Dameisha and Beyond

This article was originally published on March 11, 2011, in the Shenzhen Daily.
The information was accurate at that time, and may be outdated now. Use with caution.

Giant statues on the beach, Dameisha

The weather is warming up, so it's time to start thinking about THE BEACH!

Out east of town, toward the Nan'ao Peninsula, Shenzhen boasts beaches with activities to suit every taste. From lazing by the pool of a five-star international hotel to tent-camping on the beach after a day of "extreme (sort of) sports," the eastern beaches have it all.

One entry in a yearly sand-castle building competition at Dameisha

Closest in are the "Meisha Twins," Dameisha and Xiaomeisha. Here you can find all kinds of accommodations, like a five-star hotel in Dameisha and camping on the beach (in season) at Xiaomeisha.

As a privately-operated beach, Xiaomeisha charges a negligible 20-yuan entrance fee per person, but there are lots of cool things to do there. You can rent everything from a personal watercraft (like a Jet-ski) to a plain old inner-tube.

Using a zip-line at Xiaomeisha

Still bored? You can use a zip-line at Xiaomeisha, and or head for nearby Sea World, a marine-based theme park filled with aquariums, museums, gardens, and a marine mammal show.

Just up the road is Dapeng Fortress and the other wonders of that quaint village, including temples and tombs.

Shelters on the beach at Xi Chong fit for Robinson Crusoe

Farther down the peninsula, at Xi Chong, you can rent a surfboard, and stay in a cabin right on the beach. Although much harder to reach than the Meisha Twins, Xi Chong has one thing going for it: virtual desertion. Often, Robinson Crusoe would feel comfortable here.

Rustic dining hall at Xi Chong

So head for eastern Shenzhen and hit the beach. Go now and you just might beat the summer crowds! (Remember, though, some activities are seasonal; not all are available at all times.)

Cabins for rent at Xi Chong

There's more about the Dameisha area in another article in the Shenzhen Daily, "Dameisha relics recall Shenzhen's Bronze Age" (but only a stele marks the site). Also, there's more about the Dapeng Peninsula in the article, "Xiantouling, a tunnel to Shenzhen's Neolithic past" (though there's probably nothing to see there at all).

GPS Info:

• Dameisha = 22.59565, 114.31240
• Xiaomeisha = 22.60044, 114.32679
• Xichong = 22.4731, 114.5344

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Map:

(This map shows the "Meisha Twins"; click here for the Xichong map)

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