Three hidden gem cities in Dongguan worth visiting, with beautiful night views and lots of fun.

1. Ancient Charm Meets Modern Trend · Urban Stroll

📍Core Area: Nancheng Guomao Business District + Guancheng Old Area

💰Budget: 500-800 RMB/person/day

🌇Recommended Attractions

- Keyuan Museum: One of the four famous gardens of Lingnan, pavilions and waterside pavilions perfect for photos! Stunning morning light and shadows, even better in Hanfu~
- Hongfuqiao Market (7.24-8.5): Creative handmade crafts + traditional snacks, lanterns light up at night transporting you to "A Dream of Splendor"
- AI Smart Life Festival (7.26-7.28): Nancheng Guanxiangyin Alley! Battle mechas, AI baristas, drone experiences, a tech lover’s paradise

🚶‍♀️One-day Itinerary

Morning visit to Keyuan → Lunch with roast goose rice noodles (recommended "Qixing Roast Goose") → Afternoon shopping at Hongfu Road business district → Evening fun at AI Tech Festival → Late-night dessert at "Mianji" taro sago, always a favorite

🍜Food Highlights

- Roast Goose Rice Noodles: Crispy roast goose + earth fish broth, Yongli Hotel around 30 RMB per person
- Tangbushai: Glutinous rice balls coated with crushed peanuts, street stall for 5 RMB
- Daojiao Meatball Congee: Chewy meatballs + pepper aroma, a must-order at Xinhongxing late-night snack

🏨Accommodation Recommendations

- All Season Hotel (Guomao Branch): 4-star🌟, smart curtains + dry-wet separation, 5-minute walk to business district 💰350+/night
- Huanyue Pinshang Hotel: Giant screen projection room + 2.7m large bed! Free parking + reimbursement for outside parking fees, excellent details 💰400+/night

2. Coastal History · Industrial Exploration

📍Core Area: Humen Town + Binhaiwan New District

💰Budget: 400-600 RMB/person/day

🌊Recommended Attractions

- Naval Battle Museum + Weiyuan Fort: Free! Immersive experience of the Humen Opium Destruction history, fort offers stunning views of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Corridor
- Binhaiwan Golden Coast: 7.5 km coconut grove trail + drone show, at sunset the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Corridor looks like a giant sea dragon
- Ganyu Island Cultural and Creative Park: An artistic haven converted from an old factory, red brick walls + riverside café, super chill

🚶‍♀️Two-day Itinerary

Day 1: Naval Battle Museum → Weiyuan Fort → Binhaiwan cycling → AI smart shuttle experience (free!)

Day 2: Hand drip coffee at Ganyu Island → Shopping at Humen garment wholesale market → Dinner at seafood street stalls

🦞Seafood Feast

- Crab Congee: Daojiao Heji Fish Congee, fresh and sweet river seafood + rice grains blossoming 💰25/bowl
- Banana Feast: Mayong banana flower omelet + banana braised duck, surprisingly delicious dark cuisine!

🏨Accommodation Recommendations

- Vienna International Hotel (Humen Wanda Branch): 80 meters walk to Wanda! High-floor city view rooms, top choice for family trips 💰300+/night
- Xibo Hotel (Nancheng Guomao Branch): Minimalist style + audio-visual rooms, great value for young travelers 💰250+/night

3. Green Wilderness · Mountain Forest Summer Escape

📍Core Area: Yinping Mountain + Zhangmutou Town

💰Budget: 300-500 RMB/person/day

⛰️Recommended Attractions

- Yinping Mountain Forest Park: Dongguan’s highest peak! Cool creek hiking, summit views of rolling sea of clouds
- Guanyin Mountain National Forest Park: Take sightseeing bus directly to the top, Jixiang Road shaded trail with abundant negative ions
- Dalingshan Food Market (ends 7.6): Roast goose themed DIY + cute pet interactions, must-buy creative "Lucky Goose"

🚶‍♀️Two-day Oxygen Boost Itinerary

Day 1: Guanyin Mountain blessing → Hakka farmhouse → Dalingshan market roast goose feast

Day 2: Yinping Mountain Qingyun Trail hike → Picking lychees at the foot of the mountain (last chance for Guiwei variety!)

🍃Hakka Flavors

- Salt-baked Chicken: Zhangmutou "Songhu Hakka Courtyard", crispy skin, tender meat, fragrant bones 💰98/whole
- Stuffed Three Treasures: Bitter melon + eggplant + tofu stuffed with meat, Grandma’s Restaurant around 50 RMB per person

🏨Accommodation Recommendations

- Lavande Hotel (Zhangmutou Branch): DeRUCCI mattress + air purifier, perfect to relax after hiking 💰250+/night
- Shanhu Preferred Homestay: Next to Tongsha Ecological Park, starry sky rooms + family game room 💰200+/night

💡Tips to Avoid Pitfalls

1. Transportation: Attractions are scattered! Best to rent a car (150 RMB/day), use "Dongguan Tong" app for inter-town buses
2. Heat Prevention: Quick-dry clothes + small fan + mosquito repellent trio, try to stay indoors from 10:00 to 15:00