Published on : 25/03/2023
Do you want to enjoy the unparalleled beauty of the sea and sky while basking in the sunshine?
You don't have to travel all the way to Okinawa or Thailand. In fact, just a two-hour high-speed train ride from Hong Kong, Shantou also offers such fascinating scenery, especially on Nan'ao Island!
So, what are the must-visit spots on Nan'ao Island?
The fairyland-like lighthouses and windmills
Nan'ao Island is located in Nan'ao County, Shantou City. Made up of 37 large and small islands, it is the only island county in Guangdong Province and is a national 4A scenic spot.
As the first stop of the itinerary, we recommend that everyone first visit the three most unique lighthouses on Nan'ao Island!
Firstly, the first lighthouse is located at Changshanwei Pier (長山尾碼頭), close to Nan'ao Bridge. After descending the bridge and turning right, you can reach the seaside of Changshanwei Lighthouse (長山尾燈塔).
Whether you look from afar or up closely, under the backdrop of the ancient ferry at the pier and the boundless blue sea, the all-red Changshanwei Lighthouse appears brighter and more unique, much like a fairy tale landscape.
Read more: Gulangyu Island: Island scenery and architecture tour
Next, another must-visit spot on Nan'ao Island is Qian'ao Bay Lighthouse (錢澳灣燈塔).
Qian'ao Bay Lighthouse is located on the rocks at the Seaview Observation Station of the Island Ring Road.
Unlike the vivid and fairy-tale-like Changshanwei Lighthouse, the Qian'ao Bay Lighthouse has a fresher overall design. The white tower body is paired with green glass windows, creating a romantic European atmosphere.
It is recommended to arrive at the Qian'ao Bay Lighthouse one to two hours before sunset, when the view is the best. Apart from the lighthouse and the sunset, you can also capture the dynamic beauty of the waves lapping on the reef.
The third lighthouse is the Sancongya Lighthouse (三囪崖燈塔), also known as the Golden Throne Lighthouse. This is the most famous and largest lighthouse on Nan'ao Island.
The Sancongya Lighthouse has a very unique shape. It consists of a large and small lighthouse, painted in red and white stripes, resembling two giant strawberry lollipops, which are very distinctive.
Everyone can reach the viewing platform directly to overlook the entire lighthouse or take a small path to the lighthouse to enjoy the beautiful sea view ahead and the comfort of the sea breeze.
You can't miss the nearby clusters of wind turbine mountain when you visit Sancongya Lighthouse.
The stunning seascape and the majestic continuous wind turbine mountain complement each other, highlighting the unique island style of Nan'ao Island.
Read more: The Zhangzhou's "hidden" village incarnated by Four Gods?
Peek into 500 years of Nan'ao's history and culture
Since ancient times, Nan'ao Island has always been an important gateway on the Maritime Silk Road.
So here, in addition to the largely untouched natural scenery, there are many preserved historical artifacts that are well worth a visit.
Among them, the most famous one is Xiongzhen Pass (雄鎮關), once known as one of the "Famous Chinese Passes".
Xiongzhen Pass, located on the ridge at the junction of Yun’ao and Shen’ao on Nan’ao Island, was built in 1585 and has a history of more than 500 years.
In ancient times, it was the historic hotspot of Yun and Shen's ancient towns, making it very important.
Today, Xiongzhen Pass has become a scenic area, still preserving many time-honored landscapes, such as towering ancient trees and quaint Yunshen Ancient Temple, etc.
Visitors can explore the bygone era of Nan'ao Island and capture the traces of the past fishing villages.
Read more: This "Siheyuan" church is actually the discovery location of the first panda?
In addition, the Zongbingfu (總兵府) (Military Headquarter) located in Shen'ao Town of Nan'ao Island is also a renowned historical and cultural relic of Nan'ao Island.
The Nan'ao Zongbingfu was founded in the fourth year of the Ming Dynasty's Wanli reign (1576 AD), making it the only Zongbingfu on an island in the whole of China.
The Zongbingfu not only played a vital military role in Fujian, Guangdong, and Taiwan during the Ming and Qing dynasties, but it also had a profound impact on the development of the maritime Silk Road, holding great historical significance.
Round trip of islands nearby
When visiting Nan'ao Island in Shantou, apart from taking a quick day trip on the weekend, if you have enough time, it is recommended that you stay for one or two nights and stay for about two to three days.
Apart from the main island, the surrounding islands of Nan'ao Island are also worth visiting. You can choose to depart from Yun'ao Pier on Nan'ao Island and head to Dingpai Island (頂湃島) and Qinpeng Island (芹彭島).
Dingpai Island and Qinpeng Island are two of the most popular subsidiary islands of Nan’ao Island. The local scenery is pleasant, with clear blue sky and sea providing boundless views.
Moreover, the marine ecosystem here is diverse, including corals, sea urchins, clownfish, etc., resembling a small sea kingdom. It's a must-visit spot for those who enjoy snorkeling.
Read more: One fish, hundreds of flavours: The eighteen arts of fish cooking in Shunde
In Nan’ao Island, you must also try the local fresh seafood!
Taiwan Street in Yun'ao Town, Zongbingfu in Shen'ao Town, and Haibin Road in Houzhai Town are all food gathering spots on Nan'ao Island.
In addition to the wide variety of seafood on offer, there are several local specialities to recommend.
After a good meal, you can head to the beach at Qing'ao Bay (青澳灣沙灘) for a relaxing day on the crescent shaped beach with clear water and sandy beaches, watching the mesmerising sunsets!
Take advantage of the weekend or holiday, and why not have a spontaneous island trip to Shantou Nan'ao Island with family and friends!
Read more: High-speed Rail Tour｜5 Must-see scenic spots in Chaozhou
Travel Information
Shantou Nan'ao Island
Address: Nan'ao Island Ticket Centre, Nan'ao County, Shantou City
Opening Hours: All day
General Admission Ticket Price (same for young and old): ￥21 (Monday to Friday), ￥33 (Saturday and Sunday), ￥55 (Public Holidays)
How to reach there from the high-speed train station: Take Line 161A / 161B / 161K from Shantou Station; If departing from Chaoshan Station, take a taxi to get there, about 1 hour and 30 minutes
