Travel Tips · Shunde
How to Get from Hong Kong Airport to Lecong Furniture Market
Step-by-step guide to travel from Hong Kong Airport to Lecong furniture markets in Shunde, including apps, transportation, and accommodation.
Before You Fly: Essential Apps and Setup
Before you land at Hong Kong Airport (HKG) and head to the Lecong furniture markets in Shunde, there are three crucial steps you need to complete. These will ensure a smooth journey and help you navigate once you arrive.
- Download Amap Global and test it once
Download Amap Global from the official Apple App Store. This is the official English version of Amap, designed for international visitors, and it includes entry guides and bilingual assistance cards. Google Maps is not reliable for navigation in China, so Amap is essential.
Follow the usage tutorial on Shanghai's official government website. Before you fly, search for 乐从家具城 (Lecong Furniture Market) in Amap. Paste the Chinese characters, as English searches often return no results. Save these locations in your favorites:
- 乐从家具城 (Lecong Furniture Market)
- 罗浮宫国际家具博览中心 (Louvre International Furniture Expo Center)
- 顺联国际家居博览中心 (Sunlink Furniture City)
- 团一国际家具城 (Tuan Yi International Furniture City)
- Install DiDi (Didi Chuxing) and register
Download the domestic version of DiDi from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Do not download the international version, Didi Rider, as it does not work in China. The domestic version has a full English interface, automatic translation for messages with drivers, and 24/7 English customer support. Register using your phone number. If you prefer, you can also use the DiDi mini-program within WeChat or Alipay. Install this app before you fly, as Google Play is not accessible in China. Taxis in Lecong may be reluctant to go to the market areas, so using DiDi is more reliable.
- Set up payment methods
Download Alipay from Alipay's official website. In the app, go to Me > Bank Cards > add card, and input your Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, Discover, Diners Club, or UnionPay card details. Follow the prompts to upload your passport for verification. Verification usually takes minutes but can take up to 72 hours, which is why it's important to do this before you fly. For WeChat Pay, download WeChat from WeChat's official website, and go to Me > Services > Wallet > Add Card. Single transactions have a limit of around $5,000, and annual limits are around $50,000. Transactions under ¥200 are free; above that, expect a fee of about 3%.
From Hong Kong Airport to Lecong: Three Travel Options
There are three main ways to get from Hong Kong Airport to Lecong. Each option has its pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your specific needs.
Option A: Cross-Border Bus (Best for Luggage and Direct Travel)
- Visit the official information page for cross-border buses at Hong Kong Airport's website.
- Buy tickets at the Mainland/Macau Transportation and Tourism Service Centre, located on the third floor of Terminal 2, counters 01–16.
- Board the bus at parking spots 20–26 in the same center.
- Choose from operators like CTG BUS, Eternal East Tours (永东), S.T. Travel, and KCTIL Travel. These buses cover cities in the Greater Bay Area, passing through border checkpoints like Lok Ma Chau, Sha Tau Kok, and Shenzhen Bay.
- Key reminder: At the border, all passengers must disembark, go through customs, and then reboard the same bus. This can be confusing for first-time travelers.
- The main advantage of the bus is that you can leave your luggage in the compartment and don't need to handle it during the border crossing.
Option B: High-Speed Train (Fast but Requires Luggage Handling)
- Take the high-speed train from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to Foshan West Station, and then take a taxi to the market.
- Book tickets on Trip.com (English interface, accepts international cards) or the official railway booking site 12306 (passport registration required, less user-friendly for foreigners).
- Note that you need to get from the airport to West Kowloon Station first, which may make this option slower than the bus depending on your schedule.
Option C: Ferry (Not Recommended Unless You Are Already in the City)
- Ferries from the airport's SkyPier do not go to Shunde. Ferries to Shunde Port depart from the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
- Check the latest schedules at TurboJet's website. Typical departure times are around 08:30, 11:00, 15:00, and 18:00, but these can change, so always check the carrier's announcements on the day of travel.
Where to Stay: Minimize Daily Commute Time
Shunde is a district of Foshan, and the furniture and building materials cluster is primarily in Lecong and Longjiang. Staying in central Foshan can mean a significant daily commute to the markets.
- Before booking your hotel, open Amap and search for 乐从家具城 (Lecong Furniture Market). Check the distance from the hotel to this location. Any hotel more than about 3 km away will require a taxi ride each morning.
- Book your hotel using Trip.com (Ctrip's international brand, English interface, accepts international cards, and shows Chinese addresses). Make sure to save the Chinese address and show it to your driver.
- Ensure the hotel accepts foreign guests. Some hotels in mainland China do not accommodate international travelers, so check the hotel's policy or contact them directly to confirm.
Navigating the Markets
The Lecong furniture markets stretch along Foshan Avenue for about 10 kilometers, consisting of multiple venues rather than a single building. Here’s how to make the most of your time:
- Start by selecting one or two venues to visit each day. It’s unrealistic to cover the entire area in a single day.
- Operating hours are generally from 9:00 to 18:00, seven days a week, but individual venues may vary, so check the opening times on-site.
- Each morning, set your destination in Amap using the Chinese name of the venue you plan to visit. Use DiDi to call a ride directly to the entrance.
- The venues are spread out, so plan to take a taxi between them. Walking is not practical due to the distances involved.
- Before you start browsing, clarify three key questions: minimum order quantity, delivery time, and whether you can inspect the goods. These will determine your next steps.
What it looks like
Frequently asked
What is the best way to reach Foshan Shunde District from Hong Kong Airport?
The best way is to take a cross-border bus from Hong Kong Airport to Foshan. Alternatively, you can take a high-speed train from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to Foshan West Station, followed by a taxi. Ferries are not recommended unless you are already in the city.
Do I need to install any specific apps before traveling to China?
Yes, install Amap Global for navigation, DiDi for ride-hailing, and Alipay or WeChat Pay for payments. These apps are essential for navigating and making transactions in China.
Can I use Google Maps in China?
No, Google Maps is not reliable for navigation in China. Use Amap Global instead, which is the official English version of Amap and works well in China.
How do I set up Alipay and WeChat Pay for use in China?
For Alipay, download the app from the official website, go to Me > Bank Cards > add card, and input your credit card details. Upload your passport for verification. For WeChat Pay, download WeChat, go to Me > Services > Wallet > Add Card, and follow the prompts.
What should I look for when booking a hotel near the furniture markets?
Use Amap to find the distance from the hotel to 乐从家具城 (Lecong Furniture Market). Choose a hotel within 3 km to avoid long taxi rides. Book via Trip.com, and ensure the hotel accepts foreign guests.
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About this guide
Written and maintained by the China Unboxed team from Shenzhen. We keep guides current and general on purpose — always verify prices and policies against official sources before booking.