Top 10 China tours 2024/2025 for first visits and returns: embark on a lifetime experience. Learn more
6 Most Beautiful Beaches in China

6 Most Beautiful Beaches in China

Written by Candice SongUpdated Nov. 14, 2023

China's continental coastline extends for about 18,000 kilometers (11,000 miles), and there are lots of beautiful beaches for holidays. The most popular beaches around China we recommend include those at Sanya, Xiamen, Putuo Island, Beidaihe and Beihai.
Best Beaches in China

Content Preview

1. Yalong Bay — "The Oriental Hawaii"

Yalong BayYalong Bay

Yalong Bay is the best beach in China. The sea is blue and the sand is soft. You are advised to go to the private beach of your hotel as the public beach is always crowded. Many international hotel groups have established top-end hotels in Yalong Bay.

From Beijing to Yalong Bay: 5 hours by flight and then 40 minutes by taxi
From Guangzhou to Yalong Bay: 1 hour 40 minutes by flight and then 40 minutes by taxi

  • Locations: Sanya on Hainan Island
  • Features:
    - 7-kilometer-long (4-mile-long), crescent-shaped white sandy beach.
    - World-class golf course perched in the most idyllic of settings.
    - Rolling green hills offering a cool, shady respite from the sunny beaches.
    - Many national and international hotels.
  • Weather: It is a perfect place to escape winter cold with an average temperature of 23°C (73°F) in January.
  • Recommended hotel: Horizon Resort Spa has 9 kilometer-long beach for its customers. It is near Yalong Bay Center Square and Yalong Bay International Golf Club.

Recommended tour:

Read more about How to Plan a Trip to Sanya

2. Wuzhizhou Island — The first Commercial Diving Location in China

Wuzhizhou Tourism ZoneWuzhizhou Tourism Zone

Located in Haitang Bay, Sanya, Wuzhizhou Island is the Maldives of China. The beautiful scenery all over the island includes "Plants World" and the colorful "Underwater World". You can dive into the sea and discover the underwater world. But be warned: if you want to dive, you'd better get there early as there is always a long line.

Two historical relics, namely the Matsu Temple and the Guanri Cliff, are the must-see spots.

From Beijing to Wuzhizhou Island: 5 hours by flight and then 1 hour by taxi
From Guangzhou to Wuzhizhou Island: 1 hour 40 minutes by flight and then 1 hour by taxi

  • Location: Sanya on Hainan Island
  • Features: The sea below is excellent for surfing, and has an extensive reef. The areas to the north and to the west of the island are relatively flat, with sandy white beaches being the norm. The water along these shores is gin clear, with a visibility down to 27 m (90 ft). It is a real boon to scuba diving.
  • Recommended hotel: Wuzhizhou Island Resort Sanya is right on Wuzhizhou Island. Every day before the tourists arrive on the island and after they leave, you can have the island to yourself (with other Resort customers) to have fun on the beach.

3. Beidaihe Scenic Area — "the Government's Summer Palace"

BeidaiheBeidaihe

Beidaihe Scenic Area is also known as "the Mecca of bird watching". Influenced by a marine climate, Beidaihe Scenic Area has a cool summer and warm winter. It is a good place to avoid the summer heat in Beijing. Go enjoy the gold sand and sunshine.

Around 1 hour by driving from Beidaihe, you can reach the Laolongtou Great Wall Section. It is where the east end of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty meets the Bo Sea. It's part of the Shanhai Pass Great Wall defense system covering mountains, sea, plain, and town.

From Beijing to Beidaihe Scenic Area: about 3 hours by bullet train or by driving

  • Location: It is located south of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, 300 kilometers (180 miles) east of Beijing.
  • Features: Beidaihe Scenic Area stretches for 13 km (8 mi) with bathing places in Bohai Bay. The beach is covered with fine yellow sand stretching some 100 meters to the sea.
  • Recommended hotel: Beidaihe Building 36 Haijing Hotel is a hotel that stands on the beach. It has the best views. The beach is right in front of the hotel.

Send us a free inquiry to tailor make a Beidaihe beach & Laolongtour Great Wall tour from Beijing.

4. Gulangyu Beach — "Garden on the Sea"

Gulangyu IslandGulangyu Island

Gulangyu Island is an island of leisure. It is an island of pianos — there are 600 pianos on the island, and a world architecture expo of interesting, well-kept buildings. Gulangyu Beach can show you the easy life. Slow down and take your time to feel the beauty of life. You can also go and see the historical sites around.

