China offers an incredible journey through 5,000 years of history, from the Great Wall and Forbidden City to ultramodern Shanghai skyscrapers. Experience diverse landscapes ranging from karst mountains in Guilin to the Tibetan Plateau, savor world-renowned cuisine, and witness the fusion of ancient traditions with state-of-the-art technology.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in China.
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- Tropical resort beach with crystal water
- sunbeds
- restaurants
- water sports
- showers
- changing rooms
- 5-star resorts
Yalong Bay Beach
China's most pristine beach stretching 7.5km with powdery white sand and turquoise water. The bay curves gently around a protected cove lined with five-star resorts, offering calm waters ideal for swimming and water sports.
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- Lively popular beach near city
- sunbeds
- parasols
- water sports rentals
- seafood restaurants
- showers
- massage services
Dadonghai Beach
The most accessible and lively beach in Sanya with a vibrant atmosphere, water sports rentals, and a seafront promenade packed with restaurants and shops. Popular with Chinese domestic tourists and known for excellent snorkeling.
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- Island paradise with excellent diving
- dive center
- snorkeling gear rental
- restaurants
- water sports
- ferry service
Wuzhizhou Island Beach
Small uninhabited island with multiple beaches, crystal-clear water visibility of 10-15 meters, and excellent coral reefs. The best diving and snorkeling destination in China with tropical marine life and colorful coral formations.
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- Surf beach with laid-back vibe
- surf schools
- board rentals
- beachside cafes
- hostels
- shower facilities
Riyue Bay (Sun Moon Bay)
China's premier surfing destination with consistent waves year-round, especially November-April. The bay has two adjacent beaches with a relaxed surf culture, beachside cafes, and board rental shops frequented by Chinese surf enthusiasts.
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- Family-friendly beach with fine white sand
- sunbeds
- beach restaurants
- water sports
- changing rooms
- showers
- souvenir shops
Beihai Silver Beach (Yintan)
Known as one of China's most beautiful beaches, Silver Beach features exceptionally fine white quartz sand that squeaks underfoot. The gently sloping seafloor makes it safe for families and swimming in warm shallow waters.
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- Historic German-influenced beach city
- changing rooms
- showers
- sunbeds
- seafood restaurants
- nearby beer gardens
Qingdao No. 1 Bathing Beach
The most popular beach in northern China near the historic German Quarter, with views of Zhanqiao Pier. The calm Yellow Sea water is excellent for summer swimming, and the beach sits alongside colonial German architecture and the famous Tsingtao Brewery.
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- Romantic colonial island with small beaches
- beach cafes
- sun shelters
- ferry access
- seafood restaurants
- nearby attractions
Xiamen Gulangyu Island Beaches
Car-free UNESCO World Heritage island with several small beaches and colonial architecture. Gangzai-hou Beach is the main swimming spot with calm waters. The island's romantic atmosphere makes these beaches perfect for leisurely strolls and gentle swimming.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Wuzhizhou Island has the most peaceful atmosphere being accessible only by boat with limited visitor numbers. Best visited on weekday mornings for serene tropical beauty.
Family
Family-friendly
Beihai Silver Beach and Dadonghai in Sanya are ideal for families with gentle slopes, shallow safe swimming areas, lifeguards present during peak seasons, and nearby family-friendly dining.
Sport
Active & sporty
Riyue Bay in Wanning is the hub for surfing, while Yalong Bay offers the widest range of water sports including parasailing, jet-skiing, banana boats, and diving.
Social
Lively scene
Dadonghai Beach in Sanya and Qingdao's No. 1 Bathing Beach have the most vibrant social scenes with beachside bars, barbecue areas, and evening entertainment.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in China memorable.
Scuba Diving
Wuzhizhou Island near Sanya offers China's best scuba diving with 10-15m visibility, diverse coral reefs, and tropical fish. PADI-certified dive centers offer beginner dives and certification courses from April to October.
Wuzhizhou Island, Yalong Bay
Surfing
Riyue Bay on Hainan Island's east coast has the most consistent surf in China with waves suitable for beginners to intermediate surfers. Board rentals and lessons available year-round, peak season November to April.
Riyue Bay (Sun Moon Bay), Shimei Bay
Snorkeling
Tropical waters around Sanya offer colorful coral reefs and marine life for snorkeling. Wuzhizhou Island has the clearest water while Dadonghai has accessible reefs closer to shore with gear rental shops.
Wuzhizhou Island, Dadonghai Beach, Yalong Bay
Water Sports
Yalong Bay resort area offers comprehensive water sports including parasailing, jet-skiing, banana boats, flyboarding, and glass-bottom boat tours. All major beach resorts have equipment rental and trained instructors.
Yalong Bay, Dadonghai Beach
Beach Volleyball
Courts are available at Dadonghai Beach and Qingdao beaches during summer. Informal games happen spontaneously and visitors are often welcomed to join local and tourist groups.
Dadonghai Beach, Qingdao No. 1 Beach
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Sanya (Hainan): Year-round, peak Nov-Mar for swimming; North China beaches (Qingdao): July-August only due to cold Yellow Sea
Getting there
Public and free at most beaches; some designated swimming zones charge small fee ($1-3) for access to facilities and sunbed areas
On-beach facilities
Hainan beaches well-equipped with changing rooms, showers, lifeguards, and food vendors; northern China beaches vary in facilities
Costs to budget
Sunbed and parasol rental $5-15/day; water sports vary from $15 for banana boat to $80+ for parasailing; diving from $50/dive
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.