Plan at a glance
This is the combined port, wetland and coast page
Dahan Sand Dunes Tourist Area is around Erqiao Village and Shiwei Village in Nanshan Town, Xuwen County. Enter through the east gate and continue north toward the old port, mangroves and village water edge. The area is free and accessible all day. It combines the Western Han Maritime Silk Road story with the Three Dunes islands, mangroves, tidal flats and Er Dun sunset; unlike the Xuwen Ancient Port page, this page is best used as a complete wetland-and-coast outing.
One hour for the core, half a day for the whole landscape
Jinghai Stone Dogs, Han Port Embankment and the Wansui roof-tile replica take 30–60 minutes. Allow half a day if you want the mangrove boardwalk, Erqiao Village, the direction of the Three Dunes islands, Zhuangyuan Gate or the Er Dun sunset, and build the tide and sunset into the timing. Use two days if you also want Denglou Cape or the Pineapple Sea.
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Use the standard admission package for the core shuttle route; confirm the visit date and current opening hours before checkout.
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A one-hour ancient-port core
Enter through the east gate and visit Jinghai Stone Dogs, Han Port Embankment and the Wansui roof-tile replica in order before returning. This version suits visitors with limited time who mainly want the Han-era port story. Even without the farther coast section, it gives the historical backbone of Dahan Sand Dunes.
A half-day wetland and sunset route
Use daylight for the ancient port, mangrove boardwalk and Erqiao Village, then decide whether to visit Tou Dun tidal flats from the tide table before moving to Er Dun for sunset and the shore-side lighthouse direction. This separates history, ecology and photography into useful time slots. It also avoids forcing a tidal-flat walk during rising water or a mangrove visit after dark.
Build your day
Complete the port route before moving to the wetland
Han Port Embankment, the old-port water edge, Jinghai Stone Dogs and the Wansui roof-tile replica form the clearest historic line at Dahan Sand Dunes. Follow it first to understand the site's role as a Western Han Maritime Silk Road departure port. Then move to the mangroves and village, so history and nature do not compete for the same time.
The mangroves, Three Dunes and Er Dun each have a different purpose
The mangroves suit boardwalk walking, birds and mudskippers; the three small islands are better appreciated from the shore as part of the wetland-and-sea view; Er Dun is best saved for sunset and views toward Xuwen Port. Zhuangyuan Gate can be a light stop along the way, but do not double back for every small marker. If you plan a tidal-flat visit, arriving about one hour before low tide is more practical.
Get there
Driving gives the most control over tide and sunset
Driving from central Zhanjiang takes about 2–2.5 hours. Navigate to Dahan Sand Dunes Tourist Area or Xuwen Ancient Port; there is free entrance parking. Xuwen's sights are spread out, so a car lets you adjust the order for tide and sunset. From Xuwen railway station, a taxi takes about 30 minutes and is a workable high-speed-rail connection.
Without a car, plan each cross-site move
From Xuwen Coach Station, change to a Nanshan Town service, then still arrange the short moves between the entrance, shore and villages. An e-bike is about CNY 50 per day and can work in daylight, but is not a good solution for a long night return. If Denglou Cape, the Pineapple Sea or Xuwen county town are also on the day, ride-sharing or a private car usually saves time.
Know before you go
Tidal-flat activity depends on low tide and proper footwear
For Tou Dun tidal flats, check the tide first and arrive about one hour before low tide; do not walk farther out once water begins to rise. Volcanic rock, oyster shells and reefs are sharp, so wear non-slip stream shoes or thick-soled clogs, never flip-flops. Do not cross unfamiliar tidal channels just for a photograph.
Supplies are sparse, so do not turn a short route into night travel
Food, toilets and supplies around the site are limited. Bring water and snacks, fuel the vehicle and use a restroom before leaving town. This route suits visitors who want history, wetlands and an undeveloped coast, not polished entertainment facilities. The core takes about an hour; add time only when you deliberately plan for low tide or sunset.
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