[2025 Dongguan Attraction] Travel Guide for Dongguan Keyuan Garden (Updated Mar)

| A hidden gem in Guangdong, so fun you won't want to leave. Dongguan is full of surprises! This hidden gem of a city has a rich history, delicious food, and trendy attractions. This guide will help you explore Dongguan.👇 🌆Attractions Keyuan Garden: One of the four famous gardens in Guangdong and a representative of Lingnan gardens. The garden is full of pavilions, towers, bridges, and water features, with a poetic atmosphere. It's a great place to take photos, especially if you're wearing a hanfu, as it feels like stepping back in time. Tickets 🎫 are CNY 8, half price for students. Opium War Museum: A must-visit for anyone interested in modern Chinese history. The museum has a rich collection of artifacts and historical materials that bring this turbulent period to life. Admission is free, but you need to make a reservation in advance on the official WeChat account. Xiabafang: Known as the "Gulangyu of Dongguan," this is a gathering place for young artists. The area has many buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as unique bars, cafes, and creative shops. It's especially beautiful at night when the lights are on. Songshan Lake: A great place to relax on the weekend, with a large lake surrounded by trees. You can rent a bike 🚲 and ride around the lake, enjoying the fresh air and beautiful scenery. There's also the Huawei European Town, with European-style architecture that looks like something out of a fairy tale. However, you need to make a reservation in advance to enter. 🍜Food recommendations Roast goose lai fun: A Dongguan specialty, with crispy skin and tender meat. The goose oil is infused into the soup, making it incredibly delicious, and the lai fun noodles are smooth and chewy. We recommend "Feizai Roast Goose," which has been around for many years and is very authentic. Dongguan-style dim sum: Slightly different from Cantonese dim sum, with unique dishes like Shilong malt cake and Baisha oil duck. You can try "Tao Heung Restaurant," which has a wide variety of dim sum. Houjie sausage: A unique flavor with a mix of lean and fatty meat. It's great on its own or as an ingredient in other dishes. You can find fresh, authentic sausages at the market in Houjie. 🚗Transportation Getting there: Dongguan has an airport, or you can fly to Guangzhou or Shenzhen and take a train, high-speed rail, or bus to Dongguan. It's very convenient. Getting around: You can take the bus or subway, and some attractions have direct buses. Download the "Dongguan Tong" app, which works for both buses and subways. Most attractions are in the city center, and taxis are affordable. 🛎Accommodation Near Guancheng and Nancheng: Close to attractions like Keyuan Garden and Xiabafang, with lots of food options and convenient transportation. There are many hotels and homestays to choose from, ranging from budget to luxury. Tips Keyuan Garden, the museum, and other attractions are closed on Mondays, so plan your trip accordingly. If you're cycling around Songshan Lake, check your bike in advance and stay safe. Come to Dongguan for a unique travel experience! 🥳

📸[Photo Guide] ✔️ Golden Hour: 7–9am or 4–6pm. Avoid the harsh midday sun to capture dewdrops and light spots on the petals. ✔️ Hidden Spots: Keyuan Hexagonal Pavilion: Take photos from the corridor overlooking the reflection. The light and shadow on sunny days are stunning. Top Floor of Yaoshan Pavilion: Get a 360° view of the "Lingnan-style small bridges and flowing water" and take stunning photos like those in the popular TV series *A Dream of Splendor*. Pot in the Sky Moon Gate: Wear Hanfu, hold an oil-paper umbrella, and walk sideways through the round gate made of green bricks for a cinematic feel. 📍[Transportation Guide] Bus: Take Bus No. 4/7/22 to Keyuan Station, or take Subway Line 2 to Tianbao Station and then take a 10-minute taxi ride. Parking: The free parking lot opens after 9:30am. If you arrive early, you can park at the Lingnan Museum of Art (a 5-minute walk). 💡[Immersive Experience] Free admission in Hanfu! Explore six stamp collection points in the park and send postcards at the cultural and creative store. Free guided tours are available daily at 10:30am and 3pm. Learn about the secrets of garden construction in the Qing Dynasty. 🍜[Nearby Food Guide] Zhongshan Restaurant: Intangible cultural heritage roast goose with rice noodles (900m away) Xingguan Cafe: Located in the Dongguan Memory Cultural and Creative Park, it is the first choice for a literary and artistic afternoon tea. Huiyiming: Enjoy the evening breeze with a glass of wine, the perfect end to a day trip.

