Stand on Songkang Avenue on Hailing Island and the Maritime Silk Road Museum of Guangdong rises beside Ten-Mile Silver Beach, its roof line echoing the dunes behind it. Turn inland and the Moyang River names the city, with forested hills and a working harbour filling the space between.
Yangjiang suits travellers who want maritime history, beaches and low-key city sights in one trip, and who are happy to arrange their own transport for the island's quieter corners. This guide covers the sights and seasonal festivals the sources describe, with practical notes on getting to each.
Top things to do in Yangjiang
1. Maritime Silk Road Museum of Guangdong
This museum on Songkang Avenue at Ten-Li Silver Beach on Hailing Island covers the maritime Silk Road, and it is the strongest single stop in the area for understanding the region's sea trade. It sits right beside the beach, so you can pair a visit with time on the sand.
It opens 09:00-17:30, with no tickets sold after 17:00, and admission is ¥80. Reach it on bus no. 31 or the ZP (Xialang-bound) bus line.
2. Ten-Mile Silver Beach
A long stretch on Hailing Island known for clear water, soft sand and open views, Ten-Mile Silver Beach is the place to slow down, swim or simply walk the shoreline. Entry is free.
It is open 08:00-18:00 and is served by bus no. 18. Because the Maritime Silk Road Museum of Guangdong is on the same avenue, the two fit naturally into one outing.
3. Hailing Island Mangrove Forest National Wetlands Park
On the northeastern side of Hailing Island, this wetlands park protects mangrove forest and the bird and marine life that depend on it. It rewards anyone interested in natural scenery rather than beach time.
The ticket office is open 07:30-18:00 and admission is ¥30. The nearest bus stop is about 4 km away, so it is best to arrange your own transport.
4. Zhapo Windmill Tianlu Mountain and Sea Resort
In Zhapo Town, this seaside resort combines broad beaches, fresh air and a line of large windmills on the hills above the coast. It is a good choice if you want a relaxed half-day by the water with a distinctive backdrop.
Entry is free. It sits in Zhapo Town, the same general area as the island's beaches, so it works well as an afternoon add-on.
5. Jinjiling Forest Park
Close to the city on Sports Road in Jiangcheng District, Jinjiling Forest Park mixes natural landscape, ecological protection and leisure in one green space. Trails and viewing platforms look out over the surrounding scenery, and there is a wildlife sanctuary within the park.
It is free to enter and is the easiest outdoor option if you are staying in the city rather than on the island. Come for hiking, cycling or simply sitting in the shade.
6. Yangjiang Ocean Culture Museum
At the Yangjiang City Ocean Culture Center, this museum presents the city's maritime culture and history and is a useful introduction to local marine resources. It is a sensible stop on a city day, especially in wet weather.
It opens 09:00-17:30 with no tickets sold after 17:00, and admission is ¥50. Bus no. 2 or 6 will get you there.
7. Yangjiang Kite Museum
On Dongfeng Third Road in Jiangcheng District, this small city-centre museum covers Yangjiang's kite-making tradition and is aimed at anyone curious about local craft. It is free, which makes it an easy addition to a morning in the city.
Opening hours are 09:00-17:30, and bus no. 2 or 8 stops nearby. If your visit falls near the Hailing Island International Kite Festival, the museum gives useful context first.
8. Beishan Ancient Temple
In Beishan Village in Baisha Subdistrict, Jiangcheng District, this temple is a quiet historical site known for its traditional architecture and cultural role. It suits travellers who prefer calm, older places to busy attractions.
It is open 08:00-17:30 with no tickets sold after 17:00, and admission is ¥20. Bus no. 5 or 6 serves the area.
9. Yangjiang Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
On Zhongshan Avenue in Jiangcheng District, this memorial hall honours Sun Yat-sen and explains Yangjiang's part in the Chinese revolution. Entry is free, and it is a short, focused stop rather than a long visit.
It is open 08:00-18:00. Bus no. 31 and the ZP (Xialang-bound) bus line both stop here, so you can link it with a Hailing Island day.
10. Fishermen's Fishing Festival on Hailing Island
Held every August, this is the traditional festival marking the opening of the sea for fishing. Fishermen hold a ceremony to worship the god of the sea, pray for a good harvest and safe passage, and take their boats out, and visitors can watch the performances and get a sense of local fishing culture.
Because it happens in August, plan around the summer rains, which are heaviest from May to August. Check dates locally before travelling for it.
11. Hailing Island International Kite Festival
This kite festival takes place on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, with kites of many shapes and colours flown over Hailing Island. Visitors can watch and join in the flying.
Pair it with the Yangjiang Kite Museum in the city to see how the craft is made before you see it in the air.
12. Yangjiang Spring Festival Flower Market
Held each year in the days leading up to Chinese New Year, the flower market sells flowers, New Year goods and folk handicrafts, and locals come to buy blooms for their homes. It is a lively, seasonal way to see the city preparing for the holiday.
Dates shift with the lunar calendar, so confirm them locally. Winter in Yangjiang starts sunny and dry but turns wetter and cloudier, so bring a layer and an umbrella.
13. Yangjiang Shabaoban Dragon Boat Race
At the Dragon Boat Festival, teams from different regions race at Shaba Bay in Yangjiang. The event generally takes place during daylight hours, and spectators watch from the shore.
It is a good introduction to local Duanwu customs. Arrive early enough to find a spot on the bank, and expect a crowd.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start on Hailing Island at Ten-Mile Silver Beach while the light is still soft, then walk to the Maritime Silk Road Museum of Guangdong on Songkang Avenue. The museum opens at 09:00, and no tickets are sold after 17:00, so an early slot leaves the rest of the day free.
Afternoon: Continue to the Hailing Island Mangrove Forest National Wetlands Park on the northeastern side of the island, where the ticket office is open 07:30-18:00. Arrange your own transport, as the nearest bus stop is about 4 km away. If time allows, finish with the free Zhapo Windmill Tianlu Mountain and Sea Resort in Zhapo Town.
Evening: Return to the city and, if your visit falls on the right date, look for the seasonal events above. Otherwise, end with a walk in Jinjiling Forest Park on Sports Road, which is free and close to the city centre.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Hailing Island's main sights without a car?
Bus no. 31 and the ZP (Xialang-bound) bus line serve the Maritime Silk Road Museum of Guangdong, and bus no. 18 reaches Ten-Mile Silver Beach. The Hailing Island Mangrove Forest National Wetlands Park is the exception: its nearest bus stop is about 4 km away, so arrange your own transport for that one.
Which sights are free?
Ten-Mile Silver Beach, Jinjiling Forest Park, Zhapo Windmill Tianlu Mountain and Sea Resort, the Yangjiang Kite Museum and the Yangjiang Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall all have free entry. Paid sites include the Maritime Silk Road Museum of Guangdong at ¥80, the Yangjiang Ocean Culture Museum at ¥50, the Hailing Island Mangrove Forest National Wetlands Park at ¥30 and Beishan Ancient Temple at ¥20.
When should I plan around Yangjiang's festivals?
The Fishermen's Fishing Festival on Hailing Island is held every August. The Hailing Island International Kite Festival falls on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, and the Yangjiang Spring Festival Flower Market runs in the days leading up to Chinese New Year. The Yangjiang Shabaoban Dragon Boat Race takes place at the Dragon Boat Festival.
What is the weather like through the year?
Yangjiang has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate with mild to warm winters and long, hot summers, and it is humid year-round. Autumn is sunny and dry, spring is generally overcast, and the heaviest rain falls from May to August.
Pick your season, check the festival dates against the lunar calendar, and start mapping your days around Hailing Island and the city sights.