Zhanjiang, home to little Bali in GD

When Chinese people are asked to imagine spending time on an island, Hainan is the tropical destination most likely to come to mind. But that daydream quickly evaporates after thoughts about the dense crowds known for swarming those beaches arise. Others may also consider flying all the way to Bali or Phuket for a vacation. But a worthy alternative to them all is a visit to Zhanjiang, a rarely-mentioned island paradise in Guangdong.

Separated from greater Hainan only by a strait, Zhanjiang, a low-profile garden city in Guangdong, may become a popular tourist destination pretty soon. Thanks to the operation of the high-speed train network, it now only takes a bit over three hours to travel from Guangzhou or Shenzhen to Zhanjiang. You could easily enjoy dim sum in Guangzhou or Shenzhen in the morning, go shopping at an outdoor mall in the afternoon, and then travel to treat yourself to a mouthwatering seafood feast in Zhanjiang for the evening.

Zhanjiang is home to the golden coastline known as “China’s No.1 Long Beach.” With white sand and stretches of coconut tree groves, the crystal-clear Huguangyan Lake is the origin of an array of time-honored traditions, including nearly 30 intangible cultural heritage items. The lake itself was formed by a collapse that took place following volcanic explosions between 140,000 and 160,000 years ago and is called by U.N. geologists a “natural yearbook.”

Naozhou Island, the biggest volcanic island in China

Called “Mang” in ancient times, Naozhou Island is a volcanic island formed about 200,000-500,000 years ago. It is the biggest volcanic island in China. The island boasts beautiful scenery and a pleasant climate all the year round. There are quite a few places of historic interest and scenic beauty on the island, too.

For example, the Nayanhai Rock Patch is a well-known tourist resort of South China, home to an idyllic seaside resort. The Naozhou Lighthouse is one of the world’s three most-famous lighthouses, with the other two being the London Lighthouse and the Cape of Good Hope Lighthouse.

Naozhou Island is also abundant in aquatic resources. As a fertile fishing grounds on the continental shelf in the South China Sea, it produces such world-famous seafood as abalone and lobsters. It’s well-know all over the world as the picture of ideal southern scenery.

Location: Naozhou Island, Mazhang District, Zhanjiang 湛江市麻章区硇洲岛

Techeng Island, ‘Bali in the East’

Techeng Island is only an eight-minute ferry trip from Zhanjiang’s Xiashan District. For travelers looking for an island with a more tranquil air, Techeng Island is a great destination.

Techeng Island, just 2.8 sea miles away from downtown Zhanjiang, is an ancient, charming and peaceful little fishing island. The natural mangroves circling half of the island are full of life, with many birds flying overhead as evidence. It takes about two hours to tour the whole island. There are ferries shuttling back and forth without stop, making getting back to the city very convenient.

On this island, hustle and bustle are absent. The ever-present sounds are those of gentle waves and wind blowing through the mangrove forests. Getting around the tiny space is very convenient; an e-bike ride of only three minutes will get you to the beach and delicious seafood.

Location: To the south of downtown Xiashan District, Zhanjiang 广东省湛江市霞山区东南

Donghai Island, home to China’s longest sand beach

Donghai Island, covering an area of 492 square kilometers, is China’s fifth-largest island and Guangdong’s largest. The island is known as a vacation paradise due to its blue skies, clean water and fine beaches.

On Donghai Island, there is a sand beach as long as 28 kilometers that has been ranked No. 1 by the “Guinness Book of Records for Shanghai Great World.” Donghai Island also possesses a large forest of 50,000 mu (33 square kilometers) known as the “Green Great Wall of South China Sea.”

Location: Donghai Island, Chikan District, Zhanjiang 湛江市赤坎区湛江东海岛东部