Have you ever felt a sudden urge to visit a vibrant city, to unveil its mysterious and charming veil, all because of a song? I was deeply touched by the fighting spirit and urban charm depicted in the song "Dongguan Doesn't Believe in Tears": "Striving on this land, dreams twinkle like stars, Dongguan's nights, neon lights illuminate the bumpy road, promises soaked in sweat, the future is quietly unlocking." With longing for Dongguan, I embarked on a spring exploration trip to this land full of opportunities and beauty in March. Now, I'm sharing this travel guide with you. 📍Dongguan, located in the core area of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, is an important transportation hub and manufacturing base in Guangdong. It is also a city with a rich history and modern dynamism. In March, Dongguan is experiencing the return of spring, with everything coming back to life. The gentle breeze and warm sunshine create a pleasant atmosphere. Songshan Lake shimmers, surrounded by numerous high-tech enterprises. Keyuan Garden is exquisite and elegant, showcasing the charm of Lingnan gardens. Ancient villages are scattered throughout the city, with their grey tiles and white walls telling stories of the past. High-rise buildings rise from the ground in the urban area, showcasing prosperity amidst the bustling traffic. The perfect blend of tradition and modernity exudes a unique charm. 🚌Transportation Guide ✈️Airplane: After arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport or Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, there are many convenient airport bus lines and intercity buses that seamlessly connect to downtown Dongguan, making transfers easy and allowing you to start your journey quickly. 🚄High-speed Rail: Several high-speed rail stations, such as Dongguan Station, Dongguan South Station, and Humen Station, are strategically located and offer frequent train services connecting to cities across the country. Upon arrival, buses, subways, and taxis are readily available to take you to various attractions. 🚌Local Transportation: The comprehensive bus network and expanding subway lines make it easy to travel within the city. Ride a shared bike to leisurely explore the old streets and discover hidden gems. If you want to visit surrounding towns and streets, the Guanghui Intercity Railway offers convenient and fast access, allowing you to explore new scenery at any time. 🗺Itinerary Day 1: Keyuan Garden - Lingnan Art Museum - Guancheng Old Street - Guangming Road Food Street In the morning, step into Keyuan Garden, one of the four major gardens in Lingnan. The pavilions, terraces, towers, rockeries, and bridges within the garden are exquisitely arranged, creating a picturesque scene at every turn. It's as if you've traveled back in time to savor the elegance and refinement of Lingnan gardens and experience the leisurely life of the ancients. After lunch nearby, head to the Lingnan Art Museum, where various cutting-edge art exhibitions are constantly on display. Immerse yourself in art and enhance your appreciation for it, embarking on a visual feast. In the afternoon, stroll along Guancheng Old Street, where the bluestone paved roads and arcade buildings carry centuries of historical memories, and the shops along the street offer a wide variety of goods. In the evening, visit Guangming Road Food Street to taste delicacies such as Daojiao Meatball Congee and Dongguan-style Preserved Meat Rice. The soft and glutinous meatballs and the rich aroma of preserved meat will tantalize your taste buds, allowing you to experience the authentic Dongguan flavors and the vibrant atmosphere. Day 2: Songshan Lake Scenic Area - Huawei European Town - Central Square In the early morning, head to Songshan Lake Scenic Area. The lake is vast and the water is crystal clear. Rent a bicycle and cycle around the lake, admiring the peach blossoms and bauhinia flowers in full bloom along the shore, breathing in the fresh air, and enjoying a relaxing time. In the late morning, visit Huawei European Town, where the colorful European-style buildings of various styles will make you feel like you're in a fairy tale world. It's a great place for taking stunning photos. In the afternoon, visit Central Square, the city's central hub, surrounded by high-rise buildings. At night, the area is brilliantly lit, showcasing Dongguan's modern prosperity and vibrant energy. Day 3: Humen Lin Zexu Memorial Hall - Weiyuan Fort - Opium War Museum - Return Trip In the morning, travel to Humen to visit the Lin Zexu Memorial Hall and learn about the magnificent history of the Opium War. Through cultural relics and historical materials, commemorate the heroic deeds of our ancestors and feel the great power of the national spirit. After lunch, visit Weiyuan Fort and the Opium War Museum. Standing on the ruins of the ancient fort, overlooking the Pearl River estuary, imagine the smoke and fire of the naval battle that took place here. The vicissitudes of history will wash over you. Remember history, cherish the present, and then return home with a wealth of knowledge. 🌟Must-Visit Attractions 1. Keyuan Garden: A model of Lingnan gardens, where you can appreciate the beauty of classical architecture and garden art, and explore the historical and cultural heritage. 2. Songshan Lake Scenic Area: Picturesque natural scenery, with spring flowers in full bloom. Cycling and enjoying the scenery is a great way to relax and embrace nature. 3. Humen Lin Zexu Memorial Hall, Weiyuan Fort, and Opium War Museum: Remember history, inherit the national spirit, and gain a deeper understanding of an important chapter in modern Chinese history. 💕Travel Experience Dongguan truly gave me an incredible travel experience beyond my imagination! Just like the song says, there's a fighting spirit here, as well as charming scenery. Strolling through gardens, cycling along the lake, commemorating history, and indulging in mouthwatering food, all made me completely immersed and reluctant to leave. Walking on the streets of Dongguan, it felt like time slowed down. I was immersed in this unique Dongguan charm, wishing time would stand still so I could fully appreciate this beauty. 🍜Food Recommendations 1. Roasted Goose with Lai Fun Noodles: A Dongguan specialty. The lai fun noodles are smooth, the roasted goose has crispy skin and tender meat, and the goose soup is rich and fragrant. Every bite is pure bliss. 2. Daojiao Meatball Congee: The meatballs are springy, and the congee is smooth. With added ginger, spring onions, and other seasonings, it's a comforting and heartwarming dish. A bowl in the morning will give you a great start to the day. 3. Tang Bu Shui (Sweet Dumplings): These round dumplings are made of glutinous rice flour, boiled, and then coated with crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, brown sugar, and other ingredients. They are sweet, soft, and glutinous, a classic Dongguan dessert. 💡Tips 1. The weather in Dongguan in March is changeable, so remember to bring an umbrella and take sun protection measures. 2. When trying local cuisine, choose restaurants frequented by locals for a more authentic taste. 3. Before cycling at Songshan Lake, check the condition of the bicycle, wear a helmet, and ensure your safety. Friends, come to Dongguan and embark on this vibrant Lingnan journey! I believe you'll fall in love with this place just like I did💕

