Dong'ao Fort
Stone gate and walls.
fsyzh — CC BY 3.0 · drnan tu from Shenzhen, China — CC BY-SA 2.0 · drnan tu from Shenzhen, China — CC BY-SA 2.0 · drnan tu from Shenzhen, China — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Yumeto — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Yumeto — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Yumeto — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Yumeto — CC BY-SA 4.0
A small green island among the Wanshan Islands in the South China Sea, covering about 4.66 square kilometres; some 400 people live there, mostly in Dong'ao village, forests cover more than 80 per cent of it, and it is rated among Guangdong province's leading tourist sites. It is known for quiet bays, sandy beaches and water clearer than along the mainland coast, and for huge granite boulders on its slopes; a paved trail climbs the hills to views of the neighbouring islands and the floating fish farms, and its harbour holds fishing boats and seafood restaurants. On a hill above the bay stand the ruins of the Dong'ao Fort, a stone fort built in 1729 under the Qing dynasty to guard the sea approaches to the Pearl River estuary with a garrison of 50 soldiers; its gate and parts of its walls still stand, and the island also has the site of a customs office set up in 1898. Ferries leave from Xiangzhou port, costing about CNY 100 in ordinary class, 130 in first and 150 in premium, per visitor guides. Sailings are sometimes cancelled in strong wind, so check the timetable before going, book ahead on holidays, and ask about ingredients, as pork is common.
Stone gate and walls.
And sandy beaches.
Views over the islands.
Wanshan Islands, south-east of Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai
By ferry from Xiangzhou port in Zhuhai, about CNY 100 in ordinary class; sailings are sometimes cancelled in strong wind, per visitor guides.