I haven't updated this blog in a while. I'm still driving in Guangdong province, although this is to Gaoming or Shunde for family visits.
However, today we ventured further into Zhuhai. Just when you think you've seen it all, you realise that you've only actually seen a sliver.
Wanting to experience something different and in need of a coffee, we headed to a place named 'Zhuhaidai Upper Garden Luori Restaurant', which is the place to see the sunset. This place is beside a quiet, toll-free highway running alongside Zhuhai's pharma belt and literally just around the corner from Zhuhai Airport.
Although you wouldn't know it. We didn't see or hear a single plane during our time there.
The only way to access this place is by travelling towards Zhuhai Airport. Near the entrance to the car park, we thought cars were waiting to get into the car park. But no. They were all parked on the hard shoulder because, presumably; they didn't want to pay the parking fee.
[If you park in the car park for less than an hour, it's free.]
Scan the QR code to get in, park, and then walk a few metres to the left. On the right is an enormous expanse of sea and a large sandy beach.
There are two beachside restaurants with indoor and outdoor seating. This is a popular place to see the sunset, so get there early; otherwise, it's hard to get a seat or table in either.
Each of the restaurants has a garden and a beach wall seating. The first (Zhuhaidai Upper Garden Luori Restaurant) has beautiful flower beds, a garden, fountains, a swing, and a long line of tables with umbrellas along the seawall. There are lots of photo opportunities, and we spotted many people wearing flowery dresses.
Right next door is another restaurant with a signboard saying 'Orange Sea' and is in a distinct, almost olde Spanish style. The concrete path leads to a small public viewing area that leads down to the sea. There are tables outside, a live singer at sunset, and plenty of seating indoors which can be reserved.
This being a popular destination, both restaurants have full on drinks and food menus. We turned up at about 5pm and there was plenty of parking. Expect to pay 80 yuan for two soft drinks. There is a small toilet block behind Orange Sea, but it's fairly basic (squats, bring toilet paper. And soap.)
We didn't stay for the actual sunset and left within the hour, having taken several photos, but we have every intention of returning to catch the sunset. If you've ever been to The Rock in Bali, this place has a similar vibe.
Getting There
We use Amap and like it because it's less chatty than others, and the English version works like a dream. Plus, the mapping is something else and just gets better and better. Plug in 'Zhuhaidai Upper Garden Luori Restaurant'.
[As we were leaving, we saw the driver and his passenger get out of their EV, which then self-parked. I still can't get over seeing this tech in action. Wasn't even a clean reverse and park. Took several attempts to reverse into an impossible space. I know this isn't new tech, yet to see it, is still an incredible experience because it feels so right and wrong at the same time.]