The weather was great over the weekend, so I decided to visit a friend and check out a museum. I'm not usually a fan of museums, but the Ke Garden Museum really impressed me! It's located at No. 32 Keyuan Road, Guancheng District, Dongguan City, and it's easy to find. The tickets are a great deal! The ancient architecture area is only CNY 8, which is a steal and definitely worth a visit. The comprehensive museum area is free, which is very friendly, and I give it a big thumbs up! The museum is open from 9:00 to 17:30 on weekdays, so remember to go early. I went late that day and almost missed it. The opening time is earlier on public holidays and during winter and summer vacations, at 8:30 in the morning, but it is closed every Tuesday, so if you go on Tuesday, you won't have a chance to visit. The museum used to be the home of the owner, who is said to be a very cultured person. It's not an exaggeration to describe it as "poetic and picturesque". Its style is very special, a typical Lingnan architecture. I like the traditional and natural feeling. I didn't wear a Hanfu because I was visiting a friend, but if I have the chance to come again, wearing a Hanfu or a horse face skirt would be beautiful, and walking here would be like traveling back in time! 😍 When I walked to the Chuyuechi Pavilion (Boat Hall), the feeling was indescribable! This pavilion is built by the water, and the whole design looks like a light boat floating on the water, surrounded by the charm of the Lingnan water town. If you take pictures here in a Hanfu, the picture is amazing, and it's no wonder it's a "check-in spot"! Next, I went to the Ke Pavilion, and the small pavilion in the middle of the lake was really refreshing. There is a red bridge outside the pavilion, and sitting in the small pavilion, feeling the breeze and looking at the distant scenery, I instantly felt like I was traveling back in time, which was a great relaxing experience, and I could really calm down and think about life. 🌸 Then I went to the Wenhua Courtyard, which is really a favorite place for literary youth! Its name comes from "A hundred years of thoughts, only flowers know", and the whole courtyard is beautiful, perfect for taking pictures, and any shot is like a painting, as if you are in an ancient poem. When I took pictures, I felt like a poet. Although the Ke Garden Museum is not big, every corner is full of details, and you can see places worth lingering around. After visiting these places, I went to the comprehensive museum area, where there is an exhibition of the Lingnan School of Painting, and the artistic atmosphere is perfect! Friends who like paintings should not miss it. Finally, since it was still early, I decided to visit Dongguan Memory nearby. It's not far from the Ke Garden Museum, and there is a free bus to Hongfu Road Subway Station, which is very convenient. I went to the International Trade Center, which was also nice, and I felt that the city of Dongguan is becoming more and more interesting. Overall, I had a great weekend! The Ke Garden Museum is really worth a visit, especially for those who like classical architecture and traditional culture, you can't miss it! 🌿

