EVERYONE dreams of relaxing at the sunny beaches, magnificent coral reefs and clear blue waters of Cyprus, Maldives or Thailand. However, by staying in Shenzhen, one can get a taste of a beach vacation without breaking the bank.

With prices starting at 200 yuan, beach-goers can spend their days swimming, basking in the coastal sun and playing volleyball or tennis at the recently developed Shangdong Beach in Longgang District. Before vacationers leave, they might also enjoy a moonlit seafood BBQ dinner on the beach.

Shangdong is one of 23 beaches in development on the east coast of Shenzhen. The beaches range from gentle crescents of white sand with calm waters to rocky headlands pounded by raging surf.

The Shangdong Beach is known by locals as a site for shooting wedding pictures. There is a studio of a local wedding photo company at the beach, offering package shooting service starting at 2,000 yuan. The company gives the beach another name, Aiqin Bay, which has the same pronunciation as "the Love Bay" in pinyin. On some days, one can find dozens of couples shooting their wedding photos on the beach at the same time.

There is generally a higher number of tourists between June and September at Shangdong, so vacationers are advised to avoid visiting on weekends during that time. On the weekdays, however, the beach is perfect for those in search of solitude.

Shangdong is less than suitable for swimming as a terminal for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) transportation is located only 100 meters away. Life guards are also not on duty at all times.

There are many well-surfaced roads that wind through nearby beautiful green hills, ideal for biking or running around the beach. The scenic road that runs along the coastline, from one white-sanded beach to another, is a world-class journey that should not be missed. Visitors should bring their own bikes as there are a very limited number of bike-rental shops nearby.

Buses: 360, 364, 823

Driving routes: Take Luosha Road (through Wutongshan Tunnel, 10-yuan toll; or a toll-free winding road around the Wutong Mountain) - Yanba Expressway - Exit Xichong (five-yuan toll) - Shenkui Road - Shangdong.

Admission: five yuan per car

Editor: Wing