The eastern-most part of Shenzhen, Dongchong is where Shenzheners ushered in the new millennium Jan. 1, 2000.

Covering an area of 24 square kilometers, Dongchong is backed by Qiniang Mountain (Seven Ladies Mountain) to the north and connects with Xichong beach on the west. Its 11-kilometer-long coastline embraces Daya Bay on the east and Dapeng Bay on the south.

However, what is identified as Dongchong Beach on the map is only a short stretch of 800 meters. The road leading to the beach is narrow but acceptable. It passes through a quiet village before approaching the beach two kilometers ahead. Almost the only sounds are chirping birds and flowing water.

The small village has a population of some 500 villagers, who make their living raising abalone, sea urchins, turbo fish and seaweed.

The locals seem quite content with what nature has bestowed on them. Evidence of the good life, robust elderly villagers play mahjong under the shade trees.

Just beyond the village lies the 800-meter-long beach, where the sands are fine and silver white and there are fewer trees than Xichong Beach. Lifeguards are only on duty on weekends.

If swimming and jogging along the silver beach are not enough, visitors can rent motorboats to reach a few offshore islands. Rental service is available at Dongchong Hotel.

The few other seaside attractions include a huge rock with a large hole in the middle along the beach to the east. Since it looks like an elephant drinking from the water, locals have named it "Elephant Stone." Near Dongchong Village, a shallow salty lake is filled with a large spread of mangrove trees. As large as 20 hectares, the mangrove forest is home to egrets and kingfishers.

Fees: Five yuan (US$0.62) for swimming and 10 for parking.

Accommodations:

For overnight stays, dozens of well-furnished wooden cabins are located near the beach. Each cabin has a large balcony with windows opening to the sea. Monday through Thursday, two-bed rooms cost 480 yuan. Friday through Sunday, the price is 680 yuan. At the nearby Dongchong Hotel, standard rooms cost about 200 yuan.

Seaside cabins and Dongchong Hotel: 8442-0777

Eating: Next to the hotel, two small seafood restaurants serve fresh abalone and sea urchins.

Getting there:

By car: Luosha Road (through Wutongshan Tunnel, 10-yuan toll; or a toll-free winding road around Wutong Mountain) -Yanba Expressway - Kuichong Exit (10-yuan toll) - Pingxi Road - Nan'ao Township - Nanxi Road

By bus: No bus runs to Dongchong. The closest public transportation is the bus to Xichong. From there, it is around 30 minutes to Dongchong. From downtown Shenzhen, take bus 360 to Nan'ao Hotel to connect with minibus 989 to Xichong. But better to take a taxi from Nan'ao to Dongchong.

Editor: Wing