Yangjiang (阳江; Yángjiāng) is in Guangdong Province in China.
Understand
Yangjiang is a coastal city in Western Guangdong. The local dialect is the Gaoyang dialect, a branch of Cantonese. Yangjiang is a prefecture-level city in Guangdong Province, China, located in the southwestern coastal region of the province. With its advantageous geographic location along the South China Sea, Yangjiang enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate, characterized by warm, humid weather and abundant marine resources. The city administers several districts and counties, including Jiangcheng District, Yangdong District, Yangchun City, Yangxi County, and Yangdong County.
Yangjiang is renowned for its beautiful coastline and natural scenery. Famous tourist attractions include Hailing Island, Silver Beach, and Lingxiao Rock. Hailing Island is considered one of China’s top ten most beautiful islands, known for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, attracting many visitors.
In addition, Yangjiang is also famous as the “Hometown of Knives and Scissors” in China, with a long history of knife-making. Its products are widely exported around the world. The city’s culinary culture is notable as well, with an abundance of seafood, and Yangjiang’s fermented black beans are especially renowned.
Notably, Yangjiang is also recognized as one of China’s Excellent Tourism Cities, the Hometown of Hot Springs, a National Sanitary City, and a National Forest City. It was selected as one of the “2022 Happiest Cities in China.” The city boasts a rich cultural heritage, as part of the Lingnan cultural sphere, where various cultural elements such as “Gaoliang Culture,” “Maritime Silk Road Culture,” and “Moyang Culture” intertwine, alongside influences from “Cantonese Culture.” The area is home to ancient villages, intangible cultural heritage, historic ports, and cultural resources like the “Nanhai No. 1” Museum.
In summary, Yangjiang is a city rich in natural resources, steeped in history and culture, and with strong economic potential.
Get in
Passenger train service to Yangjiang has been available since July 2018. Yangjiang’s transportation network is relatively well-developed, covering road, rail, and maritime transport, connecting the Pearl River Delta, western Guangdong, and other regions across the country. This provides strong support for the city’s economic development and tourism industry.
Road Transportation:
• Several highways run through Yangjiang, such as the Shenhai Expressway (G15) and the Guangzhou-Zhanjiang Expressway, connecting Yangjiang with cities in the Pearl River Delta like Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Other highways, like the Shantou-Zhanjiang Expressway, make east-west travel more convenient.
• The main road network in the urban area is well-connected. Public transportation, such as buses and taxis, is relatively convenient, allowing both residents and tourists to travel easily.
2. Rail Transportation:
• The Guangzhou-Zhanjiang High-Speed Railway (Guangzhou to Zhanjiang) is under construction as of 2024. Once completed, Yangjiang will be integrated into the high-speed rail network of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and the Pearl River Delta, significantly reducing travel time to cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
• Yangjiang already has railway lines connecting to other regions, such as the Shenzhen-Maoming Railway, an important part of Guangdong’s coastal railway. This line connects Shenzhen and Maoming, passing through Yangjiang and continuing to Zhanjiang, greatly shortening the travel time between Yangjiang and the Pearl River Delta.
3. Maritime Transport:
• Yangjiang boasts excellent coastline conditions and port resources. Yangjiang Port is an important comprehensive port in the region, primarily responsible for freight transport, particularly the import and export of goods like seafood and machinery. The port network in Yangjiang also includes several smaller docks, supporting the development of the marine economy.
• In the future, with the continued development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the status of Yangjiang’s port is expected to further improve.
4. Air Transportation:
• Yangjiang does not have a civilian airport. The nearest airports are Zhanjiang Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. With the continuous improvement of the high-speed rail network, the connection between Yangjiang and these airports will become more convenient, making it easier for residents and tourists to access flights.
Overall, Yangjiang’s transportation system is developing rapidly. The construction and improvement of high-speed rail and highways provide more opportunities for the city’s growth and strengthen its connections with Guangdong and other regions.
Get around
1. Public transportation
Yangjiang's bus system covers most of the important areas in the city, including scenic spots, business districts, railway stations and major residential areas, and is an affordable way to travel. Bus fares are low, usually 1-2 yuan, suitable for short trips in the city.
• Urban bus: There are many bus lines in Yangjiang city, connecting railway stations, passenger stations, commercial centers and scenic spots, such as East Lake Park and Yuanyang Lake. Buses usually run from 6 a.m. to around 10 p.m., with a higher frequency.
