THE Jinshawan (meaning "golden bay" in Chinese) resort, located in Dapeng in Longgang District, boasts a wide bay, a beach stretching three kilometers, and comprehensive facilities just two years old.

With a coastline of 133 kilometers, and more than a dozen beaches, Dapeng peninsula was selected last year as one of the eight most beautiful coasts in China by Chinese National Geography. Jinshawan is recognized as one of the most popular and well- developed vacation destinations in Dapeng.

Jinshawan got its name from its beauty at dusk. When the sun is setting, the bay is bathed in the lingering light. Both the sea and the sand glitter with golden sunlight.

At the entrance to the resort, four Canary Island date palms, almost 100 years old, stand elegantly, welcoming guests. Oil palms, coconut trees and flame trees create a subtropical seaside picture.

On the east side of the beach is a natural pine grove. Standing in the shade of the grove and looking at the sea melting into the sky is one of the resort's charms.

Looking across the bay, you can spot an island just two kilometers from the resort. It's called Ping Chau and belongs to Hong Kong.

It was once part of Xiasha Village in Dapeng but in 1898 the island was put under Hong Kong's administration when Hong Kong was occupied by Britain. The British have left, but the island still belongs to Hong Kong.

The Jinshawan resort rents sailboats, speedboats, motor boats, sailboards, canoes, diving equipment and parachutes. Prices range from 50 yuan (US$6.25) to several hundred yuan. The city's sailboard training center is based at the resort. Facilities are provided for beach volleyball and soccer.

If you want to camp out, the resort rents tents at 80 yuan for two and 120 yuan for three. If you bring your own tent, there's just a 20-yuan service fee.

Jinshawan comes complete with stores, restaurants, showers, locker rooms, a clinic and radio station.

The resort has a barbecue area and "yao chicken", a traditional dish in the Longgang District, is served in the grove. Priced at 50 yuan, a whole chicken - enough for four hungry people - is wrapped in tinfoil and baked in a hot mud coating.

Editor: Wing