From Xiamen City to Gulangyu Beach: 20 minutes
From Xiamen Railway Station to Gulangyu Beach: 33 minutes
From Xiamen Gaoqi Airport to Gulangyu Beach: 45 minutes

  • Location: It is a tourist island off the southeast coast of Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian Province in Southeast China.
  • Features: It is renowned as "Piano Island" or "The Island of Music" because of its reputation for musical appreciation. It has many natural bathing beaches with fine sand and gentle waves.
  • Recommended hotel: Gulang Villa Hotel is near the pier and is very convenient for tourists. It has a great environment and it is very close to the beach.

Recommended tour:

5. Tianya Haijiao — Picturesque Beach Scenery

Tianya Haijiao, SanyaTianya Haijiao, Sanya

Tianya Haijiao (Heaven's Edge Sea's Corner) in Sanya, on South China's Hainan Island, is one of the most romantic and picturesque beaches in China. It is considered to be the southernmost tip of China. It is a must-see attraction for new Chinese couples because of old Chinese literature saying: "I will follow you to Tianya Haijiao", which means the couple will be together forever.

Be warned: this place may be very crowded all year round.

From Beijing to Tianya Haijiao: 5 hours by flight and then 20 minutes by driving
From Guangzhou to Tianya Haijiao: 1 hour 40 minutes by flight and then 20 minutes by driving

  • Location: Sanya on Hainan Island
  • Features: A park that is arranged along a fantastic beach that is dimpled with large stones, some in grotesque shapes. It is filled with mystery touch because of an old legend.
  • Weather: It has an average year-round temperature of 25°C (78°F).
  • Recommended hotel: Narada Resort & Spa Sanya owns its private beach. The hotel and beach are one. Customers can avoid the crowds and relax here.

Read more about How to Plan a Trip to Sanya

6. Putuoshan Island

Putuoshan Island

Putuoshan Island not only has a rich religious culture, but also romantic beaches. It is honored as "the purest land in the world". Walking on the beach and picking up a shell, you can find tranquility in the sound of the sea. Hundred Step Beach and Thousand Step Beach are the two most famous beaches on Putuoshan Island.

From Hangzhou to Putuoshan Island: 1 hour 20 minutes by train, 2 hours by driving and then 10 minutes by speedboat
From Shanghai to Putuoshan Island by train: 2 hours by train, 2 hours by driving and then 10 minutes by speedboat
From Shanghai to Putuoshan Island by plane: 50 minutes by flight, 10 minutes by driving and then 10 minutes by speedboat

  • Location: It is located about 150 km (100 mi) southeast of Shanghai, in the west of the island prefecture of Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province.
  • Features: It has many beaches among which Hundred Step Beach and Thousand Step Beach are the two major ones. Putuo Mountain is located on the island, one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism.
  • Recommended hotel: Landison Hotel Zhoushan is a five-star hotel on Putuoshan Island. It is located near Thousand Steps Beach and Fayu Temple. The hotel offers a free hotel shuttle bus for customers.

Contact us to tailor make a Putuoshan tour from Shanghai or near around.

Popular tours
Make the most of your time
Choose the best time to visit
Start planning your tailor-made tour with 1-1 help from our travel advisors. Create Your Trip

Sign up to Our Newsletter

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

The China Highlights Experience

1-to-1 Expert Planning

1-to-1 Expert Planning

Your tour will be tailor-made by your personal travel advisor — a destination expert. Every reply will be within 24 hours.

Personal Journeys

Personal Journeys

Enjoy your personal local guide and ride. Explore destinations at your own pace. Have unparalleled flexibility, which is impossible on a group tour.

Authentic Experiences

Authentic Experiences

Discover the hidden gems. Experience local culture by practicing it. Try new and exciting activities, and unveil the stories behind the sights and people.

Well-Selected Local Guides

Well-Selected Local Guides

Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and attentive — your personal local guides will share interesting stories, insider information, and even create unexpected highlights!

China Highlights tailor-makes China tours to help travelers discover China their way. We're a passionate team of one hundred avid travelers who love to share our knowledge of China with those looking for a more authentic travel experience, more ...
China Highlights International Travel Service Co., LTD
Corporate Number: 914503003486045699
Featured on