Zhongshan (Chinese: 中山 [ʈʂʊ́ŋ ʂán]) alternately romanized via Cantonese as Chungshan is a prefecture-level city in the south of the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong province, China.

Thousands of years ago, much of the Zhongshan area lay within the Pearl River estuary, with only scattered islands above the surface.

The Zhongshan area was part of an extended Dongguan County during the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD), and was a significant sea salt producer.

In 1082, during the Northern Song dynasty, a fortified settlement called Xiangshan was founded in the area, marking the first official use of the name by which it would be known throughout most of its modern history.

[4] Under the Qing dynasty, embankments were built to prevent flooding in the new alluvial lands, and the area of cultivation was extended.

In 1839, the official Lin Zexu arrived in Xiangshan and ordered the expulsion of Sir Charles Elliot and other British traders from the area.

After the Opium Wars opened the region to foreign influence, a number of Xiangshan residents, including Sun Zhongshan (Yatsen), left to study overseas and were among the creators of modern China.

Nationalist and Communist units launched guerrilla attacks on Japanese occupancy forces and their Collaborators beginning in 1942.

Zhongshan is located along the west side of the mouth of the Pearl River, directly opposite Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

The city's current geography is typical of southern China: numerous steep mountains and hills with alluvial plains in between down to the coastline.

The main summit of the Wugui Hills is the highest point in the city, at 531 metres (1,742 ft) above sea level.

Southern China experiences fairly frequent typhoons and thunderstorms, and most rain falls between April and September.

These will be eclipsed by the Perfect Eagle Golden Square tower, which will reach 238 meters (781 feet), with an expected completion date in 2018.

The International Trade Center in Guzhen Town, expected to be completed in 2019, will reach a height of 305 meters (1,001 feet) with 65 floors.

Currently, the SOE sector is much weaker, and the economy is dominated by foreign investment and TVEs, and by specialized 'manufacturing towns'.

By purchasing a Zhongshan Tong card from authorized retailers, riders can receive a discount of 50% on all bus rides.