Nan'ao Island is located in Nan'ao County, Shantou City, Guangdong Province. It is one of the few national 4A-level tourist attractions covering an entire island in Chinese mainland, and also the only island county in Guangdong Province. The total area of Nan'ao is about 115.054 square kilometers, consisting of the main Nan'ao Island and 35 surrounding islets. The main island covers 112.049 square kilometers, and the jurisdictional sea area is 4,600 square kilometers. Situated at the sea junction of Fujian, Guangdong and Taiwan, Nan'ao Island is known as the Barrier of Eastern Guangdong and the Throat between Fujian and Guangdong. It is only 7 nautical miles away from the main international shipping route of the Western Pacific Ocean, and the Tropic of Cancer crosses the main island. The scenic area integrates marine scenery, coastal defense history, mountain forest ecology and religious relics. It features island beaches, marine-erosion reefs, wind farms, ancient cannon platforms, the General's Mansion and ancient wells. Its tourism resources are characterized by the combination of sea, history, mountains and temples. There are also the Nanpeng Islands National Nature Reserve of Guangdong and the Nan'ao Migratory Bird Provincial Nature Reserve of Guangdong. It was an important transit anchorage on the Maritime Silk Road in history.
History and Culture
Nan'ao Island has a long history of human activities. The Xiangshan Microlithic Site proves that ancestors lived here as early as the early Neolithic Age 8,000 years ago, making it one of the earliest known human settlement areas in Eastern Guangdong. The Dongkengzi Shang and Zhou Cultural Site indicates that the ancestors of Nan'ao in the Shang and Zhou dynasties took part in the development of early sea routes and were pioneers of early maritime trade between Eastern Guangdong and Southwestern Fujian. In the 6th year of the Yuanding reign of the Western Han Dynasty, Nan'ao was incorporated into the territory of the Central Plains under the administration of Jieyang County, Nanhai Commandery. The name Nan'ao first appeared in documents of the Song Dynasty.
The Ming Dynasty was a critical period for the construction of coastal defense in Nan'ao. In the 4th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty, the position of Vice General of Nan'ao was set up and the Nan'ao Garrison was established, turning this place into an important coastal defense stronghold on the Southeast Coast. A total of 176 Generals and Vice Generals were stationed here during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Historical figures including Qi Jiguang, Zheng Chenggong, Shi Lang and Liu Yongfu carried out campaigns against pirates, foreign invaders and for territorial defense in these waters, leaving a large number of coastal defense ruins, stone inscriptions and cannon platforms. More than 60 cultural relics and historic sites are registered on the island.
The famous Ming Dynasty shipwreck Nan'ao No.1 was discovered in the waters of Nan'ao. Nearly 30,000 cultural relics were unearthed through underwater archaeology, mostly porcelain from Zhangzhou Kiln and Jingdezhen Kiln. They are precious physical materials for researching trade and navigation technology of the Ming Dynasty Maritime Silk Road. The island inherits many local intangible cultural heritages. Houzhai Fishing Lantern Festival is listed as a Guangdong Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage. There are also Shen'ao Qilin Dance and Zhai Squid Drying Craft. Marine culture, coastal defense culture, Maritime Silk Road trade culture and folk culture coexist and interweave here.
Main Attractions
Changshanwei Lighthouse
Changshanwei Lighthouse is located at the Qihang Square on the western tip of Nan'ao Island, next to the Nan'ao Bridge. It is the first check-in spot for tourists arriving on the island. The main tower is red with white decorations. Visitors can take photos of the lighthouse and Nan'ao Bridge together from the viewing platform of the square. It is open to the public all day with no admission fee. It serves as the starting point of the island loop route and is suitable for shooting sunset sea views.
Qian'ao Bay Lighthouse
Qian'ao Bay Lighthouse stands on the reef beach by Qian'ao Bay. It has a small and fresh shape. A plankwalk extends into the sea from the shore, surrounded by dense reefs and calm sea surface. Tourists can stroll along the plankwalk and take photos by the waves. The nearby Qian'ao Bay Beach is good for casual water activities. This spot is free of charge.
Song Well
Song Well is situated in Yun'ao Town. It is said to have been dug in the Southern Song Dynasty and is a well-known ancient relic of Nan'ao. The ancient well is very close to the sea. Although adjacent to seawater, its water remains sweet and drinkable all year round and will not be tainted by saltwater tides. The scenic area is equipped with viewing trails and history display boards introducing legends of the Southern Song royal family staying on the island. It is a core historical and cultural attraction on the island.
Qing'ao Bay
Qing'ao Bay lies at the easternmost end of Nan'ao Island. The bay stretches 2,400 meters, with a beach shoreline of 1,800 meters. It is one of the Grade A seaside bathing beaches in Guangdong Province. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the South China Sea, the bay boasts fine sand and clear seawater. It is the preferred spot for sunrise watching on the island. Supporting facilities include beach bathing areas, commercial streets, catering and accommodation. The beach area is free to enter.
Gate of the Tropic of Cancer
The Gate of the Tropic of Cancer is the Tropic of Cancer Marker Tower, located at the Tropic of Cancer Square in Qing'ao Bay. It is the 11th Tropic of Cancer marker tower built in China. The architectural design adopts a sphere and portal frame as the main body. At noon on the Summer Solstice every year, sunlight passes through the center of the sphere and falls vertically to the ground, creating the phenomenon of no shadow cast by the pole. The square is open to visitors for free.
