Shuangyue Bay is located in the Port Coastal Tourism Resort, Huidong County, Huizhou City, Guangdong Province. It sits at the southern tip of Renping Peninsula, bordering the South China Sea to the south, about 60 kilometers away from Huidong County seat. Backed by Daxing Mountain, the scenic area consists of two adjacent crescent-shaped bays: Daya Bay and Honghai Bay. Seen from above, it resembles two curved moons, hence the name Shuangyue Bay. The land area of the region is about 24 square kilometers, the sea area is about 100 square kilometers, and the total coastline stretches 21.7 kilometers, including around 20 kilometers of beaches with an average width of approximately 200 meters. The left bay belongs to Daya Bay, featuring calm waters and fine sand, suitable for leisure wading. The right bay is part of Honghai Bay, facing the open sea with strong waves, ideal for watching wave scenery. Integrating coastal natural scenery, coastal defense history, sea turtle ecological protection and fishing village folk customs, the scenic area hosts the only sea turtle nature reserve in Chinese mainland. It also preserves coastal defense ruins of the Ming and Qing dynasties and the style of ancient fishing villages. As a well-known coastal resort in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, it offers diverse recreational functions including ecological popular science, sightseeing and offshore experiences.
History and Culture
The Pinghai Peninsula where Shuangyue Bay lies has served as an important coastal defense outpost along Guangdong’s coast since the Ming Dynasty. Pinghai Ancient City was built in the 18th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, with a thousand-household garrison set up to fend off maritime invasions. It has a history of more than 600 years. After the completion of the ancient city, a large number of officers, soldiers and their families settled here. Immigrants have mingled with local Dan and Hakka residents over a long period, forming the unique Junsheng dialect that survives to this day.
During the Qing Dynasty, Daxing Mountain Fort was built on Daxing Mountain as an outpost coastal defense work for Pinghai Ancient City, guarding the bay entrance. It was part of the coastal defense system along the South China Sea at that time. The fort site was listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Huidong County in 1984. People along the coast have lived on fishing for generations. Folk customs such as fishing rituals, Mazu worship and fishing ballad singing have been passed down. Huidong Fishing Ballads are included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, serving as the core carrier of local fishing culture.
In modern times, this sea area bears the red history of the Xiaoxingshan Battle, where the Xiaoxingshan Battle Martyrs Monument was erected to record the heroic deeds of suppressing bandits at sea. For a long time, fishing has been the main livelihood of local residents. Fishing ports, fishing villages and docks together form the cultural foundation of the coastal fishing community. With tourism development, traditional fishing culture has blended with coastal vacation businesses, shaping the current humanistic style of Shuangyue Bay.
Main Attractions
Shuangyue Bay Viewing Platform
Perched on the summit of Daxing Mountain, the Shuangyue Bay Viewing Platform is the core spot to admire the spectacular twin-bay landscape. Standing on the platform, visitors can overlook Daya Bay and Honghai Bay in full view, clearly witnessing the contrasting seascape: tranquil waters on the left bay and rough surf on the right bay. It is a popular spot for photography, sunrise and sunset viewing. The viewing platform itself is free to access. The uphill road has a steep gradient; most tourists choose to take motor tricycles or drive up, and hiking is not recommended.
Huidong Port National Sea Turtle Nature Reserve (Sea Turtle Bay)
Sea Turtle Bay is situated at Jiulian’ao on the southern end of Shuangyue Bay. It is the only national sea turtle nature reserve in Chinese mainland. It was inscribed on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance in 2002 and ranks among Guangdong’s Top Ten Most Beautiful Wetlands. The reserve houses a sea turtle science museum, sea turtle breeding ponds, a coastal boardwalk and Huixian Bridge. The boardwalk runs about 1 kilometer along the cliff coastline. This place is a traditional spawning ground for endangered sea turtles such as green turtles and hawksbills. Tourists can visit the exhibition hall to learn about sea turtle conservation and enjoy coastal reef scenery from the boardwalk.
Pinghai Ancient City
First built in the 18th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, Pinghai Ancient City was a thousand-household garrison city of coastal defense in the Ming Dynasty, known as a living fossil of Lingnan coastal defense culture. The ancient city retains four gate towers, remnant city walls and Cross Ancient Street, which is a Guangdong Provincial Historic and Cultural Block. Numerous ancestral halls, dwellings and old houses from the Ming and Qing dynasties scatter across the block. The street layout inside the city remains intact, preserving distinctive folk customs including the Junsheng dialect and traditional festivals. It is suitable for slow wandering to experience the cultural charm of the ancient coastal defense town.
Daxing Mountain Fort
Daxing Mountain Fort lies on the southwest coast of Daxing Mountain. It is a coastal defense fort ruin of the Qing Dynasty and a key cultural relic protection unit of Huidong County. Built against the mountain and facing the sea, the fort’s walls are stacked with huge stones in a strategically important location. It was used to monitor the sea and fend off pirates in old times. The main structure of the fort still survives, surrounded by jagged reefs with broad vision. It is great for exploring coastal defense relics while enjoying coastal reef scenery.
