2025 Xisha Islands Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in February)

Today, I want to take you to a mysterious and beautiful ocean paradise - the Xisha Islands. With crystal-clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and abundant marine life, this is a place that will capture your imagination. However, choosing the right time to visit Xisha is crucial. Let's take a look at the best time to visit Xisha. Time: November to May of the following year. 🏖️ Weather: This is the dry season in Xisha, with sunny weather and average temperatures between 24°C and 28°C, making it perfect for outdoor activities and water sports. 🌞✨ Sea conditions: The sea is calm with small waves, making it ideal for boat trips, sightseeing, and diving. 🌊✨ Marine life: The water is clear with high visibility, making it the best time to see coral reefs and marine life. You may see colorful fish, beautiful corals, and various unique marine creatures. Communication 📶 While sailing in the Xisha Islands, mobile phone signals may be unstable. Once you reach the Xisha waters, your phone will have a signal. Xisha is a charming place with unique scenery in every season. I hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Xisha and have an unforgettable vacation.

Xisha Islands: A trip blessed by the sea In elementary school, our teacher's eyes were full of longing as they described a paradise on earth to us: the Xisha Islands. As I grew up, I longed to visit this mysterious sea, and now that I have, I want to share my travel tips with you. 1. Where are the Xisha Islands? The Xisha Islands are located in the heart of the South China Sea, between 15°46′ - 17°08′ north latitude and 111°11′ - 112°54′ east longitude. They are like a bridge connecting the Chinese mainland, Dongsha Islands, Hainan Island, Zhongsha Islands, and Nansha Islands. They are an integral part of Sansha City, Hainan Province, and a paradise for many travelers. 2. How to get to the Xisha Islands Currently, only Quanfu Island and Yinyu Island are open to tourists, and only tourists from the Chinese mainland are allowed to visit. You can take a cruise from Sanya Phoenix Island Cruise Terminal on the "Xianglong Island" or "Dream of the South China Sea" cruise ship, and embark on an 11-hour sea journey. After the cruise arrives, you can take a speedboat to the beautiful islands. Please note that cruise tickets need to be booked in advance, or you may miss this dream trip. 3. How to choose a cruise room There are a variety of room types on the cruise ship. Six-person rooms are lively, four-person rooms are cozy, two-person rooms are private and quiet, and luxury suites are luxurious. Prices range from RMB 5,000 to RMB 30,000, and vary by season. You can choose according to your preferences and budget, and enjoy a comfortable and relaxing time at sea. 4. Is there a signal on the island? For about 10 hours of the cruise, your phone will have no signal, and you will feel isolated from the world. This is a rare opportunity to relax your mind. However, once you arrive at the Xisha Islands, you will be able to communicate smoothly, whether on the cruise ship or on the island, and share the beautiful scenery of your trip at any time...

Recommended reasons: This is the most beautiful sea area in China, with crystal-clear water and stunning scenery. Moreover, it is only open to Chinese citizens, ensuring a pristine and tranquil environment. Every photo you take here is like a screensaver, making it a must-visit destination. Attraction address: These beautiful islands are located in the South China Sea, near the Yongle Atoll. They include several uninhabited or inhabited islands, such as Quanfu Island, Yinyu Island, and Yagong Island. Attraction transportation: Due to the remote location of these islands, they are usually accessible by boat. You can choose to take a yacht or speedboat from nearby ports and enjoy the sea views along the way. Must-visit attractions: Quanfu Island: Home to China's pink beach, with soft sand and clear water creating a beautiful picture. Yinyu Island: Surrounded by a glass sea, with coral sand on one side and a rocky shoal on the other. Seagulls often rest here, making it a great place for photos. Yagong Island: Named for its duck-like shape, it is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs, and you can taste fresh seafood from local fishermen. Ticket information: Since most of these islands are nature reserves or undeveloped areas, you may need to apply for a permit or purchase special tickets in advance. It is recommended to consult local tourism departments or relevant agencies for the latest information. Other tips: Sun protection: Don't forget to bring sunglasses, a sun hat, an umbrella, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. Safety: Be careful of shells, coral, and other debris on the island to avoid cuts or scratches. Also, avoid wearing flip-flops when landing on the island. Choose beach sandals with straps to prevent falls and scratches. Eco-friendly travel: After landing on the island, please consciously protect the marine and island environment, do not litter, and protect this beautiful sea area.

