Dong'ao Island

Dong'ao Island is located in the southeastern part of Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, in the middle of the Wanshan Archipelago. It is about 30 kilometers away from the urban area of Xiangzhou, Zhuhai, and one of the islands in the Wanshan Archipelago relatively close to the mainland. The total land area of the island is approximately 4.66 square kilometers. Situated outside the Pearl River Estuary, geologically it is a continental island formed by the Lianhua Mountain Range extending into the sea, dominated by hilly terrain. The forest coverage rate of Dong'ao Island exceeds 80%. Boasting lush vegetation and pleasant weather, it features a south subtropical oceanic monsoon climate.

Dong'ao Island is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. It was selected into the national "Beautiful and Harmonious Islands" list in 2023 and is also the first island in Zhuhai to undergo full-island tourism development. There are three beaches on the island: Nansha Bay, Dazhu Bay and Xiaozhu Bay. Among them, Nansha Bay has pure, fine sand and crystal-clear seawater, earning it the reputation of "Diamond Beach", and is regarded as the finest beach in the Wanshan Archipelago.

Dong'ao Island has abundant tourism resources combining natural landscapes and cultural relics. Three major sightseeing routes are designed on the island for different functions: the eastern route for history and cultural study tours, the southern coastal route for mountain and sea viewing, and the northern mountain-circling route for listening to waves and climbing. The circular hiking trail around the island stretches roughly 8 kilometers, connecting core sites including beaches, ancient fortifications, stone inscriptions and viewing platforms.

History and Culture

Dong'ao Island preserves the largest number of historical and cultural relics among the Wanshan Archipelago, with its history dating back to the Neolithic Age. Ancient dune ruins over 3,000 years old have been discovered on the island, proving that ancient residents already inhabited the islands of the Pearl River Estuary as early as the pre-Qin period.

The Qing Dynasty marked the most important era for coastal defense on Dong'ao Island. According to the Records of Xiangshan County, in the 7th year of the Yongzheng reign (1729), the Qing government built a cannon fort on the ridge at the bay mouth of Dong'ao Island and stationed 50 Qing soldiers there to fend off foreign invaders. Rectangular in shape, the fort measures around 49 meters long and 22 meters wide, with walls roughly 3 meters high and 2 meters thick, entirely built of stone blocks. The city gate adopts a blue brick arch. Emplacements and embrasures on the walls remain clearly visible today. A beacon tower was constructed beside the fort, forming a complete coastal defense outpost system. In 1987, the Dong'ao Island Cannon Fort was designated as a Cultural Relic Protection Unit of Zhuhai City.

During the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty, the South China Sea pirate Cheung Po Tsai was active around the Pearl River Estuary. He commanded roughly 40,000 followers and a huge fleet. His forces once occupied Dong'ao Island and carved cliff inscriptions reading "Peace over ten thousand seas" and "Wudang Scenic Beauty" on mountain rocks of the island. These powerful inscriptions survive on rocks along the Dong'ao Bay shore. After the 12th year of the Jiaqing reign, Qing troops launched suppression campaigns and Cheung Po Tsai withdrew from Dong'ao Island. Folklore tells tales of buried treasure near the inscriptions, adding legendary charm to the island.

In the late Qing Dynasty, Dong'ao Island served as a crucial customs checkpoint. After the signing of the Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory in 1898, the Changzhou sub-station of Kowloon Customs was forced to evacuate. To block opium smuggling and collect customs duties, the Qing government established the Dong'ao Tax Station of Gongbei Customs on Dong'ao Island in 1899. It was one of the four major sub-offices of Gongbei Customs and once the second-largest sub-station within the Gongbei Customs zone. Remnants of the customs station still stand along the shore of Dong'ao Bay, partially submerged in seawater, bearing witness to maritime trade a hundred years ago.

Main Attractions

Nansha Bay

Nansha Bay lies in the southern part of Dong'ao Island. It is the most famous beach on the island, known as "Diamond Beach". Crescent-shaped, it features pure and fine sand sparkling like diamonds under sunlight, while seawater displays layered blue-green hues from shallow to deep. The bay has shallow, gentle waves; even dozens of meters offshore, the water only reaches waist depth, ideal for swimming and wading. Water activities such as banana boats, jet skis, surfing and diving are available around the beach. Lush trees line the shore, making it the core coastal leisure zone of Dong'ao Island.

