China’s coastline across four seas
From rocky cliffs in Liaoning to tropical islands in Hainan, the coastline spans 18,000 kilometres of ports, beaches, fishing villages, and cruise terminals. Use this guide to plan north–south coastal routes.
18,000 km
Mainland shoreline; >32,000 km including islands.
Shanghai
World’s busiest container port since 2010.
6,900+
Hainan, Zhoushan, Xiamen/Gulangyu, Zhuhai islands.
11
Liaoning to Guangxi + Hainan; 60% of China’s GDP.
China’s four seas and what they offer
Every sea has its own climate, cuisine, and transport hubs. Hit all four for a coast-to-coast story.
Bohai Sea
Northern bay between Liaoning, Hebei, Tianjin, Shandong. Ice in winter, seafood in Dalian, industrial ports like Tianjin.
East China Sea
Shanghai, Ningbo, Zhoushan/Hangzhou Bay. Typhoon season (Jul–Sep), world-class ports.
| Region | Key cities | Signature experiences | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liaoning & Bohai | Dalian, Yingkou | Ice-free ports, Russian-influenced architecture, beach promenades. | May–Oct (avoid winter winds). |
| Shandong Peninsula | Qingdao, Yantai, Weihai | Beer festival, seafood markets, sailing, Mount Lao. | Jun–Sep for swimming; spring & autumn for hiking. |
| Yangtze River Delta | Shanghai, Ningbo, Zhoushan islands | World-class ports, cruise terminals, island pilgrimages (Putuo Mountain). | Apr–Jun & Sep–Nov (typhoon watch Jul–Sep). |
| Fujian coast | Xiamen, Fuzhou | Gulangyu classical music island, tulou excursions, seafood hotpot. | Oct–Apr (avoid summer typhoons). |
| Guangdong & Hong Kong | Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Hong Kong, Macau | City skylines, theme parks, bridge ferries, yacht charters. | Oct–Dec (clear skies) and Mar–May. |
| Hainan & Guangxi | Sanya, Haikou, Beihai | Tropical beaches, duty-free shopping, surfing, diving, island hopping. | Nov–Apr for dry season; May–Oct for water sports (watch typhoons). |
Ports and coastal travel hubs
Shanghai Port
World’s busiest container port, cruise terminal at Baoshan, ferries to Zhoushan and Japan.
Ningbo-Zhoushan Port
Largest cargo tonnage in the world; connect by sea bridge to Zhoushan islands.
Shenzhen (Yantian & Shekou)
Container giant plus Shekou cruise terminal to Hong Kong/Macau.
Sanya
China’s tropical escape: Yalong Bay, Atlantis Waterpark, duty-free shopping, scuba diving.
Track ports, beaches, and island escapes
Click markers to view port stats, beach tips, and travel links.
Legend
- Major port
- Beach / island destination
Frequently asked questions
When is typhoon season?
Typically July–September, affecting the East China and South China seas. Watch advisories for Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan.
Can foreigners take ferry routes?
Yes—ferries run between Shenzhen and Macau/Hong Kong, Xiamen and Kinmen (Taiwan), and Shanghai to Zhoushan. Bring passport and entry permits.
Best beaches for families?
Sanya’s Yalong Bay, Xiamen’s Gulangyu, Zhuhai’s Lovers’ Road promenades, and Weihai in Shandong.
Which coastal cities allow visa-free entry?
Hainan (Haikou/Sanya) offers visa-free entry for 59 countries; Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin allow 144-hour visa-free transit; Guangdong has 144-hour GBA visa-free options.
Build your coastal itinerary
Tie seaside cities into a north–south journey using fast rail and ferry links.
- River guide — connect river cruises to coastal deltas.
- City tier guide — align marketing to port cities.
- How big is China? — measure distances between coasts.
- Sanya playbook — plan tropical stays.