✨The Xisha Islands, a dreamy blue secret land, is a treasure land gifted by nature. 💎 Here, the clear sea water and the white and delicate beach complement each other, as if walking into a fairyland. 🏝️Stroll on the beach, feel the caress of the sea breeze, listen to the sound of the waves, and all the troubles are left behind. 🌊 Dive into the sea, colorful corals and cute tropical fish surround you, as if entering a magical underwater world. 🐠Every breath can feel the charm and mystery of the sea. The Xisha Islands not only have beautiful natural scenery, but also have a profound historical background. It has witnessed countless stories and legends. 📜 🌈Come to the Xisha Islands and start an unforgettable adventure! 💖

Xisha has always been the dream destination of countless friends who come to Hainan. It is currently the southernmost tourist destination in China that tourists can reach. It is also known as the most difficult place to reach in China! There is no cold winter here. The average monthly temperature is between 24°C-29°C. It has the largest deep ocean blue hole discovered in the world, not inferior to the Maldives at all, and only Chinese citizens are allowed to visit the island. Really Full of pride in the motherland! Currently, only two islands in the Xisha Islands are open for travel, and only the Changle Princess Cruise and the South China Sea Dream Cruise can reach them.

Some people say that Quanfu Island is white and beautiful, and it is really not an exaggeration at all. The island is covered with soft white sand. Walking, blowing the sea breeze, and stepping on the waves will make the worries of work and life disappear. Take some funny photos with your friends and fill the whole trip with laughter. What moved me the most was the raising of the national flag. Standing at the southernmost tip of the motherland, when the five-star red flag rose slowly, everyone sang the national anthem along with the music, their hearts surged and they shed tears of excitement.

The sea is in my eyes, and I am in the eyes of the sea. I want to find a place with the sea to spend the rest of my life with you. Stepping on the sunset-like beach, Listening to the sea breeze, Writing our romantic story. — Paracel Islands, China 【Location】 The Paracel Islands are located at the southernmost tip of the motherland's territory. It is the southernmost tourist destination that tourists can reach, and it is an island that only Chinese citizens can enter and play! The purest natural sea area, the most beautiful secret islands, and the ultimate sky, sea, and beach will let you experience the baptism of the soul. 【Highlights of the Trip】 Transportation/Accommodation ◆ Currently, you can only go to the Paracel Islands by taking the "Dream of the South China Sea" or the "Princess Changle". ◆ Accommodation on the cruise throughout the journey ① Double rooms, quadruple rooms, six-person rooms, and suites are available. The beds are bunk beds, and the prices vary depending on the bed. Although the rooms are small, they are well-equipped, and the hygiene and food are very good. ② There is a caring butler on the ship, one butler leading about 10 people. If you have any questions, just ask him.

The Paracel Islands are divided into two parts: the Yongle Islands and the Xuande Islands. Sansha City is established on Yongxing Island in the Xuande Islands. The island has simple accommodation facilities and direct flights to Yongxing Island, but those who can go need to undergo very strict screening, making it difficult for general tourists to reach. Currently, ordinary tourists can take a cruise to the Yongle Islands. To protect the ecological environment, only two small islands, Yinyu Island and Quanfu Island, are open for tourists to visit in the Yongle Islands. This is a treasure island separated by the deep ocean, where the coral stones sculpted by seawater and the fish swimming through the stone forests tell the mysteries of the sea for thousands of years.

After several years of continuous construction, the living facilities on Yinyu Island are now relatively complete. Not only are there power generation facilities, but also seawater desalination equipment and network signal coverage, which basically meet the daily life and production needs of fishermen. Although Yinyu Island is small, it has a rich variety of landscapes: fine sand, coral fragments, and rocky shoals. Yinyu Island has a sea area known as the 'Seven-Colored Sea' due to its extremely rich water colors. Here, the sea presents different magnificent colors from every angle, offering pure and serene beauty without luxurious scenery.

