Marking our 20th road trip into China from Hong Kong this year, we embarked on a 3-hour drive on a, mostly, brand new or extended highway and included the new Zhongshen Bridge.
Shanwei is only two hours from Shenzhen but because HK-plated cars have to cross into China via the Hong Kong Zhuhai Macao Bridge, the distance is longer even with the ‘shortcut’ over the Zhongshen Bridge.
The distance from Hong Kong to Shanwei is roughly 179km, takes about 3 hours, 15 minutes, and costs RMB189 in road tolls plus the HZMB toll. There are a few highway service stations along the way; we went to Torch after crossing the Zhongshen Bridge on the way back.
There is a small segment of road under construction near Shenzhen ring road, and then the road widens out and it’s pedal to the metal for the remainder of the journey there and back.
Shanwei Overview
A coastal city in eastern Guangdong and within the Greater Bay Area, other than self-driving, Shanwei is accessible by high-speed train, and express bus services.
Shanwei is famous for its long coastline, beautiful clean beaches, a bustling snack street, seafood and beef hotpot.
The main beach with apartments developed by Baoli (in their signature brown colour) is fronted by a Doubletree by Hilton hotel. The beach had lifeguards, water sports, and a wonderful cafe shaped like a church.
Where to Stay in Shanwei
Go to Atour (or, to give its proper name, Atour Hotel Shanwei High-Speed Railway Station Binhai Park) if you don’t want a resort-type holiday, and Doubletree by Hilton Hotels if you do.
We stayed at a brand new Atour and were perfectly happy with the generous sized room, the fabulous shower, free parking, breakfast, and the location.
This is a low rise property without a sea view and, although the entrance is via the main road, it's quiet day and night. There's a twenty minute walk to the nearest beach.
[We’re big fans of the Atour chain and stay in their property in Zhuhai when we can.]
We had a look around Doubletree and it’s an impressive hotel with many activities for the little ones and grown ups.
This hotel has a sea view and access to the beach. If you’re facing the sea, turn left, and walk about 10-15 minutes where there is a fun fair and many bars and cafes.
Apart from these hotels, there are others in the town centre and holiday accommodation next to the beach.
What To See and Do
Apart from eating fresh seafood or beef hotpot, there are plenty of places to visit although you’ll need a car or arrange transport since distances and location vary.
Windmills
Get up close to various wind turbines. These are quite magical when they are in full flight with the peace and tranquility of where they are sited disturbed by the swishing of the turbine’s blades.
Fort, Red Bay
This is a popular destination for photography and general milling about. There isn’t an entrance fee but there is a parking fee.
We went on a Saturday in October and it was 35 degrees C. There are some stalls selling water but take sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and any other summer gear because the sun is hot and shade is scant.
This is a popular location for TV shows and movie productions. There are places to see the sea crashing against the rocks, many Instagram'mable places, a large seawater lido, and a cafe. All very pleasant.
There was also a beautiful metallic food truck parked between the cafe and the fort.
Temple
In the car park, walk left to the Fort and right for the temple complex. This has some steps and areas to walk down to the rocks.
Erma Street
A long, bustling night market with shops and stalls selling snacks, drinks and local specialities. It gets very busy and apart from pedestrians, cars also travel up and down this stretch. Add in the many motorbikes, and it’s organised chaos.
Beach
Access the beach at the cafe towards Doubletree by Hilton, taking care of the unrelenting heat and stroll along a promenade. Keep walking until you come across a mini-funfair, cafes and bars. There are beach toys (for kids and grownups).
A motorboat
Camels. Wouldn't see these in Saikung.
Our three day trip was thoroughly enjoyable, even more so because the route was straightforward.
Other Attractions
Here are some other attractions found on the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Travel China Guide, and Wikipedia websites.
- Honghai Bay: This picturesque bay is celebrated for its clean beaches and clear waters, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and water activities.
- Phoenix Mountain: A great location for hiking and enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding area, Phoenix Mountain is a favorite among nature lovers.
- Pinqing Lake Tourist Resort: Recognized as the only coastal lagoon in China, this resort offers unique natural scenery and recreational activities.
- Haili International Golf Club: The only beach golf course in China of international standard, it provides a luxurious golfing experience amidst beautiful surroundings.
- Former Residence of Zhou Enlai: This historical site commemorates one of China's prominent leaders and offers insights into the region's political history.
- Shanwei Fengshan Ancestral Temple: A cultural landmark that reflects local traditions and beliefs, it's an important site for those interested in Chinese heritage.
- Lufeng Jieshi Xuanwu Mountain Tourist Area: This area features beautiful landscapes and opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking.
- Haifeng Lotus Mountain Resort: Known for its serene environment and lotus flowers, this resort is perfect for those seeking tranquility.
Sources:
Pumps and Pitstop
We dropped off at Torch service station on the way back. This is a large area with covered parking bays, charge points, a separate petrol station and lorry / long vehicle parking at the rear.
Inside the service area, there were toilets, hot water dispensers, a convenience store, 5-6 eateries, and a clean look and feel and well managed.
Expect to pay a little extra for food, beverages and petrol because it’s in the middle of nowhere.
See Related Posts
- Engineering Feat: The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge
- Discovering Hailing Island, China
- Driving in China's Greater Bay Area
- Infographic about driving in China requirements (Pinterest)
About Ivan Theodoulou
Ivan Theodoulou is founder of Eight PR, a PR agency in Hong Kong. He first visited China in 1987 by train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou and has since traveled extensively on the mainland and in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Ivan passed his China driving test in March 2024 and now drives regularly in the GBA.
Places visited in China (by car, plane, train, high speed train, ferry, coach, bus) include: Beijing, Beijou, Chengdu, Dali, Daya Bay, Dongguan, Foshan, Ganzhou, Gaoming, Guangzhou, Hainan, Hailing Island, Heishan, Huizhou, Junan, Kunming, Lijang, Longjiang, Nanhai, Shanghai, Shanwei, Shenzhen, Shilin Yi, Shunde, Wuzhou, Xiamen, Xiqaio, Yingde, Yinghe, Zhuhai, and Zhaoqing.
All information for general purposes only.
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