Dong'ao Island is located in the mouth of the Pearl River, in an area called Lingding Sea. It is 30km offshore, to the southeast of Zhuhai, with an area of 4.66 sq. m. 
 
Zhuhai features a number of islands, Wai-lingding Island, Jiuzhou Island, Hebao Island and Dong'ao Island, and the last is said to be the most beautiful. 
     
There are commuter boats to and from Dong'ao Island at Beiti Pier in the Xiangzhou District. The air-con fast boat takes only forty-five minutes to reach the island, and the spacious cabin makes the trip a pleasant one.

I did not expect such a perfect summer day, blue sky, white cloud, sea wind, waves and all that when I set out to see Dong'ao Island. The only thing I could complain about was the harsh sun.

Beiti Pier in the Xiangzhou District

The spacious, comfortable cabin

The boat East District No. 2

The boat set off at nine forty-five in the morning. The seats were almost fully occupied. The passengers included some middle-aged and old people in tour groups, as well as people going fishing with their tackles and bait.

Shortly after we set off we saw Macau in the distance.

After the boat anchored, we walked uphill. On both sides of the path we saw residential houses. Locals also ran businesses like stores and seafood restaurant. In some of the houses people sold pork and vegetables.

 At the pier, fishing boats lined up the shore. Fishermen wore bamboo stripe hats.  
After lunch, we headed to Nansha Bay on a minibus.

The old minibus rocked so hard it seemed to fall apart any minute. When we got to the beach in one piece, I muttered a prayer. A few people were already swimming in the sea, giving no notice of the hot sun. Colorful parasols were planted on the beach.

Some people were playing football on the shoal, while others were searching for buried treasures along the beach. 

The colorful umbrellas.

The umbrella was not large enough, but it didn't seem to matter.

 
  
     
In mid-afternoon the sun became gentler. I changed and went swimming. The sand on the beach was burning hot, but the water felt cool(picture below).

Before I swam, I checked out the rocks to the right. Empty seashells covered up the rock faces. 

Editor: Weiwei