Plan at a glance
Come for the maritime-silk-route site, not entertainment
Xuwen Ancient Port is around Erqiao Village and Shiwei Village in Nanshan Town, Xuwen County, within the Dahan Sand Dunes Tourist Area. The usual approach is through the east entrance toward Shiwei Village. It is free and accessible all day. The visit is about the historical-geography evidence of a Western Han Maritime Silk Road departure port: Jinghai Stone Dogs, Han Port Embankment, Wansui roof-tile disc and the old water edge, rather than a fully serviced beach resort.
Thirty to sixty minutes for the port, two to three hours with wetlands
Jinghai Stone Dogs, Han Port Embankment and the Wansui roof-tile replica take 30–60 minutes. Allow 2–3 hours if you also want the mangrove boardwalk, Erqiao Village and coconut-lined path. The port itself suits a short, focused stop; for a broader Xuwen coast day, continue to Denglou Cape or treat Dahan Sand Dunes Tourist Area as its own full landscape page.
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
One hour for the historic evidence
Enter from the east, see the Jinghai Stone Dogs, walk to Han Port Embankment for the old-port water edge, then continue to the Wansui roof-tile replica before returning. This route suits history-minded visitors with limited time. Its purpose is to show why the place matters as a Han-era port, not to promise continuous major exhibits or dense photo stops.
Two to three hours with the fishing village and mangroves
For a longer visit, extend the ancient-port line to the mangrove boardwalk for birds and mudskippers, then walk through Erqiao Village and the coconut path to see the wetland and fishing-village setting around the site. This connects port, ecology and village on one line, but keep it to daylight and leave enough time for the return rather than stretching it into the dark.
Build your day
Look at the port before the stone dogs and roof tile
The historical value starts with the port itself: stand at Han Port Embankment to understand the water edge and old mooring direction, then see the Jinghai Stone Dogs and Wansui roof-tile replica. The stone dogs are a distinctive Leizhou Peninsula cultural form, while the roof tile connects the area to the Han Maritime Silk Road. Do not reduce the stop to one photographed stone marker.
Treat the natural section as an extension, not a replacement
Mangroves, the Three Dunes islands and Erqiao Village add depth, but they should extend the ancient-port route rather than replace it. Daylight is more comfortable for the boardwalk, birdlife, mudskippers and water-edge details. If history is your only priority, finish the short route and keep your energy for Denglou Cape or Xuwen's museum and academy in the county town.
Get there
From Zhanjiang, driving or a private ride works best
Driving from central Zhanjiang takes about 2–2.5 hours. Navigate to Dahan Sand Dunes Tourist Area or Xuwen Ancient Port; there is parking around the entrance and the route passes wind-turbine coastline. From Xuwen railway station, a taxi takes about 30 minutes. If you arrive by coach at Xuwen Coach Station, you still need a connection toward Nanshan Town, so set the return time before travelling without a car.
Xuwen sites are spread out, even when the port itself is walkable
An e-bike rental of about CNY 50 per day is more flexible than waiting for separate short rides if you also want Denglou Cape, the Pineapple Sea or Xuwen county town. The ancient port itself can be explored on foot, but do not mistake that for a walkable link between all Xuwen sights. Moving between areas still needs a vehicle.
Know before you go
Set expectations for limited facilities
This is an atmospheric, relatively undeveloped site and fishing-village shoreline: its historical value is greater than its entertainment intensity. Food nearby is limited, so bring water and snacks, then eat in Nanshan Town or Xuwen county town afterward. Do not expect the supply points or facilities of a mature resort attraction.
Sun, mosquitoes and parking still affect a short visit
The coast and mangroves have little shade, with strong sun and mosquitoes in planted areas, so bring sun protection and repellent. Entrance parking can be tight on holidays, making an early arrival easier. The core route does not need more than an hour unless you are intentionally adding the mangrove and village extension.
---