Essentials
- City
- Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Population
- Approximately 6,050,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 150 Mbps (Fiber is standard); VPN required for international sites.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 7.20 CNY, 1 EUR ≈ 7.80 CNY. Major banks: ICBC, Bank of China.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water (approx. 2 CNY per 500ml) or filtered water.
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A, C, and I sockets.
- SIM Card
- China Mobile, China Unicom (Approx. 100 CNY for 30GB data). Passport required for registration.
- Banking for Expats
- Alipay and WeChat Pay are essential; linked via Bank of China or international cards (Visa/Mastercard).
- Accommodation
- High-end serviced apartments like Kaisa Heights or local rentals via Ziroom.
- Cashless Friendly
- Extremely high; QR code payments (Alipay/WeChat) used for everything from malls to street vendors.
- Short Term Rentals
- Meituan Homestay (美团民宿) or Trip.com; prices range from 200-500 CNY/night.
- Budget Accommodation
- 7 Days Inn Huizhou West Lake (approx. 150 CNY/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Huicheng District (near West Lake) for history and local culture.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Jiangbei CBD for modern infrastructure, malls, and high-speed fiber internet.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- T-Park (T-Park 时尚公园) Business Center, Jiangbei. Approx. 800 CNY/month.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Starbucks Reserve in Kaisa Platinum Plaza; quiet zones and reliable Wi-Fi.
- Networking Events
- Huizhou Foreign Business Association events at the Renaissance Huizhou Hotel.
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Huizhou community meetups or 'Huizhou Expats' WeChat groups.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Didi Chuxing (English version available within the app).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- HelloBike (哈啰单车) and Meituan Bikes; found on every street corner via app.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Xunliao Bay (巽寮湾), approximately 1 hour drive from the city center.
- Top Regional Airline
- China Southern Airlines (HUZ - Huizhou Pingtan Airport).
- Top International Airline
- Cathay Pacific (via nearby Shenzhen or Hong Kong airports).
- Highway Access
- G15 (Shenhai Highway) and G25 (Changzhen Highway) connect to Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Huizhou North Railway Station (High-speed rail to Shenzhen in 20 mins).
- Public Transport Passes
- Lingnan Pass (岭南通) or Huizhou Public Transport QR code in Alipay.
- Regional Travel
- High-speed train (CRH) to Hong Kong West Kowloon (approx. 70 mins).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Huizhou Central People's Hospital (International Department available).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Fine Yoga (Huicheng Branch); classes approx. 150 CNY per session.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Total Fitness in Huizhou Kaisa City Plaza. Approx. 3,500 CNY/year.
- Laundry Services
- Fornet (福奈特) dry cleaners, located in major shopping malls like Aeon.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Meituan Waimai or Ele.me.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Hakkao (Hakka) Braised Pork with Preserved Vegetables (梅菜扣肉).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant (Near West Lake); meals approx. 40-60 CNY.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Hui Lau Shan for mango desserts in Huizhou Kaisa Plaza.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Wal-Mart at Ganghui Mall or local wet markets in Shuimen Road.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Taobao, JD.com, and Pinduoduo for next-day delivery.
- Grocery Delivery
- Sam's Club App or Hema (Freshippo) for high-quality imports.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Binjiang Park area (Riverside bars) and Kaisa Heights 1st floor bars.
- Local Brewery
- Craft beer at 'The Brew' (HAKKA Craft) near the Dongjiang River.
- Wine Bars
- Vino Cellar in Jiangbei; extensive European imports.
- Street Food Stalls
- Zhuwu Xiang (祝屋巷) near West Lake; famous for Hakka snacks.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Gogiya Korean BBQ in Jiangbei district.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Huizhou West Lake (smaller but more serene than Hangzhou's).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Huizhou Museum (Jiangbei); free entry with passport.
- Historical Sites
- Sizhou Tower and the Su Dongpo Memorial Hall.
- Religious Sites
- Yuanmiao Taoist Temple, north side of West Lake.
- Annual Events
- Dragon Boat Festival races on the Dongjiang River (June).
- Cultural Districts
- Shuidong Street (水东街) for preserved Qing Dynasty architecture.
- Theater Venues
- Huizhou Cultural & Arts Center (poly-theater circuit).
- Local Markets
- Qiaodong Market for fresh seafood and local Hakka spices.
- Music Scene
- Live music lounges in the 7/8 Bar Street area.
- Street Art
- Murals and creative studios in the Creative Industry Park (798-style).
- Cooking Classes
- Hakka Cuisine Workshops at the Huizhou Intangible Cultural Heritage Center.
- Art Galleries
- Galleries within the Huizhou Grand Theater complex.
- Historic Buildings
- The Arcade Buildings (Qilou) on Shuidong Street.
- Local Heritage
- Su Dongpo culture (renowned Song dynasty poet who lived here).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mount Luofu (Luofushan); one of the 10 sacred mountains in Taoism.
- National Parks Nearby
- Nankun Mountain National Forest Park.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 18km greenway around the Dongjiang River.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The top of Bangtou Hill for a panoramic view of the CBD.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Egret Island at the Daya Bay wetlands.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated camping zones at Double Moon Bay (Shuangyue Wan).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- SF Express (Best for speed) or Cainiao Stations for pickups.
- Tech Repair Services
- Cyber City (Electronic World) in Huicheng District.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Huizhou Gymnasium public courts. Approx. 20 CNY/hour.
- Language Classes
- Mandarin House (Online/Remote) or local tutors at Huizhou University.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Huizhou City Library in Jiangbei; modern facilities and quiet desks.
- Community Centers
- Huicheng District Cultural Center.
- Gaming Lounges
- NetDragon E-sports Cafe in Jiangbei.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Not legal in Mainland China (nearest is Macau, 2.5 hours away).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 15,000 CNY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 600,000 CNY)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 9,000 CNY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 360,000 CNY)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 14,000 CNY per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 840,000 CNY)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 8,500 CNY per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 510,000 CNY)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 13,500 CNY per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,080,000 CNY)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 8,000 CNY per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 640,000 CNY)
- Corporate Tax
- Standard rate 25%; 15% for High-Tech enterprises.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% (can be 5% under certain tax treaties).
- Tax System
- Resident on worldwide income if staying >183 days a year.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% for monthly income above 80,000 CNY.
- VAT
- Standard rate 13%, with 9% and 6% for specific sectors.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to residents for tax avoidance control.
- Property Tax
- Experimental in some cities; currently no annual tax on primary residential property for individuals in Huizhou.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1.5% - 3% Deed Tax plus 0.05% Stamp Duty.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad tax; however, the 'Greater Bay Area' individual income tax subsidy may apply to high-end talents.