Xisha Islands Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Antelope Reef Community
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.
Luna_2_Moonhaven/81
Xisha Laolongtou
Xisha Laolongtou is a stele on the stone island next to Yongxing Island of the Xisha Islands. The stone island is located in the Xisha Xuande Archipelago of China, in the northeastern part of the Yongxing Island reef plate, covering an area of 0.08 square kilometers, with an altitude of 15.9 meters, which is the highest point of the Xisha Islands. In 2012, there was an approximately 800-meter-long man-made stone dike or small road connecting it to Yongxing Island, and by 2014, the island had merged with Yongxing Island. The stone island is flat like a platform, with steep sides all around, actually being a 10-meter-high plateau terrain, formed by the coral reefs that make up the stone island. Some of these reefs are cemented by coral sand deposits. The secondary coral reefs, originally in a nearly horizontal state, remained horizontal after uplift, thus forming the flat plateau terrain. These deposited gravel layers are not yet firmly cemented and are easily eroded by waves, hence the formation of vertical cliffs. On the island, there is a Chinese sovereignty monument and the 'Xisha Laolongtou' stele, as well as a veterans' forest, planted by the soldiers guarding the stone island when they left. Additionally, the entrance to the stone island is guarded, but a simple greeting allows entry. There are no obstructions on the island, and the vegetation consists of weeds and one or two artificially planted plants' withered stalks.
⏳Visiting Time:
Free admission, visiting time is 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Luna_2_Moonhaven/81
Sansha, a city-island more beautiful than Sanya in Hainan's C City
When it comes to Sanya, everyone is familiar, but only a few have heard of the city Sansha, located 180 nautical miles away from Sanya! This is the prime city of Hainan Province🏖, with scenery and cuisine that are no less spectacular than Sanya, truly a Chinese version of the 'Maldives'🔥~
Sansha consists of more than 280 islands, sandbanks, submerged reefs, and other maritime areas🏝, including the well-known Xisha, Zhongsha, and Nansha archipelagos.
✔Xisha Archipelago
It has only been officially open to tourists since 2013, and only accepts citizens from mainland China! Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, this is a true secret haven. The waters of Xisha boast a clarity that rivals the Maldives💦, crystal clear.
✔ Yongxing Island
Yongxing Island is an island in the Xisha Archipelago, located in the Xisha, Nansha, Dongsha, and Zhongsha archipelagos. The island has high-rise buildings, banks, and post offices. Yongxing Island is picturesque, with lush greenery🌴, perfect for a vacation.
✔ Yongle Dragon Hole
In the Yongle Archipelago of Xisha, there is the Yongle Dragon Hole, a marine blue hole confirmed to be one of the deepest in the world🕳, reaching a depth of 300.89 meters. Its depth indeed sparks infinite imagination and is particularly awe-inspiring~
✔ Xisha Marine Museum
A marine museum founded by stationed officers and soldiers, displaying many marine creatures🔖. Exhibits include the horseshoe-shaped 'Horseshoe Snail', pyramid-shaped and various fish species🔖, as well as uniquely shaped coral flowers and stone flowers, making the entire museum a fascinating and fun-filled place.
🌊🌊Coming to the seaside, of course, you can't miss tasting the fresh seafood and enjoying a seafood feast!🦐🦑🐙🦞🦀🐚
📣Local specialty food recommendations: various seafood, Sansha Minnan paste, Sansha kueh zi, chicken rolls, Sansha kitten porridge, Sansha fish balls
ElijahWilson$73
This is not the Maldives or Semporna, this is the Xisha Islands where only Chinese people can go
The waters of the Xisha Islands are extremely rich, with various coral reefs, fish, seaweed, etc. Here is the king of food - king crabs, the place where mermaids are - island reef beaches, and the refreshing sea water is refreshing!
MIRANDA FERNANDEZ
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Xisha Islands Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most popular attractions in Xisha Islands?