Plan at a glance
Take the ferry from Guangli Pier
Yanzhou Island is in Guangli Subdistrict, Dinghu District. Use “Guangli Pier” or “Yanzhou Island Ferry Crossing” for navigation. Half a day to one day is enough for the villages, grassland and riverfront. Camping or flying-base activities require about two days and one night.
Ferries usually run 07:00–18:00, with schedules adjusted by season and water level. Aim to leave the island before 17:00. Island entry and most of the main sights, including Bao Gong Tower, the Chen Huanzhang Former Residence and the Educated Youth Building, are free. Ferry charges are separate: about CNY 5 per pedestrian round trip, CNY 6 for an electric bicycle or motorcycle, and CNY 40 for a car of up to seven seats.
Avoid driving onto the island on busy weekends
The pier accepts cars on the ferry, but one-way roads on the island can become congested on weekends and holidays. Most visitors are more flexible if they leave the car at the pier and walk, cycle or rent an electric bicycle.
There are few restaurants and shops on the island, and the beaches, grasslands and villages are not all next to one another. Bring water, snacks, a picnic mat and mosquito repellent rather than expecting to buy everything after arrival.
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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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Three to four hours: grassland, villages and Bao Gong Tower
Ferry from Guangli Pier → grassland on both sides of the landing → cycle or walk around the island → Bao Gong Tower → Educated Youth Building → ferry back. This is a relaxed route for visitors who mainly want river views, old buildings and village streets.
Check the return ferry before starting the photography stops. If you arrive in the afternoon, decide how long to stay on the grassland only after confirming the last boat; do not treat it like a city bus that will come whenever you need it.
Six to eight hours: beach and history
Pier → Jinsha Beach → Bi’an Temple → Chen Huanzhang Former Residence → Flying Base → island meal → return. On a first visit, use the morning for the villages and former residence, then spend the afternoon at Jinsha Beach or choose one paid activity.
The Flying Base’s go-karts, paramotor flights and hang-glider experiences are paid separately. Listed prices are about CNY 50 for four go-kart laps, from CNY 198 for a paramotor flight and from CNY 388 for a hang-glider experience. You do not need to choose every activity; the island’s free landscape and history already fill a half-day.
Two days and one night: camping
Arrive in the afternoon, set up at the campsite and watch the sunset. The next morning, see the sunrise, cycle around the island and visit the village buildings before returning. Self-supplied camping equipment is listed at about CNY 100 per night, while paid campsites usually have more convenient toilets and hot water.
Camping requires more supplies, and the island shops are limited. Before staying overnight, confirm water, toilets, lighting and the weather. Do not choose a campsite based only on sunset photographs.
Build your day
One-day route: village in the morning, beach in the afternoon
Guangli Pier → Bao Gong Tower → Chen Huanzhang Former Residence and Chen Family Ancestral Hall → Educated Youth Building → Jinsha Beach → Flying Base or grassland break → island meal → return. See the buildings and villages in the morning, then keep the riverfront activities for the softer afternoon light.
Bao Gong Tower, the former residence and the Educated Youth Building offer different types of history. Jinsha Beach and the grassland are suitable for a picnic, photographs and sunset, but treat the river edge according to the on-site conditions rather than as a supervised swimming area.
Easy route: fewer activities, more walking
Pier → main grassland → Bao Gong Tower → village lanes → Educated Youth Building → Jinsha Beach → pier. This works well for older adults, children or anyone who wants a slow day without filling the schedule with paid activities.
The walking and cycling routes are exposed to the sun. Light is softer after 16:00, but you still need time for the ride back to the pier, the queue and boarding. Do not use the final half-hour entirely for photographs.
Connect the ferry and island transport once
After parking, take the ferry as a pedestrian and then decide whether to rent an electric bicycle or walk. The off-season rental price is listed at about CNY 40 for three hours, but prices and availability change. Confirm the return point and charging method before taking the bike.
Cars can cross with their passengers, but the boarding ramp is steep and low-clearance cars should move slowly. On weekends, the island traffic and one-way roads make a car less useful. If you do not have much camping equipment, renting a bike or walking is usually simpler.
Get there
Free parking at Guangli Pier
Drive to Guangli Pier, where free parking is available. From Zhaoqing East Railway Station, a taxi takes about 20 minutes. City bus route 15 goes directly to Guangli Pier, followed by a short walk to the ferry.
The pedestrian ferry costs about CNY 5 per person for a round trip, while a car and its passengers cost about CNY 40 per round trip. Ask about the last boat and any water-level adjustment before buying the ticket rather than relying on a weekday schedule.
Choose one island transport method after landing
Walking, cycling, driving and the sightseeing vehicle do not use exactly the same route. The island sightseeing vehicle is listed at about CNY 35 per person and suits visitors who do not want to walk far. With older visitors or camping equipment, ask about its stops and whether it returns to the pier.
You still need to collect the car or transfer to the city after leaving the island. Aim to be near the pier before 17:00 to allow for queues, schedule changes and slower movement in rain.
Know before you go
Separate free sights from paid activities
The island, Bao Gong Tower, Chen Huanzhang Former Residence and Educated Youth Building are generally free, while the sightseeing vehicle, Flying Base, camping and meals cost extra. Before joining a go-kart, paramotor or hang-glider activity, confirm the price, duration and safety requirements.
Restaurants are limited and may cost more than in the city. Bring drinking water, snacks and a picnic mat. If you want a full meal, Yanzhou Hall Restaurant is one listed option, but it should not be treated as the island’s only source of food.
Sun, insects and ferry safety
There is a lot of grassland and many mosquitoes. Bring sunscreen, repellent and comfortable shoes. The ferry ramps are steep, so move slowly with children or large equipment and keep luggage clear of the boarding path.
Ferries usually finish around 18:00, and leaving before 17:00 is recommended. Island traffic can be slow on weekends. If you want to watch the sunset, return toward the pier early rather than waiting until dark to look for a boat.