The Charm of Chuan Islands

　　Introduction       Chuan Islands are located in Chuan Island Town, Taishan City, boasting a coastline (island shoreline) stretching 222.32 kilometers, dotted with numerous beautiful small islands and strikingly picturesque mountain landscapes. Among them, the most scenic islands are Lower Chuan Island and Upper Chuan Island, which face each other across the sea.

　　Upper Chuan Island

　　    Feisha Beach, located on the eastern coast of Upper Chuan Island, is the island’s second-largest beach, stretching 4,800 meters. It features snow-white, glistening sand, a gently sloping and solid beach surface, and crystal-clear seawater. Watching the sunrise over the sea here, with radiant beams and pristine water and sand, is truly refreshing. Since its development in 1985, transportation, accommodation, and recreational facilities have been well-established, attracting a continuous stream of domestic and international visitors.

　　    Jinsha Beach, situated on the eastern coast of Upper Chuan Island, about 1,000 meters north of the northern end of Feisha Beach, is the island’s largest beach. With fine white sand and transparent seawater, the waves here are frequent but not strong. On the northern section of Jinsha Beach, three freshwater rivers meander into the sea, forming several tranquil bays and lakes inland. The southern section of the beach is home to nearly 20 hectares of bamboo-leaf podocarpus, known as “natural bonsai plants.”

　　    Yinsha Beach, located on the eastern coast of Upper Chuan Island, about 3,000 meters south of the southern end of Feisha Beach, is one of the island’s three major beaches. With its smooth, white sands, white waves, and clear waters free of underwater debris, it offers a serene environment. To the right front of the beach lie three quaint small islands, making it an excellent spot for fishing.

　　    Shaluowan Primitive Secondary Forest, located in the northern part of Upper Chuan Island from Cheqiding to Shaluowan and Lefengwan, is a South Asian tropical evergreen broad-leaved forest. The area features a rich diversity of tree species, tall canopy trees, entwining vines and climbers, and bubbling streams in the valleys. Deep within the dense forest, there are multiple troops of macaques and a protected area of South Asian tropical evergreen broad-leaved forest.

　　    Scenic Stone Caves of Southern Chuan, located in the southern part of Upper Chuan Island, feature karst-like landforms, most notably their uniquely shaped granite boulders. There are also sizable granite fissure caves and crystal-lined cavities containing quartz crystal clusters.

　　    Sunset at the Fishing Harbor, located in the southern part of Upper Chuan Island, is at Shadi Port—one of the province’s three major fishing harbors. It captivates visitors with its enchanting evening sunsets and vibrant afterglow.

　　    Moudouzhou’s Bizarre Rocks, located at the mouth of Shadi Bay in the southern part of Upper Chuan Island. The island is low in the middle and high at both ends, composed of numerous oddly shaped granite rocks and rock piles. A lighthouse stands on the rocky outcrop at the southern end of the island.

　　    Huangzhou’s Colorful Gravel Beach, situated on the northern side between Upper and Lower Chuan Islands, is a small island made of metamorphic sandstone with a smooth surface and vibrant colors.      Francis Xavier Memorial Garden, located at the western foot of Xiangbi Mountain in the northern part of Upper Chuan Island, houses the tomb chapel and tomb tower of St. Francis Xavier.

　　    Wuzhuzhou, located to the east of Upper Chuan Island, boasts favorable natural conditions, elegant landscapes, and beautiful scenery.      Cheqiding, situated to the north of Upper Chuan Island, is the highest peak in the Chuan Mountain Archipelago, featuring secondary broad-leaved natural forest landscapes and serving as an ideal spot to admire mountain and sea views.

　　Lower Chuan Island

　　    Wangfuzhou Tourist Center, located in the southern part of Lower Chuan Island, has a 1.6-kilometer-long beach. The tourist center offers comprehensive amenities for food, lodging, transportation, and entertainment. Ferry services between the island and the mainland include high-speed tourist boats and luxury buses, making it an ideal holiday destination.

　　    Wangfuzhou Island, located about 1 nautical mile southeast of Nanao Bay and facing Wangfuzhou Tourist Center across the sea, covers an area of 1.86 square kilometers. The island boasts picturesque scenery with green mountains and pleasant weather.

　　    Guanyin Mountain, situated in the central-southern part of Lower Chuan Island, rises 434 meters above sea level. At its summit is a flat platform with a diameter of over 10 meters, surrounded by 10 small stone peaks that resemble lotus petals. In the center of the platform stands a rock formation shaped like the Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin), facing the sea—known as the “Guanyin Rock” or “Guanyin Sitting on Lotus.”

　　    Guabangwan, named after a local legend: there is a majestic peak on Lower Chuan Island called Guanyin Mountain. Legend says that when Guanyin was traveling south, she was so captivated by the island’s beautiful mountains and waters that she turned the mountain stones into a lotus seat, placed a golden drum rock, and decided to reside there. Upon hearing the news, various deities came to pay homage, celebrating Guanyin’s new “hometown.” As the deities had to sign in upon arrival (known as “guabang” in ancient times), the bay became known as Guabangwan, or “Sign-Up Bay,” where the names and traces of hundreds of deities were left behind.      Niutangwan, located in the central-southern part of Lower Chuan Island, features a unique rock—the Longmai Stone—that juts out from the ground, standing abruptly beneath a cliff and extending to the beach. Buses from Lower Chuan Port can take you directly to Niutangwan.

　　    Shawan, located 2.5 kilometers east of Niutangwan, is a sheltered bay. Legend says that the Moon God, while creating humans from clay under the stars and tying red threads between lovers’ feet to make them a happy couple, sometimes had the clay figures ruined by rain. Unable to recognize the couples, he would leave them in Shawan to choose their own red threads freely.

　　    Chuandong Bay, located on the eastern side of Lower Chuan Island, features a natural sandy beach stretching 3 kilometers. The surrounding pine forests make it an ideal holiday destination.  Transportation       Buses from Taishan Bus Station go directly to Shan Zui Pier. After taking a ferry to the island, transfer to the island’s shuttle bus to reach the beaches. Route: Fohai Expressway (exit at Siqian) – XinTai Expressway (exit at Nanbei) – Coastal Expressway (heading toward Yangjiang, exit at Shangchuan)  Admission/Opening Hours        498 RMB per person (2-day tour), opening hours: 8:00–17:00, with ferries to the island departing every half hour.

　　 Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province