The Xisha Islands may have the most beautiful blue color in China. After going there, I felt more Chinese. Many people only have impressions of it from primary school textbooks. With the opening of cruise ships, it has become the bluest sea that can be visited in the motherland. It is a sea that only Chinese people can see. It is clean and pure, and there are Beach, sun, and waves are a completely different island experience. The Paracel Islands are a place only Chinese citizens are allowed to go! The most beautiful island in the country, the southernmost archipelago of the motherland, can be seen for thousands of years. Trip Highlights 1. Participate in the national flag raising in Xisha and pay tribute to the motherland at 16 degrees north latitude 2. Free sightseeing by glass boat, check in the most beautiful colorful glass sea 3. Enjoy Xisha Theater and open-air performances 4. Each room is equipped with a butler who will be responsible for any questions we have, and will also help us take photos and teach us how to pose. Itinerary at a glance D1: Check in at Phoenix Island International Cruise Port and gather for departure D2: Breakfast on the cruise - Sightseeing on Quanfu Island - Landing on the island to take photos - Return to the cruise ship for lunch - Experience fishermen's life on Yinyu Island - Dinner - "Ode to the Joy of the Ocean" song and dance party D3: Breakfast - "Xisha National Flag Raising Ceremony" on Quanfu Island - Free activities - Lunch - Playing on the beach of Yinyu Island - Check in at Sansha Lighthouse - Free activities (you can participate in water sports such as deep diving, snorkeling and sea fishing at your own expense) - Deck trip share D4: Return to Sanya, end of trip Breakfast (6:30-7:30) Noon (12:00-1:30) Dinner (18:00-19:30) (all on board, buffet) Sanya sea trip, 4 days and 3 nights Xisha tour Tourists are required to be Chinese citizens over 12 years old and under 68 years old (compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are not included in this list). They need to fill out a "Xisha Travel Application Form", "Tourist Health Declaration", and "Xisha Travel Notification", including not only their name , ID number, date of birth and other basic information, as well as specific address, main family member information, unit name and position, etc. Tourists with a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, etc. are not allowed to register Things to note ❗️Sandals, slippers or sports shoes with back straps must have back straps (flip-flops cannot be taken to the island in a rubber boat) because the wind and waves are very strong, and shoes without back straps are easy to slip and be swept away by the waves. The heel of the shoe cannot exceed 3cm. Otherwise, you are not allowed to go to the island ❗️Prepare a raincoat, because your clothes will get wet if you take the speedboat to the island, and bring a swimsuit as well ❗️Some islands do not have restrooms or the restrooms are very crude. If some ladies need to change into swimsuits for swimming and taking photos, they can change directly on the boat. ❗️You can prepare more snacks ❗️Sunscreen/hat/sun protective clothing ❗️Shells exceeding 5cm cannot be brought back to the cruise ship The Xisha Islands have crystal clear sea surface, sea bottoms of different shades of color, and soft white sandbars. Among them, the glass sea is the most famous, and the emerald-like sea surface is very exciting. Every island has a national flag, marking Xisha as our country's territory and territory, and patriotism arises spontaneously.

Quanfu Island is about 3 kilometers away from Yagong Island, uninhabited, with an area of only 0.02 square kilometers. The island is covered with fine, soft sea sand, and the surrounding seawater is clear and transparent, allowing one to see the seabed with the naked eye. The surrounding sea is the most beautiful sea area in the entire Xisha, with the water shimmering like sapphire. The isolated beauty here is breathtaking; even the most skillful painters using natural dyes cannot replicate its colors, and even high-end cameras can only capture its surface, failing to convey its enchanting charm.

Yinyu is a small sandbar with grass but no trees, occasionally visited by seabirds. Half of Yinyu is coral gravel, and the other half is reef shoals. The elevation is only two meters, and most of it is submerged during high tide. It is said that Yinyu got its name because a lot of silver was found here during the Qing Dynasty. Another saying is that a shipwreck occurred here at the end of the Qing Dynasty, leaving silver behind, hence the name. The reef where Yinyu is located is called Observation Shoal on foreign maps. The small boat sails towards Yinyu, enchanted by the beautiful sea. Due to the varying heights of the reef and the different depths of the sea, under the sunlight, different shades of green and blue create a stunning seven-colored sea. Yinyu is also a place where you can swim. The sun in Xisha is very harsh, so be sure to apply high SPF, waterproof sunscreen. Also, don't spend too much time in the water. I found many hermit crabs on the shore, carrying their shells and running very fast.

Antelope Reef, also known as Kuangzai Reef, is a small atoll in the southwestern part of the Yongle Great Atoll, the core area of China's Xisha Islands. It stretches 12 kilometers from north to south and is about 4 kilometers at its widest point from east to west, resembling an antelope or a basket, hence the fishermen call it Kuangzai. The sandbar on it is called Kuangzai Sandbar, and the Antelope Community is located on the Kuangzai Sandbar at the southwest corner of Antelope Reef. It is also known as the southernmost fishing village in the Xisha Islands. The waters around Antelope Reef are among the most difficult to navigate in the Xisha Islands, and the difficulty of transportation leads to a severe scarcity of resources on the island. As a result, the houses here, from the beams to the roofs, are all made of hard corals and shells that have been ground and piled up. From a distance, they present a gray-white texture. This building material not only withstands the invasion of typhoons but also provides insulation, adapting to the tropical monsoon climate. The fishermen here can not only live and work in peace and contentment but also enjoy modern living facilities. There is electricity supply, communication networks, medical and health services, cultural and entertainment activities, education and training, and even a small library. Through their hard work, the fishermen have turned the Antelope Reef Sandbar from a barren island into a bright pearl in the ocean. The new comprehensive buildings, modern residences, and green vegetation constitute a beautiful picture of the island. The resolution of electricity and fresh water issues means that residents no longer worry about survival but can focus more on developing fisheries and tourism, bringing new prosperity to the island. In 1935, the government of the Republic of China announced the name as Antelope Reef, in 1947 the government of the Republic of China announced the name as Antelope Reef, and in 1983 the government of the People's Republic of China announced the name as Antelope Reef. 🧳Preparation before departure: There is no public transportation; access is by chartered or dedicated boat. ⏳Visiting time: Free admission, the visiting and inspection time is 30 minutes to 1 hour.

