After the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link opened on 30 June 2024, travelling from Shenzhen to Zhongshan no longer requires a detour via Guangzhou. The drive is cut to about 30 to 45 minutes, turning Zhongshan into a genuine "one-hour living circle" day-trip destination. Prices in Zhongshan are a notch lower than in Shenzhen, and it has preserved whole stretches of Nanyang-style arcade buildings and old established shops — perfect for Hongkongers heading north for a weekend change of pace.
Three ways to get there — which is the best value?
| Method | Route | Approximate price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen-Zhongshan intercity bus | Shenzhen Qianhai Dream Factory North District ↔ Zhongshan Expo Center | About ¥18 | Those who don't want to drive and want to save money |
| Shenzhen-Zhongshan intercity bus | Shenzhen Qianhai Dream Factory North District ↔ Zhongshan International Talent Port | About ¥15 | Going to the Shiqi old town area |
| Self-drive / chartered car | Depart from Shenzhen Bay Port, direct to Zhongshan city centre via the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link | Depends on vehicle type; chartered car about HK$1,800–1,900 return | Families, travelling with elderly |
The intercity bus service runs from about 06:20 to 21:30 (first and last departures differ slightly between the two terminals). To buy tickets, search "深中跨市公交" mini-program on WeChat, or purchase via "深巴出行". Schedules and fares are adjusted seasonally, so it's safest to double-check on the ticketing platform before you set off.
There is also a Zhongshan dedicated line departing from Shenzhen Airport — you can board directly after landing at Hong Kong Airport. See the ticketing platform for details.
Get off and play: around Zhongshan Expo Center
The intercity bus stops at Zhongshan Expo Center, and there are already several free attractions nearby that you can cover in a day. Sunwen West Road Pedestrian Street is a whole street of Nanyang-style arcade buildings with pink and pale yellow facades — best photographed after the lights come on at night; the street has old established shops selling double-skin milk pudding and almond cakes. Qijiang Park runs along the Qijiang River, with Qijiang Bridge right beside it — this is where Zhongshan locals take an after-dinner stroll. Zhongshan Museum is free to enter, and if you want a quick overview of Xiangshan culture you can see it all in one go (opening hours subject to official announcement).
Eat: how to choose Shiqi pigeon
Going to Zhongshan without eating pigeon is like never having been there. The authentic way to eat it is braised in soy sauce or freshly deep-fried — crisp skin, tender meat. Usually about ¥30–50 per bird, and a set meal is around ¥100 per person.
- Shiqilao Zhongshan Restaurant (Zhangxi branch): 36 Kanghua Road, an old established restaurant layout, opening hours 11:00–21:30, the braised pigeon and fried jian dui are the signatures — locals eat here too
- Dongshengdong Crisp Grass Carp Hotpot: the representative of Zhongshan's specialty crisp grass carp, one fish served many ways; the fish slices just need a few seconds in the broth and have a bouncy, crisp texture
- Yakou Village Claypot Rice: an internet-famous rural village facing Lingdingyang; the freshly cooked claypot rice beside the rice paddies is the signature, and the seafood street cooks everything fresh from the catch
One-day itinerary template (depart 09:00, return to Shenzhen 21:00)
| Time | Itinerary |
|---|---|
| 09:00 | Board at Shenzhen Qianhai Dream Factory North District (or transfer after clearing customs at Shenzhen Bay Port) |
| 10:00 | Arrive at Zhongshan Expo Center, first walk the arcades and take photos at Sunwen West Road Pedestrian Street |
| 11:30 | Zhongshan Museum (free) |
| 12:30 | Lunch on Shiqi pigeon, about ¥100 per person |
| 14:30 | Stroll Qijiang Park, photo stop at Qijiang Bridge |
| 16:00 | Taxi to Zimaling Park or Yakou Village (sea views + claypot rice) |
| 19:30 | Return to Zhongshan Expo Center for the last bus back to Shenzhen |
| 21:00 | Back in Shenzhen, cross the border back to Hong Kong |
If you just want a relaxed day, you can skip Yakou Village and instead slowly enjoy dim sum in the Shiqi old town, leaving at 3pm.
