Explainer | Zhuhai, second richest city in mainland Greater Bay Area after Shenzhen, touts upbeat economic growth to attract talent
- Per capita GDP of 175,500 yuan in 2019 was the second highest after Shenzhen among its nine mainland peers within Greater Bay Area
- Zhuhai, which led the Top 10 Livable Cities in China in 2019, holds up its economic achievements to attract talent from rival Bay area cities
Zhuhai’s per capita gross domestic product of 175,500 yuan (US$26,800) last year was the second highest after Shenzhen among its mainland bay area peers. According to the Zhuhai government website, it ranked first in the Top 10 Livable Cities in China in 2019 with a score of 90.13.
There’s a reason for that. Zhuhai, which has a population of more than 2 million people, saw its GDP grow 6.8 per cent year on year to 343.6 billion yuan in 2019 and has been drumming up its robust economic outlook, attractive talent policies, and its well-developed health care, education and transport systems to draw more people to its shores to live and work.
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Underused Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge marks one-year anniversary
The city’s location also gives it that extra edge. It is the only Chinese city to be connected with Hong Kong and Macau by the world’s longest bridge – the 55km Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge – cutting down travel time between Hong Kong and Zhuhai to around an hour in each direction. The central government is working towards a ‘one-hour living circle’ to allow residents to commute easily between the bay area cities and bring about closer integration.
Here are a few things to know about Zhuhai.
Property
Like Hong Kong’s ultra rich who live on The Peak overseeing the Victoria Harbour, Zhuhai’s wealthy residents prefer the “Lovers’ Road” beach promenade with views of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge on the Pearl River and the Grand Lisboa in Macau. Recently, a trendy upscale residential area has emerged alongside the Qianshan River, which runs through the city.
The city government has very little restrictions on residents of Hong Kong and Macau buying property. Just like the locals, Hongkongers can buy one residential unit in the downtown area or two homes in the lesser known western districts of Doumen and Jinwan.
Schools
Zhuhai No. 1 High School is the most sought after public school among the locals. Holders of foreign passports and those with Hong Kong and Macau residency prefer Zhuhai International School as they find it easier to enrol their children. The school offers the International Baccalaureate programme.
Meanwhile, Harrow, a British school, will open its campus in the Henqin district, in March. The school will initially offer grade 1-7 education for about 900 students as well as facilities for boarding students.
Some of China’s top institutions, including Sun Yat-sen University, Jinan University and Beijing Normal University have opened new campuses in Zhuhai.
Entertainment
Midtown is one of the most modern and bustling shopping districts in Zhuhai. Located on Jiuzhou Main Road, near Gongbei Port, the main border crossing between Macau and Zhuhai, it features low-rise houses that have been converted into bookstores, cafes, bars, restaurants and fashion boutiques. As cars are not allowed in the area, just like Shanghai’s Xintiandi and Shenzhen’s OCT Bay, visitors can take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the sights and sounds.
As the area is popular with Chinese yuppies, it is normal to find long queues outside popular restaurants like Dian Tai Xiang, a hotpot chain serving mouth-numbing broth. The waiting time at Tai Er, whose pickled fish dish was ranked first among all sauerkraut fish restaurants in China, could be as long as three hours in Midtown.
And thanks to an influx of partygoers from Macau, an alfresco dining area featuring live-bands and different themed bars serving craft-beer has cropped up in Shuiwan Lu, in Gongbei district near the port.
Leisure
Zhuhai does have much to offer in terms of tourist attractions. The Chimelong International Ocean Resort, however is quite popular. It features penguins, polar bears, white whales, dolphins and thousands of rare fish.
Changnanjing Old Path, a 6km trail with stunning views of the Phoenix Hill mountains, waterfalls and reservoirs, is popular with hikers.
In November, Zhuhai hosts Airshow China, the country’s largest air show where some of the world’s largest arms manufacturers showcase their top military hardware.
The locals however prefer the Lovers’ Road promenade. Hundreds of people can be seen relaxing on their colour mats and enjoying their picnic baskets along the 55km-long road.
History
While Zhuhai may feel and look like a modern city, its history can be traced back to the Tang dynasty in the 8th century.
Huitong Village offers a glimpse into the city’s past. An old ancestral hall with distinctive Guangdong architecture, built during the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), features elements such as blue bricks, grey tiles and cornices, silently sits in front of the village. Many dilapidated houses in Huitong have been refurbished and turned into cosy cafes and art galleries.
Getting there
It takes about 40 minutes from Hong Kong via the world’s longest bridge or 70 minutes by ferry. Zhuhai also shares a land border with Macau. Visitors can enter Zhuhai through Gongbei Port, which operates between 6am to 1am or via the new Hengqin Port, which operates round the clock.
From Guangzhou, the provincial capital, Zhuhai can be reached in 50 minutes via the Guangzhou-Zhuhai Intercity Railway. Travel time between Shenzhen and Zhuhai could be cut down to 30 minutes when a sea tunnel-cum-bridge connecting the two cities, currently in the planning stages, is ready.