🏝Xisha Islands, the mysterious island in the world that only accepts Chinese citizens Paracel Islands - China's southernmost tourist destination. An island that only Chinese citizens can visit is a place you will regret not visiting once in your life. How to have fun in Xisha❓❓❓ 🌈4 days and 3 nights will take you to experience the "Maldives" of China... 🚖Transportation/Accommodation 🛳You can choose to take [South China Sea Dream] or [Changle Princess] to Xisha! 🛳Full cruise accommodation ◆Inner cabins include six-person rooms, four-person rooms, sea-view quadruple rooms, double rooms and deluxe sea-view suites. The beds are divided into bunk beds, double beds, etc. The prices will be different for different beds. The facilities and equipment are also very complete (although the sparrow is small, it has five internal organs) all) ◆There are also considerate butlers on board. One butler leads about 10 people. If you have any questions, you can ask them. Island/Tour √Quanfu Island—China’s pink sand beach Quanfu Island is an uninhabited island. The island is covered entirely with soft sea sand. The water around it is clear and transparent. You can see the seabed with the naked eye. On the island, we raised the national flag together, took photos at the island monument, signed autographs for the Dream of the South China Sea and looked for hermit crabs and colorful fish on the seaside, fully experiencing the ecological charm of the original ecological island. √Yinyu Island is a place embraced by the glass sea You can go to the "Fishermen's Village"▲ to experience the life of the Xisha people; or you can meet up with a few friends to taste the delicacies from the depths of the sea; and listen to the stories of the sea told by old fishermen. √ You can also choose your favorite free entertainment items: Xisha Oil Painting Experience Course; or play a dry land curling match, a good game of badminton, etc.;... I hope you leave footprints here and take them with you. It’s a happy memory that can’t be erased Cruise travel costs include: Cruise ship cabin accommodation fees; Cruise meal expenses (excluding alcohol and self-paid meals); Round-trip transfer fees from the cruise ship to the islands; Housekeeping service fees; Comprehensive cruise travel insurance; Warm tips: Tourists must be mainland Chinese citizens who have passed the political examination, be between the ages of 10 and 70, and have no history of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension or other diseases. When going to the Paracel Islands, you must go with a group and cannot go alone. Check the weather forecast before going to see if there is a typhoon. The Paracel Islands is a typhoon-prone period from August to October, so March to July every year is the best time to go to the Paracel Islands. When going to the Paracel Islands, you should wear sunscreen and bring seasickness medicine and other necessary items. You cannot wear flip-flops when going to the island. You must wear heeled sandals or beach shoes. This is a mandatory requirement of the cruise company. Facing the sun at the southernmost point of China, blowing the cleanest sea breeze, looking at the most sacred, magical and mysterious land of China, I feel proud...

🌟 Golden season for travel: During the spring (March-May), the Paracel Islands become an excellent stage for photography and marine activities with its pleasant climate, calm sea surface, and clear visibility. 🌟 Pre-departure preparation: 1⃣ Essential for travel: Apply for a border pass in advance to ensure a smooth journey. 2⃣ Sea route: Depart from Hainan Island, choose a reputable cruise company, and start a sea journey. 3⃣ Camping arrangements: The accommodation facilities on the islands are limited, it is recommended to book in advance to avoid disappointment. 4⃣ Sunscreen and moisturizing: The sun is strong at sea, don't forget sunscreen and moisturizing lotion when you go out. 🔹 Highlights: 🌊 Underwater walk: Dance with coral reefs and tropical fish in the clear sea. 🐢 Close contact with sea turtles: Observe leisurely sea turtles at close range in specific areas. 🌅 Sunrise and sunset spectacle: Wait quietly on the island for the rise and fall of the sun, and feel the majesty of nature. 📸 Photo check-in: Leave beautiful memories in front of the sign 'Welcome to the Paracel Islands'. 🌟 Warm tips: Keep quiet and avoid disturbing the peaceful life of marine life. Take care of the environment and do not leave any garbage on the island. Before participating in activities such as diving, make sure all safety measures are ready. 📝 Personal experience: That time I dived into the sea, facing the colorful fish and huge coral reefs, that beauty, it was fascinating and unforgettable. 💌 Recommendation: The Paracel Islands, this pure land that has not been developed on a large scale, has unique natural landscapes and rich marine life, and is a dream place for photography enthusiasts and explorers. Here, you can feel the original charm of the ocean. 📅 Itinerary: Day 1: Depart from Hainan Island and arrive at the Paracel Islands; Day 2: Island tour, visit the marine life exhibition hall, beach leisure; Day 3: Diving adventure, turtle observation, sunset appreciation; Day 4: Sunrise viewing, return to Hainan Island by boat.