Nanwan Crocodile Hill Scenic Area on Weizhou Island

Nanwan Crocodile Hill Scenic Area on Weizhou Island

The Nanwan Crocodile Hill Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Nanwan Crocodile Hill Scenic Area is the most magnificent and essential highlight of Weizhou Island. It includes Crocodile Hill, Colorful Beach, Red Square, Nanwan Marine Sports Park, and parts of the sea, with a total area of 3.8 square kilometers. The scenic area is world-famous for its beautiful island landscapes, typical volcanic geological relics, unique marine erosion micro-landforms, abundant eco-tourism resources, and pleasant climate, and is currently striving to become a national 5A-level tourist attraction.

Crocodile Hill is located on Crocodile Ridge to the west of Nanwan. Viewed from afar, it resembles a crocodile lying in wait, hence the name. The area features a circular hiking route that goes left downhill and right uphill, with a total of 871 steps and 1,645 meters of seaside wooden boardwalks. The average visiting time is about 1.5 hours. Crocodile Hill boasts China’s most typical volcanic structures, the richest variety of volcanic landscapes, and the most well-preserved multi-period volcanic geological relics. It is the most essential part of the Nanwan Crocodile Hill Scenic Area, designated as a national 4A-level scenic spot in 2009. Key attractions include the Weizhou Lighthouse, Ancient Fort, Tangweng Platform, two volcanic craters (the largest on Weizhou Island — Nanwan Crater, and the only one recognized as a World Geological Heritage site — Crocodile Hill Crater), Dragon Palace Exploration, Turtle Hiding Cave, Bandit Cave, Beasts of the Sea, Sea Erosion Arch Bridge, Moon Bay, Love Locked in Weizhou, Platform for Listening to Waves, and Moon Square, totaling 17 scenic spots.

Colorful Beach is located on the eastern side of Weizhou Island. It gets its name from the colorful hues the tidal flats display under the sunlight after the tide recedes, making it one of the best spots on the island to watch the sunrise over the sea. When the tide is out, vast tidal platforms are exposed, polished smooth by the sea, resembling Impressionist paintings — a spectacular sight. At Colorful Beach, visitors can observe the rare triad of geological features: sea cliffs, sea caves, and tidal platforms all in one place. Ancient quarry sites, where early inhabitants of Weizhou sourced stone to build their homes, can also be seen here.

Red Square is situated in Wanbei on Weizhou Island, covering an area of 112 mu. It integrates national defense education, military camp experiences, and cultural sightseeing. Main attractions include the Red Theater, Weizhou Island National Defense Education Museum, Martyrs’ Cemetery, Red Road, and the Red Era Sculpture Area, serving as the spiritual home of the people of Weizhou. The Red Theater is the cultural hub of Weizhou Island; the National Defense Education Museum spans approximately 254 square meters across two floors with four exhibition halls, showcasing precious historical photos and artifacts. It highlights classic battles, major events, and significant military activities throughout Weizhou’s history, with a focus on the island’s liberation, as well as the outstanding achievements of the Communist Party of China and the military in Weizhou’s development in recent years. The Martyrs’ Cemetery commemorates the 33 soldiers who lost their lives in the final battle on Weizhou Island on March 6, 1950. The Red Road allows visitors to learn about the island’s revolutionary history through sculptures depicting the liberation and recovery of Weizhou.

Nanwan Marine Sports Park is located at Chailan on the western side of Nanwan. It is an important component of the marine connecting area within the Nanwan Crocodile Hill Scenic Area, covering an area of 10,559.9 m². The park combines marine recreation and accommodation, offering a new form of marine tourism leisure within the scenic area. It provides visitors with a comfortable experiential journey, including yacht and sailboat island tours, allowing them to view the stunningly different Weizhou Island from the vast ocean.