Dongguan

Dongguan is a prefecture-level city in Guangdong Province, China. Located in the Pearl River Delta, it sits on the northern rim of the delta between Guangzhou and Shenzhen, with a coastline along the Pearl River estuary. The city covers about 2,460 square kilometers and has a population in the millions, with a large migrant workforce that forms a substantial part of the labor pool.

Economic profile: Dongguan is one of China’s major manufacturing hubs, known for electronics, components, toys, textiles, furniture, and plastics. It hosts numerous private and foreign-invested enterprises; the economy is heavily oriented toward exports and integrated supply chains, benefiting from proximity to Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

History and development: The area has ancient roots, but modern growth accelerated in the reform era, turning Dongguan into a manufacturing powerhouse. Humen Town on the Pearl River estuary was a focal point during the Opium War era, and museums there highlight that history.

Culture and infrastructure: The dominant language is Cantonese (with Mandarin understood in schools and business). The city is integrated into regional transport networks via expressways and rail lines that connect to Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Dongguan also hosts industrial zones and logistics facilities that support its manufacturing base.

Notable places: Keyuan Garden, a Qing-dynasty classic garden; the Humen Opium War Museum preserves the area’s historical memory. The city is home to several industrial parks, universities, and cultural venues.