Shanwei Travel Guide

### 🌊 **Must-Visit Attractions** 1. **Honghai Bay Zhelang Peninsula** - **Highlights**: The two-tone sea phenomenon (one side with roaring waves, the other calm), the "Sea Castle" in the Nanhai Guanyin Scenic Area is a popular ruin-style photo spot. - **Activities**: Sunrise watching in the early morning (one of Guangdong's top ten most beautiful sunrise spots), surfing (recommended "Offshore Wind" club), evening beach cycling. - **Admission**: Free (Nanhai Guanyin Temple requires 15 RMB). 2. **Jin Ting Bay** - **Features**: 7 km of pristine beach, landmark sail chapel ("Shanwei's Aranya"), popular reef wall, sea piano, perfect for shooting "Mirror of the Sky" sunrise photos. - **Facilities**: Speedboats, Ferris wheel, sea-view swings (some charge fees). 3. **Windmill Island** - **Experience**: 13 giant windmills lined along the coast, a Japanese-style fresh photo spot, recommended to shoot at sunset. - **Note**: No public transport, self-driving or charter needed; the beach is small and water quality average, suitable for photography rather than swimming. 4. **Cultural Landmarks** - **Fengshan Ancestral Temple**: The largest Mazu temple in eastern Guangdong, climb to the top for panoramic views of Pinqing Lake, touch the Mazu statue for blessings. - **Haifeng Red Palace and Red Square**: The birthplace of China’s first Soviet government, free admission (reservation required). - **Luhe Secluded Plum Garden**: Ten thousand acres of blooming plum blossoms in winter (Jan-Feb), green plum picking in summer. --- ### 🍜 **Special Food Guide** 1. **Ermalu Night Market** - **Must-try**: Vegetable rice cake (recommended Deji/Yuanji), sweet and salty thin pancakes (sweet with egg yolk, salty with squid), fresh fruit juice cups (mango passion fruit), raw pickles, vegetable tea (bone broth base + fried rice). - **Time**: After 11 PM, mobile vendors gather, the atmosphere is most lively. 2. **Seafood and Local Dishes** - **Chenzhou Oysters**: Plump and residue-free, classic steamed or garlic grilled (recommended Xiaodao Oyster Love). - **Mackerel Fish Balls**: Handmade, chewy and fresh (Donghai Fish Balls, Jiesheng Fishing Port). - **Beef Hotpot**: Asen Fresh Beef Brisket Shop (beef offal platter around 50 RMB per person), Deji Beef Brisket Hotpot. 3. **Specialty Souvenirs** - Jinxiang dried squid, shrimp paste (old brand "Jiesheng"), Haifeng Meilong lotus root (national geographical indication). --- ### 🏨 **Accommodation Guide** - **Jin Ting Bay Seaside Area**: - Luxury: Poly Hilton DoubleTree Hotel (private beach). - Cost-effective: Yusen Heyuan Seaview Apartment (around 50 RMB per person, walking distance to the beach). - **Honghai Bay Featured Homestays**: - Sea Time Homestay (near Windmill Island), Qianshui Bay Homestay (fishing village retro style). - **City Budget Options**: City Convenience Hotel (near Ermalu Food Street). --- ### 🚗 **Transportation Tips** - **External Transport**: - High-speed rail: Guangzhou/Shenzhen → Shanwei Station (1-1.5 hours), take bus 112 to Jin Ting Bay or taxi from the station. - Self-driving: Guanghui Expressway (3 hours from Guangzhou), Shenhai Expressway (2 hours from Shenzhen). - **Local Transport**: - Attractions are scattered, **self-driving is best** (free parking at Honghai Bay). - Electric scooter rental about 80 RMB/day, city taxi starting fare 10 RMB. --- ### 📅 **Classic Itineraries** **🌟 2-Day Highlights Tour** - **Day 1**: Honghai Bay (Sea Castle + Nanhai Guanyin) → Windmill Island sunset → Ermalu Night Market. - **Day 2**: Jin Ting Bay (sunrise + beach) → Fengshan Ancestral Temple → Pinqing Lake boardwalk night view. **⛱ 3-Day In-Depth Tour** - **Day 3**: Haifeng Red Palace and Red Square → Lufeng Jieshi Bay (Xuanwu Mountain blessing + Qian'ao Beach camping) or Luhe Secluded Plum Garden (winter plum viewing). --- ### ⚠️ **Notes** 1. **Best Seasons**: March-May (spring flower viewing), September-November (autumn sea viewing), beware of typhoons in summer. 2. **Avoid Pitfalls**: - Some Honghai Bay spots require detailed navigation (e.g., find the Sea Castle in Nanhai Guanyin Scenic Area). - Choose seafood stalls with clear pricing, beware of holiday price hikes (recommended Rich Food Street). 3. **Essentials**: Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, comfortable slippers; sensitive stomachs should be cautious with raw pickles. > 💡 **Tip**: Shanwei culture blends Chaoshan and Hakka features. Follow the "Shanwei Culture & Tourism" WeChat official account for intangible cultural heritage performances (like rolling golden dragon, fishing songs) schedules.