WHEN talking about coastal cities in China, Gulangyu Island in Xiamen is usually one of the first names that come to mind. With a vast ocean view and soft sand on the beach, it’s no doubt a nice seaside resort. However, the jammed crowd during vacation periods there may also intimidate those looking for something low-key. However, along the southern coast of China hides a seaside city the beauty of which definitely trumps that of Gulangyu. It’s home to the golden coastline known as “China’s No.1 Long Beach” with white sand and coconut tree groves, the crystal-clear Huguangyan Lake (which was formed by a collapse after volcanic explosions between 140,000 and 160,000 years ago and was certified by geologists of the United Nations as “natural yearbook”), and an array of time-honored traditions including nearly 30 intangible cultural heritages, just to name a few. This secret place that hosts a nice landscape, mouth-watering delicacies and most importantly very few tourists, even during golden vacations, is Zhanjiang. A new high-speed rail linking Jiangmen and Zhanjiang in western Guangdong will be put into operation soon. The new link is part of the 470-kilometer Shenzhen-Zhanjiang High-speed Railway and is expected to begin service by the end of June. Once the service opens, the trip from Shenzhen to Zhanjiang will be cut to three hours and 57 minutes, making this seaside gem more accessible to Shenzheners. Donghai Island: A touch with the blue ocean Donghai Island, covering an area of 492 square kilometers, is China’s fifth-largest island and Guangdong’s largest. The island has a famous provincial tourist resort which is known as a vacation paradise due to its blue skies, clean water and fine beaches. On Donghai Island, there is a sand beach as long as 28 kilometers, which has been ranked No. 1 by the “Guinness Book of Records for Shanghai Great World.” There is also a large forest of 50,000 mu (33 square kilometers) which is known as the “Green Great Wall of South China Sea.” Naozhou Island: A mix of Kenting and Scotland Called “Mang” in ancient times, Naozhou Island is a volcanic island formed about 200,000-500,000 years ago. It is the biggest volcanic island in China. The island boasts beautiful scenery and a pleasant climate all the year round. There are quite a few places of historic interest and scenic beauty on the island. For example, the Nayanhai Rock Patch is a well-known tourist resort in South China, which boasts an ideal seaside bathing resort. The Naozhou Lighthouse is one of the world’s three most famous lighthouses, and the other two are the London Lighthouse and the Cape of Good Hope Lighthouse. Naozhou Island is abundant in aquatic products. As a fertile fishing ground on the continental shelf in the South China Sea, it produces such world famous seafood as abalone and lobsters. Its southern scenery is well-known all over the world. Huguangyan Lake: A rarely-seen pure land The crystal-clear water in the lake always makes people doubt its real existence. The Huguangyan Lake geopark, 18 kilometers to the city center of Zhanjiang, covers an area of 38 square kilometers. It’s home to the world’s largest and China’s only maar lake, Huguangyan Lake. The whole area consists of Huguangyan Lake, Dongpo Hill, Naozhou Island, Yingfeng Hill, Lighthouse Cape and the Southern Subtropical Botanic Garden. The sediment under Huguangyan Lake provides a most reliable record of paleoclimate and paleoenvironment spanning from over 100,000 years ago, providing detailed information of variations of tropical and subtropical climate and environment. The sediments are called “the yearbook of natural environment changes.” Old trees and strangling vines grow and form a lush landscape. The place is a “bar of oxygen,” known for its high density of negative ion. People usually walk around the lakeside to enjoy the fresh air. Time-honored remains In Zhanjiang there are also some French-style architectures built 100 years ago for it was occupied by France in 1899 and later returned to China. Chikan Old Town is home to the oldest commercial street in Zhanjiang, Chikan Datong Street. It includes the city’s oldest street, Gulao Dujie Street, and has witnessed the history of the old commercial port Chikan. Walking on Chikan Datong Street, you will see many commercial buildings from the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and the early period of the Republic of China (1911-1949). When you come visiting this seaside city, don’t forget to treat yourself a seafood feast. (Chen Xiaochun)
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