Outdoor Adventures: Hiking Nan'ao Island's Coastal Road to Discover Stunning Mountain and Sea Views

It only takes half a day to travel from Guangzhou to Nan'ao Island. Departing in the morning, I arrived at Houzhai Town, the county seat, by noon. I decided to spend the afternoon hiking around the island, choosing the coastal road as my route. - 🚶‍♂️Hiking Along the Coast Walking from Beisha Bay to Jinyintai, a winding coastal boardwalk appeared along the shore. This section of the coast is dotted with massive yellow reefs, constantly pounded by waves, creating layers of surging tides. - Haisi Square was built to commemorate Nan'ao Island's historical significance as a vital port along the ancient Maritime Silk Road. Situated directly on the ancient shipping route, Nan'ao Island served as a prominent landmark for sailors. The island's readily available fresh water supply further solidified its importance as a crucial stop. - Qianaowan Lighthouse, with its elegant yellow body and blue top, was my next destination. Standing gracefully in the sea, it's connected to the shore by a long pier. Surrounding the lighthouse are azure waters, with reefs occasionally emerging from the surface, creating a symphony of crashing waves. - Qianaowan Bay is nestled within the dense forest nearby. The bay is characterized by large reefs on both sides, enclosing a narrow sandy beach. Despite the strong winds and waves, it was enjoyable to stroll along the sand. - Beyond Qianaowan Bay, the coastal boardwalk disappeared, leaving only the road to walk along. As the main road for vehicles entering the island, it's quite busy. The road itself isn't wide, with only a narrow pedestrian path on one side, making it less than ideal for hikers. - However, for those driving 🚍, it's a scenic coastal highway offering breathtaking mountain and sea views. - Finally, I arrived at Tianzai Geological Park ⛰️, a coastal Stonehenge of sorts. Giant reefs are scattered along the shore, a testament to the awe-inspiring power of nature. Climbing atop these rocks, feeling the wind in my hair and gazing at the blue sea and sky, was incredibly refreshing. - Continuing along the road, I spotted a bus stopping at Dachuan'ao Village and hopped on to avoid the challenging stretch of highway. - I got off at Qihang Square, the last stop before leaving the island. Here stands a red lighthouse 🌈 called Changshanwei, the first sight that greets visitors arriving on the island. A large anchor stands in the adjacent square, symbolizing the start of a journey. This marked the end of my coastal road hike, although I cheated a bit on the last section, skipping about 3 km. After checking in at Qihang Square, I took the bus back to Houzhai.