Huidong Sea Turtle National Nature Reserve

Huidong Sea Turtle National Nature Reserve

Huidong Sea Turtle National Nature Reserve is a national-level nature reserve and a science education base.

Gangkou Town is located in the southernmost part of Huidong County, bordered by - to the east, Daya Bay to the west, the vast South China Sea to the south, and surrounded by sea on three sides, while connecting to Pinghai Town to the north. The town’s economy combines fishing, agriculture, and salt production. Its fishing industry yields precious seafood such as lobsters, groupers, and abalones. Agriculture mainly focuses on rice and vegetables. The Dayuan radish is a local specialty—crisp, sweet, and refreshing. If accidentally dropped on the ground, the entire radish will break into granular pieces. The Dayuan radish can be eaten raw like fruit and has medicinal benefits; when cooked, it complements seafood and meats, enhancing their flavors. For years, the Dayuan radish has been a renowned export vegetable brand from Huidong County, well-known in the Hong Kong and Macau markets.

On Jiulian’ao Beach at the southern foot of Dashixing Mountain in Gangkou lies a natural sea turtle bay, which is China's only sea turtle nature reserve and a national key wildlife protection unit. Gangkou Harbor is a naturally excellent sheltered harbor, with natural barriers on both the eastern and western shores that offer wind protection. It can accommodate 3,000-ton ships and is a national-level fishing port as well as an important import-export hub in Huizhou City, featuring a Category II customs-supervised wharf.

Gangkou has historically been a strategic border defense site and a battleground contested by military forces. In 1718, the Qing government built the Dashixing Mountain Fort (also called Fort Mountain) on Dashixing Mountain in Gangkou to defend against foreign invasion. During the 1962 Battle of Xiaoxing Mountain, the heroic militia company of Gangkou achieved the first-ever nationwide instance of militia independently annihilating a group of U.S.-backed Kuomintang armed spies.

Gangkou Town enjoys social stability, economic prosperity, abundant resources, and enchanting scenery. It is a beautiful bay, and local musicians have composed songs praising it, such as "Beautiful Bay" and "I Love Dashixing Mountain," which have been recorded on VCDs. Visiting Gangkou for leisure offers a chance to witness history, observe the new look of fishing villages, experience the unique charm of the “One-of-a-Kind in China” attraction, and savor the delicious seafood of the South China Sea. If you think the memorable trip to the Sea Turtle Bay should be shared with family or friends, head to the aquatic products comprehensive trading market, where a wide variety of fish, shrimp, crabs, and shellfish are available at good prices.

Address: No. 1, Sea Turtle Bay, Pinghai Town, Huidong County, Huizhou City

Type: Nature Reserve / Beach/Coastline

Recommended Visit Duration: 2–3 hours

Phone: 0752-8560818

Opening Hours:

8:00-17:00

Admission Fee

Adult ticket: 30 RMB. Child ticket (for children between 1.2 m and 1.5 m tall): 15 RMB.

Transportation

By Car:

Starting from Guangzhou, take the Guangzhou-Huizhou Expressway, exit at Wutang in Huidong, switch to Guangzhou-Shantou Highway, head towards Shantou, turn at Dabutun toward Gangkou Town, then drive another 3 km after reaching Gangkou Town to arrive at the Sea Turtle Reserve. The reserve is open from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, allowing visitors to tour the sea turtle breeding area and the Sea Turtle Bay coastline.

By Bus:

Take a bus from Huidong County Bus Station to Gangkou Town Bus Station, then hop on a motorcycle taxi.