Travel
Wednesday, 05 August 2009 02:08
Written by Urbanatomy

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The package-crowd classics

When you think of China, you never think of beaches. Now you do. Follow our August huge cover story - the ultimate China beach guide.

Dadonghai beach
Sanya, Hainan
If you can find space, this is the perfect place to lie back on your towel, close your eyes and listen to the delighted hysterics of ADHD-afflicted children piling onto banana boats, zipping around on jet skis and lobbing balls at each other in a frenzy of beach-game action. It’s all go on this family beach, with something to do every moment of the day. Meat stick stalls and Russian vodka bars pump out trashy Euro-Asian techno along the promenade, while dozens of families (no matter what decade they were born) wear matching Hawaiian-style shirts and shorts.

There’s also a mega shopping center (Summer Mall) right by the shore selling all sorts of international brands. But if you actually get a chance to stop and look, the views are tropically gorgeous with white sands, palm trees and shimmering blue waters along the stretch of this crescent-shaped beach.

Get me there: Flying from Shanghai to Sanya costs as little as RMB700 and takes three hours. Shuttle buses run from Sanya Airport to Dadonghai at RMB10 per person, or you can take a 20-minute taxi ride for around RMB35-40.

Jinshan beach
Taiwan
Not to be confused with the substantially less beautiful Shanghai beach of the same name, Jinshan is a noisy family mega-beach that gets super-busy at weekends, when you’ll find BBQs sizzling, boats sailing, jet skis bouncing and crowds of people luxuriating in the adjacent hot springs resorts. Gentle waves also make it an ideal spot for young swimmers.

Get me there: Flights from Shanghai to Taoyuan International Airport cost RMB2,000-3,000. From the airport take the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) to Taipei station, then transfer to a Kuo-Kuang bus for Jinshan Youth Activity Center. The beach is nearby.

Shek O beach
Hong Kong
Great facilities, sensational scenery and a laid-back party atmosphere make this one of Hong Kong’s top-rated beaches. Expect to see an eclectic mix of surf dudes, families, FILTH sunbathers, hippies and expat wives in relaxation mode. The small seaside village of Shek O is a great place to wander or grab a bite to eat when you’ve finished sunning. We also hear this beach is a favorite spot for filming music videos, so keep your eyes peeled for gyrating Canto-pop beauties lip-synching their next big KTV hit.

Get me there: One-way flights from Shanghai to Shenzhen are between RMB420–1,400. A bus from Shenzhen airport to Hong Kong costs about RMB100. Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan station and take exit A2. From the bus terminal, take Bus 9 heading to Shek O beach.

Huiquan beach
Qingdao, Shandong
Qingdao is famous for its beaches,its beer and, um, its beer festival. The first two often come together in a golden-sanded, ale-fuelled, frothing foamy orgy of holiday excess. Of its six beaches, Huiquan Beach (also the leading bathing beach) is considered one of the best in China by the Chinese, and is very popular among young tourists. (Note: when we say popular, we mean popular; so arrive early and claim a spot in the sand.) The beach also hosts an annual sandcastle-making competition in August, but where they find the space is a total mystery...

Get me there: Flights from Shanghai to Qingdao depart almost hourly from Pudong and Hongqiao, and a return can be had for under RMB800. Those looking for elegant slumming need look no further than the Qingdao Old Observatory Youth Hostel at RMB100.

Xinghai beach
Dalian, Liaoning
Located inside Xinghai Park, Xinghai beach is 800m of pure golden sand. It’s not only a top spot for soaking up the sun and taking a dip in the drink, but also a place of genuine fun: there is a full-on funfair at one end of it! It’s also making a name for itself through outdoor rave-style parties that combine bangin’ tunes, cold(ish) beer and the “natural CO2 machine” that is Dalian sea-fog.

Get me there: Flights between Shanghai and Dalian depart almost hourly, and found on travelzen.com.cn for around RMB1,000. Rooms at national budget chain Jinjiang Inn in central Dalian can be had for RMB150.

Xichong beach
Shenzhen, Guangdong
For the best fun beach experience in Shenzhen, head to Xichong. At 5km long, it’s by far the largest beach in Guangdong and consists of an arching stretch of sand with clean water set against the backdrop of Qiniang Mountain, the second highest peak of the city. As a result, it’s not easy to reach the bay, keeping the hordes to a minimum. Visibility can get so clear that it can feel like you’re in the tropics on some days, and in August the surf’s up as the waves start breaking (boards can be hired for a snip at the old 720 shop.) Other activities include boat trips, four-wheeler rentals, parachuting, scuba diving, rock climbing, sailing, wind surfing and hiking, as well as abundant BBQ pits, bonfires, beers, beach parties and fireworks by night. When it comes to city beaches, Xichong may lay claim to be the best in the country, outside Hong Kong.

Get me there: Flights between Shanghai and Shenzhen seem to depart around every five minutes (for around RMB1,000). Once there, bungalows in the pine trees, and on the dunes, can be rented for around RMB300 in the summer, and tents can be rented for RMB50.

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