Weekend Coastal Escapes Near Shenzhen | Generated by AI
Huizhou Overview:
Huizhou is located in southeastern Guangdong Province and is the second-largest city in the Greater Bay Area, with a 281-kilometre coastline and 162 islands. It’s nicknamed “the backyard of Shenzhen” — about 1.5-2 hours from Guangzhou, making it a solid weekend escape rather than a major destination. The vibe is coastal/laid-back versus city tourism.
What to Do:
Beaches/Bays:
- Xunliao Bay has a 27-kilometer coastline with more than ten miles of half moon beach with fine white sand, known as “Tianci Baishadi” (Heaven’s White Sand), with clear green sea and flat solid sea floor. It includes Mozishi Park with strange stone formations and Delta Island, plus marine sports like sailing and diving.
- Shuangyue Bay (Double Moon Bay) is another major coastal area with scenic road access
Nature/Lakes:
- Huizhou West Lake is a park and lake for walking/nature activities
Islands:
Huizhou has three main visitable islands:
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Yanzhou Island — Also referred to as “Oriental Hawaii,” it’s known for beautiful natural scenery and fishing villages where you can watch fishermen with their daily catch. Underdeveloped infrastructure but growing accommodation.
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Lion Island — A beach area with an island formation that resembles a lion, very secluded and quiet with clean water. Good for hiking; currently developing better transport links.
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Saltzhou Island — Featured in tour itineraries as an island tour experience with “ancient sea breeze” charm
Practical Take:
Best for: Beach weekends, island hopping, casual coastal scenery. Infrastructure is developing rapidly—good time to visit before it becomes over-touristed. Most tours package Shuangyue Bay + Xunliao Bay + Yanzhou Island as a 2-day circuit from Guangzhou.
Avoid visiting during summer holidays (July-Aug) unless you like crowds.
References:
- GreaterGo - Huizhou Travel Guide
- Trip.com - Top Attractions in Huizhou
- TripAdvisor - Yanzhou Island