Plan at a glance
Bay scope and entry
Qing'ao Bay is at the eastern end of Nan'ao Island, about 11 km from the county town; enter from the beach’s main gate or the North Tropic of Cancer Square at the Natural Gate. The beach and Natural Gate Square are free, need no reservation and are open all day, but summer and public holidays are busy; allow 05:30–07:30 for sunrise and 14:00–18:00 for water time and photographs.
How to arrange your visit
Allow 2–3 hours for the beach, Natural Gate and a coastal café; family sand play, wading and meals need much more time. For a first island stay that includes sunrise and lighthouse routes, spend a night rather than compressing early morning, island driving and a bay sunset into one day.
Ready to book?
Use the standard admission package for the core shuttle route; confirm the visit date and current opening hours before checkout.
Book Ticketsvia Trip.comChoose your visit
2–3 hours: bay and Natural Gate
Walk or wade along Qing'ao Bay beach, then visit the Natural Gate and the 23.5°N marker before a short coastal break. The route is easy on foot and works well as the final stop after the eastern lighthouse route.
Two days: lighthouses, sunrise and mountain roads
On day one, visit Changshanwei Lighthouse, Qian'ao Bay Lighthouse and Sancong Cliff Lighthouse, then finish at Qing'ao Bay; return for sunrise on day two before going to Windmill Mountain and Zoumapu Village. This avoids repeated crossings in afternoon heat and leaves room for bridge and island-road congestion.
Family bay route
Put Qing'ao Bay’s shallow water, the Natural Gate, Haiquan Bay and low-tide exploring at Zhuxiduwan in one day, adjusting to children’s play time. Do not add remote lighthouses and steep mountain roads as well; check tides before the intertidal zone and follow on-site safety rules for water activities.
Build your day
Sunrise first, then the bay
Qing'ao Bay lies near the Tropic of Cancer and is one of Guangdong’s earlier sunrise bays; after sunrise, return to your accommodation or breakfast before coming back in more comfortable light. The crescent bay has roughly 2.4 km of beach and a 2.9 km arc, with a gentler nearshore slope, but children still need close supervision.
Link the Natural Gate and afternoon food
In the afternoon, walk from the beach to the Natural Gate, the 23.5°N marker wall and the windbreak woodland, then decide whether to stay by the sea into the evening. Choose accommodation and food for practical reasons as well as views: Qing'ao Bay suits sunrise, while Houzhai Town has easier supplies and more meal choices.
Get there
Reaching the bay after entering the island
Drive over Nan'ao Bridge and follow signs to Qing'ao Bay beach or North Tropic of Cancer Square; nearby parking is listed at CNY 10–30 per visit. From Shantou Railway Station, bus 161 or 105 is listed at about two hours and CNY 15 to Qing'ao Bay; public transport is more suitable for only a few eastern stops.
Island rentals and parking
Shared e-bikes are available near Qing'ao Bay at a listed CNY 35 for two hours or CNY 50 for three hours; a full-day rental, driver or self-drive is better for a complete island circuit. Check brakes and battery before leaving, reserve power for climbs, and park only in marked bays or proper car parks because illegal roadside stopping is enforced.
Know before you go
Crowds, sun and water safety
Weekdays are usually easier, while on weekends and holidays it is best to avoid the 09:00–16:00 island-entry peak; early morning and after 16:00 reduce both heat and crowds. Bring sun protection, a hat, sunglasses and water, and base swimming, wading and water sports on the day’s sea conditions and on-site rules.
Food and accommodation choices
Prices vary widely along Qing'ao Bay, so confirm the charging method before ordering seafood or processing it and avoid being led to a restaurant by a solicitor. Check recent independent reviews before booking a guesthouse, do not cancel a platform reservation for an offline offer, and confirm parking and return conditions for hillside accommodation.
---