Nan'ao Island

南澳岛

The only island county in Guangdong. The Nan’ao Bridge connects it to the mainland, and a 68 km coastal road loops past Qing’ao Bay, the Tropic of Cancer marker, the Changshanwei and Sancong Cliff lighthouses, and offshore fish farming rafts.

Nan’ao Island lies southeast of Shantou in the sea and is the only island county in Guangdong. After the Nan’ao Bridge opened in 2015, visitors can drive onto the island. The bridge is about 11 km long, and the bridge itself is a scenic spot. Nan’ao is the main island getaway in the Chaoshan region.

The island loop road is about 68 km long, and a full circuit takes about 2 to 3 hours in either direction. Qing’ao Bay is the main beach, with fine sand and gentle slopes. At the mouth of the bay, the “Gate of Nature” is a marker of the Tropic of Cancer. The Changshanwei Lighthouse and the Sancong Cliff Lighthouse are prime spots for watching the sea and the sunset. Houzhai Town is the county seat, with a harbor and seafood stalls. Song Well, the Garrison Commander’s Residence and Jinyin Island are historic sites. In the sea to the north of the island are large oyster-farming rafts. The island also has a wind turbine cluster and a viewpoint on the mountaintop. Most sights are free, but parking at Qing’ao Bay costs money.

Getting there: From Shantou city, a self-drive trip over the Nan’ao Bridge takes about 1.5 hours. You can also take a bus or coach from Laiwu in Chenghai to the island. On the island, rent an e-bike or hire a car for a loop tour.

It is recommended to stay one night in Qing’ao Bay or Houzhai to watch both sunrise and sunset.

Tips: The bridge gets severely congested on holidays, so set out early. In summer, the UV index is extremely high, and swimmers should watch for waves and rip currents. Ask the price before ordering seafood. The bridge closes during typhoon warnings.

Nan'ao Island

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Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby