📖 About Dongguan

Dongguan, strategically located in Guangdong Province's Pearl River Delta, has earned its reputation as "the world's factory" with over 10,000 foreign-invested enterprises calling this manufacturing powerhouse home. As a crucial component of the Pearl River Delta mega-region with 65.57 million inhabitants, Dongguan stands at the heart of global manufacturing, with the manufacturing sector accounting for an impressive 54% of the city's GDP. In the first half of 2024 alone, Dongguan achieved 568.68 billion yuan in GDP with a robust 5.3% growth rate, demonstrating the city's continued economic vitality.

The city has evolved beyond traditional manufacturing into high-tech production, with electronic information manufacturing surging by 19.9% in H1 2024. Dongguan leads in smart technology production, with smartwatch output skyrocketing 135.8% and router production up 96.1%. The city's transformation into a hub for 5G manufacturing, integrated circuits, and advanced electronics showcases China's shift toward innovation-driven development. With 8 pillar industries and a comprehensive modern industrial system, Dongguan continues to play an indispensable role in global supply chains while pioneering the future of Chinese manufacturing.

🏛️ Top Attractions

💼 Economy & Culture

Dongguan's economy represents the epitome of China's "Made in China" success story, with manufacturing contributing 54% of GDP and over 10,000 foreign-invested enterprises operating in the city. The H1 2024 GDP of 568.68 billion yuan with 5.3% growth demonstrates sustained economic momentum. The city has successfully transitioned from labor-intensive manufacturing to high-tech production, with electronic information manufacturing growing 19.9% and becoming a global leader in smartphones, smartwatches, routers, and integrated circuits.

Beyond manufacturing, Dongguan is developing a vibrant cultural scene that balances industrial heritage with modern urban culture. The city's rapid industrialization has attracted workers and entrepreneurs from across China and the world, creating a diverse, cosmopolitan atmosphere. While manufacturing remains the primary identity, Dongguan is increasingly investing in cultural facilities, parks, and quality-of-life improvements to transform from a pure factory city into a modern, livable metropolis that honors its manufacturing legacy while embracing a more diverse economic and cultural future.

📜 History

Dongguan's transformation from a modest town to "the world's factory" began in the late 1970s with China's reform and opening-up policies. Its strategic location in the Pearl River Delta, proximity to Hong Kong, and availability of land and labor made it an ideal location for foreign investment. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, thousands of Hong Kong, Taiwanese, and international manufacturers established factories in Dongguan, creating one of the world's most concentrated manufacturing zones. The city became synonymous with China's export-oriented manufacturing model, producing everything from shoes and toys to electronics and machinery. In recent years, Dongguan has embarked on an ambitious transformation toward high-tech manufacturing and innovation, evolving from simple assembly work to advanced electronics, 5G technology, and smart devices, representing China's broader economic evolution from low-cost manufacturing to high-value innovation.