Travel
Wednesday, 05 August 2009 03:08
Written by Urbanatomy

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Eco Beaches

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

Nansha beach
Dong Ao Island, Zhuhai
Nansha beach is definitely up there with the best beaches in southern China, which is why you have to pay a RMB50 entrance fee. The cheek! Anyway, the beach is set on the edge of a small forest abundant in winged wildlife. Every day, seabirds fill the sky and give it that tropical feeling. It’s clean and sandy, with the surrounding trees providing shady shelter from both the sun and the unpredictable showers of warm rain. Surprisingly, you can also camp here.

Tents are readily available to hire from a few of the huts on the beach. Follow the signs for the ‘Honeymoon Tower’ to reach the closest restaurant selling inexpensive seafood. Getting here from the jetty takes a 40-minute trek up the main road and down through the Nansha Villa, but the locals are extremely friendly and will show you the way.

Get me there: From Guangzhou, take one of countless coaches to Zhuhai from Guangzhou Bus Station. Then hop on a ferry to Dong Ao Island.

Hác-Sá beach
Macau
Just beyond Cheoc Van Beach is the famous Hác-Sá Beach, where your eyes will be deceived by a long curving stretch of unique black-tinged sand. Hác-Sá means ‘black sand,’ and while not black it is indeed an intriguing color of deep silvery grey. Longer than Cheoc Van, this beach is also Macau’s most popular beach with swimmers. Not only is Hác-Sá pretty long (around 1,300m), it’s also the perfect place for stargazing at night. Due to the lovely texture of the sand, you’ll feel comfortable sunbathing (warning: the color of the sand means it gets extremely hot during late summer, so bring a towel). The water visibility is also pretty clear, but the black residue along the shore often makes it look a little dirty, which it isn’t. A few moments away are full amenities, including hotels, tennis courts and Macau’s best rustic restaurant, Fernando’s.

Get me there: Once in Macau, take a bus at the terminal (numbers 15, 21A, 25 or 26A, costing MOP5) to the beach.

Jing Island Archipelago
Dongxing, Guangxi
Occupying China’s only land and sea border crossing with Vietnam, the colorful border town of Dongxing offers a wealth of eco and cultural activities. Check out Dongxing’s old buildings and Vietnam-inspired, open-air markets, then head south for 30 minutes to the Jing Island Archipelago, three islands now linked by reclaimed land, featuring golden sand beaches, guesthouses, amazing bird life and seafood restaurants. Home to Dongxing’s indigenous Jing minority group, the Jing still live a quiet, traditional fishing life by the sea. A unique experience can be gained watching the Jing fishermen wade out into the sea at sunrise, catching their lunch while hovering on stilts. Of the three islands, Wutou Island, with its huge swathes of virgin forest, makes the best eco-tourism stop.

Get me there: Fly to Nanning from Hongqiao for RMB1,660. Then get a 4-hour bus ride from Guangxi’s capital. Then take a bus or taxi to the jetty. Ouch. 

Nan’Ao Island
Shantou, Guangdong
Home to China’s renowned Chaoshan culture, a visit to Shantou, and neighboring Chaozhou, is a must for anyone hoping to understand China’s vibrant mercantile history. Though Shantou City does have its beaches, the best ecological experience is a 1-hour ferry away at the neighboring island of Nan’Ao. Once claimed by both Guangdong and Fujian provinces for its strategic importance, Nan’Ao is now a protected, ecological zone and home to Qing’Ao Bay, a beautiful  crescent-shaped bay known for the cleanliness of its waters. The Haiwan Hotel, located at Qing’Ao, is the only 3-star hotel on the island, though there are numerous private guesthouses. Nan’Ao is home to a wide variety of plants and migratory birds. It’s a wonderful place to explore alone, and is the site of one of China’s largest wind-farms. Some 22 islands make up the archipelago.

Get me there: You can fly from Shanghai Hongqiao to Shantou City daily for around RMB990+.

Drum Wave Islet
Xiamen, Fujian
Located just across the straits from Taiwan, Xiamen is famous for its smooth economic development, tropical gardens, miles of accessible beach and infinite island exploration possibilities. Take a ferry 700m across Xiamen Harbor to Drum Wave Islet. For centuries the home of wealthy foreign and Chinese traders on China’s old Maritime Silk Road, the 1.78sqkm island is home to endless paths that meander through sea surf and wind-swept rocks. With cars, mopeds and even bicycles forbidden, tranquil Drum Wave is a stunning place for natural exploration, with numerous guesthouses and restaurants dotted here and there. Though it lacks much beach, it’s possible to swim off its outcroppings. For real beach going, head to Xiamen proper, an island in itself with numerous beaching and sunning possibilities.

Get me there: Flights from Shanghai Hongqiao to Xiamen are numerous and daily, and cost around RMB960+.

100-Step beach
Putuoshan, Zhejiang
Fancy a bit of monk spotting? Well, sure, it’s not exactly ecological, but a hike to this great location can be quite a spiritual experience, and may help you tune-out the ills of modern life. It’s estimated that a massive one third of all inhabitants in Putuoshan are the solitary religious type. This mystical place, seeped in folklore, has become a Buddhist sanctuary attracting pilgrims from all over China. Along the hike you’ll come across temples, the smell of incense in the air and sounds of distant chanting. Climb 297m to the top of its peak for beautiful views out to sea. A relaxing and spiritual getaway with well-looked after patrolled bays. Note: there is an RMB120 fee to enter the beach.

Get me there: A ferry is the only way to get to the island. The overnight journey takes roughly 12 hours from Shanghai. Seats or beds can be booked from the ticket office under Nanpu bridge (call 337 66178 to book) and cost between RMB109 and RMB340.

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