Nandaihe Scenic Resort [Qinhuangdao]

Connected to Beidaihe by a bridge over a river, Nandaihe is the newly developed tourist and recuperation resort under Funing County of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province.

With its "basic elements for seaside tourism" -- the sea, beach, sunshine and greenery -- Nandaihe is an ideal venue for taking a dip in the sea and sunbathing. The region is also honored as "the First Bathing Venue Under the Heaven".

Located in the north temperate belt, Nandaihe is characteristic of a marine climate, which means it is neither too wet nor dry. All four seasons are very distinct, although the winter days are never severely cold nor the summer days intensely hot. The average temperatures throughout the year remain at around 10℃, with the highest reaching 35℃ in the summer for no more than a week. Average temperatures in July and August, which are known as the country's warmest months, are fixed at around 23℃. While midsummer in most places in China is extremely hot, Nandaihe, however, is an exception: With its gentle-blowing breezes, its climate is very beneficial to human health.

Beginning at the estuary of the Daihe River in the east and ending in the west, the Nandaihe coast extends 17.5 km, with its sandy beaches covering a width of 100-250 meters. Its sands are broad and level, taking on a golden hue -- hence its name, Golden Sands. Every summer, water flows from the estuaries of the Daihe and Laohe rivers, which is in fact derived from the mountains or springs above. The seawater is, therefore, very clean. It is said that rolling around on the beach after a bath in the sea can help dispense of fatigue within one minute.

The area, with a circumference of 40km around the Nandaihe coast, is free from pollution and boasts very clean air. In accordance with the city planning and requirements for tourist regions, buildings in Nandaihe only cover 20 percent of the total tourist area and houses are sparsely distributed. Gas is widely used for cooking so no smoke is discharged and trees and grass must be planted on 40 percent of the empty land. Sanatoriums that have not yet reached this set standard are not permitted to open for business. All such strict measures have been put in place to create a clean environment for tourists.

Near the beach lies a luxuriantly green forest that was once the forestry center under the management of Funing County for more than 40 years. Extending tens of miles along the Nandaihe coast, the forest forms a natural protective screen. Due to its dense branches and leaves one can easily get "swallowed up" by the lush green bush, which resembles the experience of entering a virginal forest. Research also indicates that there are more than 70 kinds of birds living in the forest.

The Nandaihe coast is a brand-new garden for tourism, vacationing and entertainment -- just like a forest park. Here, each building has a style of its own, consisting buildings of various styles and genres from home and abroad.

The mornings, with their soothing sea breezes and gentle waves, are best spent collecting seashells or catching crabs along the seashore; alternately, one can also take a stroll in the forest. Afternoons are perfect for swimming in the sea and sunbathing. In the evenings, one can lie on the warm beach to absorb the tranquility around them.

The best time to visit Nandaihe is between June and October.