A few days ago, I wrote about Weizhou Island on my smaller account, and today I’m going to talk about another island that has been particularly popular this year—Nan’ao Island.
I wonder if any of you watched the Spring Festival movie “Four Seas.” It was filmed on Nan’ao Island. We won’t comment on Han Han’s directorial skills, but his eye for uncovering lesser-known islands is truly commendable. A few years ago, “The Continent” brought fame to Dongji Island in our Zhejiang’s Zhoushan, and this time, “Four Seas” has given a little boost to Nan’ao Island in Shantou, Guangdong.
The combination of motorcycles and the sea, racing at full speed, is indeed a staple in Han Han’s films.
🎬 Screenshot from “Four Seas”
Nan’ao Island is the only island county in Guangdong, known as the “Green Oasis of the Islands.” For the islanders, stepping out the door means facing the sea, and climbing a mountain is just a daily stroll.
From a God’s-eye view, Nan’ao Island looks like a gourd. The sea breeze sets the windmills on the island spinning, and the five lighthouses stand silently but not lonely, with many BDOers (lovers of massive, silent objects) coming to check in and take photos every day.
Nan’ao Island is also the only island in mainland China that is crossed by the Tropic of Cancer. On the summer solstice, at the Tropic of Cancer Square on the island, you can witness the famous scene described in textbooks: “a pole casting no shadow.”
Readers from the Pearl River Delta often leave comments, saying they envy the abundant local tourism resources in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. I want to say that people in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai actually envy the delicious food in the Pearl River Delta even more.
Moreover, there are actually quite a few options for weekend getaways around the Pearl River Delta, and Nan’ao Island is one of them. Since the Nan’ao Bridge opened, you can drive onto the island, easily achieving island freedom. Three days and two nights, or two days and one night, are both great arrangements.
The key is, Nan’ao Island is not only fun but also delicious. For someone like me who doesn’t particularly like seafood, Nan’ao Island is still a paradise of food. All the Chaozhou delicacies that Shantou has, Nan’ao Island has them too. Who can resist eating seafood barbecue and Chaozhou beef hot pot while enjoying the sea breeze?
And Nan’ao Island is suitable for visiting all year round. Even in winter, the average temperature is 18℃ ~ 25℃ (people in Zhejiang, where the weather changes like the four seasons in a week, are shedding envious tears 😭).
May to September is the most suitable time, and you can also go snorkeling. The summer vacation is the most crowded, with the most tourists.
For foreign tourists like me, arranging a trip to both Shantou and Nan’ao Island together is the most suitable. It’s not only a journey to savor flavors but also a journey to see the sea.
Previously, Duorou wrote about Shantou, and this time, I’m going to add the guide for Nan’ao Island.
How to get to Nan’ao Island?
Once you’re in Shantou, there are several ways to get to Nan’ao Island.
🚗 Self-driving (the best way)
The most ideal way to get to the island is by driving. The Nan’ao Bridge directly connects Shantou and Nan’ao Island. You only need to pay a toll of 96 yuan (no return fee required) to easily get on the island, and the island’s transportation is also conveniently solved. Trust me, the scenery on the island is even more beautiful on the road.
If you’re a friend from out of town, it’s also recommended to rent a car in Shantou (cars cannot be rented on the island). Nan’ao Island is quite large, with a circumference of about 70 kilometers. There are highly recommended self-driving routes on the island. Driving on the winding coastal road, half of it is mountains, and the other half is the sea, with stops and play as you please.
🚢 Ferry
Fifteen years ago, the ferry was the only way to reach the island. After the completion of the Nan’ao Bridge, the number of ferry passengers plummeted, along with a significant reduction in ferry schedules. Now, there are four ferry trips daily between Laiwu Ferry Terminal and Nan’ao Island, with departures at 9 AM and 3 PM for the island, and returns at 10 AM and 4 PM. The journey takes half an hour, and the round-trip fare is 20 yuan. Ferry services may be suspended during inclement weather.
For those who wish to ride their motorcycles along the coastal road, as depicted in Han Han’s films, you will need to take the ferry with your motorcycle, with a round-trip fare of 50 yuan.
🚌 Public Transportation
With the Nan’ao Bridge in place, taking a bus to Nan’ao Island is also convenient. Look for the 161A/161B/161K buses, which cost 14 yuan per trip and are available at Chaoshang Airport and Shantou High-speed Railway Station.
For those taking the ferry and buses to the island, getting around can be a bit challenging, as the attractions are quite spread out.
Although there are buses 601 and 602 that can reach most attractions, they require waiting, and your exploration may be limited.
While ride-hailing and taxis are available, they can be cumbersome to call. Renting a shared electric scooter (20 yuan per hour) is an option, but the battery may not last for a full island tour, so consider this before renting.
For a more luxurious option, especially for larger groups, consider hiring a private car at around 500 yuan per day, with room for negotiation.
How to Explore Nan’ao Island?
The attractions on Nan’ao Island can be categorized into four types: mountains, sea, historical sites, and temples. The island-wide photo backdrop is the windmills, and the landmarks are the five lighthouses: Sanchong Cliff Lighthouse, Changshanwei Lighthouse, Qian’ao Bay Lighthouse, Yun’ao Port Lighthouse, and Shangtian’an Lighthouse.
