Coastal Hiking Guide Around Guangzhou｜Beginner Friendly! 5 Routes Hiding Mountains, Sea, and Everyday Life

1⃣ Shenzhen Dongxichong ✨ Classic mountain-to-sea crossing route! Climbing ropes on the rocks is especially thrilling—the rocks are polished smooth by the waves, your palms gripping the rope can feel the coolness of seawater, and as you step carefully, looking back you see waves rushing up through the cracks in the rocks, splashing white salt-like spots on your pants. 🔗 Route: Dongchong Beach → Observatory Boardwalk → Xichong Beach (reverse direction works well too, fewer people start at Xichong) 📷 Must-shoot spot: The Observatory glass boardwalk requires advance reservation at “Shenzhen Observatory.” Standing on it feels like stepping on the sea, with the blue water so clear you can see the rocks below; looking down from the mountain top, the sea is a thick blue, and fishing boats look like floating leaves. 🚄 Transport: Take high-speed train from Guangzhou South to Shenzhen North in 30 minutes, then taxi to Dongchong Village about 1.5 hours (advise telling the driver to stop at the beach entrance to avoid detours). Driving or group charter is more convenient, with parking right next to the start point. ⚠️ Note: Don’t rush on the rope sections; avoid worn spots on the rope when grabbing it, wait for the person ahead to move if the rocks are slippery, and don’t crowd through. 2⃣ Huizhou Heipaijiao ✨ So few people you can enjoy the rocky beach alone! The volcanic rocks are the soul here—dark and ink-dyed, lying by the sea like giant beasts. When waves hit, white foam explodes around the rock edges with a loud splash that carries far. 🔗 Route: Wanzai Village → Yangwu Beach → Yanzhou Island (if average fitness, just walk Wanzai Village to Yangwu Beach, about 2 hours) 📷 Photo spot: After the tide recedes, the beach is scattered with broken shells, some with pale pink patterns, smelling of the sea; the mangroves at Yanzhou Island are stunning at dusk, with egrets flying close to the water, the sunset dyes the mangroves golden red, and their shadows sway on the water. 🚘 Transport: Drive from Guangzhou about 2.5 hours to “Heipaijiao Wanzai Village start point,” parking costs 20 RMB/day, then a 5-minute walk to the beach. ⚠️ Note: Don’t walk barefoot on the shell beach! The broken shells are sharp; wear thick-soled hiking shoes for safety. Check tides with the “Tide Table” app and start about 1 hour after low tide; at high tide, half the rocks are submerged and the path is very narrow. 3⃣ Zhuhai Gaolan Port Windmill Hill ✨ Windmills turning with mountain and sea views! The windmill group on the hill stands like giants, blades spinning with a “whoosh” sound, the wind carrying salty-sweet sea air. Looking down you can see the rocky beach of Sanlang Bay, where big waves can splash 2-3 meters high, sparkling like scattered silver. 🔗 Route: Feisha Beach → Sanlang Bay → Windmill Hill → Loop back (about 4 hours total, beginners can turn back at Sanlang Bay) 📷 Photo spot: Next to the dirt path on Windmill Hill is a large rock perfect for photos with windmills and islands in the frame; the distant Wanshan Archipelago looks like green peas floating on water. At low tide on Sanlang Bay’s rocky beach, crouch down for close-ups of waves kissing the rocks. 🚘 Transport: Drive 2 hours from Guangzhou to Feisha Beach, parking 15 RMB/day; or take high-speed train to Zhuhai Station, then bus Z142 to “Feisha Beach Intersection” stop, 10-minute walk to start. ⚠️ Note: Don’t come on rainy days! Mud sticks to shoes; bring a trekking pole to test the path. No trees block the sun, so wear a sun hat, arm sleeves, and hang a sweat towel around your neck to avoid sweat stinging your eyes. 4⃣ Huidong Shuangyue Bay Viewing Platform + Sea Turtle Bay ✨ Perfect for family outings! It’s a 20-minute climb to Daxing Mountain Viewing Platform, where looking down—the left half of the bay looks like a crescent moon, the right half a round arc, with one side blue and the other green water, and the shimmering waves make your eyes dizzy when the wind blows. 