• Long-distance bus: If you go to the towns or counties around Yangjiang, long-distance bus is also a good choice. Yangjiang has a number of long-distance passenger stations, which can lead to Yangdong District, Yangxi County, Hailing Island and other areas.
2. Taxis and online car hailing
Taxis are widely available in Yangjiang city, suitable for those who want a faster and more comfortable travel. Taxis are reasonably priced, usually starting at RMB7 (2 km) and then around RMB2.50 per kilometre. Yangjiang also supports a number of online car-hailing platforms, such as Didi Chuxing and Cao Cao Chuxing, where tourists can easily call a car through a mobile app and the price is more flexible than a taxi.
• Ride-hailing: It is easy and fast to use ride-hailing, especially in places where there are no fixed bus routes, such as to more remote scenic spots or beaches.
3. Bicycles and shared bikes
The roads in Yangjiang are relatively flat, making it ideal for cycling. Yangjiang also offers bike-sharing services, where visitors can rent bikes by scanning codes on their phones for short trips around the city or sightseeing rides along the coastline. The cost of shared bikes is generally 1 yuan per 30 minutes, which is both environmentally friendly and economical.
• Recommended cycling routes: Cycling in coastal areas such as Hailing Island is an attractive option, with beautiful sea views along the coastline and stops at several points along the way to enjoy the sea breeze and sun.
4. Car rental
Yangjiang has good road traffic conditions, and self-drive Tours are also a popular choice for many tourists, especially when visiting surrounding scenic spots such as Hailing Island and Yangjiang Hot Springs. With highways and good traffic signs between the city and the main attractions, self-driving cars can provide more flexibility for the journey. There are a number of car rental companies in Yangjiang city, visitors can rent economy or high-end vehicles, car rental fees usually between 150 and 300 yuan per day, depending on the model.
• Parking: Parking in Yangjiang city and scenic areas is relatively convenient, and most scenic areas have special parking lots. There are some public parking Spaces in the city, but there may be some pressure to park during peak hours.
5. Motorcycle (motorcycle rental)
In some areas of Yangjiang, especially suburbs or small towns, you will find that Mochi (motorcycle rental) is a very common way to get around. The price of motorcycles is relatively low, suitable for short trips. Although convenient, motorcycles are less safe and formal than taxis and buses, so it is recommended for tourists to choose carefully.
6. Walk
Yangjiang city is relatively compact, many attractions, restaurants and shopping centers are within walking distance, especially in Yangjiang's old town, walking is a very convenient way to get around. The road of Yangjiang is spacious and green, especially in the coastal area, walking along the seaside, you can feel the fresh sea breeze and enjoy the beautiful seascape.
• Recommended walking areas: Yangjiang's East Lake Park, Yuanyang Lake Park and other urban parks are good places to walk, suitable for leisure walking and relaxation.
7. Special bus to the scenic spot
Some popular tourist attractions in Yangjiang (such as Hailing Island, Big Horn Bay, Yangjiang Hot Spring, etc.) provide special tour bus services, so that tourists can reach the scenic spot directly from the city. These special trains usually operate during peak tourist seasons and have departure points at major transportation hubs in Yangjiang, such as Yangjiang Railway Station or passenger station, with fares usually between 20 and 50 yuan, depending on the distance.
See
- 1 Maritime Silk Road Museum of Guangdong (广东海上丝绸之路博物馆), Songkang Avenue, Ten-Li Silver Beach, Hailing Island Experimental Zone (海陵岛试验区十里银滩宋康大道) (Bus no. 31 and the ZP (Xialang-bound) bus line), ☏ +86 662 3681111, +86 662 3681288, +86 662 3681663. 09ː00-17ː30, no tickets sold after 17ː00. ¥80.
- 2 Hailing Island Mangrove Forest National Wetlands Park (海陵岛红树林国家湿地公园), Hailing Island (海陵岛) (On the northeastern side of the island, about 4km from the nearest bus stop. Best to arrange your own transport), ☏ +86 662 3900600. Ticket office opening hoursː 07ː30-18ː00. ¥30.
