Nan'ao Island｜The "Healing Island" Model for Guangdong People, Drive 33 Kilometers to Throw Your Worries into the Glass

Stop obsessing over crowded internet-famous islands! Hidden in the sea of eastern Guangdong, Nan'ao Island is the "spiritual refuge" privately treasured by Guangdong locals 🏴‍☠️. Here, there is no over-packaged commercialization, only the 11-kilometer cross-sea bridge connecting mountains and sea, the 33-kilometer ring road unfolding like a painting, and the authentic scenes of lighthouses, windmills, and fishing lights intertwined. You don’t need to rush your itinerary here; follow the rhythm of the sea breeze, stopping and going as you please, to truly understand the essence of island travel 🌊.

1. Why is Nan'ao Island the "anti-cliché" island benchmark? 📜

It breaks the stereotypes of islands, hiding "magnificence and delicacy" in every inch of scenery:

- Geography and heritage: As Guangdong’s only island county, it guards the sea between Fujian, Guangdong, and Taiwan provinces. The 11-kilometer-long Nan'ao Bridge is like a "rainbow over the sea" 🌈; driving across feels like entering a blue secret realm. The Tropic of Cancer passes through the island, offering the natural wonder of "pole without shadow" 🌞 and a unique landscape where mountains and sea embrace.
- Core charm:
- A rhythm suitable for both activity and relaxation: You can daydream all afternoon on the "milk powder sand" of Qing'ao Bay 😌, or drive around the island chasing an orange sea sunset 🌅; experience the fun of light fishing for small squid with fishermen 🎣, or climb Windmill Hill to watch the sea of clouds roll ☁️, satisfying different travelers’ island imaginations.
- Balance of "niche and classic": There are iconic check-in spots like the "Gate of Nature" 📍, as well as local hidden gems like Puqiangkeng Orange Sea and Qizipeng Windmill Hill, where you can avoid crowds and still take stunning photos for your social circle 📸.
- Fusion of "everyday life and romance": At dusk, Yun'ao Fishing Port sees a thousand sails returning 🚢, fishing lights gradually lighting up; late at night, fresh seafood sizzles in clay pots at street stalls 🍲. Romance here is never forced but lives vibrantly in daily life.
- Practical info: Free island entry (Nan'ao Bridge toll is 96 RMB per vehicle, possibly free on holidays); recommended to stay 2 days and 1 night to fully enjoy the slow pace; best seasons are April-May (to chase blue tears 💧) and September-October (to avoid typhoons and heat 🌡️).

2. Must-visit spots: Each hides an "island story" 📸

1. Ring Road: Flowing "mountain and sea movie frames" 🎬

The 33-kilometer road connects the island’s highlights, each section with its own story:

- Changshanwei section: Just past the bridge is the Departure Square, an excellent spot to photograph the "bridge + red and white lighthouse" 🏮. At sunset, the sun dyes the sea golden red, and the sea breeze carries the scent of salt; every snap looks like an oil painting 🖼️.
- East Coastal Road: Known as the most beautiful section! The Zhanshouting Viewing Platform overlooks the winding S-shaped coastline, like a ribbon wrapped between mountains and sea 🎗️. Drone shots reveal even more grandeur; the breakwater at Houzhai Bay stretches into the sea, as if leading to the edge of the world 🌌.
- Sanchong Cliff section: The red and white striped lighthouse on the cliff looks like a "giant ice cream" 🍦, waves crash on the rocks creating white spray 🌊. The newly added wooden boardwalk is a treasure spot for sunset and blue tears photography.
- Photo tips: Wear light-colored long dresses or shirts 👗 to shoot "car and mountain-sea" road photos safely at curves; when riding an electric scooter, play music 🎵 to let the sea breeze accompany the tunes and maximize the sense of freedom!

2. Qing'ao Bay: Gentle moments in the "glass sea" 💧

Known as the "Hawaii of the East," this bay holds the island’s most delicate tenderness:

- Must experience: Arrive at the "Gate of Nature" at 5:30 AM for sunrise 🌅, watch sunlight pass through the Tropic of Cancer marker tower, and see footprints on the beach gently erased by waves; at noon, the sea water layers into blue and green, barefoot on the "milk powder sand" 👣, the cool sensation spreading from toes to heart.
- Hidden fun: At low tide, join locals to catch sea creatures, dig for small crabs 🦀, collect shells, and enjoy the simple joy of "living by the sea"; at dusk, sit on the beach watching the sunset and fishing boats crossing the golden sea, a full dose of healing 💯.

