Sanmen Island

Sanmen Island

Sanmen Island (also known as Tuoning Island) is located at the confluence of Dapeng Bay and Daya Bay in the eastern waters of Shenzhen. It is one of China’s best-preserved natural ecological islands. Covering an area of about 5 square kilometers with a coastline stretching 13 kilometers, the island is just 1.5 nautical miles from Dapeng Peninsula in Shenzhen and 8.7 nautical miles west of Hong Kong waters. It takes only two hours to reach Sanmen Island from Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Dongguan, and Huizhou. According to international tourism organization guidelines for resort planning, the ideal distance between a traveler’s origin and a vacation destination should be over 60 miles (approximately 100 kilometers) to allow for a refreshing change of scenery — a criterion that Sanmen Island perfectly meets. This is also the standard used by Europeans and Americans when purchasing second homes for vacation purposes.

Sanmen Island has long been an important strategic military restricted zone. As early as 1899, the Qing government established a customs post on the island managed by the British. The island features over 20 underground fortifications, totaling 5 kilometers in length, capable of withstanding nuclear attacks, along with more than 30 well-concealed strongholds and an intricate network of trenches.

The most stunning feature of Sanmen Island is its sea. The water is crystal clear with visibility ranging from 5 to 8 meters. On sunny days, immerse yourself in the cool seawater while watching colorful fish swim around you — all worries and fatigue instantly vanish, leaving only tranquility, comfort, and the bliss of being one with nature. On the beach, you can play volleyball, stretch your muscles, search for tiny crabs washed ashore by the tide hidden in the sand, or explore the volcanic rocks along the shore for seashells and sea urchins...

Here, you can completely shed the heavy armor of daily life, leave behind the noise and chaos of the city, and immerse yourself in the mountains and waters, enjoying pure nature and fresh air. With 485 types of vegetation spread across the island, every view is naturally formed — coming here is like stepping into a vast natural forest botanical garden, leaving you feeling refreshed and invigorated. The mangrove forest, known as a living fossil, greets visitors right at the entrance of the Sanmen Island Scenic Resort.

At night, when the bonfire is lit, it feels like being in a primitive indigenous tribe. The firelight reflects on the spirited sailors on the island, making you feel as if you’ve stepped back into the ancient Port of Marseille. Yet here, all the hustle fades away, leaving only pure youth and the passion of life. Stay overnight in a seafront hotel, where you can gaze out at the ocean from your bed. The moist night air carries various exotic fragrances — the sweet scent of flowers and plants mixed with the salty aroma of the sea. Listening to the distant sound of waves crashing against the rocks, even sleep becomes poetic...