Dongping Town Seaport, Yangjiang, Guangdong

📍Location: Dongping Town, Yangdong District, Yangjiang City, Guangdong Province｜2.5 hours drive from Guangzhou, 30 minutes taxi ride from Yangjiang High-Speed Rail Station 🌊 Seaport Heritage: The Modern Transformation of a Millennium Fishing Port Dongping Town Seaport, once known as "Shazui Port," is a shallow sea fishing port that has undergone decades of artificial embankment and expansion. It is now one of the largest national central fishing ports in western Guangdong. The port basin covers an area of 1.8 square kilometers, with a maximum depth of over 5.5 meters, capable of docking more than 1,000 fishing vessels simultaneously and even accommodating 10,000-ton cargo ships. Seven massive breakwaters snake into the sea like dragons, with a total length of 2,352 meters. The fishing wharves and logistics facilities (shipyards, ice factories, seafood processing plants, etc.) are all well-equipped, making it a perfect blend of a "fishing boat museum" and a "fishing logistics base." 🚢 Daily Life at the Fishing Port: A Symphony of Freshness and Vibrancy At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight shine on the harbor, fishing boats return with their catch, sounding their horns. Fishermen busily unload their haul. Silver pomfret, mackerel, and shrimp glisten on ice beds, while vendors’ shouts and the roar of ice trucks blend into a lively market symphony. During fishing moratoriums, the harbor filled with moored boats looks even more spectacular, with vessels standing still like soldiers awaiting their next voyage. At dusk, the fishing port promenade and Mandarin Duck Road become the best viewing spots. The sunset dyes the sea a honey color, with fishing boat silhouettes and an orange skyline forming a natural frame locals call the "Eye of the Fishing Port." 🏖️ Coastal Hidden Gem: The Romance and Wildness of Pearl Bay 🌴 Pearl Bay Beach: This 2-kilometer-long crescent-shaped beach is famous for its fine, powdery white sand and crystal-clear, unpolluted waters. At low tide, lively little crabs and shells on the beach bring back childhood memories of beachcombing. In the evening, the beach transforms into an open-air cinema where visitors can sit on the sand, enjoy salt and pepper mantis shrimp (38 RMB/serving), and watch the night view of the fishing port—a much better value than popular island destinations. 📸 Popular Photo Spots: Heart Bridge: A wooden boardwalk located behind the Mediterranean Hotel, where sunrise views combine fishing boat silhouettes with an orange sea, perfect for postcard-worthy shots. Fei'e Ridge Viewing Platform: A 600-meter stone stair hike to the summit offers a 360° panoramic view of the fishing port, producing National Geographic-level photos straight from your phone. Recommended to visit around 4 PM to avoid the harsh sun and catch a stunning sunset. Breakwater Lighthouse: When the tide rises and water floods the platform, it creates a "polar expedition" vibe, a must-visit spot for couples. 🛶 Cultural Roots: The Millennium Echoes of Tai O Fishing Village 🏯 Tai O Fishing Village: Known as "Guangdong’s Most Beautiful Fishing Village," this ancient port preserves a 380-meter Ming and Qing dynasty commercial street and the Zheng He’s Western Ocean voyage supply station ruins. Strolling along the bluestone paths, relics like the ancient guild hall, silver vault, and fort tell the glorious story of the "Thirteen Factories." The village’s fishing folk custom exhibition hall displays millennium-old fishing boat models and fishing tools, with elders weaving fishing nets live, instantly transporting visitors back to the traditional fishing era. 🌅 Feilong Temple: Perched atop Yutun Mountain, Feilong Temple is surrounded by the sea on three sides like a boat sailing on blue waters. The temple’s carved beams and painted rafters, with incense smoke curling in the air, offer distant views of the fishing port and Pearl Bay. The contrast between the seafood stalls at the mountain’s base and the temple’s zen atmosphere at the summit creates a unique experience, a "dual cultivation of palate and soul." 🍤 Culinary Feast: Ultimate Freshness from Port to Table 🦞 Seafood Guide: Direct Purchase at the Wharf: Early morning when fishing boats return, you can buy freshly landed seafood and have it processed at the opposite floating restaurant (processing fee 10-20 RMB/serving). The meat is so fresh it’s "tongue-tingling." Must-Try Dishes: Salt and pepper mantis shrimp, steamed grouper, ginger and scallion stir-fried crab—satisfying meals for about 50 RMB per person. Hidden Menu: Shrimp paste steamed pork belly from village stalls, savory and perfect with rice, a local secret delicacy. 🏡 Accommodation Guide: Seaview Homestays: Homestays with windows overlooking fishing boats (around 348 RMB/night), waking up to the sound of boat horns, offering much better value than star-rated hotels. Camping Experience: Pearl Bay Beach allows self-pitched tents (50 RMB/night), sleeping to the sound of waves and waking to sunrises that dye the sea red. 🚗 Travel Tips: 2-3 Day In-Depth Itinerary Day 1: Morning fishing port market visit → seafood lunch → afternoon hike at Fei'e Ridge → sunset at Pearl Bay. Day 2: Cultural tour of Tai O Fishing Village → blessing at Feilong Temple → birdwatching at Shouchang River Mangrove Wetland Park. Day 3: Rent an electric bike for coastal riding → experience fishing with locals → buy dried seafood (dried squid, eel glue) before departure. 📌 Summary: Three Major Charms of Dongping Town Seaport Freshness: Zero distance from fishing boat to table, immersing your taste buds in the gifts of the South China Sea. Cultural Depth: Millennium fishing village, ancient port relics, and a zen temple create a multi-layered cultural experience. Hidden Healing: Uncommercialized beaches and uncrowded viewpoints, perfect for a quiet mini-vacation. "Here, every wave carries a fisherman's story, and every sea breeze whispers history. Dongping Town Seaport is not an end, but a dialogue about the sea, culture, and self." 🌟Recommended Rating: ★★★★★｜Ideal for couples, families, photography enthusiasts, and all souls longing for a slow life