Where to stay
Zhongshan and the centre
A practical starting point for squares, restaurants and city transport. Keep the accommodation's name and address in Chinese for drivers and offline navigation.
Xinghai or Jinshitan
Xinghai suits a city-and-coast mix; Jinshitan is a separate resort outing. Do not choose a hotel solely on a seaside photograph without checking its location.
Getting around
Use the metro where it matches your journey, and confirm road transfers for coastal outings. Save Chinese addresses and arrange mobile data before arrival. Check payment options with your hotel instead of assuming every foreign card works everywhere.
A flexible itinerary
Use these three days as a starting point. Add arrival, departure or excursion days to fit your stay.
The central squares
Begin around Zhongshan Square and nearby streets, leaving time for lunch and a gentle introduction to the city. Use the afternoon to organise any longer transfer you want for the next day. Keep the evening close to your base.
The urban shoreline
Head towards Xinghai and select a manageable part of the waterfront to explore. If you continue along Binhai Road, arrange a route and return transport rather than attempting its full length on foot. Weather should decide how much coastal time feels worthwhile.
A full Jinshitan outing
Set aside the day for Golden Pebble Beach and a chosen part of the resort or geological scenery. Check attraction access and the return journey in advance. If the weather is poor, swap this for a city museum day rather than forcing a beach plan.
Food and local stops
Seafood is a natural part of a coastal visit. Confirm prices and preparation before ordering, especially when items are sold by weight.
Before you book
Allow extra setup time for navigation and payments on a first China visit. Entry requirements depend on your passport and journey, so use official guidance for those details.