Jiangmen Travel Guide

Population: 3,960,000

Area: 9,541 square kilometers (3,684 square miles)

Nationalities: Han

Administrative Division: 3 districts (Jianghai, Pengjiang, Xinhui); 4 county-level cities (Enping, Taishan, Kaiping, Heshan)

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0750-3515566
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiries: 184
Bank of China: 0750-3163333, 3163380

Location: Jiangmen City is located in south-central of Guangdong Province, west of the Pearl River Delta. Adjacent to Zhongshan in the east and Foshan in the north, the city faces southward to the South Sea and neighboring Hong Kong and Macau.

History: In the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), bazaars began to be gathered in this area. In early years of the 17th Century, it gradually became a trade center in the Pearl River Delta, being a busy place of distribution in the middle and lower reaches of the Xijiang River. Jiangmen was once a dependency of the Xinhui County before Jiangmen City's establishment in 1925. It is a well-known town of oversea compatriots. As early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Jiangmen people began to leave home and settle abroad.

Physical Features: Vast area of hills and mountains is disbursed over the north and the northwest of Jiangmen, while the river valleys, fluvial plains and delta plains, mainly scattered in eastern, central and southern part of the city, are interweaved with sporadic hills and terraces. It has a coastline of 330 kilometers (205 miles) with 268 islands of all sizes dotted along the shores.

Climatic Features: Standing at low latitude, subtropical zone, the city enjoys a maritime monsoon climate featuring warm and humid weather. Its temperature during a year varies slightly, at an average value of 22C (72F). April to September is the flood season collecting eighty percent of the rainfall of the whole year. Typhoon may frequently affect Jiangmen during July to September.

When to Go: Visitors should avoid going there during the flood season and the period typhoon frequently occurs.

Local Highlights: Jiangmen has three rivers running through. Around the Dragon Boat Festival (in the fifth day of the fifth lunar month), people would like to participate in the dragon boat races. During the activity, exhibition games and friendly games and formal competitions are held to satisfy the folks' passion and enthusiasm.

Special Local Products: palm fans of Xinhui District, sun-cured tobacco of Heshan City, preserved kohlrabi of Hetang Town

Scenic Spots:
Chuan Island: Situated in the Chuandao Town, Taishan City, the Chuan Island has a coastline of 222.3 kilometers (138 miles) with a multitude of beautiful islets. The most famous islets are the Shangchuan Island and the Xiachuan Island, on which there are enchanting beaches and primeval second forest, strange rocks and hills.

Liyuan Garden: This private garden was built by an oversea compatriot in 1936. Located in Tangkou Town, Kaiping City, the garden can be regarded as a first-rate one combining with the lingering charms of China and the occident. The layout of the garden can be delimited into Villa Zone, Grand Garden and Little Garden.

Guifeng Mountain: The mountain is situated in Xinhui District and this famous scenic spot has elevated to a national forest park and ranks as one of the famous tourist zones in Guangdong. Relying on its advantaged natural resources, the lofty mountains, emerald forest and lakes give the mountain endless vigor. There are regular buses passing by the mountain in Jiangmen General Bus Station and Xinhui General Bus Station in Xinhui District.

Tourist Tips:
1. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has opened the Airport Express which greatly shortens the trip to the airport to circa 110 minutes. Visitors can check in ahead of time in the airport terminal established by the Baiyun Airport in Jiangmen City. In addition, the completion of the Jiangmen-Zhuhai Expressway makes the journey to Zhuhai Airport reduce from previous two hours to one hour. All these greatly facilitate the transport getting in and out of Jiangmen.
2. Jiangmen to Hong Kong and Macau ferry terminal lies in the Jiangmen Hi-tech Development Zone. Every day, there are three ships to Hong Kong and one to Macau. Due to the public holidays of Hong Kong, ships between the ferry terminals of Jiangmen and Hong Kong will rearrange the ships.