If you haven’t collected five lighthouse photos, don’t claim you’ve been to Nan’ao Island (just kidding).
The is simple, with key attractions concentrated in the southern part of the island. If you are driving in from the Nan’ao Bridge, make sure to turn right and start your island tour from west to east.
🗺 Recommended Route
Day 1: Changwei Lighthouse – Tianzi Geological Park – Qian’ao Lighthouse – Songjing Scenic Area – Sanchong Cliff Lighthouse – Qizhaipeng Windmills – Qing’ao Bay
Day 2: Qing’ao Bay – Jin Yin Island – Fishing Village on the Sea – Zongbingfu Screen Rock – Dajianshan Sunset
Sunrise at Qing’ao Bay
Visiting an island, watching the sunrise and sunset is an essential ritual. The best sunrise viewing point is at the easternmost part of the island, Qing’ao Bay. For sunsets, there are many options, with each lighthouse area being suitable, as well as the highest peak in Shantou, Dajianshan.
Below, we will briefly discuss the must-see attractions along the island route.
Changwei Lighthouse: A breathtaking sunset
The first lighthouse you encounter upon arriving on the island is this one, the red lighthouse with a yellow embankment, set against the backdrop of blue skies and the sea, creating a visually stunning color palette.
On a clear evening, driving across the Nan’ao Bridge while listening to Liang Bo’s “Sunset Boulevard,” you can see the sunset upon reaching the island, beautifully framed by the Changwei Mountain Lighthouse, just as the lyrics describe: “Whenever the golden light of dusk paints everything, you see how dazzling it is.”
**Tianzai Address Park: Rocky Beach**
Located 4 kilometers from the Changwei Mountain Lighthouse, the park is not crowded and perfect for photography. Walking along the boardwalk towards the sea, you can get close to the rocky beach and listen to the sound of the waves.
**Qianwanzi Lighthouse: Dreamy Blue Fatty**
The Qianwanzi Lighthouse is the most dreamy and adorable of the five lighthouses on Nan’ao Island. With its white body and green top, set against the blue sky and sea, every shot is a picture-perfect moment.
**Songjing Scenic Area: A Magical Well**
A must-visit for history enthusiasts, the Songjing Well may look ordinary, but it is quite extraordinary. Despite being on a beach, it is a freshwater well that never runs dry.
The history of the Songjing Well dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty, originally dug for the emperor, ministers, and soldiers. Historical records mention three Songjing Wells: “Dragon Well,” “Tiger Well,” and “Horse Well.” The one discovered now is the “Horse Well.”
**Image by @TONenvisaging**
**Sanchong Cliff Lighthouse: The Largest Lighthouse**
The Sanchong Cliff Lighthouse is the largest of the five lighthouses, resembling an “ice cream” tower. Its red and white color scheme, against the backdrop of the sea, is truly soothing.
Reaching the lighthouse requires a walk along a dirt path.
**Qizai Peng Windmills: The Largest Island Wind Farm**
Hidden on Nan’ao Island is Asia’s largest island wind farm. The most beautiful photo spot is at the 42nd windmill, where the journey up the mountain is surrounded by windmills, creating an amazing experience.
**Qing’ao Bay: The Most Beautiful Beach on the Island**
Qing’ao Bay is to Shantou what Yalong Bay is to Sanya. It is one of the most beautiful coastlines in Guangdong, with a 2.4-kilometer coastline, crystal-clear waters, and fine sand, making it the most crowded spot on Nan’ao Island.
Qing’ao Bay’s natural seawater bath can rank among the top three in the country. The water quality is excellent, allowing for worry-free swimming. The downside is that prices here are slightly higher.
Although it is the most beautiful beach on Nan’ao Island, crowds can be a deterrent. During peak seasons, for a quieter experience, consider Bamboo Creek Bay or Ten Mile Silver Beach.
**Ten Mile Silver Beach, Image by @ZYH**
**Treasure Island: Cliff Carvings**
For history enthusiasts, this is a must-visit spot. The island has only one boardwalk, along which you can find numerous cliff carvings by famous figures and stone sculptures guarding treasures.
**Fishing Village by the Sea: The Island’s Only Natural Harbor**
The Fishing Village by the Sea is the island’s only natural harbor, ideal for aquaculture. It boasts tens of thousands of acres of seawater farming, raising famous seafood such as abalone, oysters, grouper, prawns, and shellfish.
Here, you can not only capture scenes of fishermen at work but also join them in casting nets, catching oysters, or even going to uninhabited islands to harvest seafood!
**General’s Residence and Pingshan Rock: The Island’s Most Worthy Temple**
Pingshan Rock Temple is the most worthwhile temple on the island, with a history tracing back to the Qing Dynasty, exuding ancient and solemn vibes. It is backed by mountains and faces the sea.
The temple houses a seven-story pagoda that you can climb. From the top, you can overlook the entire Shen’ao Bay, the Fishing Village by the Sea, and Lieyu Island.
