This is not the Maldives; this is the Glass Sea Island that belongs to the Chinese people

Here is a restatement of the original text, in the same language but with different wording:

🌊 Who understands! While floating on the Glass Sea in the Xisha Islands, I suddenly realized what "life is worth living" means—this is not the Maldives, but a sapphire held by the South China Sea, a secret paradise only accessible to Chinese people!

🌴 Key point: Having visited islands in 12 countries, the blue of Xisha completely broke through my defenses.

The moment I stepped barefoot on the sand of Quanfudao Island, the fine white beach felt like melting moonlight. The seawater changed from light green at my feet to indigo in the distance. In the Glass Sea with 30-meter visibility, corals bloomed like colorful flowers underwater, and when schools of fish swam past my feet, I could even count their scales... How could this be an island? It’s clearly as if God spilled a palette of colors over the South China Sea!

- Quanfudao Island is a "moving" sandbank; at high tide, only half the island remains, and at low tide, a heart-shaped beach appears. Standing in the center of the island in a red long dress, with the sea showing a gradient of seven colors behind me, photos posted on social media sparked endless questions: "Which country is this in?"
- The fishermen’s homes on Yinyu Island hold surprises. Sitting in front of a house built with coral stones, eating freshly caught sea urchin, spicy stir-fried conch meat paired with chilled coconut water. Looking up, you can see the "China Xisha" boundary marker; looking down, starfish stroll on the shallow beach.
- The beach on Yagong Island is made of crushed coral, crunching underfoot. At dusk, sitting on the reef watching the sunset, the orange-red light dyes the seawater honey-colored, and fishing boats in the distance look like they are floating in a painting...

🇨🇳 The unique romance of Xisha: the scenery is touching, but the patriotism is even more moving.

The day I attended the flag-raising ceremony on Quanfudao Island, I cried. When the national anthem played amid the winds and waves of the South China Sea, and the five-star red flag rose under the blue sky and sea, tourists from all over China spontaneously formed a formation; some recorded with their phones, some quietly wiped away tears—this is the southernmost flag-raising ceremony in China, and every grain of sand beneath our feet is part of the motherland.

✨ Comprehensive guide: How to enjoy Xisha without regrets.

✅ How to get there? Currently, only by cruise (Yongle Archipelago route). Recommended ships are "Dream of the South China Sea" or "Princess Changle," with a 4-day, 3-night itinerary, landing on 2 islands daily. Tickets include meals and accommodation; book 1-2 months in advance (hard to get during peak season!)

✅ Must-bring items: ID card (the only valid document; foreigners/Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan residents cannot go yet), high-SPF sunscreen + sun-protective clothing (UV rays can cause peeling), water shoes (coral beaches are sharp), red/white long dress (great for photos of the Glass Sea), underwater camera (to capture fish and coral while snorkeling)

✅ Hidden activities:

1. Snorkeling at Yinyu Island: Put on a life jacket and walk 2 meters into the sea to see schools of tropical fish; if lucky, you might spot a sea turtle.
2. Seafood on Yagong Island: Freshly caught grouper and mantis shrimp from fishermen, processing fee only 20 yuan per serving, so fresh you’ll lick your fingers.
3. Stargazing on Quanfudao Island: At 2 a.m. on the beach, the Milky Way looks like scattered diamonds on the sea; use long exposure on your phone to capture it.

✅ Notes: All trash must be taken away (Xisha prohibits throwing anything, including fruit peels!), no taking coral or shells (illegal and harmful to the ecosystem), island landing times are limited, follow the guide and don’t fall behind.

🌌 On the day I left, I took one last look at Xisha from the deck. The seawater was as blue as a flawless jade, and the islands and reefs appeared faintly in the distance. Suddenly I understood why they say "After returning from Xisha, you don’t look at other seas"—the blue here holds the pride of the Chinese people; the calm here is the security given by the motherland.

This is China’s most beautiful island group—the Xisha Islands! Next time someone asks me "Where to go abroad to see the sea," I will smile and say: "Go to Xisha first; that is our own Glass Sea Island."