This Pearl River Delta city honors Sun Yat-sen's legacy with a memorial hall at his birthplace. Local seafood restaurants and the Five Ram statue add to its cultural appeal.
Zhongshan sits along the west bank of the Pearl River estuary in China's Pearl River Delta. Walk through Zhongshan Park to see the seven-story Fufeng Pagoda from 1608, or visit Xiaolan town where chrysanthemums bloom in rooftop gardens and street-side pavilions. You'll find natural hot springs, 1920s colonial buildings on Sunwen Road West, and extensive parks throughout the city.
Getting Around Zhongshan
You can use more than 100 bus routes to reach different parts of Zhongshan, with basic fares starting at ¥2. Taxis run throughout the city, charging ¥7 for the first 2 kilometers and ¥2.48 for each additional kilometer. The buses have bilingual announcements in Mandarin and Cantonese. From the central station, buses connect to Sun Yat-sen's memorial sites and the hot spring resorts.
Colonial Architecture on Sunwen Road West
Walk along the pedestrian mall on Sunwen Road West in Zhongshan Old Town to see dozens of 1920s buildings in treaty port style. The street follows the Shiqi River, with shops occupying both historic and modern buildings. Look for the original architectural details on the restored 1920s structures, including carved stone facades and wooden balconies. The street leads directly to Zhongshan Park.
Parks and Green Spaces
The Fufeng Pagoda, built in 1608, rises above Zhongshan Park's tree canopy. At Tianxin Forest Park, opened in 2015, you can walk through paths lined with native plants and trees from the Pearl River Delta region. In Sunwen Memorial Park, you'll find China's largest bronze sculpture of Sun Yat-sen among gardens and walking paths.
Hot Springs in Sanxiang
Visit one of two natural hot spring resorts in Sanxiang Town, which tap into a thermal water reservoir beneath the Pearl River Delta. At Zhongshan Hot Springs Resort, you can move between multiple pools set at different temperatures. The water comes directly from underground sources and contains natural minerals. Plan to spend 2-3 hours exploring the various pools and rest areas.
Historical Sites
Visit Sun Yat-sen's former residence in Cuiheng village, now part of the Memorial Museum complex. The two-story building combines Chinese and Western design elements, with distinctive red walls and green-glazed balustrades. Inside, you'll see the revolutionary leader's original furniture and personal items. The museum's exhibition halls contain documents and artifacts from Sun Yat-sen's life and the 1911 revolution, explaining his influence on modern China.
Transportation Connections
Take ferries from Zhongshan to Hong Kong via the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal and China Ferry Terminal in Kowloon. The city connects to Guangzhou in the northeast and Macau in the south. The new Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge, opening in 2024, will add an eight-lane road across the Pearl River Delta. Direct buses run between Zhongshan and Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport.