**Image Credit: @Tingyu Xuan**
**Dajian Mountain: The Highest Peak in Shantou**
Located in the Huangshan Mountain National Forest Park on Nan’ao Island, Dajian Mountain is the highest peak in Shantou, standing at 588.13 meters. It is the only national forest park on an island in China, and the landmark of the Tropic of Cancer is also here.
**Image Credit: @Kim_Qin Jiejie**
Dajian Mountain is the highest peak in Shantou, with an altitude of 588.13 meters. A pure hike is extremely strenuous; it takes about four hours just to reach the summit for an average hiker. Driving is much easier, as you can reach an altitude of over 500 meters by car, then walk for about ten minutes to the peak. Catching a sunset here is absolutely worth it.
Dajian Mountain is also great for camping, with beautiful scenery and fewer people, especially friendly for those who drive.
There are several small islands around Nan’ao Island. If you have a three-day, two-night trip, you can spend the extra day visiting Dingpeng Island/Qinpeng Island and even book a snorkeling trip to catch sea urchins or go fishing.
**How to Eat and Stay on Nan’ao Island?**
**🦞 Eating**
As mentioned earlier, since Nan’ao Island is part of Shantou, you can enjoy not only various seafood but also super authentic Chaozhou cuisine and desserts on the island.
**Seawater Farming Base**
In terms of seafood, Nan’ao Island has a seawater farming base, producing oysters that are incredibly plump and fresh, perfect for raw consumption. Other seafood like abalone, mantis shrimp, whelk, and flower crabs can be enjoyed to your heart’s content. Typically, these are freshly caught and cooked in local eateries, offering an authentic and incredibly fresh taste.
There is always a risk of being overcharged when ordering seafood blindly, so it is advisable for friends to check out the packages on Dazhong Dianping.
🦞 Recommended Shops: Xu Da’s Cuisine, Canfa Fishery
For those who are visiting from out of town, it is a must to reserve one full meal for the Chaozhou beef hot pot. The beef is freshly sliced and can be eaten after just a brief boil in the soup, preserving its original flavor to the maximum. The chewy beef balls are a must-try; once you taste them, you’ll definitely want to order a pack to be delivered home immediately.
🍲 Recommended Shops: Hao Kela Beef Hot Pot
Chaozhou snacks can also be enjoyed freely on Nan’ao Island. Options include pickled noodles, kway teow noodles, satay noodles, fried beef noodles, congee, and braised dishes… The seafood toppings for noodles are especially abundant on Nan’ao Island.
🍜 Recommended Shops: Bingzhong Kway Teow Noodles, A Xiong Xiao Miao
Cantonese sweet soups are also a delight on Nan’ao Island. Classics like mango double-skin milk, refreshing mango pomelo sago, creamy fried fresh milk, ultra-rich taro coconut milk, refreshing mung bean soup with water chestnuts, and chewy duck egg dumplings… All for an average of 30+ RMB per person, leaving you full to the point of needing help to walk!
🥭 Recommended Shops: Ranji Sweet Soup Shop, Jiexin Milk Sweet Shop, Le Guo Tiantian
The unique seaweed jelly dessert of Nan’ao Island is also worth trying. Seaweed jelly is a type of tropical algae that tastes somewhat like jelly. It usually costs 5 RMB per bowl and is sold in many places on the island.
Image credit: @Ni Qiujie_
Coffee lovers are also well taken care of on Nan’ao Island, where there are several high-profile coffee shops. The only one with a sea view is Xikenting, facing the ocean, perfect for some relaxation.
☕️ Recommended Coffee Shops: Xikenting, Namor Coffee
Image credit: @Pao Pao Bu Tu Pao Pao
If you don’t mind the weight, Nan’ao Island also offers the “Three Treasures of Nan’ao” as souvenirs to take home, which are dried squid, golden sweet potatoes, and laver.
Dried squid from Houzhai Town in Nan’ao is a specialty. The squid from Nan’ao is naturally thick and tender, and the local fishermen have their unique techniques for catching, processing, and drying squid, resulting in particularly excellent dried squid that can be eaten with soy sauce and wasabi.
Image credit: @Tuo 42258
Nan’ao golden sweet potatoes are a variety of sweet potatoes also known as bamboo-head red. Their skin is pinkish-yellow, and they become sweeter the longer they are cooked, and can also be fried.
The best laver on Nan’ao Island is called “first-water laver,” which is the first harvest. It is close to purplish-black, thin, tender, and fresh, adding a touch of the ocean to dishes like laver and egg soup or fried rice.
🛏️ Accommodation
It is recommended to stay near Qing’ao Bay for easy access to sunrise views. Nan’ao Island does not have the familiar hotel brands; it mainly offers guesthouses and serviced apartments.
Living in high-rise apartments near Qing’ao Bay, most of which offer sea views.
In conclusion, over the past two years of the pandemic, I’ve increasingly come to realize that being able to travel freely and safely is already a luxury in everyday life.
After all, no one knows what tomorrow will bring. We should cherish every opportunity to meet nature face-to-face and treat every trip (or even just stepping out the door) as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Perhaps, only then can we rediscover the sense of wonder that travel once brought us.