Cost estimate (per person)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Shenzhen-Zhongshan intercity bus return | About ¥30–36 |
| In-city taxis (2–3 trips) | About ¥40–60 |
| Lunch (pigeon) | About ¥100 |
| Snacks, drinks | About ¥30 |
| Total | About ¥200–230 (≈ HK$220–250) |
Zhongshan souvenirs and prices
Zhongshan's old established souvenir shops focus mainly on traditional pastries. Juxiangyuan almond cakes are the most popular buy; Huangpu cured meats also start appearing from autumn and winter — perfect for making claypot rice at home. You don't need to hunt for souvenirs in the city centre; there are already shops along Sunwen West Road Pedestrian Street and around the Expo Center.
On prices, Zhongshan overall is one to two tenths cheaper than Shenzhen: a neighbourhood teahouse is about ¥50–80 per person, a meal of pigeon plus two or three side dishes is about ¥100 per person, and a coffee shop is about ¥20–30 a cup. For the same meal, in Zhongshan you usually sit more comfortably and it's less crowded.
October weather and what to wear
Zhongshan is still on the hot side in October — short sleeves are enough during the day, though it gets a little cooler by the river at night, so bring a light jacket. Autumn occasionally brings showers, so keeping a folding umbrella in your bag is safer. The midday sun is strong, so try to schedule outdoor attractions for the morning and evening.
Notes for bringing elderly and children
- The Sunwen West Road area is an old arcade street, and some shop entrances have steps — watch out if pushing a stroller.
- The walkways at Qijiang Park and Zimaling Park are flat, suitable for slow walks with elderly; on a day with lots of walking, don't schedule more than three attractions.
- Zhongshan has plenty of dessert shops and herbal tea shops; if children don't eat spicy food, pigeon, fish slices and congee all suit them.
- In-city taxis aren't expensive — with a whole family in tow, don't skimp on fares; taxis between attractions are far more comfortable than transferring buses.
FAQ
1. Of the three ports, which is most convenient for getting to Zhongshan?
Shenzhen Bay Port is the most convenient — once you clear customs you're in Nanshan, closest to both Qianhai Dream Factory North District and the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link; Futian Checkpoint is next, where you can take the metro to Qianhai and then transfer to the intercity bus; Luohu Port is the furthest, requiring about half an hour more travel time, but if you live in the eastern New Territories, crossing at Luohu and taking the metro to Qianhai is actually feasible too.
2. Does Zhongshan have a metro?
Zhongshan currently has no metro; getting around the city is mainly by bus, taxi and shared bikes. Distances between attractions aren't far, and a one-way taxi is mostly ¥10–25 — splitting it between a few people works out even better.
3. Will there be no bus for the return trip?
The last intercity bus is around 21:30; extra services run on public holidays but they still fill up easily. It's best to be back at Zhongshan Expo Center before 19:30, or check the schedule on the mini-program in advance and book. If you really miss it, you'll need to consider a chartered car or high-speed rail.
4. Is one day enough to see it all?
In one day you can cover Sunwen West Road, Qijiang Park, the museum and a pigeon meal — that's the "essentials version". If you want to add Yakou Village and Sanxi Village too, it's better to stay a night; a hotel in Zhongshan city centre is about ¥250–450 a night.
Practical tips
- The intercity bus is "buy ticket first, then board" — it fills up easily on public holidays, so it's best to buy the night before.
- Most old streets in Zhongshan rely on electronic payment rather than cash, so set up Alipay / WeChat Pay before you set off.
- The midday sun is strong in summer, so try to put outdoor attractions in the morning and evening.
- Allow a 1-hour buffer before crossing the border on the return trip; Shenzhen Bay Port operates 24 hours, so returning late is nothing to worry about.
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