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Guide
Dongguan, China π¨π³
#1359
,
Nomad Score:
56%
Essentials
ποΈ City | Dongguan is a major city in Guangdong Province, located in southern China, known for its manufacturing industry and proximity to major cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen. |
π₯ Population | Approximately 8.3 million |
π» Internet Speed | Average of 100 Mbps |
πΈ Currency & Banking | 1 CNY β 0.15 USD; popular banks include Bank of China, China Construction Bank. |
π° Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
π Power | 220V, 50Hz, π Type A/C sockets |
πΆ SIM Card | Available from providers like China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. |
π³ Banking for Expats | International cards widely accepted, mobile payment platforms like WeChat Pay and Alipay are very popular. |
π Accommodation | Options include serviced apartments, local rentals, and Airbnb. |
π³ Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are widely accepted across the city. |
π Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local real estate platforms like Anjuke. |
ποΈ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options like YHA Dongguan. |
ποΈ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Nancheng District, known for shopping and dining. |
ποΈ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Songshan Lake, featuring coworking spaces and tech parks. |
Working and Networking
π’ Best Coworking Space | The Hive Dongguan, offering flexible desk and office spaces. |
β Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Bene, known for its quiet atmosphere and ample charging points. |
πΌ Networking Events | Dongguan EXPO events and local startup meetups, check Meetup.com for updates. |
π₯ Social Events for Expats | Expat communities on WeChat often organize social gatherings. |
Transportation
π Best Taxi/Ride App | Didi Chuxing is the most popular ride-hailing app. |
π² Bike/Scooter Rental | Mobike and Ofo available for bike rentals. |
ποΈ Best Beach Nearby | Humen Beach, approximately 45 minutes away. |
βοΈ Top Regional Airline | Shenzhen Airlines serves the region well. |
βοΈ Top International Airline | China Southern Airlines and Delta Airlines connect to major international hubs. |
π£οΈ Highway Access | Access to G4 and G320 expressways. |
π Main Train/Transit Hub | Dongguan Railway Station connects to Guangzhou and Shenzhen. |
π Public Transport Passes | Metro cards available for the subway system. |
βοΈ Regional Travel | Frequent buses and trains to Guangzhou and Shenzhen. |
Health and Wellness
π₯ Best Hospital | Dongguan People's Hospital is a well-regarded facility. |
π§ Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga House Dongguan offers various classes. |
ποΈ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and Anytime Fitness offer great memberships. |
π§Ί Laundry Services | Laundry services available throughout the city, e.g. 'Laundry Basket'. |
Food and Drink
π± Best Food Delivery App | Meituan and Ele.me for food delivery. |
π½οΈ Best Local Dish to Try | Dongguan-style dumplings and river fish. |
π± Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegetarian restaurants like 'Harmony Garden'. |
π« Best Dessert Spots | Tiffany's Bakery, known for its pastries. |
π Affordable Shopping Spots | Dongguan Night Market for street food and local goods. |
π E-commerce/Online Store | JD.com and Taobao for online shopping. |
π Grocery Delivery | Tmall Grocery for online grocery shopping. |
πΈ Bar/Nightlife Area | GuanXin Road for bars and nightlife. |
π» Local Brewery | Dongguan Brewery offers local craft beer. |
π· Wine Bars | La Casa Wine Bar, popular among expats. |
π² Street Food Stalls | Shijie Street Food Market, popular for local snacks. |
π Popular International Cuisine | Italian options like 'Pasta Kitchen' and Indian restaurant 'Bharat Bistro'. |
Culture and Attractions
ποΈ Must-See Landmarks | Key landmarks include the Dongguan Keyuan Garden and Opium War Museum. |
ποΈ Museums & Art Venues | Dongguan Museum showcases the city's history. |
π° Historical Sites | Humen Zhaofeng Fort is a noteworthy historical location. |
π Religious Sites | The Dongguan Dongcheng Mosque serves the Islamic community. |
π Annual Events | The Dongguan International Trade Fair occurs annually. |
π¨ Cultural Districts | Songshan Lake is emerging as a cultural district with parks and galleries. |
π Theater Venues | Dongguan Theatre hosts various performances throughout the year. |
ποΈ Local Markets | Dongguan Flower and Bird Market offers local crafts. |
πΌ Music Scene | Live music venues like Dongguan Livehouse. |
π¨ Street Art | Street murals can be found in urban areas around Nancheng. |
π§βπ³ Cooking Classes | Culinary classes offered at local institutions like 'The Mandarin House'. |
π©βπ¨ Art Galleries | Gifen Art Gallery is an excellent spot for contemporary art. |
π°οΈ Historic Buildings | The Old Guangdong Customs House is a notable historical site. |
π΄ Local Heritage | The city's ancient manufacturing techniques are still observable in local crafts. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
π Nearby Nature Escapes | Huangqi Mountain Forest Park offers hiking trails. |
ποΈ National Parks Nearby | South China Sea National Park offers beach access and outdoor activities. |
π² Cycling/Walking Paths | Dongguan's suburban areas feature multiple cycling paths, particularly around the lakes. |
π Scenic Viewpoints | Riverside parks provide beautiful views, especially at sunset. |
π¦ Birdwatching Locations | The Dongguan Wetlands are great for birdwatching. |
π₯ Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Various parks allow bonfires with prior permission. |
Other Services and Amenities
π¦ Parcel Delivery Service | SF Express and EMS for domestic and international deliveries. |
π οΈ Tech Repair Services | Local shops around Dongguan provide tech repairs, like βTechFixβ. |
π Table Tennis Spots | Community sports centers offer table tennis facilities. |
π§βπ« Language Classes | Language schools like 'iMandarin' provide Mandarin classes. |
π Libraries & Study Spots | Dongguan Library offers quiet study areas and resources. |
ποΈ Community Centers | Dongguan Community Center organizes local events and activities. |
πΉοΈ Gaming Lounges | Internet cafes and gaming lounges are common, such as βGame Zoneβ. |
π° Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no casinos in Dongguan; the nearest are in Macau. |
Business
π’ Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. Β₯25,000 per mΒ² (e.g., 40 mΒ² = Β₯1,000,000) |
π’ Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. Β₯15,000 per mΒ² (e.g., 40 mΒ² = Β₯600,000) |
π 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. Β₯22,000 per mΒ² (e.g., 60 mΒ² = Β₯1,320,000) |
π 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. Β₯12,000 per mΒ² (e.g., 60 mΒ² = Β₯720,000) |
π‘ 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. Β₯20,000 per mΒ² (e.g., 80 mΒ² = Β₯1,600,000) |
π‘ 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. Β₯11,000 per mΒ² (e.g., 80 mΒ² = Β₯880,000) |
πΌ Corporate Tax | 25% |
π΅ Dividend Withholding Tax | 20% |
π¦ Tax System | Progressive basis; taxes levied on worldwide income. |
π Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
π§Ύ VAT | 13% |
π Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, CFC rules exist for foreign investments. |
π Property Tax | Yes, based on assessed value. |
π Property Transaction Tax | 3% on property transactions. |
π» Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No specific tax breaks for digital nomads, but a simplified tax approach exists. |