Back from Dongguan, I really don't recommend going in March. I came to this city because of a song.
"I sing a love song, walking through Guancheng, the moonlight sprinkles on the Dongjiang River, and longing drifts..." 🎶 A song "Dongguan Love Song" gently tells of Dongguan's tenderness and romance. In March, I embarked on a journey with longing for this city, and I had a wonderful time. Now, I'll share this guide with you 👇
Transportation Guide
✈️ Airplane: You can first arrive at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport or Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, and then transfer to Dongguan by intercity rail or bus. The transportation connections are convenient.
🚄 High-speed Rail: Dongguan has multiple high-speed rail stations, such as Humen Station and Dongguan Station, which are closely connected to major cities. After exiting the station, you can take a bus, subway, or taxi to the scenic spots.
🚌 City Transportation: Dongguan's subway covers major areas, and the bus routes are also well-developed, making travel convenient. You can also ride shared bikes and freely shuttle through the streets and alleys.
Detailed Itinerary
🗺 Day 1: Keyuan Garden - Xichenglou Street - Xiaba Fang
Morning: Visit Keyuan Garden, one of the four famous gardens in Lingnan. The pavilions, terraces, towers, mountains, waters, bridges, and pavilions are scattered in an orderly manner, with picturesque scenery everywhere, fully demonstrating the exquisite and delicate features of Lingnan gardens 🌳.
Noon: Taste Dongguan's specialty snack, Guancheng wonton noodles, on Xichenglou Street. Thin noodles are paired with delicious wontons in a rich soup. One bite is super satisfying.
Afternoon: Stroll along Xichenglou Street, experience the ancient arcade buildings, and visit specialty shops. In the evening, head to Xiaba Fang, a gathering place for literary and artistic youth. There are many unique bars and restaurants. When night falls, the lights are dim and the atmosphere is perfect.
🗺 Day 2: Songshan Lake - Huawei European Town
Morning: Come to Songshan Lake, rent a bicycle, and ride along the lake, enjoying the beautiful scenery. In March, spring flowers bloom, and the sea of flowers by the lake is colorful and charming 🌸.
Noon: Taste Baisha Oil Duck at a restaurant near Songshan Lake. It is salty, fragrant, and delicious, with firm meat.
Afternoon: Visit Huawei European Town. The European-style buildings are magnificent. Take a small train through it, as if you are in a European fairy tale world.
🗺 Day 3: Guanyin Mountain National Forest Park - Return Trip
Morning: Go to Guanyin Mountain National Forest Park, climb the mountain to pray for blessings, and enjoy the natural scenery. The mountain is densely forested with fresh air, and there are all kinds of strange-shaped stones, full of fun.
Noon: Eat Daojiao Meatball Congee near the scenic area. The meatballs are springy, and the congee is fragrant and rich.
Afternoon: Prepare for the return trip with beautiful memories.
9 Must-See Attractions
1. Keyuan Garden: A gem of Lingnan gardens, full of artistic atmosphere.
2. Xichenglou Street: Experience the historical charm of Dongguan and taste local specialties.
3. Xiaba Fang: An artistic district where you can enjoy the romantic nightlife.
4. Songshan Lake: Beautiful natural scenery, suitable for cycling and walking.
5. Huawei European Town: European architectural style, perfect for taking photos.
6. Guanyin Mountain National Forest Park: A place for praying for blessings, with rich natural landscapes.
7. Yinping Mountain Forest Park: The highest peak in Dongguan, a good place for mountain climbing.
8. Opium War Museum: Learn about the history of the Opium War and receive patriotic education.
9. Huayang Lake National Wetland Park: Unique wetland landscape and beautiful ecological environment.
Local Food Recommendations
1. Guancheng Wonton Noodles: Chewy noodles, delicious wontons, and rich soup.
2. Baisha Oil Duck: Salty and delicious, can be steamed or fried.
3. Daojiao Meatball Congee: Crispy meatballs and delicious congee.
4. Tangxia Braised Goose: Flavorful and tender goose meat.
5. Tangbushuai: Soft, glutinous, sweet, and chewy.
6. Dongguan Sausage: Short, thick, and cute, with a rich aroma. Can be eaten directly or used in dishes.
Accommodation Recommendations
🏨 Guancheng: Close to Keyuan Garden, Xichenglou Street, and other attractions, convenient for travel, with many choices of hotels and homestays. Dongguan Yingbin Hotel, for example, has an elegant environment and attentive service.
🏨 Songshan Lake: Beautiful scenery, suitable for leisure vacations. Hyatt Regency Dongguan Songshan Lake allows you to enjoy the lake view and has complete facilities.
🏨 Humen: Convenient transportation, with many surrounding attractions. For example, Mission Hills Resort Dongguan has a high cost performance ratio.
Travel Tips
1. The temperature in Dongguan gradually rises in March, but the temperature difference between morning and evening is large, so you can bring a light jacket 🧥.
2. Some attractions require advance reservations, such as Huawei European Town, so plan ahead.
3. When tasting food, you can go to old restaurants frequented by locals for a more authentic taste.
4. Pay attention to traffic safety and obey traffic rules when cycling around Songshan Lake.
5. The hiking trail on Guanyin Mountain is long, so wear comfortable sports shoes.