Essentials
| 🏙️ 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. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 8.3 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average of 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 CNY ≈ 0.15 USD; popular banks include Bank of China, China Construction Bank. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/C sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Available from providers like China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards widely accepted, mobile payment platforms like WeChat Pay and Alipay are very popular. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include serviced apartments, local rentals, and Airbnb. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are widely accepted across the city. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local real estate platforms like Anjuke. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options like YHA Dongguan. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Nancheng District, known for shopping and dining. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Songshan Lake, featuring coworking spaces and tech parks. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Hive Dongguan, offering flexible desk and office spaces. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Bene, known for its quiet atmosphere and ample charging points. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Dongguan EXPO events and local startup meetups, check Meetup.com for updates. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expat communities on WeChat often organize social gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Didi Chuxing is the most popular ride-hailing app. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Mobike and Ofo available for bike rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Humen Beach, approximately 45 minutes away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Shenzhen Airlines serves the region well. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | China Southern Airlines and Delta Airlines connect to major international hubs. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to G4 and G320 expressways. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Dongguan Railway Station connects to Guangzhou and Shenzhen. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Metro cards available for the subway system. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Frequent buses and trains to Guangzhou and Shenzhen. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Dongguan People's Hospital is a well-regarded facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga House Dongguan offers various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and Anytime Fitness offer great memberships. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry services available throughout the city, e.g. 'Laundry Basket'. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Meituan and Ele.me for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Dongguan-style dumplings and river fish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegetarian restaurants like 'Harmony Garden'. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Tiffany's Bakery, known for its pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Dongguan Night Market for street food and local goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | JD.com and Taobao for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Tmall Grocery for online grocery shopping. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | GuanXin Road for bars and nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Dongguan Brewery offers local craft beer. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | La Casa Wine Bar, popular among expats. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Shijie Street Food Market, popular for local snacks. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Italian options like 'Pasta Kitchen' and Indian restaurant 'Bharat Bistro'. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Key landmarks include the Dongguan Keyuan Garden and Opium War Museum. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Dongguan Museum showcases the city's history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Humen Zhaofeng Fort is a noteworthy historical location. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Dongguan Dongcheng Mosque serves the Islamic community. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Dongguan International Trade Fair occurs annually. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Songshan Lake is emerging as a cultural district with parks and galleries. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Dongguan Theatre hosts various performances throughout the year. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Dongguan Flower and Bird Market offers local crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music venues like Dongguan Livehouse. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Street murals can be found in urban areas around Nancheng. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinary classes offered at local institutions like 'The Mandarin House'. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Gifen Art Gallery is an excellent spot for contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Old Guangdong Customs House is a notable historical site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city's ancient manufacturing techniques are still observable in local crafts. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Huangqi Mountain Forest Park offers hiking trails. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | South China Sea National Park offers beach access and outdoor activities. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Dongguan's suburban areas feature multiple cycling paths, particularly around the lakes. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Riverside parks provide beautiful views, especially at sunset. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Dongguan Wetlands are great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Various parks allow bonfires with prior permission. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | SF Express and EMS for domestic and international deliveries. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops around Dongguan provide tech repairs, like ‘TechFix’. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community sports centers offer table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language schools like 'iMandarin' provide Mandarin classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Dongguan Library offers quiet study areas and resources. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Dongguan Community Center organizes local events and activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Internet cafes and gaming lounges are common, such as ‘Game Zone’. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no casinos in Dongguan; the nearest are in Macau. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥25,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥1,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥15,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥600,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥22,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥1,320,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥12,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥720,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥20,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥1,600,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥11,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥880,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 20% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive basis; taxes levied on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
| 🧾 VAT | 13% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, CFC rules exist for foreign investments. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 3% on property transactions. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No specific tax breaks for digital nomads, but a simplified tax approach exists. |