Ke Garden in Dongguan is worth a visit. The scenery is quite nice! 👍 ✨ You can enter the garden after making a reservation in advance. ✨ You can see a koi pond as soon as you enter the garden. The fish are big, fat, and beautiful. If you like them, you can feed them! ✨ After entering the garden, you can buy a ticket for CNY 8 to enter the building complex. The scenery is great. If you like ancient costume photos, you can wear an ancient costume to enter the garden. 👇👇 Travel tips The garden is large. Parents with children can bring a stroller. You can bring some drinking water and snacks in case you get tired. There are rest areas in the exhibition halls and other places in the garden. You can rest there if you get tired. 💁‍♀️ Important: Be sure to take mosquito repellent measures. There are many plants in the garden, and there are also many mosquitoes! 🕓 09:00–17:00 (closed on Tuesday) 🎫 The comprehensive museum area is open for free. The ticket for the ancient building area is CNY 8. 📍 Address: No. 32 Keyuan Road, Guancheng District, Dongguan, Guangdong Province 🅿 Parking lot: Next to Ke Garden. ⚠ The parking lot is free. 🚇 Subway: Hongfu Road Station. It takes 15 minutes to drive to the garden after leaving the station.

| In-depth Guide | Includes Attraction Information. Attraction Information: Keyuan Garden is known for its "exquisite and delicate design" and combines residential, courtyard, and study room elements. The garden is home to pavilions, towers, bridges, halls, and courtyards. The garden layout is staggered and winding, with scenic views and open spaces. It is one of the four most well-preserved Lingnan gardens. The owner of Keyuan Garden, Zhang Jingxiu, was a military general who was also skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. After returning to his hometown, Zhang Jingxiu carefully built the garden. As he wrote in the couplet next to the door, "I spent 100,000 to buy a neighbor and occupy the water, and I built a house and planted flowers." He originally wanted to name it "Yiyuan" after the word "satisfaction," but he thought it was too straightforward. He got the name "Keyuan" from a guest's casual response, which means "can," "lovely," and "indifferent." Location: No. 32, Keyuan Road, Guancheng, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province Tickets: Free for the comprehensive museum area, CNY 8/person for the ancient building area, free for children aged 6 and under or under 1.2 meters Recommended visit time: 1 hour Parking: There is a parking lot at the south and north gates. North gate parking lot navigation: Keyuan Museum - North Gate 1, South gate parking lot navigation: Dongguan Calligraphers Association Exhibition Center Bus: Routes 4, 7, 22, 28, 45, 46, 58, 622, 627, G1, G2, G4, G5, L5A, X20, X26, and Guan 75 Opening hours: - Regular opening hours: 09:30–17:30 (last entry and clearing at 17:00) - National holidays: 09:00–17:30 (last entry and clearing at 17:00) - Winter and summer holidays: 09:00–17:30 (last entry and clearing at 17:00) Closed on Tuesdays (except national holidays)

