Plan at a glance
Location and how to get in
Caidie Bay Scenic Area is in Kangmei Town, Dongshan County, Zhangzhou, between Maluan Bay and Jinluan Bay; the commonly used entrance is the main gate. The gate is free, but internal attractions need separate tickets or a package, so do not treat it as a free extension of Jinluan Bay. It is adjacent to Jinluan Bay but run by a different operator; tickets and attractions are independent.
Opening hours
The main gate is open all day; internal attractions usually run from 9:00-18:00, and the evening light show generally lasts until around 21:00. These times are only the common arrangement; whether attractions are available and whether the light show is open on the day follows the on-site notices. In strong wind, rain, or equipment maintenance, attractions may close temporarily.
How much time you need
A quick look around takes about 1.5 hours, enough for photos at the gate, the Rainbow Walkway, and the beach. If you want to try attractions, let children play on the sand, or wait for the evening show, allow about 3 hours. The scenic area is not large; whether attractions are open decides how long you stay, so do not pack every advertised attraction into the plan.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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Rainbow Walkway and the beach
The Rainbow Walkway is bright and colourful, good for photos, and some sections have sea views. The beach is fine for playing on sand, but some areas have darker sand, and the section near the performance stage may be less clean than Jinluan Bay and Maluan Bay. Pictures in promotional materials do not always equal the on-site state; what you see follows the actual conditions.
Seaside train
The train is one of the scenic area's main promoted attractions: one way takes about 10 minutes and the ticket costs about CNY 30, with passengers above 1.2 metres charged as adults. Many visitors find the ride short and the price high; decide for yourself whether to try it and do not treat it as a must-do attraction. Whether it runs and how long the queue is follow the on-site situation that day.
Other attractions and the evening visit
The scenic area also promotes rafting, a glass bridge, a water park, and a light show; which ones are open follows that day's notices. In strong wind, elevated and water-based attractions may close, and the experience clearly worsens in rainy weather. For an evening visit, first confirm whether the light show and performance run that night; do not go by a fixed schedule.
Who it suits
It suits families with children who want to play on the sand, visitors who enjoy photography, and people who want to try seaside attractions. If you are sensitive to value for money, do not want to spend much on attractions, or have high expectations for cleanliness, Jinluan Bay or Maluan Bay may suit you better. Performances, the light show, and attractions all carry uncertainty, so keep expectations measured before you go.
Build your day
Quick route (about 1.5 hours)
Enter from the main gate, walk the Rainbow Walkway for photos first, then paddle at the beach, and decide at the end whether to take the train. When time is tight, focus on the free areas; ask about opening status, queues, and prices before buying any attraction ticket.
Family half-day route (about 3 hours)
Arrive in the morning or afternoon, play on the sand first, then choose one or two attractions according to what is open that day, and leave before evening or stay for the night view. Leave walking and queue time between attractions; do not fill the whole plan with every item on the package. Whether water-play attractions are open follows the on-site situation; adjust directly in strong wind or rain.
Plan separately from Jinluan Bay
Caidie Bay is adjacent to Jinluan Bay, but tickets and attractions are independent and cannot be shared. To visit both in one day, first confirm Caidie Bay's attraction opening times, then leave walking or riding time; do not assume you can walk across and connect seamlessly. If the evening light show is cancelled, your return plan is not affected.
Get there
High-speed rail and taxis
After high-speed rail to Yunxiao Station, a taxi to the scenic area takes about 40 minutes. Alternatively, take Bus 15 (CNY 10) or a shared ride/taxi (about CNY 30-50) to Dongshan Island first, then switch to an electric scooter or taxi to Caidie Bay. Exact fares and service times follow the day.
Driving and parking
Self-drivers can navigate to "Caidie Bay Scenic Area." The scenic area parking lot charges about CNY 10-15, and spaces are not plentiful; on holidays, arrive early or park nearby and walk. Do not park at roadside spots where people solicit drivers. The gate is free, and parking and attraction fees are calculated separately.
Getting around the island
Renting an electric scooter is the most convenient option; daily rental commonly costs CNY 50-80. Riding from Jinluan Bay or Maluan Bay is not far, but confirm the battery and return point before setting out. Some roads around the scenic area are congested on holidays, so leave extra time whether you ride or drive.
Know before you go
Attraction opening is not guaranteed
The train, rafting, glass bridge, water park, and light show all depend on the day's operations; strong wind, rain, maintenance, or crowd levels can close them. Check the on-site notices before going or after arriving, then decide which tickets to buy; do not treat promotional content as confirmed attractions.
Ticket boundaries
The gate is free; internal attractions are charged individually or by package, and a package covers only the attractions it includes, not Jinluan Bay or other beaches. Before buying a package, confirm which attractions are open that day; do not pay in advance for attractions that have already stopped running. Parking and attraction tickets are also calculated separately.
Weather and the experience
On rainy days the colours look grey, the glass bridge and water-based attractions may close, and the experience clearly worsens; a sunny day also does not mean every attraction is open. Some beach areas are only moderately clean, so bring wet wipes or water to rinse. In strong wind, watch your hat, umbrella, and belongings.
Evening visit and return
The light show usually lasts until around 21:00, but whether it runs and when it ends follow the on-site situation. For the night view, confirm return transport in advance; taxis around the scenic area may be inconvenient, and an electric scooter needs enough battery. The performance can be loud, so if you are sensitive to sound, do not plan to leave too late.