Advertisement

What makes Shanwei in Guangdong ideal for a weekend break? Sunsets, seafood and more

There are many reasons Hongkongers should visit Shanwei, from diverse food offerings to beaches, water sports and stunning sunsets

Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Sunset in Shanwei, eastern Guangdong, is as stunning as any you will see in Bali 
 or Phuket, and the city is only 90 minutes by high-speed train from Hong Kong. Go there to enjoy the food, water sports and handicrafts. Photo: Mabel Lui

Drawn by its affordable food, shopping and entertainment, many Hong Kong residents choose to spend their weekends in the neighbouring city of Shenzhen in China.

Advertisement
Some venture to Guangzhou, another nearby city that has its share of Cantonese cuisine, pristine malls and cultural destinations.

But further east in Guangdong province is a little-known city that offers something quite different. Shanwei – not to be confused with nearby Shantou – is a coastal city less than two hours from Hong Kong that has clean, family-friendly beaches and stunning sunsets that rival those in Phuket or Bali.

In Shanwei, the ocean’s strong waves lend themselves well to water sports like sailing and surfing, and seafood is fresh and abundant.

And if visitors want to leave the seaside, there is the bustling Ermalu night market, which offers beef hotpot – a speciality of the region – and other local delicacies.

The balcony view from one of DoubleTree by Hilton Shanwei’s seaview rooms. Photo: DoubleTree by Hilton Shanwei
The balcony view from one of DoubleTree by Hilton Shanwei’s seaview rooms. Photo: DoubleTree by Hilton Shanwei

How to get there

Advertisement