🔗 Route: Shuangyue Bay Resort → Daxing Mountain Viewing Platform → Sea Turtle Bay Boardwalk (gentle slopes all the way, easy for kids) 📷 Check-in spot: The “Huixian Bridge” boardwalk at Sea Turtle Bay is a must! The white boardwalk wraps around the cliff, and looking down you can see sea turtles sunbathing on the shallow beach (ticket 30 RMB, free for kids under 1.2m); the sunrise at the viewing platform is stunning, the morning sun dyes the two bays orange-red, no filter needed for photos. 🚘 Transport: Drive about 3 hours from Guangzhou, resort has parking; driving is recommended with kids for easy stops to hydrate. ⚠️ Note: Electric carts cost 10 RMB/person, stopping at the Sea Turtle Bay entrance and mid-boardwalk; don’t skip this with kids or you’ll have to carry tired little ones. The boardwalk railing gaps are a bit wide, don’t let kids lean over reaching for the water. 5⃣ Zhongshan Yakou Coastline ✨ Rice fields mixed with sea breeze! The rice paddies beside the Yakou Village seawall are tender green in spring and golden yellow in autumn, swaying like waves in the wind. Walking toward the fishing village, you can see fishing boats docking and fishermen emptying small fish from nets into bamboo baskets, the fishy smell mixed with cooking smoke from the village feels very authentic. 🔗 Route: Yakou Village → Coastal Seawall → Yanshiwei Fishing Village (cycling is more comfortable, seawall about 2 meters wide, shared bikes available) 📷 Little surprise: Early morning on the seawall you can shoot rice fields with sunrise, dew on rice ears sparkling gold; the fishing village dock has old fishing boats painted blue, with ropes decorated with shells, giving a vintage vibe for photos. 🚘 Transport: Drive 1.5 hours from Guangzhou to Yakou Village, free parking at village entrance; bike rental 15 RMB/hour, choose one with a child seat if bringing kids. ⚠️ Note: Don’t ride too fast! Elderly people sometimes walk on the seawall, so slow down and go around; the stone path at the fishing village dock is uneven, wear non-slip shoes and avoid mossy edges which are very slippery. 【Gear Recommendations】 ✅ Basic gear: Choose hiking shoes with patterned soles (must for rocky sections), wide-brim sun hat to protect face and neck, quick-dry clothes with ventilation holes, 20L backpack with side mesh pockets for water bottles. ✅ Safety items: Wear durable gloves (to protect hands when grabbing ropes), add bandages and iodine cotton pads to first aid kit (for cuts on rocks), bring a 20,000mAh power bank (weak signal by the sea drains phone battery). ✅ Supplies: Bring 2L water, not just mineral water but also one bottle of electrolyte water (to replenish salts when sweating), nut-flavored energy bars, avoid overly salty beef jerky to prevent thirst. ✅ Others: Waterproof phone pouch with lanyard (hang around neck to avoid dropping in the sea), bring 2 extra trash bags (for your trash and to pick up others’ litter), spray mosquito repellent on pants and shoes in mangrove areas (mosquitoes bite ankles). 【Notes】 ✅ Beginners don’t hike alone! Even one companion is better, especially on the rope section at Dongxichong and rocky area at Heipaijiao, having someone to help is safer. ✅ Check tides and weather twice! Besides the “Tide Table” app, check local weather forecasts for Zhuhai and Huizhou one day in advance; coastal weather changes fast, don’t wait until halfway to get caught in a storm. ✅ Don’t touch marine creatures! Don’t pick coral or shells (some are protected species), don’t catch small crabs on rocks, don’t feed sea turtles at Sea Turtle Bay—there are cameras and fines. ✅ Change gear by season! Bring a lightweight raincoat in summer (thunderstorms come fast), don’t hide under rocks in rain; wear a hooded windbreaker in winter, sea breeze is very cold, carry warm packs in your pockets. ⚠️ All routes are currently open for hiking, no need to check closure info before setting out. Just pick a sunny day, bring a good mood, and go!