3. Windmill Hill: Step into "a summer by Hayao Miyazaki" 🍃

Whether at Qizipeng or Jinjiaoyi Windmill Field, there’s a comic-like romance:

- Must experience: Hike or drive to the mid-mountain viewing platform, where 18 giant windmills slowly turn on the hilltop 🎡. The sound of blades cutting the sky blends with the wind, overlooking the magnificent curve where mountains meet sea, instantly blowing away worries 😌.
- Tips: Early mornings often see Windmill Hill shrouded in mist, sunlight piercing through clouds like a fairyland 🧚; wear non-slip shoes 👟, some sections have wild pineapple fields, watch your step.

4. Fishing Port and Ancient Town: Touch the "island’s rings of time" 🪵

Nan'ao Island’s beauty is not just scenery but the warmth of culture:

- Yun'ao Fishing Port: Most lively at dusk! Thousands of sails return and fishing lights flicker 🔥, the air filled with the salty aroma of seafood. Watch fishermen unload their catch and feel the "smoky life of the fishing port."
- General’s Mansion: A Ming Dynasty military fortress 🏯. Touch the cannons under a 400-year-old banyan tree, hear stories of Zheng Chenggong’s recovery of Taiwan, and imagine the island’s historic grandeur in front of maritime maps. A 20 RMB ticket offers a time-travel experience ⏳.

3. Island Flavors: Seafood and desserts for a "healing blast" 🦞

Nan'ao Island’s deliciousness lies in the freshness and purity "from fishing boat to table":

- Must-try seafood:
- Crab roe scrambled eggs: Local red crab roe paired with native chicken eggs 🥚, golden and oily, every bite full of ocean sweetness;
- Braised mixed fish: Various wild small fish stewed with perilla for fragrance 🌿, incredibly fresh, perfect with two big bowls of rice;
- Sea urchin fried rice: Seasonal only! Plump sea urchins wrapped in egg aroma 🥢, every bite a gift from the sea.
- Specialty snacks:
- Seaweed jelly: Signature from a 30-year-old shop, jelly made from seaweed with coconut milk and sago 🥥, cool and refreshing, priced 3-8 RMB;
- Fried taro: Crispy outside, soft inside, sweet but not greasy 🍠, a sweet comfort for island afternoons;
- Seaweed fried rice: Made with local first-harvest seaweed, fragrant and appetizing, paired with a bowl of fish ball soup 🐟 for perfection.
- Foodie tips: Choose big street stalls frequented by locals, ask prices in advance; avoid "sky-high price" shops near the beach, old street stalls in Houzhai and Yun'ao towns are more authentic; to eat small squid, go to the fishing port at night, where light fishing catches the freshest squid ✨.

4. Pitfalls to avoid and warm tips: Make your trip smoother ⚠️

1. Driving tips: The ring road has many curves and blind spots; slow down and honk when turning 🚨; during peak season (July-August), start early to avoid the 10:00-16:00 island entry traffic peak and prevent bridge jams; some sections lack streetlights, use high beams at night.
2. Gear suggestions: Sunscreen 🧴, sun hat, and sunglasses are essential due to strong coastal UV; wear light-colored clothes for better photos, bring slippers for wading; pack a light jacket 🧥 as the sea breeze cools evenings to avoid catching a cold.
3. Ecological protection: No littering on beaches and bays 🗑️; do not damage marine habitats when catching sea creatures; keep distance and quietly observe if you encounter Chinese white dolphins, do not chase or disturb; blue tears are bioluminescent algae, do not touch or shine strong lights on them.

The romance of Nan'ao Island is never built by internet filters—it’s the fluttering hem on the ring road, the soft sand underfoot in Qing'ao Bay, the aroma of seafood drifting from the fishing port, the worries blown away under Windmill Hill. No complicated plans needed here, just follow the sea breeze and let this sea heal all your unhappiness 💙.