Xiaoxingshan Island
Xiaoxingshan Island is a sea island not far from the Port Wharf, covering about 1800 mu. The seawater is clear with high underwater visibility, making it a popular destination for snorkeling and sea fishing. Dense vegetation grows on the island, and the Xiaoxingshan Battle Martyrs Monument is located here, combining marine outdoor activities and red memorial significance. Visitors need to take a speedboat from Port Wharf to reach the island. There are no commercial facilities on the island, so visitors should bring supplies by themselves.
Water Drop Library
The Water Drop Library sits on the cliff of Taili Yunding Coast. Shaped like a water drop, it is a popular coastal library and selected as one of Guangdong’s new Cantonese-style cultural tourism consumption spots. The library faces the sea with a 270-degree view, featuring a minimalist white architectural style. Books inside are available for reading, and the cliff platform is perfect for photos. It is an artistic check-in spot and belongs to the supporting facilities of a resort hotel.
Lover’s Embankment
Lover’s Embankment is on the west coast of the Port Bridge, a coastal walkway stretching along the sea near the fishing port. The embankment commands an open view and is ideal for watching sunset over the sea. The sea breeze is gentle in the evening, making it a leisure spot for locals and tourists to stroll, admire sunset glow and shoot seascape photos. It is close to the Port Market, so visitors can taste seafood nearby after sightseeing.
Tour Routes
One-day Compact Route: Shuangyue Bay Viewing Platform → Sea Turtle Bay → Lover’s Embankment → Port Market
Two-day Classic Route: Day 1: Pinghai Ancient City → Water Drop Library → Lover’s Embankment for sunset; Day 2: Shuangyue Bay Viewing Platform → Sea Turtle Bay → Take a boat from Port Wharf to Xiaoxingshan Island
Travel Tips
- The best travel periods are April to June and September to October with pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists than summer vacation. July and August see large crowds and higher prices for accommodation and catering.
- Sunset time is recommended for the viewing platform for soft light, which is better for panoramic photos of the twin bays. Reserve enough time for the uphill trip.
- The sightseeing time at Sea Turtle Bay is around 1.5 hours. Morning visits are preferred to avoid strong afternoon sunlight. Do not touch or disturb sea turtles during the visit.
- For snorkeling and offshore trips to Xiaoxingshan Island, choose licensed and regular boats. Check weather conditions before departure; do not land on the island when waves are rough.
- For seafood, the Port Market is recommended. You can buy seafood on your own and have it processed nearby. Check the weight and price carefully.
- Light-colored clothes are recommended for seaside photos. Watch your step on reef areas for anti-slip.
- If you plan to go tide pooling, check the tide table in advance and go at low tide. Do not walk far into shallow tidal flats.
Notes
- UV radiation is strong by the sea. Take full sun protection with sunscreen, sun hats and sunglasses. Mosquitoes are common near the coast, so bring insect repellent.
- Waves on the right bay of Honghai Bay are usually heavy with hidden undercurrents. Swimming is forbidden in unprotected areas of the right bay. Wading is only allowed in designated beaches of Daya Bay.
- Summer is typhoon season. Check weather forecasts and marine warnings before your trip. Stop offshore and island-landing activities under typhoon warnings.
- Negotiate prices in advance for uphill motor tricycles and offshore speedboats, and confirm round-trip agreements to avoid price disputes.
- Feeding or touching sea turtles is prohibited in the sea turtle reserve. Do not litter and abide by ecological protection rules of the reserve.
- Reef surfaces are slippery and sharp. Walk carefully and do not climb dangerous reefs to prevent cuts and falls.
- Traffic volume surges on holidays, and roads in the scenic area are prone to congestion. Self-driving visitors can travel off-peak and follow traffic guidance from on-site staff.
- Life jackets must be worn while playing in seawater. Minors must be accompanied by adults the whole time.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Navigate to Huizhou Shuangyue Bay. Travel along expressways from Guangzhou or Shenzhen, then turn onto County Road X213 to reach the Port Coastal Tourism Resort. Multiple parking lots are available inside the scenic area.
- High-speed rail: Take high-speed rail to Huidong Station. Take a taxi or shuttle bus to Shuangyue Bay after exiting the station, with a travel time of about 1 hour.
- Coach: Some coach stations in Guangzhou and Shenzhen run direct buses to Huidong Port. After arriving at Port Town, take a taxi or ride to each attraction.
- Intra-scenic transport: Attractions are far apart. You can rent electric scooters, take local motor tricycles or online car-hailing services. Cycling is suitable for short trips.
Opening Hours
Public areas including all beaches, the viewing platform and Lover’s Embankment of Shuangyue Bay are open all day. Sea Turtle Bay opens from 08:30 to 17:30, with last entry at 17:00. The streets of Pinghai Ancient City are open all day, while the opening hours of ancestral halls and other spots inside the ancient city are subject to management adjustments. The opening hours of the Water Drop Library follow the announcement of its affiliated hotel. Landing on Xiaoxingshan Island depends on sea conditions and speedboat operation schedules. Trips generally depart in daytime, and no boats set off in the evening.
Tickets
Beaches, viewing platform, Pinghai Ancient City and Lover’s Embankment of Shuangyue Bay are open to the public for free. Some water projects, offshore snorkeling, sea fishing and other activities are charged separately.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.