Dongguan, China: Exploring a European Town

China’s FAKE European Town : Dongguan City Weekend Vlog

Destination:ChinaProvince:GuangdongCity:Dongguan
China’s FAKE European Town : Dongguan City Weekend Vlog
Soph2024-02-2314 min

Hey hey hey welcome to another video!This week we’re going to Dongguan, in southern China, just an hour’s drive away from Shenzhen. Dongguan is home to the HQ of the tech-giant Huawei, which they have built in the form of a HUGE European - style town. It is made up of 12 “towns” with architecture modelled on several European cities. These towns include replicas of buildings from London, Paris, and Grenada.Dongguan is also known as ‘the factory of the world’. Now, for me , this brings to mind images of crowded workshops, pollution, and miserable conditions. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of greenery and natural spaced in the city. We take the opportunity to take a ride on scooters and go and see what Dongguan has to offer.Join me for a weekend vlog full of surprises. A European town in the middle of China? A ‘factory’ full of parks and nature?!Is this what you would expect to see in a city known as ‘the factory of the world’?

--- Soph
February 23, 2024, Winter in China

Video Chapters

  1. 0:07Weekend trip to Dongguan
  2. 0:37Shan Lake Park Exploration
  3. 3:07Hotel tour and birthday surprise
  4. 5:31Robot food delivery
  5. 8:26Visiting European town
  6. 10:47Shan Park view of town
  7. 13:10Trip reflection

Soph explores Dongguan, China's 'factory of the world,' discovering hidden beauty: lush parks and a stunning, private European-style town. A surprising, delightful birthday adventure!

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

  1. Tip 1Dongguan, known as the 'workshop of the world,' is a major exporter of machinery, electrical products, and high-tech items. Don't let that fool you; it also boasts incredible parks and green spaces. (0:46)
  2. Tip 2Shan Lake Park is a beautiful place to relax, go fishing, or simply connect with nature. It offers a serene escape from the city's industrial side. (1:09)
  3. Tip 3Huawei's European-style town in Dongguan is a remarkable sight. While not open to the public, it can be viewed from afar, offering a unique perspective on the city's blend of industry and innovation. (8:28)
  4. Tip 4Shan Park provides a perfect spot for a picnic and even features a mini beach, offering a relaxing alternative to exploring the city's more industrial areas. (10:53)
  5. Tip 5Dongguan's blend of industrial areas and unexpectedly beautiful natural spaces, including lush parks and a large European-style town, makes for a surprising and memorable travel experience. (13:10)

Soph's birthday weekend getaway to Dongguan, China, turned out to be an unexpected adventure. This 'factory of the world' surprised her with lush parks, and most remarkably, a sprawling European-style town built by Huawei. Replicating famous European architecture, this hidden gem offered a surreal contrast to the city's industrial reputation. Soph's vlog captures the unique experience, from exploring the stunning Shan Lake Park to enjoying a luxurious hotel stay complete with robot room service and a delicious birthday feast. The journey culminates in a scooter tour of the Huawei campus, providing breathtaking views of this incredible, privately-owned European-style town.

More about the current video:( 5 / 9 )

China’s FAKE European Town : Dongguan City Weekend Vlog

This vlog follows Soph on a birthday weekend trip to Dongguan, China, a city known as the "workshop of the world." Contrary to expectations, Soph finds Dongguan to be surprisingly green and full of natural spaces. The journey begins at Shan Lake Park, a beautiful area with sculptures, plants, and a lake.

Soph's hotel stay is luxurious, exceeding expectations with birthday decorations, a spacious apartment-like room, and even a robot delivering food. The food is described as a feast of Dongguan cuisine, including noodles, dumplings, and fresh vegetables.

The highlight of the trip is a visit to a massive European-style town built by Huawei, featuring replicas of buildings from various European cities. Access is restricted, but Soph creatively uses electric scooters to view the town from afar. This experience is described as surreal and visually stunning.

The vlog ends with reflections on the unexpected beauty found in Dongguan, contrasting its industrial reputation with its surprisingly green spaces and impressive European-style town. The trip concludes with a refreshing fruit tea before heading back to Shenzhen. Throughout, Soph's personal insights and emotional reactions add a unique layer to the narrative, highlighting the surprising discoveries and authentic experiences of her journey.

Dongguan, China: Exploring a European Town

Hey hey hey welcome to another video! This week we’re going to Dongguan, in southern China, just an hour’s drive away from Shenzhen. Dongguan is home to the HQ of the tech-giant Huawei, which they have built in the form of a HUGE European - style town. It is made up of 12 “towns” with architecture...

Dongguan's Hidden European Town: A Weekend Vlog

Soph's weekend vlog takes us to Dongguan, a city in southern China, an hour from Shenzhen. Known as the "factory of the world," Dongguan houses Huawei's HQ, a sprawling European-style town with architecture mimicking London, Paris, and Grenada. Despite its industrial reputation, Soph discovers surprising greenery and natural spaces. The vlog follows her scooter adventures, exploring the unexpected blend of industrial might and natural beauty in Dongguan. Prepare to be amazed by this unique Chinese city!

Attractions in this video: Shan Lake Park, Huawei European Town