Dong'ao Island Cannon Fort

Perched on the ridge at the bay mouth of Dong'ao Bay, the Cannon Fort was built in the 7th year of the Yongzheng reign (1729). It was one of the coastal defense strongholds along the Pearl River Estuary in the Qing Dynasty. Surviving relics mainly include fort walls and a beacon tower. Facing the sea on three sides and backed by mountains on one side, the rectangular fort has walls stacked with bluestones, approximately 3 meters high and 2 meters thick. The gate sits on the southeast side. Emplacements and embrasures on the walls are well-preserved. Standing atop the fort, visitors can overlook the full panorama of Dong'ao Bay. It was listed as a Cultural Relic Protection Unit of Zhuhai City in 1987.

Cliff Inscriptions

The cliff inscriptions are carved on huge boulders along Dong'ao Bay, dating back to the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty. The two main inscriptions read "Peace over ten thousand seas" and "Wudang Scenic Beauty". They are said to be left by followers of Cheung Po Tsai. With powerful strokes, the inscriptions stand half above the sea, serving as important testimony to the history and culture of Dong'ao Island. The inscriptions are beside the coastal footpath from the pier to the Cannon Fort and are reachable on foot.

Honeymoon Pavilion

Honeymoon Pavilion stands on the northern ridge of Dong'ao Island and serves as a high vantage point for sea views. Visitors climb stone steps to reach the pavilion, passing about 1008 steps. The inner walls of the pavilion are engraved with poems from ancient literati. From the pavilion top, visitors enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of mountains and sea across the whole island. On clear days, the outline of Taipa Bridge in Macao can even be seen in the distance. This spot is also perfect for watching sunrise over the sea; many tourists hike here early in the morning to wait for sunrise.

Dong'ao Customs Ruins

Dong'ao Customs Ruins are located along the coast of Dong'ao Bay, the former site of the Dong'ao Tax Station of Gongbei Customs. Officially opened in October 1899, it was once the second-largest sub-station of the Gongbei Customs zone, tasked with inspecting opium smuggling, collecting customs duties and monitoring merchant vessels. Today only broken walls remain, with part of the foundation half-submerged in seawater. It carries a strong sense of century-old vicissitudes and is suitable for vintage-style photography.

Dazhu Bay and Xiaozhu Bay

Dazhu Bay and Xiaozhu Bay are situated in the southeastern part of Dong'ao Island, adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton Zhuhai, Dong'ao Island. The two crescent-shaped beaches embrace the bay with winding shorelines and original ecosystems. These two bays are not fully open for development yet; visitors may enjoy distant views from surrounding areas. Dazhu Bay has clean water suitable for snorkeling and angling. Xiaozhu Bay is quiet and less crowded, serving as a habitat for migratory birds such as egrets.

Coastal Boardwalk

Dong'ao Island Coastal Boardwalk is China’s first offshore island coastal boardwalk. It stretches from near the Gree Dong'ao Hotel along the shoreline of Nansha Bay. Built close to the coastline, the boardwalk lets visitors watch waves surge at their feet and experience waves hitting reefs up close. The whole trail is flat and easy to walk on, serving as the main pedestrian route for waterfront leisure around Nansha Bay.

Wanshan Marine Life Science Museum

Wanshan Marine Life Science Museum is near Nansha Bay. The museum exhibits various marine biological specimens and popular science illustrations introducing marine ecological resources in the Pearl River Estuary. It is suitable for family tourists to combine fun and learning and understand marine biodiversity in the Wanshan Archipelago waters.

Wedding Chapel & Mountain-Oath-Sea-Promise Garden

Wedding Chapel & Mountain-Oath-Sea-Promise Garden are beside the mountain-circling boardwalk near Mixia Road on Dong'ao Island. They are iconic romantic photo spots for Dong'ao Island as a "Honeymoon Town". The white wedding chapel faces the sea, and the Mountain-Oath-Sea-Promise Garden features heart installations and confession boards, ideal for couples to take photos.

Tour Route

The classic circular hiking trail around Dong'ao Island is approximately 8 kilometers long with no repeated sections. The whole trip takes 7 to 8.5 hours including stops for photos. It connects four themed segments: history & culture, mountain-sea sightseeing, romantic check-in and coastal leisure:

Dong'ao Bay Pier → Cliff Inscriptions (Peace over ten thousand seas) → Moon Reflection Beach → Dong'ao Customs Ruins → Beacon Tower → Cannon Fort → General Stone Forest → Wave Listening Stone Corridor → Mixia Road → Sansheng Stone Path → Circular Viewing Platform → Mountain-circling Boardwalk → Honeymoon Garden → Wedding Chapel → Mountain-Oath-Sea-Promise Garden → Moon Viewing Pavilion → Gree Dong'ao Hotel → Coastal Boardwalk → Nansha Bay → Moon Ring → Wanshan Marine Life Science Museum → Dong'ao Bay Pier

