Breathtaking Islands of Guangdong (Part 1)

Do you have your bikini and boardshorts ready for a relaxing summer holiday? For those who don't want to travel too far, there are some breathtaking islands inside Guangdong for you to enjoy sun, sand and sea. 

Hailing Island in Yangjiang

 
Hailing Island

 
Hailing Island in Yangjiang City in northwestern Guangdong has a 7.4-kilometer stretch of silver beach. With a silver beach, clear water and breathtaking scenery, it has been listed one of the "Top 10 Most Beautiful Islands in China" by China National Geography magazine.

There is also a crystal palace on the island, which is a museum for the Guangdong section of the ancient Silk Road, an extensive network of trade routes across the Asian continent.

June is the best time for seafood there or beat out to sea with the local fishermen.

Transport: Buses depart for Yangjiang Bus Station from most city bus stations. Then take a bus to Hailing Island. The trip takes about five hours.

Accommodation: There is a choice of hotels in Yangjiang where a standard room costs less than 200 yuan (USD29) per night. Or stay at Bitaoyuan Holiday Apartments where there are excellent sea views but the cost is less than 100 yuan per person per night.

Cuisine: There is a long list of seafood dishes available and shrimp cakes and barbecue seafood are especially popular.

Shangchuan and Xiachuan islands in Taishan

 
Shangchuan Island

 
With a reputation as the Hawaii of the East and Chinese Phuket Island, Xiachuan Island in Taishan City has 14 small islands, beaches, a coconut grove, caves, virgin forests and a long list of flowers and animals.

Shangchuan Island in Taishan City is the largest island in Guangdong. Get up early and walk along the beach. Smell the fresh air and listen to the murmur of the waves. Feel the comfortable radiance of the sun on your face while the cool rush of seawater draws the sand from between your toes.

Sightseeing, sunbathing, swimming, surfing, fishing and feasting on seafood are all pleasant ways to forget the hustle and bustle of big cities.

Transport: Buses depart for Taishan from most city bus stations and take about two hours. Then take a ferry to the islands.

Accommodation: There are plenty of hotels in Taishan and also beach cottages and camping sites for rent at around 100 yuan.

Cuisine: There are nearly 100 varieties of seafood on the islands. Seafood streets dot the beaches. Choose live seafood and select the method of cooking. Prices are reasonable.

Dong'ao Island in Zhuhai

 
Dong'ao Island

 
Known as "The Kingdom of Plants," Dong'ao Island in Zhuhai is a historical naval fortress with a history of more than 270 years. It is home to Nansha Bay, Dazhu Bay and Xiaozhu Bay. Nansha Bay is known as the "Diamond Beach" with a unique Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) structure.

The island served as a frontier garrison beginning in 1729 and the remains are well preserved. Rusted cannons still sit at the top of the city wall, facing a rocky coast and the vast South China Sea.

The coast was where the British unloaded smuggled opium in the 1800s.

The island is also famous for its Guanyin (bodhisattva) sculpture reputed to bring fertility to those who pray there.

Visitors to the beach can enjoy fishing, surfing, scuba diving, and sailing in the cool, blue water.

Transport: Take a bus to Zhuhai at Futian or Qiaoshe bus station. The journey takes about two-and-a-half hours. Or take a ferry to Zhuhai from Shekou Port, which takes one hour.

Accommodation: Stay in the resort or club on the island. There are also camp sites for rent.

Cuisine: There is a wide selection of seafood available. Visitors can also rent a barbecue pit at reasonable prices.

(Jane Lai)

Source: Shenzhen Daily

Editor: Chen Minjie