Ke Garden in Dongguan was built in the 30th year of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty (1850). It is a representative of Lingnan gardens and is known as one of the "Four Great Gardens of Lingnan" in the Qing Dynasty, along with Qinghui Garden, Yuyin Mountain House, and Liang Garden. Ke Garden covers an area of 2,200 square meters. It is small and exquisite, with a clever design. The garden is complete with pavilions, towers, bridges, halls, and courtyards, with a layout of varying heights and winding paths. As one of the best-preserved of the Four Great Gardens of Lingnan, Ke Garden in Dongguan is a treasure of Lingnan gardens and is highly representative. • 🅿️Parking: There are two parking lots at the south and north gates, free of charge 🎫Tickets: 8 per person ⏰Hours: 9:30–17:30 (last entry at 17:00) 📍Address: No. 32 Keyuan Road, Guancheng

🌿In the hot summer of Lingnan, an unexpected typhoon not only brought cool breezes but also a poetic and picturesque freshness after the rain.🌧️ I was fortunate to embark on a journey to explore Keyuan Garden in Dongguan this season, a treasure known as one of the four great gardens of Lingnan. 🌟Keyuan Garden, hidden in the bustling city, exudes an ancient and tranquil atmosphere. As soon as you step into the garden, you can feel the wonderful artistic conception of 'small garden with infinite scenery, another world in a pot.'🏡 ✨Its design is small and exquisite, cleverly integrating living spaces, elegant courtyards, and quiet study rooms, showcasing a unique artistic charm.🎨 Every step is full of discoveries, and every turn may bring unexpected beauty. 🏰It is particularly worth mentioning the lookout tower in the garden, whose existence breaks the limitations of traditional gardens. With its simple yet elegant roof lines, it allows people to appreciate the infinite scenery between mountains and waters while walking through it.🌄 📍As one of the four great gardens of Lingnan, along with Qinghui Garden in Shunde, Liang Garden in Foshan, and Yuyin Mountain House in Panyu, Keyuan Garden in Dongguan also carries rich cultural heritage and historical memories.🏛 🚆Travel tips: Take the Guanghui Intercity Line to Dongcheng South Station, transfer to bus No. 20 to reach directly; or start from Xintang Station on Guangzhou Metro Line 13, transfer to bus No. 75, and you can easily reach this urban oasis.🌳

Keyuan is famous for its "small size and exquisite design", artistically integrating courtyards, residences, and study rooms. It was first built in the 30th year of Emperor Daoguang's reign in the Qing Dynasty and is one of the key cultural relics protection units in the country. 🌳 📍Location: No. 32, Keyuan Road, Guancheng, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province 🚌Transportation: Dongguan Bus No. 4, 7, 22, 28, 45, 46, 58, 622, 627, G1, G2, G4, G5, L5, Ax20, ×26, Guan 75 to Keyuan Station 🅿️Parking lot: Two parking lots at the south/north gate 🎫Tickets: Free for the comprehensive museum area, 8/person for the ancient building area, free for children aged 6 and under or under 1.2 meters in height ⏳Suggested tour time: 1 hour 🌳 Keyuan is mainly divided into two areas: Keyuan Museum and the ancient building area. The structure is made of blue bricks, wood and stone, and the architecture is also very exquisite. The window bars, beauty backrests and even the floor all have their own styles. Its layout is uneven, interconnected and winding. There are more than 130 entrances and 108 columns in the garden, including pavilions, towers, halls, terraces, bridges, corridors and embankments. Looking for a quiet place in the noisy city, Keyuan, with its unique Jiangnan garden style, has become an ideal place for me to relax. As soon as you step into Keyuan, it feels like you have traveled through time and space and arrived in ancient Jiangnan. Small bridges, flowing water, winding paths, every step is in the rhyme of poetry. It is perfect to come here to escape the heat and cool down in summer.