Heyuan City Guide

Hakka cuisine dominates with limited international food. Vegetarian options exist but are scarce. Some late-night food stalls operate.

Nightlife is limited, mostly local KTVs and bars. No diverse club scene.

Basic coffee shops exist, but no specialty or strong coffee culture.

Tipping is not customary and sometimes seen as rude. Optional in upscale places. If given, 5-10% in restaurants or small amounts for guides and hotel staff.

SIM cards require passport registration and are available at official stores of China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom in airports or city centers. eSIM options are growing.

Generally clean and green city with good waste management.

Convenience stores and some pharmacies open late. Emergency medical services limited after hours.

Prices are fixed in supermarkets, but bargaining is normal at street markets. International goods might be limited. Stores open early to late evening. Markets usually open Sundays.

Mobile payments with WeChat Pay and Alipay are common. Carry cash as backup in rural areas or if technical issues occur.

ATMs are available mainly at banks. Foreign cards may have withdrawal fees. Currency exchange services are at major banks and some hotels.

Limited international school options; local schools teach mainly in Mandarin.

Very small or non-existent digital nomad community.

High forest coverage with parks, rivers, and the large Wanlv Lake providing green space.

Good running routes along rivers and parks. Air quality can vary; be cautious.

Gyms exist but options are limited; hotel gyms are the primary choice.

Unknown tennis facilities.

No known padel courts.

No known yoga studios; spas and hot springs are notable wellness options.

Traditional Chinese martial arts schools might exist, but foreign styles and English instruction are rare.

No nearby ski resorts. Closest indoor ski centers require 150-200 km travel.

Boating and fishing available on Wanlv Lake; other water sports unclear.

No surfing spots; Heyuan is inland.

No diving spots; Heyuan is not near the sea.

Public hospitals are main providers; language barriers exist. Pharmacies are common with normal business hours. Quality is average for a smaller city.

Tap water should be boiled or filtered. Bottled water is widely available.

Nature spots and resorts are kid-friendly but specialized kid facilities are limited.

Conservative social norms; few safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people.

Some pet-friendly hotels exist; limited infrastructure for pets otherwise.