Life of Guangzhou - Breathtaking Islands of Guangdong (Part 2)

Counting our series with details of some of the breathtaking islands in Guangdong where holidaymakers can just relax while at the same time learn something of Chinese culture.

Donghai Island in Zhanjiang

Donghai Island in Zhanjiang City is the fourth-largest island in China. It is particularly famous for spectacular sunrises and sunsets on long golden beaches.

Get up early and walk along the beach. Take in the fresh air and listen to the murmur of the waves. Feel the gentle radiance of the sun on your face while the cool rush of seawater draws the sand from between your toes.

Strolling along the beach, tourists can watch local fishermen at work with nets catching fish in their ancient and traditional way. Visitors can buy fresh seafood from them.

Transport: Buses depart for Zhanjiang City from most city bus stations and take about seven hours. Then take a bus to Donghai Island.

Accommodation: There are plenty of hotels and hostels in Zhanjiang City.

Cuisine: There is a wide selection of seafood available and barbequed oysters are particularly popular. The island is also famous for its bananas, mangos and pineapples.

Nan'ao Island in Shantou

Nan'ao Island in Shantou City is found between the coastlines of Guangdong and Fujian provinces and Taiwan. It has always prided itself on its golden beaches, soft sand, clear water, green mountains, historical temples and parks.

Qing'ao Bay to the east has one of the most famous beaches in Guangdong, stretching for more than 2,400 meters and is surrounded by turquoise waters.

The island is famous for three Song Dynasty (960-1279) wells which were dug to provide drinking water for a young emperor and his ministers, soldiers and horses. The wells have disappeared on occasions during the past 700 years, but always emerge again.

There are 30 large temples and a long list of cultural relics on the island along with flowers, song birds and stunning natural scenery.

Transport: Buses depart for Shantou City from most city bus stations. Then take a ferry to Nan'ao Island. The trip takes about four-and-a-half hours.

Accommodation: There is a wide choice of hotels on Nan’ao Island where there are excellent sea views.

Cuisine: There is a long list of seafood dishes available.

Fangji Island in Maoming

Fangji Island in Maoming City is home to one of the largest diving centers in Asia, with clear and calm seas. It is particularly famous for its coral reefs and recreational scuba diving.

The 80,000-square-meter diving center has 300 diving coaches for visitors to enjoy an underwater world of more than 50,000 marine creatures.

The most exciting and popular activities is underwater exploration. There is an underwater cave which is said to be where a notorious pirate hid his treasure in ancient times. Local fishermen have dived to the entrance of the cave, but no one has dared to enter, leaving a lot to the imagination.

Transport: Buses depart for Maoming City from most city bus stations and take about six-and-a-half hours. Then take a ferry to Fangji Island.

Accommodation: There are plenty of hotels and hostels in Maoming City and many have excellent sea views.

Cuisine: There is a wide variety of seafood on the island. Visitors can go fishing in the sea and select the method of cooking. Prices are reasonable.

Breathtaking Islands of Guangdong (Part 1)