metropolis of 6,400,000 in China's most prosperous province.
Climate
Dongguan is located in south-central Guangdong, east of the Pearl River Delta. Subject to a semi-tropical monsoon climate, the weather of Dongguan is hot with plenty of rainfall all year round. Rainstorms and typhoons often occur from June to October. However, a series of local festivals are during this period, attracting lots of visitors. Travelers should check local weather forecasts prior to attending events. Otherwise, cooler, drier autumn is the best time to visit Dongguan.
Being situated in the middle of the most economically productive region in China, Dongguan can't help but be host to a multitude of hotels. Accommodations are available at any price range. For those on a budget, several budget hotel chains have set up shop. Look for locations of the following brands: Home Inn, Jinjiang Inn, GreenTree Inn, 7 Days Inn, Motel 168, and City Inn.
Those looking for a little luxury might find the following four-stars a little more appealing; the Golden Lake Guangdong Hotel Dongguan, the Dynasty Hotel Dongguan, and the Metropolitan Hotel Dongguan, all of which are downtown. If you're all about the creature comforts of a five-star property, you'll find the Sheraton Hotel Dongguan, the Sunshine Hotel (beautiful, large outdoor swimming pool), the Richwood Garden Hotel (with a large poolside garden), and the Regal Palace Hotel Dongguan more befitting your needs.
The Pearl River Delta's abundant seafood supplies assure that seafood lovers will have no shortage of their favorite fare. Though Dongguan does have some of its own traditional food, a history marked by several mass-migrations has ensured that Dongguan's offerings of Chinese food remain eclectic, if not comprehensive. Dongguan's role as a major economic engine has also assured demand for foreign food, as expats from all over the world set up businesses and source their manufacturing in the area.
For those seeking to try out local delicacies, there is no better place than local food fares and restaurant districts. b>Houjie Street is considered among the best thoroughfares for snacks in town and is a great place to try out a bowl of Lai Fen (thick rice noodles with a strongly flavored sauce and most often - roast goose). Also worth checking out is Daojiao Town where you can taste original Zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves).
If you're looking for seafood, there's definitely no shortage of selection. A great place to head to is Humen Town, where you'll find green crab, mantis shrimp, greasy-backed shrimp and stone grouper on the menu.
Other restaurant districts to check out include the Garden New Village on Huayuan Street (international and local fare), as well as Humen Town's Xinwan Street and Chang'an Town's Xinmin Street - both great for seafood.
If you're looking for a more textured dinner experience, you might want to give Sahara, in the Moon Bay Garden complex on Dongcheng Avenue, a try. You'll be able to choose from American, European and Middle Eastern cuisines while taking in Arabian décor and music played by a live band. Also on Dongcheng Avenue is Pizzeria Calzone.
The Pousthouse Restaurant has a spacious patio for those who like to dine in the open air, while those looking for quality German fair and authentic German beer can go down to Xin Shi Dai Guang Chang to find the newly-opened Fiasko. Those looking for vegetarian can make their way down to Fortunail Vegetarian Restaurant on Yujing New Time Walking Street.
Though Mexican food is difficult to find almost anywhere in China, Dongguan's culinary scene has developed at least as rapidly as it's other economic sectors, and anyone willing to ask their hotel concierge or even local expats will probably find almost any kind of food they can imagine.
There's no shortage of shopping in this town, where over 1,000 garment factories, including 300 foreign-owned, ply their trade producing garments for the world. Dongguan is a great place to find a good selection (and not just for clothes) as well as excellent prices. Just be wary of the potential for fakes, those can cause returning foreigners a bit of trouble at customs. DVD's are best avoided, tempting as they are at prices below $1US, they invariably draw a custom official's attention and cause trouble.
Those interested in visiting a more market-style area can take a walk in the Nancheng Fumin Commercial Pedestrian Street, where they'll find major international brands, cafe's, restaurants as well as a multitude of local boutiques. Those interested in shopping malls can head over to Global Plaza, which hosts department stores as well as international brands and designer outlets. If you happen upon any other interesting shopping areas, please feel free to tell the Chinatravel.net community by commenting on it in our Forum!
Ever heard of a “Body Sale” festival? Sinister as the title sounds, it's only the festival's origins that are unseemly, the festival itself is fun fun fun! Dongguan, as with all the other Chinese cities, hosts big parties and festivals to celebrate all of China's major holidays, including Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, Lover's Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Lantern Festival and Tomb Sweeping Day, but also has a few other festivals of its own.
The aforementioned “Body Sale” festival harks back to the days of slavery. In those times, rich landowners would come down to what was basically a Labor Fair, where all of the unemployed workers and slaves for sale would congregate in hopes of finding some gainful, if not very poorly paid, employment. The slaves and petty laborers would splash water on each other for good luck, a ritual which later caught on with the rich landowners and later evolved into a full-blown, city-wide, good-luck water fight not unlike Thailand's internationally known and uproarious Songkran festival.
Other interesting festivals and events include the Qintong Boat Festival, the Lychee Festival and the Humen International Fashion Fair. The eponymous Qintong Boat Festival happens in Qintong, involves boats, Dragon dances and takes place in early April.
The Lychee Festival happens right in the middle of tourist season - late June in Hengli. Lots of fairs and performances are organized to celebrate the region's tastiest, juiciest fruit. If you've never had an apricot-sized lychee before and are in the area, we'd suggest that you don't miss the opportunity to try one.
Finally, the Humen International Fashion Fair is the most commercially significant festival, with hundreds of local and international brands filling huge exposition grounds and putting on multiple, beautifully-executed fashion shows in a variety of themes (An example of a typical festival itinerary can be found here). The festival takes place in November, ensuring that festival goers need not fear the intense heat and humidity that prevails in Dongguan summers.
For those wishing to take in some of the local nightlife, you need to do little else but head to Dongcheng Jiuba Lu (Dongcheng bar street) where a host of local bars, pubs, clubs and KTV's await Dongguan's patrons and revelers. Canadian expats might want to check out Strange Brew at Ming Yue Yi Xiang, while those looking for an authentic Chinese experience might want to go it a la KTV with some locals - K KTV in Global Plaza, also on Dongcheng rd, is probably a good place to start.