Golden and Silver Island
Golden and Silver Island is in Shen'ao Town. It is a small coastal peninsula covered with natural reefs, with pavilions and stone carvings built on it. Folklore says it was a treasure hiding place for pirates in the Ming Dynasty. It is a small coastal cultural attraction built based on the legend. It covers a small area and is suitable for short visits and watching waves by the sea.
General's Mansion
Nan'ao General's Mansion is located in Shen'ao Town. It was the official residence of the General of Nan'ao Garrison during the Ming and Qing dynasties and an important relic of the coastal defense yamen on the Southeast Coast. The mansion retains an ancient banyan tree, stone inscriptions and drill ground ruins. It displays coastal defense historical materials and weapon models, fully presenting the coastal defense system of Nan'ao in the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a core site to learn about the island’s military culture.
Sancongya Lighthouse
Sancongya Lighthouse is situated on the cliff coast in the southeast of Nan'ao Island. It is a twin lighthouse painted red and white with a highly recognizable appearance, known by tourists as the Ice Cream Lighthouse. Backed by the Qizai Peng Wind Farm Mountain, the cliff commands a wide view facing the open sea. It is ideal for taking photos combining sea views and wind turbines, and admission is free.
Nan'ao Island National Forest Park (Huanghuashan Forest Park)
Nan'ao Island National Forest Park is the first national island forest park in China. It is located in the western part of Nan'ao Island. Its main peak Dajian Mountain stands at 588.1 meters above sea level, the highest peak in Shantou. The park is covered with dense forests, featuring cliff carvings and viewing platforms. Visitors can overlook the island and ocean when climbing up, with rich ecological resources.
Tour Route
Nan'ao Bridge → Changshanwei Lighthouse → Qian'ao Bay Lighthouse → Tianzai Geopark → Houzhai Town → Yun'ao Fishing Port → Song Well → Sancongya Lighthouse → Qing'ao Bay → Gate of the Tropic of Cancer → Golden and Silver Island → General's Mansion → Nan'ao Island National Forest Park
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to take the counterclockwise island loop route for better coastal viewing angles, with concentrated popular sea view sections and less backlight.
- Choose Qing'ao Bay or Zhuqidu Bay for sunrise watching, and Changshanwei Lighthouse or Qian'ao Bay for sunset watching.
- A two-day-one-night trip is recommended if time permits. A one-day itinerary will be tight, making it hard to cover both cultural relics and beach leisure.
- For dining on the island, Houzhai Town and Yun'ao Fishing Port are preferred. They offer a wide variety of seafood at relatively affordable prices; you may compare quotations before ordering.
- The island loop highway is about 68 kilometers long. Self-driving, electric scooter rental and island loop buses are all available. Electric scooters are convenient for stopping anytime to take photos.
- UV radiation is strong by the sea in summer. Avoid hours of strong midday sunlight when going out to sea or visiting beaches.
- You may add offshore activities such as snorkeling at Dingpeng Island and Qinpeng Island. Confirm weather and sea conditions before boarding.
Notes
- The toll for vehicles with 9 seats or less crossing Nan'ao Bridge is 96 yuan, a one-time round-trip fee with no extra charge when leaving the island. Small vehicles are exempt from tolls on statutory holidays.
- Parking is prohibited in non-marked areas along the island loop highway. Illegal parking will be penalized. Parking fees vary at different scenic spots.
- Reef areas by the sea are slippery and waves are unpredictable. Do not approach dangerous reefs and do not swim in the sea without supervision.
- Ferry services and marine activities on the island will be suspended during typhoons and heavy rain. Check weather forecasts and maritime notices before departure.
- Obey island traffic rules when renting electric scooters, pay attention to power levels, and plan charging points in advance for long-distance trips.
- Buy seafood at regular markets. Watch out for short-weighting, and confirm processing fees before seafood processing.
- Signal is weak in some mountain and wind farm areas. Download offline maps in advance and do not enter undeveloped wild trails alone.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Drive onto the island via Nan'ao Bridge from downtown Shantou. The bridge connects Laiwu Peninsula in Chenghai and Nan'ao Island, the only land access to the island.
- Electric scooter rental on the island: Shops in Houzhai and Qing'ao Bay offer electric scooter rental services. Suitable for short-distance island touring, flexible and convenient for photography.
- Island loop buses: Loop bus routes run on the island connecting major attractions. The interval between departures is long, suitable for unhurried tourists.
- Online car-hailing: Cars are easy to book in Houzhai Town and Qing'ao Bay. Fewer cars are available around remote lighthouses and wind farm areas.
- Marine transport: Speedboats can be taken at Yun'ao Fishing Port to surrounding uninhabited islands for offshore tours only, not for entry or exit of the main island.
Opening Hours
There is no unified closing time for the whole Nan'ao Island. Public areas including the island loop highway, beaches, lighthouses and squares are open all day. Charged attractions such as Song Well, General's Mansion, Golden and Silver Island and Nan'ao Island National Forest Park have fixed opening hours, generally from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Opening hours may be adjusted appropriately according to passenger flow during holidays, and some attractions will be temporarily closed in bad weather.
Tickets
Nan'ao Island is free to visit. However, admission tickets are required for some attractions, such as Nan'ao Island National Forest Park starting from 20 yuan per person.
You can search for the WeChat official account "游南澳" to get the latest updates.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.