Top 5: The Best of China's Beaches

With so much focus on China's big cities, sometimes people can forget that China has coastline with beautiful beaches. CHI has rounded up the top 5 of China's best beaches, so a holiday on China's coast could be something to consider this summer.

With almost fifteen thousand kilometres of coastline, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that China has some spectacular beaches to offer the sun-hungry voyager. It also boasts some of the best weather a vacationer can hope for. Hainan Province, for example, gets about 300 days of sunshine per year.  Dig out your swimming trunks and get to the beach this spring in China. Soak up some scenery, sand and sun at any of these first-rate seaside sanctuaries:

5. Beihai Silver Beach (Guangxi Province, South China)

Admission Fee: 35¥

Tip: Take bus #3 from Beibuwan Square to the beach resort (15¥)

Not everyone knows it, but some of China’s best beaches are hidden away in southwest Guangxi. Far less crowded than the beaches of Hainan Province, Guangxi boasts one beautiful beach in particular, stretching 24 kilometres long with sand ranging from 30 to 300 metres in width: Beihai Silver Beach. 

Located about ten kilometres from Beihai City, this beautiful white sand beach is easily accessible by bus. The water here is blissfully warm, with an average temperature of about 23 degrees celcius throughout the year. It’s no wonder Silver Beach is considered one of the best beaches in China! Taking its name from the soft white sand that glows silver in the moonlight, this beach offers shark-free swimming in its warm, gentle waves.

After a quick dip and a couple hours of tanning, the adventurous tourist may wish to visit the 2,000-year-old city of Beihai to inhale the charm of old buildings and soak up some local culture. Alternatively, take a two hour cruise to Weizhou Island, China’s biggest extinct volcanic island. Several guest houses and villas are available near the sea coast and are ideal for tourists. 

4. Yalong Bay (Hainan Island, Hainan Province)

Admission Fee: 60¥

Tip: Bring your own food; good eats don’t come cheap at Yalong Bay!

Yalong Bay is located on the paradise-like tropical island of Hainan and regarded by many as the top beach in China, easily comparable to many resort-style tropical beaches in the Caribbean. 

Occupying seven kilometres of white sand in the eastern part of the island, Yalong Bay is about 25 kilometres away from Sanya City and easily accessible by public transit. Nearly all of Hainan Province’s luxurious, western hotels are built here so expect high-priced restaurants and lots of tourists. The payoff is that most of these hotels have dedicated staff caring for the beaches, keeping them tidy and inviting. 

For the traveller that’s cashed up and feeling adventurous, there are jet skis and other water toys available to rent on the beach. There is also a world-class golf course nearby. Looking to escape the crowds? Try Luhuitou Peninsula in the city’s southwest. For a change of scenery, visit the popular and easy-to-reach Dadonghai Beach, located to the southeast. 

3. Xiamen Beach (Fujian Province)

Admission: Free!

Tip: Xiamen is famous for its amazing seafood. Save some time for a long meal at the end of the day. 

No list of Chinese beaches would be complete without a mention of Fujian Province, a southerly province famous for its long stretches of white sand. Xiamen Island sits opposite Taiwan across the Taiwan Strait, and is home to the second largest city in Fujian - Xiamen City. 

Xiamen’s beaches are clean and tourist friendly, although the savvy tourist will resist the urge to take a dip in the water - Xiamen is a busy seaport, and all that container ship traffic means the water is quite polluted. 

Don’t be discouraged! Xiamen’s beautiful palm trees, clear blue water and white sands are still a can’t-miss attraction. Put on those running shoes and go for a jog along kilometres of tree-lined boardwalk. A refreshing sea breeze keeps the hot sun at bay. (Be sure to pack sunscreen!)

2. Beidaihe Beach (Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province)

Admission Fee: 30¥

Tip: A favorite spot among former leaders of the Communist Party of China.

Formerly a humble fishing village, Beidaihe is now the beach of choice for Chinese high rollers and dignitaries thanks to its chic style and proximity to Beijing. Its sands are often visited by the likes of famous leaders such as Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin.

The resort at Beidaihe Beach stretches along ten kilometres of coastline from the Yinjiao Pavillion to the mouth of the Daihe. WIth its pristine blue waters, Beidaihe is a natural bathing beach attracting millions of visitors not just from Beijing but from all over the world.  

Come evening, enjoy the small-town hospitality, lively local culture, bustling night stalls and seaside views. Escape the crowds on long stretches of pebbled sand. Watch for another resort opening in nearby Changli to the southwest. Another naturally pristine beach, it promises to attract millions more visitors to the area. 

1. Bo'ao Yudai Beach (Hainan Province)

Admission Fee: 60¥, or 20-30¥ for children

Tip: Literally translated to “Jade Belt Beach,” Bo’ao is a great place to escape the crowds.

Bo'ao Yudai Beach is often referred to as “China’s Hawaii” and rightfully so. Residents of Hainan Province enjoy clear blue skies up to three hundred days per year. With its mild seasons and year-round lush greenery, Bo’ao Yudai is thought by many to be the top beach in the province. 

The best part? Unlike some of the more visited beaches in the province, Bo’ao Yudai has all the beauty without the crowds. Be sure to eee the Bo’ao town just a half kilometre away; it’s a sweet, small town full of history, and noted for its restaurants and cultural sites. 

Jump on a tour boat for just 50¥, or better yet, jump straight into the hot springs or wander the rice paddies that surround the area. Tired of swimming and sunning on the beach? Try the Eastern Culture Garden or the Ocean Museum. Grab a bowl of noodles in one of Bo’ao’s many noodle shops or small food stands.  

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