Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [194]
Bus For transport options to the border gate (Portas do Cerco) in Macau, see Click here. In Zhuhai, both Kee Kwan bus station ( 0756-818 6705) and CTS bus station have buses to Ocean Spring (Hǎiquánwān; one way/round-trip Y25/45; 1 hour one way) and Héngqín (Y15, 45 minutes), as well as buses to other parts of Guangdong. Gongbei coach station ( 0756-888 5218, 0756-888 8554; Youyi Lu) and the new Xinhe bus station ( 0756-211 6222) next to it have frequent buses to other points in China. Zhuhai’s local buses are clean, efficient and, at Y1.50 to Y3 per trip, very cheap. The bus stop at Vanguard Department Store has a number of routes to most parts of the city. The Zhuhai Sightseeing Bus ( 0756-334 5605, 0756-337 8381) has two lines. Line 1 (Y2, every 20 minutes, 6.45am to 7pm) goes to the west and Line 2 (Y3, every 30 minutes, 7am to 7pm) to the east. Both take you to most of the sights, and depart from along Yingbin Dadao and the Zhuhai City Museum in Jida.
Light Rail A light-rail link from Gǒngběi to Guangzhou (Y55) is expected in 2010, shortening the travel time to 40 minutes. A light-rail line from the city centre to the airport is scheduled for 2011.
Taxi In Zhuhai, taxis ( 0756-863 2033) have meters; flagfall is Y10 for the first 3km and Y0.60 for each add-itional 250m. From the border with Macau, a taxi to Jiuzhou Harbour and to the airport costs around Y25 and Y140, respectively.
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EATING & DRINKING
Déyuè Fǎng ( 0756-217 3298; Minting Garden, Yeli Island; mains Y38-78, seafood from Y138; 10am-3pm & 5-10.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm & 5-10.30pm Sat & Sun) Try the fried eel balls with almond at this faux-floating seafood restaurant moored off Yeli Island in Xiangzhou Harbour.
Jīn Yuè Xuān ( 0756-813 3133; 1st-3rd fl, Block B, 265 Rihua Commercial Sq, Qinglu Nanlu, Gǒngběi; dim sum Y6-20, meals per person Y32-100; 9am-10pm; 4) For the best dim sum and classic Cantonese cuisine in Zhuhai, head to this elegant restaurant well before 11am to score a table.
May Flower Restaurant (Wǔyuèhuā Jiǔjiā; 0756-818 1111; 31 Shuiwan Lu; meals per person Y75-120; 7.30am-11pm) This place serves up elaborately prepared Cantonese seafood as well as clay-pot dishes.
Rosa Chinensia (Yuèjìxuān; 0756-818 3382; 2nd fl, 305 Qinglu Nanlu; dim sum Y8-28, dishes from Y48-188; 8am-5pm) If you cannot get a table in Jīn Yuè Xuān, this is a good, affordable alternative. Apart from its many dim sum choices, it has a creative menu of Cantonese cuisine with a contemporary twist.
Tea Palace (Chá Huángdiàn; 0756-888 3388; Ground fl, Yindo Hotel, cnr Yingbin Dadao & Yuehai Lu; meals per person from Y85; 8am-5pm) This is a perfect place to chill out; it serves traditional Chinese brews and snacks.
Night owls will find Zhuhai’s nightlife passable, with a stack of pubs on Shuiwan Lu. Cohiba ( 0758-889 2444; 203-209 Shuiwan Lu; 10am-3am; 13 or 99) stands out. Drinks start at Y38. Nearby, Lianhua Lu has a cluster of open bar booths straddling the road where the drinks are cheap and the streetwalkers rampant.
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SLEEPING
With competition popping up left and right, most midrange to top-end hotels offer heavy discounts that can blur budget distinctions. Some hotels add a 10% to 15% levy to the bill.
Grand Bay View Hotel (Zhūhǎi Hǎiwān Dàjiǔdiàn; 0756-887 7998; fax 0756-887 8998; Shuiwan Lu; s & d Y930-1640, ste from Y1990) It’s all in the name – the elegantly appointed rooms have great views over the bay, and the hillside rooms are equally impressive. Take bus 9 from Vanguard Department Store (see the map) to get here.
Yindo Hotel (Yíndū Jiǔdiàn; 0756-888 3388; www.yindo-ohm.com; cnr Yingbin Dadao & Yuehai Donglu; s & d Y860-1240, ste from Y1890) This is one of the best places to stay within striking distance of the Macau SAR border. Outlets in the hotel include the Tea Palace (opposite).
Yong Tong Hotel (Yǒngtōng Jiǔdiàn; 0756-888