Nan'ao Island
南澳岛 · Nan'ao County, Shantou, Guangdong, China
Guangdong's only island county, with the whole island rated a national AAAA tourist area: the 2,400-plus-metre fine-sand beach of Qing'ao Bay, the Gate of Nature on the Tropic of Cancer, Huanghuashan National Forest Park, the Song Wells and the garrison headquarters, with a coastal road linking lighthouses, wind turbines and fishing harbours.
Know before you go
- Swimming outside designated areas
- venturing onto the rocks to forage at low tide
- making a scene around fishermen and drying nets in harbours and villages
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
Legend
The Song Wells
Legend says that in 1276, when the Southern Song court fled south to Nan'ao ahead of the Yuan army, local people dug three wells, the Dragon, Tiger and Horse Wells, to give water to the emperor, his ministers and soldiers, and the horses. Today the wells lie sunk in the sand by the sea, yet their water is still fresh.
Source: Wikipedia: Nan'ao County; Travel China Guide: Nan'ao Island
History
The Nan'ao Bridge
The Nan'ao Bridge opened to traffic on 1 January 2015; the whole route is about 11 kilometres long, of which the bridge itself is about 9.3 kilometres. Before then the island could only be reached by ferry; since the bridge opened, you can drive straight over from Shantou.
Source: Wikipedia: Nan'ao County
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Nan'ao Island belongs to Nan'ao County in Shantou, Guangdong, and lies in the waters between Fujian, Guangdong and Taiwan; it consists of the main island and more than twenty smaller islets. Qing'ao Bay at the island's eastern tip is said to be the first place in Guangdong to see the sunrise; the Gate of Nature stands on the Tropic of Cancer square; Huanghuashan National Forest Park is known for its rich plant life; and the lighthouses at Changshanwei, Qian'ao Bay and Sancong Cliff, along with Windmill Hill, line the coastal road. Human activity on the island dates back to the Neolithic, around 6000 BCE. Nan'ao has long been seen as a transit station for maritime trade along the southeast coast and has been called a "land of mutual markets at sea." In the Ming and Qing dynasties the court fortified the island and stationed troops here, and the Nan'ao garrison headquarters is described as the only island-level garrison headquarters in China. The Nan'ao Bridge opened on 1 January 2015, with a total route length of about 11 kilometres; before that, the island could only be reached by ferry.
Local customs
- Cross the Nan'ao Bridge onto the island and photograph the Changshanwei lighthouse with the bridge behind it
- drive or ride an e-bike along the coastal road, swim and watch the sunrise at Qing'ao Bay, look out to sea from Huanghuashan, and learn about coastal defence at the Song Wells and the garrison headquarters
- in the evening, watch the boats return to a fishing harbour and have a seafood dinner.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Swimming outside designated areas
- venturing onto the rocks to forage at low tide
- making a scene around fishermen and drying nets in harbours and villages
- entering aquaculture areas
Locals appreciate DO
- Ask how seafood is priced before ordering
- take your rubbish with you
- Windmill Hill is windy, so keep your footing
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Plan to stay one or two nights
- buses on the island are infrequent, so renting an e-bike makes it easier to get around. Motorcycles and pedestrians are not allowed on the bridge
- in typhoon season and on windy days, follow the official notices about bridge and ferry access.
- The island is about an hour by road from central Shantou via the Nan'ao Bridge, and coaches run from Shantou directly to the island
- from Jieyang Chaoshan Airport, travel to Shantou first and transfer. April–May and September–October are the most comfortable
- summer is good for the beach but rainy, hot and humid, and winter is mild and fairly dry.
Photos
Photos
Dust Chan 塵寞賢 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dust Chan 塵寞賢 · CC BY-SA 4.0
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