Travel Tips

• A two-day-one-night itinerary is recommended. Check in to the island in the afternoon on Day 1 and explore the Nansha Bay coastline. On Day 2, hike before sunrise and walk the circular hiking trail, then depart by boat in the afternoon.
• The circular hiking trail is about 8km long, mainly stone slabs and steps with moderate difficulty. Non-slip sneakers are sufficient; professional outdoor gear is unnecessary.
• Honeymoon Pavilion sits at a low altitude yet has many steps. Visitors with average physical strength may take a slow pace. The sunrise view early in the morning is most rewarding.
• From 2 pm to 4 pm, Nansha Bay has direct, unshaded sunlight. Swimming and beach photography are recommended after 4 pm to avoid intense sun exposure.
• Seafood food stalls are the main dining option on the island, clustered near the pier. Prices are slightly higher than urban Zhuhai. Compare shops before ordering meals.
• Couples are advised to take the romantic mountain-circling boardwalk route. Light-colored clothing creates stunning photos against blue sea and sky.
• Families with young children may arrange half a day for wading at Nansha Bay and half a day visiting Wanshan Marine Life Science Museum for a relaxed schedule.

Precautions

• Dong'ao Island is an island with rapidly changing weather. Check weather forecasts before departure. Flights will suspend temporarily during typhoons or rough sea conditions. Boat tickets can be refunded or rescheduled, yet travel plans will be disrupted.
• Boat tickets use real-name registration. Tickets sell fast during peak seasons (weekends, holidays and summer vacation). Book online at least 3 days in advance; walk-in purchase on the day is highly likely unavailable.
• Visitors prone to seasickness should prepare seasickness pills in advance. Sit in the middle-rear section of the cabin for less rocking.
• UV radiation is strong on the island all year round. Apply sunscreen, wear hats and sunglasses; shaded areas on beaches are limited.
• There are few shaded spots along the circular hiking trail. Carry drinking water. Some coastal sections have loose gravel. Wear non-slip sneakers; avoid high heels or slippers on mountain trails.
• Dazhu Bay and Xiaozhu Bay are not officially open. Do not enter construction or undeveloped areas without permission and stay within safe boundaries.
• Private cars cannot be transported to the island. Self-driving tourists park vehicles at the departure pier (Xiangzhou Port or Hengqin Passenger Terminal) parking lot then board the boat.
• Private vehicles are not allowed to travel freely on the island. Tourist shuttle buses or walking connect attractions; nearby spots are reachable on foot.
• Swim only within designated safe zones at Nansha Bay. Watch for tide changes and never swim at unguarded wild beaches.

Transportation

• Departure from Xiangzhou Port Passenger Terminal: Multiple daily ferry trips travel to and from Dong'ao Island, about 50 minutes sailing time. Take bus No.12, 22, 99, 26 to Jiuzhou Port or Xiangzhou Port bus stop then transfer to the ferry.
• Departure from Hengqin Passenger Terminal: Adjacent to Chimelong Tourist Resort, sailing takes 40 to 45 minutes. Suitable for visitors from the south and families combining a Chimelong trip.
• Ferry services to Dong'ao Island are also available from Jiuzhou Port, around 45 minutes voyage.
• Routes from Shekou Port in Shenzhen also reach Dong'ao Island with a sailing time of 1 hour and 20 minutes.
• On-island transport: No taxis. Circular sightseeing buses run roughly from 08:30 to 19:30. Electric scooters or bicycles can also be rented. Nearby attractions are accessible on foot.
• Parking for self-driving: The daily parking cap for small cars at Xiangzhou Port parking lot is about 40 CNY; the cap at Hengqin Passenger Terminal parking lot is about 65 CNY per day for small cars.

Opening Hours

Dong'ao Island is open all year round, 24 hours a day. Attractions on the island have no fixed closing hours, and hiking trails and beaches stay accessible. Ferry schedules change with seasons and terminals. Check daily real-time schedules before travel and collect tickets and board in advance.

Tickets

No entry ticket is charged for Dong'ao Island. Visitors may enter and tour the whole island free of charge. Ferry tickets start from 80 CNY per person.

When purchasing ferry tickets, carefully confirm the departure pier/port to avoid buying tickets for the wrong departure location.

Online Booking

Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.