- 3 Zhenzhuwan Mangrove Ecological Park (珍珠湾红树林生态公园), Yangxi County (阳西县)A smaller but beautiful wetland park showcasing mangrove forests and diverse bird species. Located near Dongping Pearl Bay, accessible by car or local buses. Phone: +86 662 5523360 Ticket office opening hours: 07:30-17:30 Free entry (updated Mar 2022)
- Beishan Ancient Temple (北山古庙), Yangjiang City (阳江市)Situated in the northern part of Yangjiang, this ancient temple is a serene site known for its historic significance and traditional architecture. It’s accessible via local buses or by taxi. Phone: +86 662 3295567 Ticket office opening hours: 08:00-17:30 Ticket price: ¥20 (updated Feb 2019)
- Yangjiang Kite Museum (阳江风筝博物馆), Yangjiang City (阳江市)Located in downtown Yangjiang, this unique museum showcases the city’s long history of kite making. It’s an ideal spot for visitors interested in traditional crafts. Accessible by local buses or taxi. Phone: +86 662 3360988 Ticket office opening hours: 09:00-17:00 Free entry (updated Nov 2020)
- Yueyuan Garden (悦园), Yangjiang City (阳江市) Located in the downtown area, Yueyuan Garden is a classical Chinese garden with beautiful pavilions, water features, and rock formations, making it a peaceful escape from the city. Accessible by local buses or taxi. Phone: +86 662 3360808 Ticket office opening hours: 08:00-18:00 Free entry (updated Sep 2021)
Do
1. Fishermen's Fishing Festival on Hailing Island
Held in August every year, it is a traditional festival for fishermen of Yangjiang Hailing Island to celebrate the opening of the sea for fishing. During the event, fishermen will hold a grand ceremony to worship the god of the sea, pray for good harvest and peace, and accompany their fishing boats out to sea. Visitors can watch traditional performances by fishermen and experience the local fishing culture.
2. Yangjiang Spring Festival Flower Market
The Spring Festival Flower Market in Yangjiang is an annual festival, usually held on the eve of the Spring Festival. In the flower market, there are all kinds of flowers, New Year goods and folk handicrafts, citizens and tourists will come to buy flowers to decorate their homes and welcome the arrival of the New Year.
3. Yangjiang Shabaoban Dragon Boat Race
During the Dragon Boat Festival, a traditional dragon boat race is held at Shaba Bay in Yangjiang. The event attracts teams from different regions to participate, and visitors can watch the intense dragon boat races on the shore and experience the local Duanwu culture.
4. Hailingdo International Kite Festival
There is a kite festival on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. Every spring, Hailing Island holds a kite festival to attract kite lovers from home and abroad. Visitors can see kites of various shapes and colors flying in the sky, and can also participate in kite flying activities to feel the happy atmosphere of the festival.
Buy
The city is moderately famous for making knives, scissors, swords — anything that cuts. There is quite a range, everything from basic cutlery to highly ornamental swords. It is the base of Yangjiang Shibazi, a knife manufacturer. Kites are also a local specialty.
1. Seafood and aquatic products: Yangjiang seafood is very fresh, tourists can buy local seafood such as shrimp, crabs, sea fish and so on. These aquatic products can be purchased directly at the market or enjoyed in local restaurants.
2. Local specialties: There are some specialty products in Yangjiang, such as Yangjiang knives (Yangjiang knives), oranges, peanuts, etc., which are popular purchases.
3. Tourist goods: Yangjiang is a tourist city, tourists often buy souvenirs, such as handicrafts, local food and so on.
4. Shopping centers and markets: There are large shopping centers and traditional markets in Yangjiang's business district, providing a variety of daily necessities, clothing, electronic products, etc.
Eat
1. Seafood: Yangjiang's seafood is very fresh and diverse. Common crabs, prawns, sea fish, shellfish and so on. Yangjiang coastal seafood restaurants offer rich seafood dishes, which are popular with tourists.
2. Yangjiang sliced noodles: This noodle dish is a traditional snack in Yangjiang. The noodles are hand-cut with delicious muscles and with various ingredients such as shredded meat and vegetables.
3. Yangjiang Roast Goose: Yangjiang Roast goose is famous for its crispy skin and tender meat, which is usually paired with rice and has excellent color and flavor.
4. Yangjiang Oranges: Although they are fruits, Yangjiang oranges are often eaten as desserts or given as gifts because of their sweetness and juice.
5. Traditional snacks: Yangjiang's traditional snacks include fried dumplings, sausage noodles, various congee, etc., which are both local characteristics and full of authentic Guangdong flavor.
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Crowne Plaza Hailing Island (海陵岛保利皇冠假日酒店), Zone N, Ten-Li Silver Beach, Hailing Island (海陵岛十里银滩N区) (Bus no. 31 and the ZP (Xialang-bound) bus line), ☏ +86 662 3868888, info.cphl@polyhotels.com. From ¥430.